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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 8,573
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 8,573 |
The gray squirrels never stay still enough for me to get a shot with my .22. My old eyes need a shotgun.
57 years ago I graduated from a 410 single shot to a 12ga semiauto. For 20 years that was my my only gun, then deer became abundant around here and squirrel hunting became a thing of the past. Now at near 70, I've hung up the rifle and gone back to my first love.
Winchester makes a load perfect for my old Winchester mdl 50. Barrel is marked mod but with their small game/upland load it shoots a tight full choke. Load is 1220fps, with 1 1/4 ounces of #5's. Product # is X12P5.
You shotgunners, give'em a try.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,765
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,765 |
I still prefer a .22, but just picked up my first .410, a Savage 220, a couple weeks ago. This will let me safely take shots at ones in the trees. Also be a good rabbit gun, IF I ever see one outside of my yard.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 919
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 919 |
I have taken out my Ithaca M-37 20 guage a couple of times this season. It has a fixed full choke and I was shooting trap with it a lot this summer. It works really well on squirrels and rabbits. It was nice to get it out into the field after a lot of range time with it. I still like rifles the best when it comes to squirrel hunting.
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,350
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,350 |
I like a .410 or 20 with 8 or 9 shot. I set my double up with IC and full tubes.
Music washes away the dust of everyday life Some people wait a lifetime to meet their favorite hunting and shooting buddy. Mine calls me dad
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,686
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,686 |
#8 or #9 shot? No way I'd want to pick out or eat all those tiny lead pellets. After skinning squirrels over the years with a #6 pellet stuck just under the hide that failed to penetrate fully into the muscle, I can't imagine that much smaller shot would have enough penetration at longer ranges. And at closer ranges I can't see loading the meat up with all those itty bitty pellets. I think #5's are a really good compromise between pattern density and penetration/energy for longish shots.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 919
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 919 |
At close range I always aim a little in front of the head. Doing this I find very few pellets in the meat.
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,074
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,074 |
Always did like #5 shot in 12 or 16 Ga .
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,686
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,686 |
At close range I always aim a little in front of the head. Doing this I find very few pellets in the meat. Yes...
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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