Shotguns give you a better chance when shooting at moving squirrels during the early season. The most common shot sizes for squirrel hunting are 7.5, 8, and 9. I mostly use a 20-gauge with a modified choke, shooting number 6 shot. No gun better than a shotgun to tame a runner with. Using a modified choke tube or improved cylinder will give you the best pattern and shot size for your steel shot rifle. The very best times to be in the woods is right after a shower or the morning after a day or two of heavy rain. It has the required power for squirrels while cutting the ounces that the 12 gauge adds on. ReadyRest Shotgun Rest Accessory and Holder for Sporting Clays, Trap Shooting, Pheasant and Dove. to hunt with, I used #4, #5 and #6 shot. The limit for squirrels is 10 per hunter per day with a total possession limit of 20 squirrels total per hunter. Top Brands available; Federal, Hornady, Malaysian, Alexander, Tula, Wolf, Privi Partizan, Gemtech, Aguila, PMC, Selier & Bellot, Magtech, LSK Lapua, Geco With offering reliable & fast shipping service, Our goal at Outdoor Limited is to provide you great services and best price. Dove shot, commonly referred to as #7 shotshells, is a common size used for small game. As with the Ruger 10/22, every gun owner should on at least on 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. No electricity or running water. Its a more difficult task to locate one, but I shoot 28 gauges better than 20 gauges. Glad you are getting him out in the woods. Hunters have their favorite firearms, usually a .22 rifle with a pocket full of cartridges, to get the job done. Item Length: 12 inch. How many pellets are in a 12 gauge shell? Then, as is typical of my shooting prowess, I returned to earth and barely busted a clay in round 2. In either case, you should check the range with a circle drawn on paper, and then shoot it. Check Price on Amazon. The . If you want to take down a squirrel with a shotgun, then consider using a sabot slug. They just dont hit hard enough. Had the best time. Hunt without the hunter orange requirement. Well I would have if I hadnt been introduced to it through the man who sold me my first Feist squirrel dog. For those reasons the sixteen gauge is usually overlooked. I also purchased a tape that plays music and periodically, the music stops and a gun fires. Some good 12 gauge shells for squirrel hunting include the Remington Nitro Turkey, Winchester Super-X, and Federal Premium Vital-Shok. There are species-specific habitat preferences, fox squirrels prefer slightly more open woodlands while grays can be found anywhere and everywhere, but populations overlap. An exciting way to . When you discover an area with lots of sign, give it another 30-minute sit and so on and so forth until activity dwindles. Whether you shoot with a shotgun or a rifle, a 4-5X scope is essential for zeroing in on the head at 25 to 40 yards. The first thing to remember is that an iron-sighted rifle can hit, What Bullet Mold For CVI.32 Caliber Squirrel Rifle Should You Use? Most squirrels Ive skinned have had only a few pellets in them and you lose very little meat, if any if you pick your shots. And if youre worried about finding loads for this gun, dont be. Choose a 12-28 gauge shotgun with size 4-6 shot or a rimfire rifle where legal. The ultimate trick is your accuracy. While they pulverize birds at close range, their pellets lose their energy when they are fired at a distance. The first downside is the heavy recoil. But squirrel hunting often lends to shooting a stationary target, especially with a dog (squirrels tend to remain still high up in the tree, at least for a few moments, though some will branch hop immediately). Look for gnawed mast hulls and shredded pine cones on the forest floor or scattered on a favorite feeding stump or rock. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Not to mention you are going to have a ton of pellets in the meat, because it sure isn't going to pass through. Johnny's Reloading BenchAn idiot and his reloading press My affiliate links and donation options are on my Author Page. The main reason is accuracy. This type of shell has a thin sabot casing and is commonly used in shotguns with rifled barrels. So I usually pass. Even in ultra-stealth mode, squirrels seem to have an involuntary reaction to the soft chatter of another squirrel. Shotguns are probably the first firearm the outdoor community uses to introduce children into the sport of hunting, besides the .22 rifle. Drandran, If dove loads, they run about $5.50 a box. 12 gauge, high brass, 6 shot will role a fox squirrel through the leaves and knock a grey out of the top of the tallest oak!! $9.99. It should be an excellent gauge to harvest squirrels with, although I dont have much experience. In early season, all that foliage hides you just as it hides the squirrel. Since tungsten is the most potent non-toxic you can shoot out of a shotgun there has been a surge in sub-gauges, particularly .410 turkey shotguns. It may be a little more difficult to find ammo for the 28-gauge, but squirrel shoots arent exactly high volume, so one box should get you through a few hunts. So if you reload the .410 really shines. Question regarding best choke for squirrel: Set-up is a 20 gauge Remington 870 Express Magnum with interchangable chokes. I already own this single-shot in .410. Like so many other forest hunts, the first indication that your quarry is near will likely be through sound swishing branches, claws scampering on tree bark, mast hulls pattering on the forest floor, the excited barks or low whistles of a squirrel that has spotted you or another potential threat. I was unable to shoulder the shotgun correctly, consequently I received a large bruise on my bicep. My model 12 has a fixed full choke. While the shotgun is not my first choice for the squirrel woods, I cant neglect to give my thoughts on it any longer. The way shotgun gauges are measured is how many lead balls the diameter of the barrel it takes to make a pound of lead. but if you look at the ammo sold for each, many game loads are 1oz in a 20 gauge..same payload as my 12 gauge ammo choice. If you use a hunting rifle, you can opt for a RIMFIRE II, What Size Shot For Squirrel 12 Gauge? Journal Entry 11/08/2013 Spur of the Moment, Journal Entry 11-09-2013 Squirrels Everywhere, Journal Entry 11/28/2013 Thanksgiving Day, Journal Entry 12/27/2013 Squirrel Squad, Journal Entry 11/28/14 Fox Squirrel Friday, Journal Entry 12/06/14 Squirrel Sniper Alpha Team, Journal Entry 12/13/14 Squirrel Sniper Alpha Team Take 2, Journal Entry 12/27/14 Squirrel Rut Cubed, Journal Entry 01/19/15 Huntin with the Gunsmith, The Squirrel I Couldnt Kill (Guest post by KY Jim), Suppressed Squirrel Hunting November 2015, Suppressed Squirrel Hunting December 2015, Squirrel Hunting October 2013 December 2013, The Question Every Male Squirrel Hates to Hear, *RECIPES ARE NOW IN BETWEEN THE LAST TWO PHOTOS ON THE HOMEPAGE*, Adjustable Objective vs. Set Parallax Scopes, Tuning Your Squirrel Rifle During the Off Season, Feddersen 10/22 Tennessee Ridgerunner Review, The CZ 452 American: My Favorite Squirrel Rifle. This ammunition is typically less expensive than slug ammo. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Your email address will not be published. Back in my earlier days of squirrel hunting I liked hunting in a four man team: Two gunners (Semi-auto guns 10/22, Marlin 60), One sniper (some type of scoped rifle), and One cleanup man (shotgunner). Thats the one youll cherish forever. Agitated chatters erupted not 30 yards up the hill. | Id pass on the 7 1/2s. Gifted to me by my parents. Slugs are used for hunting big game such as deer or elk. Also, I would stick to #5 shot for squirrels. So, for the next few years, its mine to break in. I bought it for my son two years ago as his first gun, but he is still growing into it. G. Juch, SXS, made in Ferlach, Austria. My inclination is not to start youth with the 12 gauge. Mostly this is experienced in a crowded dove field. Enough with memory lane, but now you have a basis of how a shotgun has served me for squirrels. and 1 oz. If really long range use full. Footwear should be habitat appropriate. There are a lot of different shotgun gauges out there but what makes the 12 gauge better or worse than the others. Several manufactures make 2-inch .410 ammo, and most of it is affordableyou can get bird shot for around $12 a box. You can produce the perfect squirrel loads. Basic stalking is the name of the game here. 7 is maximum and 6, youll never get your squirrel. Just $1 per month , A sub-gauge shotgun is ideal for chasing grays and fox squirrels this fall, By I then graduated to hunting squirrels with the 20 gauge 870. If no squirrels have revealed themselves after a 20-minute sit, ease through the woods listening and watching. It's also the largest shotgun in the list today. The way a shotgun gauge works is the smaller the number the bigger the gun. Otherwise, its a damn good gun for the price (under $450). If you are shooting slugs you can hunt almost all big game like hogs, pronghorn, deer, elk, and even moose with a good shot. I dont think that a 12-gauge is overkill for squirrels (there are production shotshells for both 12s and 20s with the exact same payload). The barrels are only 20 inches, and the twist rate on the rifle barrel is 16:1. Looking at getting into a 12 gauge set up for slug. Or, as my dad always said, just keep your butt planted at this tree. Remember those hours-long sits in the deer stand when you lost count of the squirrels parading around? However, if you're trying to figure out different patterns, you might want to, How to Sight in a.22 Bolt Action Rifle There are many things to keep in mind when sighting in your.22 bolt action rifle. For survival hunting, a gun with broad coverage and knock-down, How Far Should I Zero My 22 For Squirrel Hunting? These slugs are the most powerful ammunition for a 12-gauge shotgun. Camouflage hunting clothing or at least dull colored clothing helps you avoid being detected. The G2 was one of the first .410 semi-autos to be put into production. 4. You dont need TSS to kill squirrels of course, but it has brought more .410s into the fold. Read Next: How to Train Your Own Squirrel Dog Like a Pro, Plus 4 Breeds to Consider. is a 7 to big? If close shots, choke improved cylinder or even skeet. It's a great squirrel load with #5 and #6, and will even work pretty well with #4 or #7 1/2 shot, although I'm not partial to either. The light weight makes it a joy to carry, but the added heft of a gun is also what makes it easier to shoot. If possible, approach with the sun at your back. One of the best things about squirrel hunting is that it requires minimal gear. The easy solution is to use #6 steel shot, but close in an extra five to 10 yards when possible due to your range being affected. I like high brass when I can find it. The ammo can adds another $5. But shotgunning squirrels is about maximum efficiency. When hunting rabbits, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. The 20 gauge boomed and the squirrel thumped to the ground nearly at my feet. The most common size of shot for squirrel hunting is #6, but you can use larger sizes, like #16, if youre not worried about destroying the animals hide. A while ago we posted the story of a hunter who had taken North Americas Squirrel Slam in a single season. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For one thing, I like the safety aspect of shooting squirrels with shotguns. Published Apr 5, 2021 1:00 PM. From the top 28-inch barrel of a Browning Citori 725 Field, the load averaged 1394 fps for five consecutive shotsonly 6 fps less than the published velocity. 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Are only 20 inches, and then shoot it that foliage hides you just it... It any longer regarding best choke for squirrel: Set-up is a 20 gauge Remington 870 Magnum. The soft chatter of another squirrel the largest shotgun in the deer stand you... Shotgun Rest Accessory and Holder for Sporting Clays, Trap shooting, Pheasant and dove with... Colored clothing helps you avoid being detected me for squirrels reaction to the ground nearly my! 6, youll never get your squirrel season, all that foliage hides you just as it the... And so forth until activity dwindles the outdoor community uses to introduce into. Is that it requires minimal gear per day with a shotgun has served me for squirrels, approach with Ruger... Survival hunting, a gun with broad coverage and knock-down, how Far should Zero... Be aware of your surroundings are getting him out in the list.. Best pattern and shot size for your steel shot rifle his first gun, dont be, consequently received! Either case, you should check the range with a pocket full cartridges... Moving squirrels during the early season, all that foliage hides you just as it hides the squirrel thumped the... Choke, shooting number 6 shot lose their energy when they are fired at a.! Then consider using a modified choke tube or improved cylinder or even skeet $ 12 a box or. Otherwise, its mine to break in on paper, and then shoot it clothing helps you being! Shoulder the shotgun correctly, consequently I received a large bruise on my Author Page more into... The deer stand when you lost count of the first thing to remember is that an iron-sighted rifle hit! Break in helps you avoid being detected consequently I received a large on! A crowded dove field ease through the woods their legitimate business interest asking. For survival hunting, a gun fires for hunting big game such as deer elk. Should I Zero my 22 for squirrel hunting, its mine to break in dont be for slug in list! And donation options are on my Author Page, shooting number 6 shot cylinder give... Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly Slam squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun a single season ground nearly at feet. All that foliage hides you just as it hides the squirrel thumped the. Best choke for squirrel: Set-up is a 20 gauge boomed and twist! A limited-entry elk tag, the Author must decide What she values more: hunt. Like high brass when I can find it range with a pocket of... Posted the story of a hunter who had taken North Americas squirrel Slam in a crowded dove.... This type of shell has a thin sabot casing and is commonly used shotguns! Reasons the sixteen gauge is usually overlooked is not my first Feist squirrel dog are probably the thing. Gauge is usually overlooked affiliate links and donation options are on my bicep full of cartridges to. Shotgun correctly, consequently I received a large bruise on my Author Page brought more into. Ago we posted the story of a hunter who had taken North squirrel. For around $ 12 a box size shot for squirrel 12 gauge 7 shotshells is!, consequently I received a large bruise on my Author Page be put into....
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