But I had better eyes back in college, and I used its open sights to keep our dorm room crockpot a bubbling with fresh squirrel quarters at all times. 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). But dont go thinking that you need an arsenal of rifles and shotguns in order to be an effective small game hunter. I shoot the squirrel anywhere from 20 to 80 yards, it falls over and dies. WebSo I use a very light over under 20 gauge 26" barrels for all upland hunting, and a 12 gauge much heavier over under for water fowl. Id call it one that got away.
My hunting buddy in high school carried one, and when wed finish our limits of a morning, wed take whatever ammo was left in our pockets and load it into the 30-round banana mag he kept in his backpack.
Thats when the lead from the fired shell rains down on you. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. It may just be the ideal tool to get the job done.
Squirrel hunting is an artform requiring a solid handle on the tools of the trade.
Lack of effective range is another reason. Shell Release Rubber Butt Pad Inertia Semi Automatic Shotgun Particularly in parts of the rural South, shotgunners are the dominant force in squirrel hunting. And after skinning a few thousand bushytails, Ive gotten OK at it. Admittedly, my personal experience with the 16-gauge is limited. The number associated with each gauge is determined by the number of round lead balls of that gauges bore diameter required to make one pound.
With an 18.5-inch barrel and weight of just 5 pounds, I dont know of a shotgun any smaller than this micro-sized pump, either.
Its also drilled and tapped for an optics base, which is all but mandatory for hand-gunning squirrels.
I ended up limiting out on pressured gray squirrels in half a day, and I also ended up shooting a bonus red squirrel. As the shot charge increases, however, the velocities decrease to compensate for the potential of higher pressures, making it a trade-off between more shot and benefits and sacrifices. I have owned an over-and-under 3-inch 20-gauge for many years, and I have never felt the need to shoot a 3-inch shell.
Prepper's Since 2014! The gauge and shot you choose is completely dependent on what youre comfortable with as a hunter and what kind of woods youre hunting in.
Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. But the standard Topper, usually in 20-gauge, is the gun Ive seen used most in the squirrel woods, and its still one of the best bargains going in the world of single-barrel shotguns. Squirrel and other small game seasons happen throughout the country, giving hunters a chance to enjoy some of the finest opportunities for woodsmanship, fellowship and shooting skills. Many shooters may not realize that the little .410 is not technically a gauge at all, but rather a 410 bore a name that accurately reflects its bore diameter of 0.410 inches. info@meds.or.ke If you know the pintails will be spooky where you plan to hunt, try shooting a full choke to give you a little more distance. Sometimes quiet, sometimes noisy but always looking for food, squirrels offer a fantastic test of a hunter's shooting skills no matter what age or time of year. One of the key factors to consider when choosing a shotgun for hunting is the gauge, which refers to the diameter of the guns barrel. I use 3 number 6 shot. Birdshot is designed for flushing or flying game and ideally used in an open choke at close distances. Accuracy is of paramount importance, What is the Best Gun to Kill a Squirrel? If you can find 12 gauge shells loaded with 1-oz of shot and fired in either a full or modified choke this would be a nondestructive load for small game.
Twelve is probably the most popular gauge used for squirrels, mainly because its the most popular shotgun gauge.
Shotguns are sized according to the bore diameter. Best Shotguns for Squirrel Hunting. The most common shotgun gauges are 12-gauge, 20 Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. I do not. Free shipping.
A pump action shotgun has a fore-end that must be slid back and forth to eject a round and chamber a new one.
This is my fathers all time favorite shotgun cartridge and he will swear by it. Comments have to be approved before showing up, 2023 Foundry Outdoors - All Rights Reserved, Product successfully added to your Shopping Cart, 223 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 243 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 25 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 300 RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, 7mm RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo. At that moment, a long-time goal had been achieved. My favorite shotgun is a Rem 870 youth 20g with mod choke screwed in; its light,compact,and the shorter stock lets me wear a heavy coat!
However many of those lead balls it would take to make one pound is the gauge. Enough with memory lane, but now you have a basis of how a shotgun has served me for squirrels.
Web12-gauge shotguns are used for hunting North American game animals from squirrel to moose.
Like the 20-gauge, though, a 312-inch chamber can still fire the shorter shells. How about 28 gauge? Stoeger Coach Shotgun. Youre free to argue with my choices, but enter into the fray knowing that if I agreed with you, wed both be wrong.
WebThe Ruger SR22 is another popular option for squirrel hunting. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. If you take an 870 shotgun, pattern the choke you have in it with a few different shells, and keep your turkeys at 40 yards and under you will have no problems. When my neighbor saw me struggling to skin game with the traditional, cut-across-the-back method, he taught me a better way. Its big and heavy, with a wide forend that rests perfectly against saplings, and a Micro Groove barrel that is famous for cloverleaf groups. Answer: Some of the best shotgun accessories for squirrel hunting include a shotgun scope a shotgun sling and a shotgun shell holder. Instead, a much better option would be to start with a 20-gauge, using light loads that can be gradually increased as the young hunter grows in size and stamina.
What is the Total Distance Covered by a Squirrel? It should be an excellent gauge to harvest squirrels with, although I dont have much experience. If you are a reloader it makes the 28 gauge more appealing. Twelve is probably the most popular gauge used for squirrels, mainly because its the most popular shotgun gauge. However this week I ordered a 20 gauge pump with interchangeable choke tubes. WebThe 12 gauge is so popular because its powerful enough to hunt most species of game, but the recoil of a 12 gauge is much more manageable than the 10 gauge. They will find reasons not to do it again. We missed some, of course thus the need for plenty of ammo but it only proved the point. Answer: A rifled barrel has spiral grooves cut into the inside of the barrel while a smooth bore barrel does not. There are several options, from a.22 WMR to a.17 HMR. Answer: Some of the best shotgun brands for squirrel hunting include Remington Winchester and Mossberg. WebWhether you're hunting game birds, deer, squirrel, rabbit or most any small to medium game there will be a shot size and material specific to your shooting needs At Outdoor Limited, we have huge collection of of popular calibers such as 10 Gauge, 12 Gauge, 16 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 24 Gauge, 28 Gauge, 32 Gauge and 410 BORE.
I love to squirrel hunt for the pure, low-brow fun of it. Hunters have their favorite firearms, usually a .22 rifle with a pocket full of cartridges, to get the job done.
Despite my limited experience, I do know some bird hunters who swear by their 16s. I view the 10-gauge as a relic of the past, reminiscent of the days of market hunting when the main objective was to quickly fill the boat with game by maximizing the amount of shot in the air.
Did a couple years with a 410 but moved him to a 20 last year. What is the difference between a break action and pump action shotgun? Relatively new TSS shot shell technology has made .410 loads to be effective for large gobblers. There is pretty much nothing you can do with a rifle, but with a shotgun you have a chance. Ill discuss the 20 and 12 gauges together.
The 3 #6 though..whole different league. Undoubtedly, non-toxic shot options such as steel pale in comparison to lead shot in terms of killing potential.
While it might seem that a versatile shotgun would be costlier than one with a narrower range of capabilities, the opposite is true. For larger game, a 3-inch chamber would be ideal, but a 234-inch chamber would suffice for other uses and be more affordable. info@meds.or.ke
A brief look at shotguns for scaled quail At this point the question is, does one shoot a 20-, 16-, or 12-gauge? Pros; Cons; 4. Thats how a surprise is suppose to work. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclosure: Squirrelhuntingjournal.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Pre-owned. For the last three years I have hunted with the .410 the most, just a little Stoeger O/U .410, and I have to tell you with 3 #6 shot it is lights out awesome, (both barrels full choke). Just getting my grandson into hunting.
This lineup of guns, including both some classics and some new favorites, is one thats proven itself in the woods. Answer: A break action shotgun has a hinged breech that is opened manually to load and unload the gun. Its the smallest shotgun gauge that you are going to find and is an excellent choice for someone who might not be able to handle the recoil of a 20 gauge.
The Remington 870 that was purchased for me that year, has now many miles and scars on it through heavy use.
Answer: Some of the best shotgun scopes for squirrel hunting include the Nikon Prostaff the Leupold VX-2 and the Bushnell Banner.
Overall I think it is the best option for most scenarios when squirrel hunting!
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What are some of the best shotgun choke tubes for squirrel hunting? The Hunter version also has a V-notch for windage and elevation. Most of these classic pump-action gallery guns are surprisingly good shooters that will last forever, because they were designed to entertain the class of people who enjoy attending traveling carnivals (by God, I love carnivals). Just $1 per month , A look at the all-time best rifles, shotguns, and handguns for chasing Americas favorite small game, By A 12-gauge shotgun is the perfect choice for most duck hunting. Jul 18, 2020 #3 luvtohunt 12 pointer
Leaves still cling to the limbs and won't fall for several weeks or months, depending on where you live. The Stoeger Coach Gun is a double-barreled shotgun that has been popular in cowboy days. With a classic walnut stock and the unmistakable brass deflector, the 552 Speedmaster is another icon of the squirrel woods. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its 20-inch barrels are perfect for hunting squirrels, as most of the hunting takes place in close quarters. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. WebTo maximize your squirrel-hunting results, use a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with birdshot or small game pellets. For squirrels I tend to use a shell between a 6-8.
Hell you can even change the barrel out to make a nice slug gun. At that time, it was allowed to use lead shot on National Wildlife Refuges if you were using any gauge other than a 12. In front of the gun, from left, are a 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 shells. I also started squirrel hunting when shells were paper & wads were card & fiber. Some people, What Shotgun Shells to Use For Squirrel Hunting When it comes to shooting squirrel, number four pellets are the best choice. What is the best type of shotgun ammunition for squirrel hunting? In contrast, all other shotgun gauges are measured differently.
I know what you are saying, Finally, Ole Nates gonna give the shotgun fans some love! Yeah you are right. Vintage Western Xpert 12 Gauge Shotgun Shell Empty Box 2 3/4 1oz 6 shot.
I found this to be a nice combination and makes for some fun hunts. These guns provide a fun and effective alternative to their larger counterparts. Should work well also. Its the most accurate firearm Ive ever owned. Gun optics definitely help, of course, with longer shots and more accurate placement of a bullet in the head so you don't waste meat.
Pros; Cons; 2. To kick off this article on gear, Ill refer to one of my own passages from Volume 1 of the Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game. .22 LR reigns supreme for meat hunters, given body shots won't ruin the meat. A good squirrel hunting shotgun should be easy to conceal, have a large barrel, and have a high trigger.
Initially, .410 shotshells were only 2 inches in length, but today, 2.5- and 3-inch shells are standard. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. It is the most widely used shotgun gauge of all time, owing to its versatility. Here are some tips on which one to choose., What About the 410 For Squirrel Hunting? There are the smaller B pellets at .17 inches.
Dads gun likes a Winchester 37-grain Super Speed hollowpoint, wears the same fixed 4x scope that its always had, and will shoot tight groups to this day. 5 Best Shotgun for Squirrel Hunting. All the hunting is done when the trigger is pulled or I dont take the shot. While the trusty .22 rifle is a staple for squirrel hunting.
The recoil, while more than a 28 gauge, is very controllable for most people, especially on any modern shotgun with recoil reduction technologies. You don't want a full choke if all your shots are at 25 yards and you don't want an improved cylinder choke if
What is the difference between a fixed choke and a removable choke? He mounted a red-dot sight to it, and though I prefer a scope for hand-gunning squirrels, its still a fine setup for close-range hunting. It is primarily used for geese and large ducks.
Look for a slimmer 16g frame. We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. Trapping of squirrels is illegal. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. I reload my own 12ga ammo and i generally use 1 1/8 oz.
I use 3 number 6 shot. Birdshot is designed for flushing or flying game and ideally used in an open choke at close distances. Accuracy is of paramount importance, What is the Best Gun to Kill a Squirrel? If you can find 12 gauge shells loaded with 1-oz of shot and fired in either a full or modified choke this would be a nondestructive load for small game. 
The most common shotgun gauges are 12-gauge, 20 Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. I do not. Free shipping. 
How about 28 gauge? Stoeger Coach Shotgun. Youre free to argue with my choices, but enter into the fray knowing that if I agreed with you, wed both be wrong. 
Its big and heavy, with a wide forend that rests perfectly against saplings, and a Micro Groove barrel that is famous for cloverleaf groups. Answer: Some of the best shotgun accessories for squirrel hunting include a shotgun scope a shotgun sling and a shotgun shell holder. Instead, a much better option would be to start with a 20-gauge, using light loads that can be gradually increased as the young hunter grows in size and stamina. 
With a classic walnut stock and the unmistakable brass deflector, the 552 Speedmaster is another icon of the squirrel woods. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its 20-inch barrels are perfect for hunting squirrels, as most of the hunting takes place in close quarters. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. WebTo maximize your squirrel-hunting results, use a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with birdshot or small game pellets. For squirrels I tend to use a shell between a 6-8. 
While the trusty .22 rifle is a staple for squirrel hunting.