Turkey loads for Squirrel?

andrew cochran · 03-06-2008, 02:28 PM

I went into walmart yesterday, they had a bunch of Winchester Supreme 3 inch #5 shot on sale. So I bought a bunch. I don't turkey hunt though. Do you guys think they are suitable for squirrel?

samuel · 03-06-2008, 02:37 PM

Only if you have a taste for squirrel hamburger seasoned with lead shot.I use a .22lr on squirrel but if I did use a shotgun,it would be low brass or low power shells. sam.

Lng Rng · 03-06-2008, 03:11 PM

I agree. Turkey loads have too much noise and recoil for squirrel.

andrew cochran · 03-06-2008, 03:31 PM

Thanks Samuel and Lng Rng. I thought it might be a little to much for them.

ArkansasHunter · 03-07-2008, 02:09 AM

Andrew take up Turkey hunting ...A.H

blaster · 03-07-2008, 08:21 AM

try a few of them out then tell me if you'd want to spend a day squirrel hunting with that cannon load.

petemi · 03-07-2008, 09:33 AM

No problem! Clean 'em and cook 'em...one shot! Just a tiny bit much.

sell33 · 03-07-2008, 10:27 AM

Every time i squirrel hunt with a shotgun it seems like at least one gets up and runs away. The light loads i use don't always do it in one shot, although i usually use the 22. Give it a try who knows....

ArkansasHunter · 03-07-2008, 10:38 AM

I use high velosity #6's (high brass) with great results in a 28'' barrell full choke 12ga.
The forrest I hunt squirrels in is a mix of different kinds of oaks and tall Pine trees.
Low brass shells just don't get the job done for me.

The Remington 870 Express I own is my pet squirrel gun . It's accurate and seems to have a better pattern with the Full ckoke over the Modified choke.
If I were squirrel hunting with a dog I would prolly change to the Modified choke and still use what I'll call the high brass #6's...A.H

Silent Shooter · 03-07-2008, 02:27 PM

That depends... do you want something left to eat AFTER you shoot it???

My pet "squirrelinator" is a bull barrel .17 HMR. I OLNY reccomend headshots with a .17...

CZer · 03-08-2008, 10:53 AM

Definitely High Brass #5's or 6's! You'll do more damage after it takes 2-3 shots with them low brass, if you even kill em. Squirrels are as tuff as any animal out there! I've killed and eat 000's of em killed with shot, and I always used the 6's early and #4's late when the leaves where off and shots where long.

samuel · 03-08-2008, 11:10 AM

A person should use the ammo they have confidence in.I have used low brass in guns that paterned good with it and it worked ok,but if you have a gun that doesnt shoot a tight patern then the high brass would be the best choice.Or if you use turkey loads,back off 20yds and blast away. sam.

damage855 · 03-08-2008, 01:17 PM

I usally use a .22 or a .410 shotgun with game loads other wise there aint no meat left.

ArkansasHunter · 03-08-2008, 02:27 PM

I agree with CZer I've only damaged very very few squirrels with 6's or 5's and they can be tuff to bring down sometimes.
Matter of fact the last squirrel I shot didn't want to give up.
He hit the ground hard but was still a live, so I waited a little while with shotgun ready.
I then approached him and off he runs, I shoot him again and he rolls but keeps on going until he stops at the base of an oak tree.
I get within 20' and I thinking Dammit I don't like this to happen. And he pulls himself around to the back side of the big oak tree and there's a hole about a foot off the ground that he wants to go into.
I go to back stepping to take a final shot where he want suffer anymore and out pops another squirrel from the hole so I wait for that one to clear out and then I shoot the wounded one and that shot ends his life.
I hate it when that happens and the squirrel was not fit to dress or eat...They can be tuff but what happened here doesn't happen that often.

elmer fudd · 03-08-2008, 03:02 PM

Ya if you are going to eat them its too much but you could use it to keep varmins off the place (o'possoms)

andrew cochran · 03-09-2008, 03:42 PM

I really appricate all the replies. I hadn't loged on for a few days because I had a bad cold. Thanks for the responses! I might take up turkey hunting as AH suggested. But for now I'll just use them for varments. I know they kick Blaster! My favorite squirrel load I have found so far is the Remington Long Range Express #6 .

tcwildcat7mm · 04-02-2008, 12:07 AM

I have a brownin 12 g and use it just as much as my 22. being from Louisiana, u always had shts way up and thru brush. a 22 dont work well in brush. pattern ur gun with whatever u gonna use and learn to hit in the head as much as possible. I know my 12 like its part of my arm and rarely tear up a squirrel. I use #4 sometimes! that way u flip em out the top the tre from 40 yards and here m go thump!

03-06-2008, 02:28 PM	#1
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,310	Turkey loads for Squirrel? I went into walmart yesterday, they had a bunch of Winchester Supreme 3 inch #5 shot on sale. So I bought a bunch. I don't turkey hunt though. Do you guys think they are suitable for squirrel? __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

03-08-2008, 01:17 PM	#13
damage855 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina / Lake Norman Posts: 939 Blog Entries: 1	I usally use a .22 or a .410 shotgun with game loads other wise there aint no meat left. __________________ If total goverment control will make us all safer, then why are prisons so dangerous?

03-08-2008, 03:02 PM	#15
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 2,025	Ya if you are going to eat them its too much but you could use it to keep varmins off the place (o'possoms) __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy!

03-09-2008, 03:42 PM	#16
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,310	I really appricate all the replies. I hadn't loged on for a few days because I had a bad cold. Thanks for the responses! I might take up turkey hunting as AH suggested. But for now I'll just use them for varments. I know they kick Blaster! My favorite squirrel load I have found so far is the Remington Long Range Express #6 . __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

04-02-2008, 12:07 AM	#17
tcwildcat7mm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 117	I have a brownin 12 g and use it just as much as my 22. being from Louisiana, u always had shts way up and thru brush. a 22 dont work well in brush. pattern ur gun with whatever u gonna use and learn to hit in the head as much as possible. I know my 12 like its part of my arm and rarely tear up a squirrel. I use #4 sometimes! that way u flip em out the top the tre from 40 yards and here m go thump! __________________ "to disarm the people (is) the best and most effective way to enslave them" George Mason

03-06-2008, 02:37 PM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Only if you have a taste for squirrel hamburger seasoned with lead shot.I use a .22lr on squirrel but if I did use a shotgun,it would be low brass or low power shells. sam.

03-06-2008, 03:11 PM	#3
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 961	I agree. Turkey loads have too much noise and recoil for squirrel.

03-06-2008, 03:31 PM	#4
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,310	Thanks Samuel and Lng Rng. I thought it might be a little to much for them. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

03-07-2008, 02:09 AM	#5
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,912	Andrew take up Turkey hunting ...A.H

03-07-2008, 08:21 AM	#6
blaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: big pine key, florida Posts: 523	try a few of them out then tell me if you'd want to spend a day squirrel hunting with that cannon load. __________________ peace through superior firepower

03-07-2008, 09:33 AM	#7
petemi Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Engadine, Upper Peninsula, MI Posts: 90	No problem! Clean 'em and cook 'em...one shot! Just a tiny bit much.

03-07-2008, 10:27 AM	#8
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,320	Every time i squirrel hunt with a shotgun it seems like at least one gets up and runs away. The light loads i use don't always do it in one shot, although i usually use the 22. Give it a try who knows....

03-07-2008, 10:38 AM	#9
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,912	I use high velosity #6's (high brass) with great results in a 28'' barrell full choke 12ga. The forrest I hunt squirrels in is a mix of different kinds of oaks and tall Pine trees. Low brass shells just don't get the job done for me. The Remington 870 Express I own is my pet squirrel gun . It's accurate and seems to have a better pattern with the Full ckoke over the Modified choke. If I were squirrel hunting with a dog I would prolly change to the Modified choke and still use what I'll call the high brass #6's...A.H

03-07-2008, 02:27 PM	#10
Silent Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 292	That depends... do you want something left to eat AFTER you shoot it??? My pet "squirrelinator" is a bull barrel .17 HMR. I OLNY reccomend headshots with a .17...

03-08-2008, 10:53 AM	#11
CZer Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Harlan, KY Posts: 44	Definitely High Brass #5's or 6's! You'll do more damage after it takes 2-3 shots with them low brass, if you even kill em. Squirrels are as tuff as any animal out there! I've killed and eat 000's of em killed with shot, and I always used the 6's early and #4's late when the leaves where off and shots where long.

03-08-2008, 11:10 AM	#12
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	A person should use the ammo they have confidence in.I have used low brass in guns that paterned good with it and it worked ok,but if you have a gun that doesnt shoot a tight patern then the high brass would be the best choice.Or if you use turkey loads,back off 20yds and blast away. sam.

03-08-2008, 02:27 PM	#14
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,912	I agree with CZer I've only damaged very very few squirrels with 6's or 5's and they can be tuff to bring down sometimes. Matter of fact the last squirrel I shot didn't want to give up. He hit the ground hard but was still a live, so I waited a little while with shotgun ready. I then approached him and off he runs, I shoot him again and he rolls but keeps on going until he stops at the base of an oak tree. I get within 20' and I thinking Dammit I don't like this to happen. And he pulls himself around to the back side of the big oak tree and there's a hole about a foot off the ground that he wants to go into. I go to back stepping to take a final shot where he want suffer anymore and out pops another squirrel from the hole so I wait for that one to clear out and then I shoot the wounded one and that shot ends his life. I hate it when that happens and the squirrel was not fit to dress or eat...They can be tuff but what happened here doesn't happen that often.