Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Small Game 22lr for Squirrel

It dawned on me a while back that I had been missing out on a hunting opportunity.

I've hunted squirrel since Reagan's 1st term. However, I learned from early on that it was much easier to get permission to hunt if I promised to only use a shotgun. In SW Ohio, it was common for farmers to specifically deny 22 LR on their places for not only squirrel, but groundhog as well. The thought was that they did not want 22 LR coming through their windows.

As a result, I've gone 35 years without taking a squirrel with a rifle. My two sons have grown to adulthood avidly shooting squirrels with shotguns as well. It finally dawned on me that, now that we've been on the same property in Kentucky for 17 years, and no 22 bullets have come through our windows, it may be that some of those fears were unfounded, or least based in experiences from a bygone age.

I have resolved to fix that this year. I pulled out of the safe my Marlin 780 and mounted a 1.5-4.5X40 scope on it. I had it out on the back porch this AM, and found I could resolve birds in the trees at 50 yards-- that should be sufficient. I have a supply of lead Winchester standard velocity 22 ammo that shoots well in this rifle.

What else do I need? Comments and suggestions are welcome.

oil flour salt & pepper and to know when its ready!!!

A sharp knife comes to mind also.

My family has used 22 LR for decades to kill squirrels and no windows were damaged You said you were using Winchester standard velocity to hunt. If it is a hollow point, you can hit in the body or head for consistent kills. If it is solid point try for the head or you may have a few make it to a hole before you can get to them.

Subsonic hollow points are perfect squawk killers. Round nose solids not so much. If you insist on solids you have to brain shoot them. Plus, if they are facing head on you have to look out for angles that lead the bullet into the guts making a mess, or into edible meat.

Pressure cooker or crock pot would be good to have to.

Cast iron skillet.

I'm a bit ahead of you. I've been hunting squirrels since Eisenhower's second term and most of that time with a 22 or, since the early 70's, a 36 cal. Southern Mountain flintlock. Been wanting to get after them this year with my Jeffery Rook rifle chambered in 25-20 WCF and loaded to 255 Jeffery ballistics, but, seems a bit of colon cancer discovered last week is going to delay that until fall. However, I digress...

I never did like hollow points for small game. Standard velocity LR's always worked more than adequate for my purposes. Of course, that is one man's opinion and preference and worth what you paid for it. Back during Eisenhower's second term, where I hunted there wasn't much, if any, fear of shooting at a squirrel up a tree on a limb with no backstop. Things have changed since then and I haven't taken a shot like that in probably 30 years or more. If the limb bacon is on the side of the tree trunk facing me, I still take that shot. Obviously I have no idea about where you are in Kentucky but that's the only caution I would offer, and you're probably already well aware of that.

I believe hunting squirrels with a rifle of any kind probably requires a little more patience and is more of a challenge than busting them with a shotgun. It certainly does for me, waiting for a good shot. That holds especially true when the leaves are still on the trees. Your scope will help, I still use open or aperture sights. Other than that, as others have said all you need is a skillet, bacon grease and seasoning to your satisfaction or, as Jim said, a crock pot or slow cooker of some kind. With your scope you should be able to dodge the old gals and guys and pick on the tender youngsters. Decades ago when I used a scope on a Ruger 77/22, (I assume that rifle still belongs to Jim), if I took my time I didn't shoot any old ones unless I need a fluffy fox squirrel tail to tie fly's.

I'm glad somebody mentioned this. Hunting squirrels with a .22 was perhaps my favorite thing growing up, and I did a lot of it. I went to Standard Velocity early after shooting them a bunch in small bore competition. Quickly discovered a head shot resulted in a squirrel kicking in the leaves and often alarming others in the area. A behind-the-shoulder-shot like you would shoot a deer, resulted in a squirrel hitting the deck and not twitching...and little to no meat damage. Others ( if there were any...) would not startle, and more than a few times multiple quick kills were made this way...

Guy I know used to say he would rather have a sister that worked in a whore house than a brother that shot Squirrels with a shotgun.

I use SK Standard almost exclusively and can not remember a squirrel that got away or made it back to the hole if the shot was placed close behind the shoulder or head shot. If hit in the gut, then yes, they tend to require a second shot. I prefer head shots to all others. I did find a supply of Eley Sub sonic HP's that were being closed out and picked up 2k. After a couple of trips, they are being used for varmint control only or head shots only. Even at sub sonic, the damage if they hit the shoulder is unacceptable in my opinion.

I do take a 16ga on occasion to shoot squirrels, but it is a rarity.

The only non-hollow point I ever cared for is the CCI Small Game Bullet. That little flat point does a fair job of knocking them stiff and not having any runners after the hit. Doing that with minimal meat damage if the angle is bad or a hit goes a bit stray.

I'm in that camp too....

One of my favorite firearms, for squirrels, over the last several years has been a Thieme & Schlegelmilch drilling, 16 X 16 over 9.3 X 75R Nimrod. I installed a 22LR einstecklauf in the right shotgun barrel and sighted it in dead on at 25 yards. 35 yards or thereabouts is still pretty much a dead on hold. The left, shotgun barrel is always there for runners I spook and I do occasionally use it. I don't like to but, with the dearth of game birds and bunnies in our area that's about the only chance I get to utilize the drilling. That, and should a 'dillo, yodel dog, skunk or some other vermin show up, they don't take well at all to the 9.3. That happens occasionally.

That M77/22 still sits right next to my M77/22 all weather and my 39M Mounty.

When it comes to squirrels, I've been using CCI SV LR, for years. Never been a lover of hollow points. The CCIs shoot very well in all four of my .22s.

The Remington gold colored high velocity hollow points have always worked very well for me on squirrels. The few bullets that I have recovered mushroomed perfectly. But I really prefer to use my Marlin 1894CL in 25-20 WCF for small game. I rarely use a shotgun but once in a while it's fun to pull out my old Creasant Arms SxS 16ga for squirrel hunting.

Wish you could use centerfires here. I had a 308 load with 5gr Uniqie and 100gr Speer Plinker that was very accurate in my rifle. Only rimfires allowed here.

I would petition the Game and Fish Department to make an exception for reduced loads like you use and lighter calibers like my 25-20.

Yep, solids suck for body shots. Mini-Mag hollow points for me. They're very accurate in my favorite squirrel rifle and kill well with lung shots. I know there are lots of folks who'll only head shoot and solids will work fine for them. I ain't out there to impress myself or anyone else by shooting only heads. I'm out there to kill squirrels. The more the better and lung shot squirrels eat better than the ones you didn't shoot because they didn't present an opportunity for a head shot..

The same applies to rabbits, hunted without dogs anyway. Small mammals, small rifles.

Am I crazy for wanting to do an out of state trip for a squirrels? I'd use sk hollow points and a havalon

Personally, I have as much fun squirrel hunting as anything since it is less stressful and though I have hunted locally, I don't think an out-of-state trip is crazy at all. I know several groups have "squirrel camps" each year and they are big hits.

There are a couple out of state groups that come to my neck of the Missouri Ozarks to squirrel hunt. They camp for three or four days and hunt public ground. They have a good time. My son and I are bow hunting deer at that same time and always visit the one camp every year. One of the older members and his son always make a big squirrel dinner on Saturday night. It's a good time, I enjoy visiting with these guys. Makes me appreciate what I have here when they talk about hunting little wood lots of just a few acres. They come here and hunt a block of public ground of about 60,000 continuous acres and are in heaven.

I'm right there with you DBrink. I've not participated in a group hunt for squirrels in probably 25 or 30 years but they are a lot of fun. Back then the ones we used to hold were muzzleloaders only and they were a hoot. 1-3 days of primitive hunting, camping and living was a great way to shed everyday concerns. I am aware of the hunts MOGC mentioned. Much of southern Missouri is pretty good squirrel country.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...le-38-grain-lead-hollow-point-box-of-100

Been using these in my 541T for many years to kill squirrels!

So what kind of squirrels do you have? Grey? Fox? Both?

We have both. Some areas have nothing but one or the other then other areas they are intermingled. May have nothing but fox squirrels in an area for a few years then they are gone and greys take over.

Really wanted to get out but this heat has me thinking otherwise. Watched a group of 5 little ones in a den tree back during turkey season and was wanting to get back to that tree opening weekend. Never happened.

Thanks!

I am one of those who likes to hunt squirrels enough that I'd plan an out of state hunt

Come on. We have more than enough.

I prefer the first week or two of season to kill those little young boogers but always get some fall hunts in between bowhunts.

Ohio allows for ANY rifle or shotgun for squirrels. And if I use solid bullets, I will try to "bark" 'em, as it does the job with little damage. However. I think I have taken more squirrels with a slingshot, in the last 10 years, than with any type of gun.
Glenfield model 60 .22lr is my choice for a squirrel rifle, or a simple wrist rocket with hex nuts as ammo.

I used to hunt squirrels (fox and grey) w rifle, then switched to handgun, then to bow.
Old and blind now, back to scoped rifle.........but just for pineys.
Half arse built a 10/22 for the job.
Does sub half inch C2C at 50 yards. Good enough.

Still hear guys at shop, and at work..........get wound up about squirrel season opener.
My goodness..................it's all green, hot and the mosquitos are ferocious.
Tag out in deer season then pop squirrels.
Mucho bettero.

Keep thinking a Contender Super 14.............but got an 8" Ruger 22/45
Wears a reddot.
Might use that.
Pineys and handguns.........tough gig.
At least w Contender I could run CB stuff.
Better for places not way way out.

Could say screw it and just sit in deer stand and shoot em when on the ground.

Illegal to hunt squirrel from above, here, so no stand hunting. And I use squirrel season as a reason to get back out in the woods scouting deer. It is always the first season to open here, by about a month.

Come ahead brother! The Ozark's have lots of public ground and most years have plenty of squirrels. The daily limit is ten, so you can spend a beautiful fall morning stalking a hardwood ridge full of fall colors. Come in October and bring a shotgun for fall turkey season too. If you need more information feel free to pm me.

Id rather not hunt from a treestand, but in my close to home deer spot, that's the safe way to do it (houses around).

No houses where I hunt... for miles.

It may just happen one day!

Little thicket, 4 houses total. One on 3 of the 4 sides.
Loaded with squirrels.
Killed 130" and 150" deer out of it.
Sucky little spot

What county are you in down there?

I don't remember where MOG is. If I hunt on our place I have to pick my shots. However, in 20-30 minutes I can be where I wouldn't have to worry about it and I'm in Phelps County, SE of Rolla. As MOG mentioned, lots of Mark Twain Natl. Forest down here and a lot of it is EMPTY!

We used to turkey hunt around Duke. A guy could walk for miles in that country.

Need to get back down there some time.

I don't understand the rational for not allowing hunting squirrels "from above". Explain?

Sort them after they are dead. Fry the young ones and make dumplings with the old ones. miles

My sons have really honed their woods/hunting skills by getting out in the woods for squirrels. That said you won’t find me out there until the temps drop below 90.

Like Ingwe, I am one of those guys that would travel to another state strictly for bushy tails. I am also in that camp that will only go after them with a .22LR.

Having said that, I grew up hunting squirrels in The People's Republik of NJ. It's the most densely populated state in the US. You had to use a shotgun on everything from squirrels and rabbits to deer. It sucked, but it was either that or no hunting at all. Funny thing is they won't let you hunt doves - my other favorite critter to hunt - at all. I moved out of there as soon as I had the chance in my early twenties and never looked back.

I'm in my mid fifties now and maybe that's why to this day I hunt with a .22LR every chance I get. I refuse to pick up a shotgun for anything without feathers and am a .22LR nut. Maybe I'm trying to make up for that wasted youth.

At any rate, I pretty much use subsonics for all my small game hunting. Lately I've been using Eley SS HP's, and find that they are deadly even on the huge jackrabbits they have down here in NM. Hit em right and they go down like they've been struck by lightning. I'm also a big fan of SK and Wolf. With solids, I try to limit myself to head shots though.

I'm retiring soon and plan on doing a lot of fly fishing, dove and squirrel hunting. It's just too bad there aren't a whole lot around here so I'm going to have to do some traveling - but hey, I'm willing. . .

It has something to do with not altering the wildlife. Deer didn't used to look up for predators. Now you have to be 12-15' or higher to escape notice. (This is what I was told by ODNR)

No disrespect, but it would drive me crazy. I had a buddy that was struggling with turkey hunting. He begged me to come turkey hunt his farm with him. He has 350 acres several counties north of me. I heard traffic noises, dogs barking, doors slamming, people voices, tv's blaring and we walked out the one big ridge on the farm listening for gobblers in an hour. We ended up in a pop up blind on the edge of a field. I couldn't wait to get out of that blind, drove me crazy. The entire experience of farm hunting just leaves me cold.

I see deer, turkey, coyotes, bobcats, elk, black bear and plenty of feral hogs where I hunt. I hear elk bugle, coyotes howl and owls hoot. I seldom hear a man made sound. No way in my lifetime can I hunt out all the ground I have available to me. There aren't fences, I walk until I'm tired and need to head back to the truck. It's what I'm used to and anything less has no appeal to me. I say that respectfully, we all have different experiences, preferences and different things available to us.

Well I hate to break it to them but squirrels already "look up" for danger. Hawks being one of their primary predators. . .

Duh...


" Biologists"....

Yeah, I know. Owls too. But it is forbidden here. Wish it wasn't, I counted 15 last time I was in my oldest treestand.

I hate to break it to them but if I wanted to sit in a stand and shoot a squirrel I would be doing just that.

I have never run into a game warden on my land, but I have run into them elsewhere. Do as your conscience and your wallet dictate.

Luckily we don't have a reg like that here in Missouri.

The problem with their regulation is that they say from above.

So does that mean you can only shoot if they are in a tree?? Several instances where you will or could be above a squirrel if you are on the ground.

These lawmakers need a reality check.

Naw, they just want the hunters on the ground. I didn't quote the regs word for word. It says to the effect of "not from an elevated platform".

I get the feeling that this law is in effect more for safety reasons than animal behavior. They're probably concerned with people on stands sending bullets down towards the ground where people may be walking around.

Is it a real concern? I don't know but it makes more sense than altering a squirrel's behavior by shooting at it from above.

Yep...

That's all you need. I miss the squirrel hunting I could do in southern Michigan. Up here there are grey squirrels, but only in town. I don't know why. In the woods all the squirrels are red squirrels. They are tiny and there is no closed season. The squirrels I take are from opportunities while hunting grouse, so they are with a shotgun. If I had a chance at real squirrel hunting I'd be using my CZ452.

I moved from the Soo to NM a little less than two years ago. I used to go down to hunt squirrels with a buddy from Traverse City every year because of the same reason. No grey squirrels other than in town. I did used to shoot the reds on my property. Little destructive bastards were always trying to get into my pole barn.

When I lived in Maine I would keep my Ruger 2245 with a Leupold scope in the dining room by the big picture window overlooking my bird feeders. There were days when I'd kill four or five in a few hours.

Doubful. I can use ANY rifle for squirrels, and I can use my deer rifle from that same stand for deer. Same conditions apply about people.

Squirrel season is now, and always has been, my first hunts of the year. Never could get my head wrapped around spring turkey.

I've an old Marlin model 60 bought around 1985 that shoots any standard velocity solid leads so well that it's almost ridiculous. Head shots rule but if pickings are slim I'll take a body shot on rare occasions. They work but I hate losing any meat.

A lot of the "good squirrel woods" of my youth have houses in them now but, fortunately for me, I know exactly NO other squirrel hunters locally and it's a rare farmer that won't let me hunt. Season is Aug 15 so........the heat stops me from going more than anything. It's early morning on any cooler days or nothing.

Less than two months off. I need to pick up another scope for the Marlin. I took the old 4x off for some dumb reason and, for the life of me, don't recall what I did with it. IIRC.......someone "borrowed" it. LOL hmmmmm

Squirrel makes the best stew ever!

God Bless
Steve

Steve692, I agree with you. After all my big game hunting, including 2 trips to Africa, my favorite hunting now is squirrels. Like you, except for my son, nobody else hunts them in my neck of the woods. I got 20+ woods I can hunt in my area. I see yer in Indiana, where abouts? I'm in NW IN.

Gentlemen, this is WHY Ohio allows any rifle or shotgun for squirrels. It is not very popular anymore, and the risk of other hunters in the same woods is low, unlike when deer gun starts, and the entire orange army hits the woods at once. (As per ODNR)

I haven't read all of the posts. Like ingwe said, many times squirrels jump after being hit. I like the fact that he reports a shoulder shot would limit/prevent that. I know one time, I had a squirrel standing straight up, like a prairie dog, and I shot him square on the chest. He jumped straight up/down, three times, before dropping. It was...interesting, but as ingwe said, it probably scared off the rest. I have yet to shoot on with my 17 Mach 2

A head shot squirrel will occasionally flop around for a bit. In my neck of the woods, I don't find it is a distraction to the other game. My father taught me to shoot a squirrel in the nose and he will jump out of his hole in the side of a tree. I will warn you, if you are using a 17M2, only take head shots. You will not be impressed with the body/shoulder shot if you are planning on eating. It is a wonderful caliber and I love it dearly, but it is only regulated for late season squirrel hunts once the leaves have fallen and shots tend to be extended.

Squirrel season is my favorite. I've been using WW power points for a long time now with good results. Body shots don't damage much meat. The old tough ones make good dog or cat treats after frying in butter. If you are partial to Mepps lures, they buy squirrel tails.

No need to treat the animals, just fry them up and then either bake them on a covered cookie sheet in the over on a damp paper towel, or put a little water in the bottom of the crock pot and wrap them in foil with something underneath to keep them out of the water. Either way works and though not as good as browned right out of the skillet, they're still pretty close and tender with the fried flavor.

A set of shooting sticks helps a lot for those headshots.

This is what I use for a combo shooting/walking stick. I just went to the woods and cut a straight stick, and screwed the tool hanger into the top. It works great.

Since I hunt big woods, I'm always standing next to, or sitting against trees. Trees make good shooting aids.

What county are you in down there?

Reynolds & Shannon...

use to love it, then discovered deer hunting.

going back to it this fall

im in callaway co.

Used to love turkey hunting in Texas and Phelps counties. Need to get back down there and see if it has changed much.

Clever idea maddog!!!

Reynolds and Shannon should definitely have no shortage of squirrels OR room to shoot!!

rockchucker. I lived in the Jeff. City area for 25 years. Did a lot of work in Callaway and hit the rondy at Owl Creek for years. I think Owl Creek is right, been a while. Moved to Wyoming in 2000 but enough guilt to kill a mule brought me back to Mo. Came back to Phelps county, no regrets.

Just a note, while fishing the last couple weeks I noticed lots of hickory nuts on the trees. Haven't been able to spot acorns yet.

Remington Subsonic with a can.

Go stealth, kill'em quietly...

DF

Have killed my limit with a .22 mag. in under an hour while sitting in one spot way too many times to care about noise.

Don't think I'd take my .22 mag squirrel hunting. Never killed one with it. I think it may be a bit much, may mess up squirrels more than necessary.

What's your experience regarding that?

DF

The CCI 40 gr. FMJ's are very accurate in my mag. {dime size 50 yard groups} and don't do as much damage as mini mag hp's. I like the flatter trajectory of the mag when the leaves are down. The CCI 40 gr. hp's are just as accurate but will put half dollar size holes out the far side, sometimes silver dollar sized even. They do tend to drop squirrels instantly even with chest shots though. I really don't mind the damage and think most make a big deal out of it for nothing. I don't eat squirrel ribs and never met anybody that does. They will of course wreck the front legs if you hit them but even then it's what, two teaspoons of the toughest meat on the squirrel ? Big deal, I'll still eat the hind legs and backstraps and that's the best meat anyway. I usually shoot upwards of 100 squirrels a season so don't worry too much about a ruined front leg or two here and there.

Didn’t think about FMJ. Makes sense.

Those do amazingly well on hogs. Also FMJ in the .17 HMR.

DF

Yup, there is only one proper way to wack squirrels, head shots and 40gr solids(my 10/22 likes the old Winchester Wildcat stuff). I know guys that favor a 20ga for squirrels, not a fan of picking out shot of my squirrel stew.

I don't have any...


but I just spent some time working up ( down?) a load in my .222 that mimics a 22 mag, velocity wise...plan on bonking some squirrels with it....

I'll take chest shots any time and I'll kill 6 squirrels to your 3 while you're waiting to arrange a head shot. I can't count the number of squirrels I've shot that I couldn't even see their heads. Surely that number would be in the hundreds, maybe even thousands by now. I have no beef with anyone who only wants to shoot heads but you are significantly reducing the number of squirrels you'll be taking in a season by doing so and I simply have no desire to do that.

I hunt a little thicket for deer.
It's got houses around and tons of squirrels.
Shotgun would be the choice if shooting from the ground up into the trees.
I think a .22 rifle, sitting in a stand shooting ones on the ground a better idea.

Yeah, if I'm hunting in a State forest with nothing but woods for miles around it's rifle time. If in a small farm woodlot with houses in every direction it's time for a shotgun or air rifle. I do have some damn good squirrel woods on farm land and I kill alot of squirrels there with a shotgun every year. Safe use of a rifle there would be very limited as to the shots you could take.

I doubt that I've shot more than a dozen or so fox squirrels with a .22 LR since I got my first 17HM2 in 2007. If there is a perfect fit of cartridge and game, I think that the 17HM2 and tree squirrels would be the poster child.

Stalk 'em, squeak at 'em, shot 'em in the head, and hope that you remember where they fell to Earth while you're waiting for the next one to offer a shot.

Ain't no sin in hunting them with a shotgun.

Sometimes that can be a real challenge.

DF

It can indeed!

22lr & squirrels = peas & carrots

Early season while the leaves are thick on the trees, a .22 can be tough, at least for me.

I'm thinking about trying my 28 ga. Ithaca 37 with #6 this coming season. Light gun, not a lot of shot, full choke should blast them out of the thick stuff.

DF

I've had squirrels barking at me while on a deer stand.

So, this is now in my pack. Good for coons, too.

And quiet doesn't hurt. A close deer may hear it, but the sound won't carry that far.

DF