your favorit squirrel/rabbit gun
- Thread starter mo84
- Start date
jglsprings
New member
I know it is the shotgun forum, but, I use my .22 ninety nine percent of the time.
liberty -r- death
New member
I prefer 22lr. over shot gun. Never have to worry about biting into a pellet with a 22.
A couple of public hunting grounds I use require shotgun. So I use a 20 ga. there.
A couple of public hunting grounds I use require shotgun. So I use a 20 ga. there.
Rifleman1776
New member
My favorite is my Revolutionary period transitional style flintlock longrifle in .45 cal.
However, I have killed many-many more with my Ruger 10/22.
However, I have killed many-many more with my Ruger 10/22.
When using shotguns, for squirrel and rabbit, I prefer either my Winchester Model 12 or my grandfather's Ithaca Flues model double. #7 1/2 or 8s for squirrels and #6 for rabbit. Lead shot only.
The trick for squirrels is to "bark" them, in other words, aim just a bit off, so they are only hit by the edge of the pattern. Otherwise, you get a lot more lead than meat!
The shotgun is not the best thing for squirrels, a .22LR is much more efficient. For rabbits, the shotgun does a bit better efficiency-wise, but a .22 is still a good choice, unless you are shooting running game, where the pattern of the shotgun gives it an edge.
The trick for squirrels is to "bark" them, in other words, aim just a bit off, so they are only hit by the edge of the pattern. Otherwise, you get a lot more lead than meat!
The shotgun is not the best thing for squirrels, a .22LR is much more efficient. For rabbits, the shotgun does a bit better efficiency-wise, but a .22 is still a good choice, unless you are shooting running game, where the pattern of the shotgun gives it an edge.
TheNatureBoy
New member
I've never hunted rabbit but as far as hunting squirrel is concerned I use a pellet rifle a w/scope. Just as lethal as a .22 and a whole lot quieter.
I use the shotgun because 99% of the time the squirrels are on the ground at a fair distance as I sit on a ridge and catch them as they go by. The 22 didn't seem to be as efficient compaired to the 10 gage. I drive about an hour to where I hunt so missing them kinda makes for a bad day lol. I think if I had a dog to tree them then I would probably just use a 22 but that seems like alot of work compaired to sitting on the ridge just being patient 
I like hunting squirrel/rabbit because it seems to be the only season I can hunt state land without anyone else around.
I like hunting squirrel/rabbit because it seems to be the only season I can hunt state land without anyone else around.My long time favorite squirrel gun is a .410 Remington 870 pump with a full choke.
I've found that even only one well placed ball of #6 shot is capable of harvesting an eastern gray squirrel.
The 3" .410 shells provide enough extra range to effectively hit squirrels that are moving limb to limb in the tree tops.
Aiming the .410 is more forgiving than a .22 and it doesn't cause as much meat damage as the larger gauge shotguns can.
And the .410 doesn't often cause enough pelt damage to ruin the possibility of having a squirrel mounted. If firing any shotgun at very close range then one can always aim off to the side so that the squirrel is hit with fewer pellets from the fringe of the shot pattern compared to when firing directly at it.
I've found that even only one well placed ball of #6 shot is capable of harvesting an eastern gray squirrel.
The 3" .410 shells provide enough extra range to effectively hit squirrels that are moving limb to limb in the tree tops.
Aiming the .410 is more forgiving than a .22 and it doesn't cause as much meat damage as the larger gauge shotguns can.
And the .410 doesn't often cause enough pelt damage to ruin the possibility of having a squirrel mounted. If firing any shotgun at very close range then one can always aim off to the side so that the squirrel is hit with fewer pellets from the fringe of the shot pattern compared to when firing directly at it.
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DiscoRacing
New member
squirrel...ruger m77 .223
rabbit....beretta al2 12 ga.
rabbit....beretta al2 12 ga.
pabuckslayer08
New member
If im stalking in field edges and what not I use my .17 but when im in thick forest I carry my 11-87
My first squirrels fell to a single shot H&R 16 gauge,ca 1927 manufacture and 1958 employment. It has been Pop's first shotgun also,
Singles still trip my trigger for squirrels. I've taken a 12 gauge NEF single hunting a couple times and made meat. These days, though, I've lots of choices including a few 20 gauges, an 870 and an O/U. I shoot both well.
Where I live has too many people around to fire off 22s into the canopy. I used to take a HS Trophy Supermatic target pistol along for squirrels on the ground and that 16 gauge for upward shots.
I've taken squirrels and rabbits with everything from 4s to 8s. By and large, 6s work best,followed by 5s, IMO.
HTH....
Singles still trip my trigger for squirrels. I've taken a 12 gauge NEF single hunting a couple times and made meat. These days, though, I've lots of choices including a few 20 gauges, an 870 and an O/U. I shoot both well.
Where I live has too many people around to fire off 22s into the canopy. I used to take a HS Trophy Supermatic target pistol along for squirrels on the ground and that 16 gauge for upward shots.
I've taken squirrels and rabbits with everything from 4s to 8s. By and large, 6s work best,followed by 5s, IMO.
HTH....
Creek Henry
New member
.22 marlin lever gun or 12 bore. My .22 Magnum AMT semi-auto works well out to 40 yards or so but it's hard getting that close to truely wild rabbits and squirrels.