squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun

If no squirrels have revealed themselves after a 20-minute sit, ease through the woods listening and watching. What are some of the best shotgun choke tubes for squirrel hunting? The quiet solitude of daybreak alone is one of the primary charms of squirrel hunting for me. Just $1 per month . Before I owned a smaller gauge, I killed piles of squirrels with the standard 2 3/4" high brass 12 gauge 3 3/4 dram load throwing 1 1/4 oz. On especially cold and nasty days, they dont leave the den. I am going squirrel hunting and I am borrowing a .22 for now but I am wanting to use my shotgun. 3. With a slug within 50 yards, it may be plenty to put it down and could still be the same beyond 50 yards because of the power of the 12 gauge shotgun. I would never use a shotgun for a squirrel. But, do your self a favor and forget using #8,#9 or #10 shot. Besides serpent protection, the boots are waterproof, tough, and generally do everything I want them to do. It is just a good all-around gauge and comes in many different types of loads from slugs to birdshot. . Thats when the lead from the fired shell rains down on you. $29.99. I pivoted just a bit and squeezed the trigger. Like so many other forest hunts, the first indication that your quarry is near will likely be through sound swishing branches, claws scampering on tree bark, mast hulls pattering on the forest floor, the excited barks or low whistles of a squirrel that has spotted you or another potential threat. For survival hunting, a gun with broad coverage and knock-down, How Far Should I Zero My 22 For Squirrel Hunting? Who named Bullet the squirrel in the Powerpuff Girls? It works for me in my 20 gauge. The .410 is probably the lightest, most compact option. Eastern, Midwestern, and Southern woods are home to both fox and gray squirrels. . 6 and 7 for testing. Its plenty heavy to roll a squirrel (broken squirrel bones are a regularity), the shot cloud density makes me feel a little better about saturation, and, most of the time, the pellets pass completely through. At 69 I switched to the shotgun for clean kills and no wounding. While the 12 gauge is one of the most versatile of the shotgun gauges is has some downsides. If you are unsure that a 22 rifle fits your safety threshold, or your state doesnt allow rifles for small game hunting, the shotgun will be your best and only option. 5 Best Shotgun for Squirrel Hunting 1. Whether lubed or not, the shotgun also functions with high reliability and superior performance. The ergonomics of this model contains soft grippy panels and a downright comfortable scattergun. It may be a little more difficult to find ammo for the 28-gauge, but squirrel shoots arent exactly high volume, so one box should get you through a few hunts. If the bulk of your hunting is going to be for smaller sized small game, such as rabbits, quail, pheasants, etc., then feel free to go with a 20-gauge. Placing the bead of the front sight at the base of the squirrel should bring said squirrel out of the tree everytime. Checkering is beautiful and very pronounced. however, as far as a squirrel at 50 yards goes, it really doesn't matter. Long rifle cartridges offer heavier bullets up to 40 grains with that extra powder of the .22 long and have mostly supplanted .22 Ls. #4 shot is .130 in diameter, 192 pellets per ounce. Agitated chatters erupted not 30 yards up the hill. Available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge, plus .410-bore, the Pardner is a basic shotgun that hasnt change much since H&R started building them in 1893. Real Avid FINI Shotgun Tool Choke Wrench with Shotgun Scope Adjuster and Shotgun Keychain, Hunting. The bullet will travel from 1.5" below the, What Is The Best Air Gun For Squirrel Hunting, What is the Best Air Gun For Squirrel Hunting? You can build or subtract from the challenge with choice of caliber and optics. Can you hunt squirrel with a 177 pellet gun? Use the 22, much cleaner. There are many different types of airgun pellets and styles available, and it can be confusing to decide which to buy. While youll be sitting and standing still for periods of time, youll also be moving. That leaves us with the plink master, the first rifle many of us called our own, the humble .22. He just recently got his first dove. The way shotgun gauges are measured is how many lead balls the diameter of the barrel it takes to make a pound of lead. Rimfire rifles and squirrels are the perfect pairing in my mind. These slugs have ballistic tips that promote expansion on impact, which enhances the bullets ballistic coefficient, which increases velocity and flattens downrange trajectories. Just getting my grandson into hunting. But I actually want this pump gun in 28-gauge. Look for gnawed mast hulls and shredded pine cones on the forest floor or scattered on a favorite feeding stump or rock. The Pardner is not exceptionally light for a .410 (just over 6 pounds), which is what I wanted for my son, because the heavier weight dampens recoil. Some hunters prefer to use birdshot 12 gauge shells for squirrel hunting because it is less lethal and can be more effective at close range. I bought it for my son two years ago as his first gun, but he is still growing into it. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Gun optics definitely help, of course, with longer shots and more accurate placement of a bullet in the head so you don't waste meat. Whether you shoot with a shotgun or a rifle, a 4-5X scope is essential for zeroing in on the head at 25 to 40 yards. I then graduated to hunting squirrels with the 20 gauge 870. G. Juch, SXS, made in Ferlach, Austria. I had it drilled into my head from an early age that .22 LR bullets can travel 1 1-1/2 miles and you arent supposed to shoot them into the air. It should be an excellent gauge to harvest squirrels with, although I dont have much experience. Good deal? Hunting Squirrels With A 12 Gauge! The very best times to be in the woods is right after a shower or the morning after a day or two of heavy rain. I can attest to the fact that light pellets even at close range will not go through squirrel hide (its pretty tough). At most with a shotgun you will experience the peppering effect. Dont look for the entire squirrel, you probably wont see one. I like high brass when I can find it. Hunters have their favorite firearms, usually a .22 rifle with a pocket full of cartridges, to get the job done. Shotguns are used all the time for squirrel, especially early in the season or any time you are hunting near humans (bad idea to fire a .22 upthrough the trees if there are houses/cars/hikers within a 1.5 mile radius). Squirrels are messy eaters and leave ample sign in the areas they frequent. Also the Binelli is lighter and I really do like the way it shoots and handles. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. Got it in a multi item trade and really don't need it. The, What Gun For Squirrel Hunting? A Look at the Gun The Mossberg 500 .410 is being touted as their new turkey gun, but I've found it to work equally well for squirrels in the treetops. Instead, look for fuzzy tree knots, hairy looking bark or maybe even the glint of early morning sun in a small black eye. Before you begin,. Thats the type of memories that have lead me down the path Im on now. I hunt state lands and alot of squirrels are at the edge of my range with the mod. well i have a 22. and a 12 gauge,i wanna try the 12 gauge. By season end hopefully hell have a few squirrels. What is the recoil of a 12 gauge shotgun. I don't think I ever take it out. I would unscrew the turkey choke from my 20 gauge 870, put in a Modified and shoot field loads of 5 or 6 shot. Zero your scope at 25 yards and youll be good out to 50. Become a Subscriber; Renew a Subscription; Give a Gift Subscription; . So I usually pass. Federal sent samples of Upland Steel in 12-gauge, 2-inch No. My elitist preferences aside, the shotgun is always the top option for early-season precisely for the reasons already mentioned fast-moving squirrels in dense foliage. Type: Barrel. But just how versatile is it and what all can it take down ethically. No electricity or running water. The most common shot sizes for squirrel hunting are 7.5, 8, and 9. Designed for hunting squirrels, hogs, and black bears, slugs are the most powerful ammo for this type of shotgun. Because it has more energy and pellet it is better for big game than a 12 gauge but worse for small game. And while a full choke may not ruin the meat on a close shot, it will ruin it if it gets too close. With that new information, you got the slugs free. Yes, some folks hunt squirrels with a .410 and do just fine by limiting the range and scenarios for pulling the trigger. Squirrel; Bear; Alligator; Georgia Hunters On The Road; Other Hunting; Fishing. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Joe Genzel My model 12 has a fixed full choke. Featured Product -0% Carlson 70135, Beretta Benelli Mobil 20 Gauge Long Beard Choke Tube, Turkey, Black $ 51.74 $ 0 In Stock 19 new from 50.81 Free Shipping View Product Amazon.com But for 20 yards and under, you can edge a pattern toward the front end of a stationary target. Other gear includes binoculars, to identify that suspicious-looking bump on a limb, and a squirrel call. When skinning a squirrel, making sure you get all of the lead pellets out of the meat can take more time than its worth. Any of them will serve you well for chasing bushytails. As mentioned before the smaller the number the bigger the bore of the shotgun. All the stocks and fore-ends are made of AA-grade walnut, but the barrels and receivers come in blued, polished nickel and stainless steel (receiver only) finishes. #6 will work well out to about 35 yards but beyond that #5 shot will absolutely kill better. Even in ultra-stealth mode, squirrels seem to have an involuntary reaction to the soft chatter of another squirrel. I thought it was one of the coolest stories we ever ran, but a lot of readers could not see past the fact that the hunter used a shotgun. 12 gauge round/platform combination suggestions requested. But settling the crosshairs on a stationary squirrels noggin just wasnt happening. 2. Here we review four of the best choke for squirrel hunting 20 gauge guns including screw-in, modified, improved cylinder, full choke, and turkey variations. This gun costs over $1,000, so its an expensive way to shoot squirrels, but its also a really cool way to shoot squirrels. Lack of effective range is another reason. When you discover an area with lots of sign, give it another 30-minute sit and so on and so forth until activity dwindles. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. i have always used hi-power 6 shot. This is for informational purposes only. Arriving home from school one Friday afternoon, at the age of 12, there sitting on the fireplace was a green box with the word Remington on it. Well also discuss which bullet size is the best for each. Here in the Ozarks, I wear snake boots from late summer through November because copperheads and timber rattlers prowl the ridges even after a few frosts. There are a lot of different types of shotgun ammo made for hunting different game, here are the different types and their uses: The main purpose of birdshot is in the name it is made for birds. Look for a slimmer 16g frame. Use of dogs is prohibited when hunting under Special Permit provisions. The higher the gauge, the smaller the bore diameter, e.g. The differences between rounds hinge on velocity and bullet weight. Might get a few dollars for them. Where I live, some places the shotgun is the only gun allowed for hunting. Some folks say Mod. You likely noticed that there was no mention of the .410 in this shotgun discussion. Too, I can reload 3 .410 shells to one 12 gauge shell. If they dont leave the area entirely, theyll be back to business after a 15- to 30-minute wait. I did some hunting about ten years ago with a single shot mossberg, same loads and choke, same experience. Lately Ive had a few people question the safety of firing up into a tree with a 22 rifle. SQUIRREL HUNTING WITH A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN (REMINGTON MODEL 50) 22,863 views Jan 27, 2019 218 Dislike Share Save Outsider Outdoors 1.95K subscribers Somehow we came out of those woods seeing. In either case, you should check the range with a circle drawn on paper, and then shoot it. It is so versatile; can use 3 mag or2 3/4 low brass. Just killed my first squirrel yesterday. If using birdshot you can take down squirrels, rabbits, doves, quail, pheasants, ducks, and geese. 5. However, after each session I clean the gun barrel, whether it's 5 or 50+ shots, it goes away clean. Using the shotgun is perfect in this situation. Jan 24, 2023 Antique Cast Iron & Bronze Model Cannon $75. Squirrel hunting guns Both shotguns and .22 rifles are what most hunters use to hunt squirrel. This ammunition is ideal for small game and for competition sports with shotguns. The shot will usually pass through leaving little or no shot to pick out. As fall transitions into winter, food sources dwindle and squirrel populations become more concentrated. Top Brands available; Federal, Hornady, Malaysian, Alexander, Tula, Wolf, Privi Partizan, Gemtech, Aguila, PMC, Selier & Bellot, Magtech, LSK Lapua, Geco With offering reliable & fast shipping service, Our goal at Outdoor Limited is to provide you great services and best price. The ability to hunt diverse game species with the same gun throughout the year, whether in dense pine stands or thick briars, make shotguns hard to beat. I use 3 number 6 shot. Best Arrow Speed for Hunting | Is There a Best Speed and Why? When I was in college, I used all types of ammo- Low brass sixes, 4 and 5 shot, pretty much whatever my dad had to spare. Jan 21, 2013. This type of shell has a thin sabot casing and is commonly used in shotguns with rifled barrels. They are solid pieces of lead with no spread. Love it! I found that for squirrel hunting it doesnt make a whole hell of a lot of difference, but if you plan to use the gun for wing shooting too, take that into consideration. The higher the number on the box means the smaller the shot size. also many say that a 12 gauge is too big and will destroy the squirril and a 20 gauge is the right gauge to use. Just $1 per month , A sub-gauge shotgun is ideal for chasing grays and fox squirrels this fall, By Also, they have less pellets than number five, which might mean more damage to the meat. It's dressed in the popular Bottomland camo from Mossy Oak and weighs in at just 6.5 pounds. It has a 26" barrel on it and I use the full choke. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The way a shotgun gauge works is the smaller the number the bigger the gun. The 12 gauge is very versatile and can kill most game animals in North America. Theres just not enough energy to reliably penetrate a squirrels hide and reach the vitals at normal shooting distances. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Genzel grew up chasing mallards and Canada geese in the Illinois River Valley. Following the logic, the wider the bore, the more BBs the shell comprises. The first question that comes to your mind is "what range should I zero my.22lr rifle for squirrel hunting?" Thats the one youll cherish forever. It tends to be a personal preference. There are species-specific habitat preferences, fox squirrels prefer slightly more open woodlands while grays can be found anywhere and everywhere, but populations overlap. I would go with the H018G-410, which has a flat rib and single bead on the end of the barrel. Can't imagine traveling out of state to poach squirrels. JavaScript is disabled. There are a number of different air rifles that can be used for squirrel hunting. Here are some examples of common uses for shotguns: Most hunters use 7 1/2 or 8 shot. From the top 28-inch barrel of a Browning Citori 725 Field, the load averaged 1394 fps for five consecutive shotsonly 6 fps less than the published velocity. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. My advice: Find a local squirrel dog enthusiast and join them on a hunt. As with the. In this regard, the .22 rifle with its softer report offers more multiple shot opportunities. The purpose you have in mind will help you choose the right gun and ammo. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Both chokes can, What Is The Best Air Rifle For Squirrel Hunting, What is the Best Air Rifle For Squirrel Hunting? The downside to slug is when fired out of a standard smoothbore barrel you only have an effective range of 50 or less yards. ), *_Although he stated in the story he used a shotgun on advice from his taxidermist, as he wanted to mount all eight squirrels in the slam._, The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Most .22 rifles must be specifically chambered for the corresponding round, though, some like my Henry rifle can handle all of them. Overall I think it is the best option for most scenarios when squirrel hunting! The first round of skeet I ever shot the .410 autoloader on, I could not miss. CPR Make sure we have a few for the future. A hunter can easily miss a, What Power Scope For Squirrel Hunting? A 12 gauge can have as much recoil as a 300 Winchester magnum. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. When choosing a gun, you need to consider its intended use. While the larger pellets may not put as much shot in the meat as number five pellets, they are more effective at anchoring the animal. It has a 5+1 capacity and is chambered to 3 inches. There is a lot of size shot for birdshot. The main differences between these airguns and their counterparts are the, How to Kill a Squirrel With One Shot If you've never hunted a squirrel before, don't worry - there are several ways to get a clean kill. Web ID: 101342703. I tried 2 1/2 shells, once.did not like them at all. There are several factors to consider when choosing your shotgun. # 5 and #6 are ideal. But the fox squirrles here in West TN are at least twice as big. Also, wear a hunting vest or coat with a big game pouch to hold both squirrels and a hearty lunch. For hunting any big game animal you should use rifled hollow point slugs. Often, the distance is more than 30 yards. A portion of that compensation is reinvested in purchasing new products for review and for expenses associated with running the website. so i dont blow the squirrel up, i use 8 shot or 9 shot. I love the 410 bore with a load of #6 in 2 1/2 or 3 inch shells. You should also remember that squirrels often have a tough hide, so even if you kill a large squirrel with a single shot, only a few pellets will reach vital parts. Use a muzzleloading or small caliber rifle dur-ing daylight. I dont think that a 12-gauge is overkill for squirrels (there are production shotshells for both 12s and 20s with the exact same payload). Gauge/Caliber: 30-40 Win. Heres another way to get a quality 28-gauge pump shotgun in your hands for a reasonable price. . best bets, use the .22! This item can be shipped to United States. Johnny Carrol Sain