Calibers >22 LR for Squirrel?

[Louisiana Deerman]

Hey Rokslide. I currently have a blast squirrel hunting with a supressed 22LR using subsonics. Thinking of trying another caliber that may be more flat shooting and allow for longer shots in the large canopy oak flats I hunt. Anyone have experience using rifle calibers larger than 22LR, such as 17 HMR or 22 mag? Do those calibers tend to result in more wasted meat on squirrel? Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[menhaden_man]

22 mag is pretty nasty on squirrels. Head shots or mid body or you’ll be wasting a lot of meat. Probably better off sticking with a 22 and dialing.

 

[Nine Banger]

Probably better off sticking with a 22 and dialing.

That's what we do.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Squirrel hunting is all about headshots, so a flatter shooting cartridge is desirable, but .22 LR has always worked for me. If I were to try a different cartridge, I’d go for a 17 HMR. CZ and Tikka both offer excellent rifles in that cartridge.

I’ve heard from lots of folks that 22 magnum ammo isn’t usually very accurate, but I don’t have firsthand experience to verify that.

In my younger days, I used to use my 9mm for shooting squirrels while I was deer hunting. But that was only a 25-yard affair.

 

[Chris in TN]

After numerous years of using a subsonic suppressed .22lr I have zero desire to ever use anything supersonic again for squirrels.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Hmr is legit. Rather destructive though. Id stick with the 22

 

[xrangerx]

Check out the 17hm2. I’m putting one together now. Checks a lot of those boxes!

 

[Mzzy]

Squirrel hunting is all about headshots, so a flatter shooting cartridge is desirable, but .22 LR has always worked for me. If I were to try a different cartridge, I’d go for a 17 HMR. CZ and Tikka both offer excellent rifles in that cartridge.

I’ve heard from lots of folks that 22 magnum ammo isn’t usually very accurate, but I don’t have firsthand experience to verify that.

In my younger days, I used to use my 9mm for shooting squirrels while I was deer hunting. But that was only a 25-yard affair.

 

[Timplant]

I have been heading shooting squirels religously with a .17hmr for almost 20yrs, 19 actuallly. BUT two years ago I switched to a supressed .22 I built and HOLY MOLY is it fun. You can hear the bullet hit them, and the other squirrels literally don't care.

I still shoot the .17 occasionally still because I have tons and tons of ammo and its a joy to carry.

They are both equally as fun

I WOULD however stay away from .22WMR, it's a little too much power and even a good ear or eye shot it'll pop the body and ruin front shoulders

 

[7RemMag]

I’ve heard from lots of folks that 22 magnum ammo isn’t usually very accurate, but I don’t have firsthand experience to verify that.

My Dad has a Marlin( unsure of the model) 22 Mag that for a long time was at least arguably the most accurate rifle he owned. That said, Our experience kind of mirrors this. It can be one fussy little rifle/cartridge combo. Or at least that particular one is. I’ve seen it shoot exceptionally well by rimfire standards and I’ve seen it shoot horribly just by changing ammo.

That said, I’ve seen a lot of squirrels and rabbits killed with that little rifle and killed a good few myself. Definitely want to shoot for the head though. Otherwise you’re going to lose some meat.