New to squirrels

sram9102

WKR
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Oct 31, 2018
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IN
Probably depends when you plan on hinting them. I hate hunting them early season but know a lot of people like shotgunning them. If you want to rifle hunt them i highly recommend a suppressor. They rarely acknowledge a missed shot suppressed with subs. My savage mk-II fvsr has killed a boatload of tree rats.
 

BBob

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Jun 29, 2020
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Southern AZ
In early life I shotgunned them but I now prefer a little CZ452 or a scoped Ruger MKII. I have CZ’s in 22LR, 17HMR and 17HM2. My CZ Varmint in 22LR is my favorite of the rifles for squirrels.
 
Joined
Oct 18, 2022
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Wisconsin
17HMR, headshots only. Ive gotten a couple of neckshots that have left the shoulder meat destroyed. I recently picked up for FMJ rounds to try and see if i have less meat loss.
 

wytx

WKR
Joined
Feb 2, 2017
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Wyoming
They have great eyesight, go slow or sit.
Shotgun is go to and the easiest for taking squirrels, .22 or so rifle makes it a little more challenging.
Head shots save meat.

Have fun, I miss hunting squirrels.
 

np307

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
103
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North Carolina
Marlin model 60 with a Crossman 4x32 air rifle scope. I put it on because it was the only free scope I had at the time and I'm actually hard pressed to switch now.
 
Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
682
Location
Western Kentucky
Shotguning can be fun, if that route I like to use a light 20ga.
Most of the time I like to use my ruger american .22lr with a Redfield tac22 2-7x33
Don't forget a gamestrap or vest to carry those tree rats back to the truck. I use an old turkey vest. Nice when you stop and sit on a spot for a bit.
Good luck and happy hunting!
 

jayhawk

WKR
Joined
Apr 2, 2022
Messages
455
ruger 10/22, and sometimes a 20ga topper. Killed a lot of squirrels with that gun.
 

Dave_S

FNG
Joined
Dec 17, 2022
Messages
69
Mossberg 500 12ga. More than you need, for sure, but it's inherited (i.e. free) and versatile.
 

safeskies

FNG
Joined
Dec 2, 2015
Messages
16
I use a Ruger 10/22 Takedown with integrally suppressed barrel and subsonic rounds. Whisper quiet in a small package. My new favorite is a Daystate air rifle for similar reasons, but I can additionally use it in areas that have firearm restrictions (closer to cities and such).
 
Joined
Nov 26, 2018
Messages
1,209
Location
Ohio
17HMR, headshots only. Ive gotten a couple of neckshots that have left the shoulder meat destroyed. I recently picked up for FMJ rounds to try and see if i have less meat loss.
My favorite squirrel load is 17 HMR FMJ. No more meat loss than a 22 HP, just as effective and much further range.

The game points aren’t bad either, but I still try and stick to head shots with those. That said it’s nice to have those loaded in case a coyote/raccoon/fox shows up.
 
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