What shotgun for squirrel

It's more about the size of the shot than the gauge used. Only ever used 4's out of a 12 gauge myself. Modified choke, I think. It's been a while. 4's out of a modified 12 do not blow a tree rat into a mist either. There is no such thing as "not overly loud" with any shotgun.
"...If you're not going to eat the squirrels..." Violates hunting regs to waste game meat. Depends on where you are, of course, but tree rats are considered game animals in most places. Make absolutely sure of their status first. It's easier and less expensive to remove food sources and den/nesting sites plus spreading blood meal around, both of which are entirely silent.
 
Actually the pellet gun is a really good suggestion.

I bought one last year for the first time in 10+ years and they have come a long way. Maybe time for an upgrade?
 
If you want a quiet air rifle, go with the pneumatics that use a scuba tank to refill. You can dial in whatever speed (as in keeping them subsonic) so all you hear is a low PFFFFFT as opposed to a springer where you get the TWANG from the spring but the crack form the pellet going supersonic.
 
Spring air guns are a bit loud, but not bad. You want a heavy enough pellet that stays around 1000fps or less. Super Sonic pellets will get knocked around as they lose velocity. The shock wave from breaking the sound barrier catches up to them and disrupts their flight path.
I've found .22 RWS Super Points at 14.6 gr fired from an RWS 350 magnum Springer make for good clean squirrel kills. A PCP will be easier to shoot, but has many costs that Springer does not.
 
Since you're not going to eat them and you want to use steel.......I'd go with a 12 ga and #6 shot.I personally use a 12 ga with #6 lead........most passes straight thru so no shot to pick out during butchering.I also use an air gun with a built in suppressor........just makes it more challenging,maybe not the best solution for pest removal.I have used a 22 using subsonic loads but again......for pest use a shotgun for the sure kill.
 
Where I hunt the squirrel population grows unchecked. About the only thing that eats em is Pine Marten.
Not a animal one could make a tasty bowl of soup with. (Red Squirrel) nope~no thanks.
Now a Fox or a Grey a 410 would serve its hunter well.
 
If recoil is a problem for you, then go with 20 gauge. Walmart will sell you a perfectly capable Remington 870 pump shotgun in 20 gauge with the changeable-choke muzzle.

I use "full" choke when hunting squirrels as I like the challenge of longer range shots. You can check with Remington if their barrels handle steel shot but I will bet you they do.

I prefer #5 shot but #4 or #6 will do.

*Now for me personally, I prefer 16 gauge as it is about the perfect balance of power and recoil. It's making something of a comeback. My favorite shotgun is a Browning Automatic 5 (pre 1999) and that means I'll probably have to shoot lead since none of my Auto 5's barrels are made for steel shot. I don't eat squirrels, I give those away, often to other hunters I come across who haven't had much luck.
 
My home town

Shooting squirrels in Longview......would be akin to shooting bald eagles in Wa. DC.

We have squirrel bridges.....to protect the tree rats when they are crossing the road. There are at least three of them around town.

We have a squirrel festival. Yes, it's about the only thing I don't like about "my" town.

The cat sure likes them tho. I get to live vicariously that way, I love watching him hunt. He's a tom, in every sense of the word. I am not a fan of cats, but this one is pretty cool.

Uhh folks they are rodents....
 
What is your preference?

Have used the thre gauges 12, 161 & 20 for squirrel.chakes ranges from full to IMPCyl.

Mostly lead shot for me, steel, will require a current made shotgun for handling the shpt, older gund best use the bismuth shot.

Rifle / pistol, SS bolt action, 1906 Win Pump, Ruger 77/22 Marlin 60, , Woodsman 22, old RG34 revolver and T/C Contender with .22LR barrel.

you decide what you want.

Good luck, enjoy.
 
Grandpa used to let me use his side by side 20ga to hunt squirrels. I've been told that a 16ga will pattern a lot better, though, but that probably only makes a difference for fowl.

If I could shoot them all on the ground instead of the trees, I'd rather use a .22LR.

--Wag--
 
Ricklin said:
Shooting squirrels in Longview......would be akin to shooting bald eagles in Wa. DC.

We have squirrel bridges.....to protect the tree rats when they are crossing the road. There are at least three of them around town.

We have a squirrel festival. Yes, it's about the only thing I don't like about "my" town.

The cat sure likes them tho. I get to live vicariously that way, I love watching him hunt. He's a tom, in every sense of the word. I am not a fan of cats, but this one is pretty cool.

Uhh folks they are rodents....
Click to expand...
Southerner's know what to do with squirrels....you got squirrel jambalaya , squirrel gumbo , fried squirrel , squirrel fricassee , squirrel sauce picante , smothered squirrel , squirrel in red gravy, squirrel pot pie , baked squirrel , Mississippi Crock Pot squirrel , smoked squirrel , grilled squirrel , squirrels in brown gravy , country style squirrel , oven fried squirrel, Belgian squirrel, squirrel sausage , braised squirrel, buttermilk fried squirrel with white gravy , deviled squirrel , squirrel salad , squirrel au Vin , squirrel cacciatore, squirrel Creole ....I could go on but I think if you guys would arm yourselves with some recipes , learn how to fix them you might not have a squirrel problem any longer. We sure don't...we do have a season and a limit on how many you can take. Opening day of squirrel season is a big deal at the hunting camps in Louisiana ...and we take our preparing and eating of the harvest very seriously.

As for shotguns I usually use a 20 gauge because of ammo availabilty but if ammo wasn't a problem the 28 gauge would be my choice. A friend had one and they are nice.
Gary
 
Last edited:
I've been hunting all upland game with my 16 gauge shotgun ever since I was a kid. Stacks of small game have been felled with low base #6 shot. But steel shot is a problem with this gauge as it has declined in popularity for the past 45 years.

In my opinion, 12 gauge is too much for rabbit and squirrel hunting since heavy meat damage is a concern. 20 gauge should be fine for your needs.

Jack
 
Pest control? How many is there? It’s sensless to shoot innocent animals unless you are eating them. That’s my opinion and many hunters would agree.

Any shotgun will do, what’s the max distance? How good are you? Close range only, use whatever choke you want. I tried once with smooth bore slug once shooting #4 buck, at 40-50 yards. Didn’t hit the squirrel. So then I went to the other end of the spectrum and used my Marlin Goosegun. It has a 3 foot barrel and full choke. The squirrel was running but I blew a tree limb out at 40 yards. That gun was nice for early fall hunting. Could easily move spider webs out of the way, the gun is around 5 feet long. But it was way to big to get around the woods with. So I settled on my o/u and borrowed an extra full choke. Got a squirrel running through brush at around 25 yards. That was my first and last squirrel killed. My dad was big in to deer hunting and nothing else so I never went as a kid and as an adult I’m pretty busy. But anyways, I suggest a single shot or double barrel 12 or 20 gauge and with a full choke.
 
As you describe your circumstance, a Sheridan Pellet Gun would be dandy. My 20cal Blue Streak has been my urban answer. Put it in the shoulder or head and they fall at the shot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top