Most of my shots at squirrels are close. (under 20 yrds). I wanted just a little more power than a .22LR. I found the answer along time ago in the 25-20 WCF. This number was popular around the early 1900's. I drive an 86gr JSP at around 1350fps. The load will drop a squirrel with a body shot and no excessive meat distruction. I once drove one length wise through a squirrel. I also use an 80gr plane base cast bullet load with equal effect. Both loads hit at the same point of impact. 5 gr of Unique for the JSP and 4.5gr of the same powder for the cast bullet. Both loads use a small pistol primer. My rifle ia a Marlin 1894CL. It is hard to find a rifle in this caliber today but if you can you should give it a try.
