Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Squirrel Rig

Year ago this past Jan. I was gonna get a CZ-455 American in 22 LR with squirrel hunting being one of the main reasons. Dealer had a CZ-455 Varmint Thumbhole Fluted in 22LR with a nice laminated stock (was a discontinued model in that stock). Shouldered it and the thumbhole stock fit my hand so perfectly in relation to trigger placement, eye position, etc. that I bought it on the spot. But that CZ-455 American is STILL a beautiful, classic looking rifle but I prefer the thumbhole stuff for offhand shots. Based on what I've seen I'd bet that the CZ's will outshoot the Ruger American Rimfire on average although I consider them both accurate....... And I learned to live with a backward safety..... It can be done.

I think that the 17HM2 is the best tree squirrel cartridge yet to be offered to the public.

SAS has ordered a special run of RARs in 17HM2 that should be available in July/August/September.

If you don't want to wait for the Whittaker's RAR special run, I'd suggest that you look for a Marlin 917M2 (blued CM & hardwood) or the stainless & laminated version, the 917M2S.

Top your 17HM2 with a Weaver V16 and you'll have yourself a tree squirrel killin' machine.

I too would look for a CZ 452 or better yet a 453. Keep an eye on the classifieds at www.rimfirecentral.com

Should have added that there is nothing wrong with a Marlin bolt 22LR. Might be worth shooting different brands of target ammo (standard velocity), or at least some CCI std velocity. Stoning down the trigger sear to get a3# pull helps too.

I have a Marlin 880 SQ ( as in “squirrel”) bolt 22 LR, and it is very accurate (.55” @ 50 yards with CCI std vel).

There are also many medium target 22 bolts that are great squirrel rigs: Rem 540 series, Win 75, Anschutz 64, Brno, even Marlin ( model 2000? 7000?).

It is addictive. I enjoy them all. I have used : Rem 540xr, Win 75 target, Win 69A, Marlin 880sq, 1940’s era Erma single shot, Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60, Anschutz 54 / 1411, Marlin 39a, CZ 452, Rem 511, Rem 510, Rem 521, Win 310. Of all those, I like a rifle with a little “heft”, and smooth bolt. The CZ 452 American is a favorite, as well as the Rem 540xr.

I just get interested in how things are made. They are all nice rifles. But, a “simple 22 rifle” ( not meaning to denegrate any gun), with good ammo is really all you need in the field.

Visit rimfire central.com for many forums on different 22 LR Arms, and ammo evals. Fun reading. But before you buy another 22 rifle, get a few boxes of really good std vel ammo and give your Marlin a good test. It will likely put a nice smile on your face.

What Marlin do you have? 780 series? Mag or tube? Marlins are good shooters, especially when you get the trigger in a decent pull range ( plus the ammo test ).

Have fun.

My rig is a Kimber "S" series topped with a Leupold 2X7 rimfire scope. It's a nice rifle and if I close my eyes I can barely tell the difference compared to my Kimber in 280. I also enjoy this rifle for spot and stalk bunnies esp with a fresh tracking snow.

My special squirrel rifle is a 77/22 RS walnut and blue. I've had some work done, trigger, barrel and some other stuff to set it up for silhouette shooting. It carries a Leupold with fine tappered crosshairs. It will do head shots to 75 yards all day long. Ten shots make a ragged hole at 50 yards,with dumb old remington golden bullets and CCI small game bullets. It will shot groups like a shotgun pattern with most match ammo.
I have a friend with a high grade Cooper that is beautiful except for the scratches and nicks, but is also a shooter.
Bfly

They don't make my squirrel rig anymore...



The rifle on the bottom



Dan

both rifles you mentioned would do well with squirrels. i used a cz 452(.22) for years with no issues. gave it to my son and went with a 10/22, again with no issues. recently bought a RAR predator, also in 22lr. it is as accurate as my 452 was. i hunt with subsonic ammo and always use a can. get the rifle that feels the best in your hands.

Gotta agree for the most part. More accuracy won't hurt, of course. Carrying a nice rifle around the woods is a pleasure too, and an indulgence most of us can afford, unlike high-class bird guns and custom centerfires.

Wasn't that long ago that a .22 that would group in an inch was a pretty good shooter, and squirrels got killed just fine. My brother bought one of the first Kimbers, which I thought was pretty extravagant at the time, until I saw how it it shot!

I reckon the 22 has always been my favorite , followed close by 17 HMR . Model 60 Marlin is flat out hard to beat for the money . The only Cz's I ever owned that didn't impress me was a 17 HM2 varmint and a American 22 LR . Have owned a heavy barreled Anshutz 64 in 17HM2 also . Split necks and up and down accuracy . All the 17HMR's I have owned have been good to great accuracy , currently have a Cooper and CZ 452 trainer in 17 HMR . They both will send them were you aim .
Have a couple CZ Super Exclusives and Scout rifles in 22 LR . They are some accurate rifles , the scout getting my vote for toting . It is one handy rifle and delivers some crazy accuracy that will give most full sized 22's a run for their money .
Haven't been bushy tail hunting in a few years , need to get back at it .
Kenneth

Dan, is that an old Mauser?

CZ makes some excellent rifles, and I've owned two before. The only reason to trade was for Kimbers. My "squirrel rig" has been a Kimber Hunter 22 since 2007. There are many many rifles to choose from these days, from cheap to very expensive; my advice is to look at a bunch and pick whichever suits your personal taste in rifles. I wouldn't worry much about the reverse safety lever on the CZ rifles, it only takes a few minutes handling and practice to get accustomed. There's a jillion different locations of safety buttons and levers and all gun layouts take getting used to. As long as it's easy to operate with cold or gloved fingers shouldn't be a big negative in choosing rifles.

Yes, both rifles are pre WWII Oberndorf Mausers. I believe the .22 is a ES340B. Both rifles have Mauser Banners under the front scope rings.

Dan

Browning Auto .22 Short, with can.


DMc

Thank you sir!! I've long admired them but of late....they've become a bit more valuable than my willingness to pay. As with many rifles, 30 years ago I should have bought one and kept it. Ordinarily I'm not a 'scope guy but your 22 set up as it is....I like!

I believe drover got as close to the unvarnished truth as it is possible to get. 22LR ammo and rifles have probably reached as close to perfection as it's possible to get.