Squirrel Gun Tips

[Joshnbb]

Looking to get a squirrel gun for christmas. yeah kinda late....i know...i know. Anyhow what are your guys and gals thoughts. .17 or .22

 

[RGriff69]

I like using a 17 Mach II. I have a 17 HMR also but don't use it much for squirrels.

 

[patience0830]

Mach 2

Looking to get a squirrel gun for christmas. yeah kinda late....i know...i know. Anyhow what are your guys and gals thoughts. .17 or .22

.17 HM2 if you can find one. .22lr will do the job, tho. Mach 2 just lets you reach out with a little more confidence and no hold over out to about 90 yds when the leaves are off. Fewer crawl offs with the Mach 2 as well.
Whittakers Gunshop down in KY is s'posed to be getting some CZ 452 americans in HM2 in January.

 

[dcahsr23]

no much need for a tactical 22 that have become popular other than its weights less. top three in order would be a 10/22 with steel trigger, marlin 917, then a remigiton or mossberg. the 10/22 are practically ready to go right out the box. I use 32grain high velocity type bullet

 

[canav844]

Take a look on rimfire central, I've read a few stories of 17 HMR not leaving any squirrel left after a good hit; now it's what I've read on the interwebs, so I'm sure it was embellished, but if it is to be the primary purpose I'd think it's work investigating. I'm building my 10/22 and I'd like to eventually take it squirrel hunting, but that will by no means be it's primary role.

 

[gus1989]

Ruger MKIII pistol with a red dot.

 

[Twentyfootdaredevil]

.17 HMR is for head shots only. It will ruin any meat it comes close to. I shot one facing me in the chest one time and there was no point in keeping it.

 

[trillobite]

.22 air rifle. It won't scare away the other targets. Otherwise, a 10/22.

 

[canav844]

.22 air rifle. It won't scare away the other targets. Otherwise, a 10/22.

Not to hijack, but are supressed air rifles legal to hunt with in IN? I know firearm suppressors are a no go.

 

[patience0830]

the 10/22 are practically ready to go right out the box.

OMG!! You didn't really just say that, did you?

Unless you're planning on for improvements there are a lot of better options for someone looking to hunt squirrels successfully.

I own several 10/22's and I'd never handicap a beginner with one right off the bat. The plastic trigger group ones will never darken my doorstep again. Even the rcvr was crap on that one.

 

[patience0830]

.22 air rifle. It won't scare away the other targets. Otherwise, a 10/22.

Most of the time a .17 hm2 won't scare away the other targets if you sit still and don't go chasin the one you knocked out of the tree. And if you hit him in the head with the mach 2 there will be no need to chase him. Pellet gun gives much less room for error in shot placement. I'd take boiler room shots with a pellet rifle. Little bigger vital area to hit. I'd have to be supremely confident in my presented shot and my equipment to hunt eith a pellet rifle. They'll do the job but you need to be better/ more selective on shots you will and won't take. If you're off by a little with the .17 you'll probably still kill the squirrel. Same goes for HV/HP .22 lr ammo. Causes enough shock and damage to keep 'em on the ground.

 

[GM_Geezer]

My fav is a 10/22. Rebarreled with a GM heavy sportster $75. A few other mods cheap to free and I can pick which eye to put the shot in. Check out rimfirecentral. Those guys can get a ruger running.

 

[hammer24]

I've killed them with both the .17 HMR and .22, but opt for the tried and true .22. I usually use my 20 yr. old marlin 60, and have never had a problem. This one is on my shortlist, though! CZ 452 FS

 

[dcahsr23]

OMG!! You didn't really just say that, did you?

Unless you're planning on for improvements there are a lot of better options for someone looking to hunt squirrels successfully.

I own several 10/22's and I'd never handicap a beginner with one right off the bat. The plastic trigger group ones will never darken my doorstep again. Even the rcvr was crap on that one.

that is why i said the one with steel triggers.

 

[.356luger]

Always liked the savage bolt .22 like mkII and such in 17 they will reach out and touch a bushy tail if you are a good shot because as stated head shots only or junked a good meal.

 

[38special]

You guys really like to complicate things. I've killed many squirrels with a simple Marlin Model 60 .22lr.

Just about any .22 with a scope will kill a squirrel.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Eh, I think that the 7mm Rem Mag makes a fantastic squirrel gun...

-J-

 

[Ambu]

You definitely need a tactical ar-15 with cmmg's .22 kit..

 

[slimplmbr]

Marlin model 39 has been my squirrel gun since I started hunting 25+ years ago and has never let me down.

 

[WLW]

Marlin model 39 has been my squirrel gun since I started hunting 25+ years ago and has never let me down.

I could not say it any better myself. My Marlin 39 drops them like a rock if I do my part.