best Squirrel gun

[nc.hunter]

Hey guys, My dad is taking me and my little brother squirrel hunting this weekend. We have 2 semi-automatic .22 long rifles, and a remington single shot 410 shotgun. I was wondering which of our guns would work best for squirrel hunting. Most of our shots would be between 20 and 40 yards, tops. What ammo would you reccomend for the hunt.

[two-70]

the little 410's are excellent, if you are a great shot the 22's are fine and dandy

[elmer fudd]

I dont know i mean if you think that they move quickly and you shoot a shotgun good take that but if you want a little more chalenge take the 22 with lots of bullets that work good in your gun and if your going to eat them use the .22 (no buckshot) and in my opinion use the iron sights not a scope becouse it is quicker to aim i think. and for ammo use whatever works good in your gun and i dont think .22 birdshot will kill a squirrel

[jerry]

If your not sure what not to use, I'm assuming a limited experience level? Not a bad thing, albeit you may consider the 410 before sending .22 projectiles 1.5 mi through the atmosphere. I like 3" #6 shot Winchester SuperX for the .410

I consider myself decent with a .22 & plenty safe, but there are places where I self regulate and opt not to use them. Depends where your hunting mostly.

A Squirrell I harvested earlier in the seaon with the .410 single shot montgomery wards.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...Mackinaw07.jpg

[texnmidwest]

Take BOTH! Take the 410 with 7 1/2 or 6 shot and then take along the 22 for sport. Bushy tails are great fun with a scoped 22 but are harder to hit. A 410 will knock them down and put meat on the table. And at 30+ yards is still a little challenging. So, I would vote one of you take the 410 and the other take the 22lr and have a contest. You shoot once then brother shoots once then switch guns and do the same. Switch guns after each game shot at. Then at the end of the day see who has the most squirells with the fewest shots. The loser has to wear...well. I will let you all figure that out. LOL! Have fun. Let us know how the hunt goes!

[jerry]

I'm way too serious, I need to lighten up and remember this is sopposed to be fun.

[texnmidwest]

We like you anyway, Jerry. That is a great picture of your hunt. My first shotgun was a 410 from Gibson's department store. The only markings on it say The Mallard. Not sure how many doves, rabbits, tin cans, chee chee birds and assorted dangerous bottles have fallen to that little rascal. 40 years after it was purchased I still have it, hunt with it and love it. I will pass it down to my grandchildren someday.

[jerry]

dangerous bottles, gotta watch them for sure.

[shollis]

I gotta agree with texnmidwest. Take them both.
I use a .22 for hunting squirrels, but I have to admit that in the beginning I missed a lot more than I killed.

Even though it's "small game" good shooting technique will land them just like a whitetail or elk: breath control, seeing your target (and BEYOND your target), and a steady trigger pull (no jerking), and followthrough. I can't tell you how many squirrels I missed because I wanted to pop my head up off the sights to see if I "got 'im"

Keep your eyes on the sights, shotgun or rifle, until you know you either hit or missed. Kind of like looking a ball all the way in the glove on a catch.

Good hunting and let us know how you did!

[Paper]

With me, it depends on the time of year. I tend to use my .410 or 28 gauge when the leaves are out, and a .22 when I can get longer shots, such as now.

If I can find them, for shotgunning I tend to use #5 shot for pretty much everything.. A few less pellets, but they hit harder than 6's.

Again, it's just my opinion, and the way I've done it since I was a 12 year old..

Crap.. I just made myself feel old..

[NHmsj]

Originally Posted by texnmidwest

Take BOTH! Take the 410 with 7 1/2 or 6 shot and then take along the 22 for sport.

As for myself, I do take along both. In another thread I shared how this year I picked up a .410/.22LR Over/Under Shotgun/rifle combo. I love the gun, and I am thrilled not to have to pass up a shot because of carrying the wrong gun for a particular situtaion. Won't leave home without it!

msj