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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,586
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,586 |
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Know that most hunt tree squirrels using headshots from 22 rimfires.
But for those who choose shotguns...
What is the recommended shot size ?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,143 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,143 Likes: 2 |
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,437
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,437 |
Most recommend 6 shot. I prefer 4 shot when using a shotgun for squirrels. The .22 LR sees far more use for me.
μολὼν λαβέ
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,376 Likes: 16
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,376 Likes: 16 |
What gauge? With 12s and 16s my favorite was always 5 shot.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 31,004 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 31,004 Likes: 11 |
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Know that most hunt tree squirrels using headshots from 22 rimfires.
But for those who choose shotguns...
What is the recommended shot size ?
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I like 6's or 7 1/2 shot. Certainly nothing larger than #6 shot for me
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,564
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,564 |
I prefer 4s or 5s and since my MEC bridges 4s, I tend to load 5s.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761 |
I load 1 oz of magnum 5's, I use 5's for almost everything except quail. You don't need more shot than 1 oz of shot for those little critters.
Doc
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,734 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,734 Likes: 7 |
1 or 1 1/8 ounce of 5's is just about perfect.
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: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,168
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,168 |
I like #4's. They kill the squirells as well as #6's and don't put as amny holes in them.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
I prefer High Power 5 but 6 also work great
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 13,268
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 13,268 |
I've killed a bunch with #6 .410.
Otto is my co-pilot.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,958 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,958 Likes: 3 |
What gauge? With 12s and 16s my favorite was always 5 shot. 12 ga #5 shot, high brass. #5 is harder to find than #4 or #6.
By the way, in case you missed it, Jeremiah was a bullfrog.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 118
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 118 |
Squirrels are tough. I like #6 or even #5 shot, but this is one area the .410 can shine. No need for a lot of shot, 11/16 oz in the 3" .410 is fine, or 7/8 oz in the 20 gauge.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639 |
the nice thing about squirrel hunting is that you can carry more than one shot size because often times there is time to load a different shell.
If the range is short one might opt for a shell with fewer BBs....if the range is long....you get it!
The finest squirrel gun I've ever run across is a Savage over/under .22/.410....Keep the .410 loaded with #6 and the .22 LR barrel loaded with a 40 grain solid....You have the bases covered nicely that way.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,546 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,546 Likes: 2 |
I've killed a bunch with #6 .410. Yep. My first shotgun was/is (still have it) a model 370 Winchester. Killed truckloads of squirrels with it. I also have a 20 gauge that I used a lot for squirrel hunting, but now almost exclusively use a .22 long rifle. It's easier on the teeth.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,807
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,807 |
#6 is fine for gray squirrels, but red squirrels are much bigger and #6 won't reliably take them down. Usually I run into both kinds of squirrels, so #5 gets the nod.
#7 1/2 doesn't completely penetrate either type of squirrel. I dislike having my squirrels loaded up with all that shot.
You don't need much velocity, but I like heavy payloads for reaching to the top of the oaks.
Islam is a terrorist organization.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,271 Likes: 37
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,271 Likes: 37 |
I've killed a bunch with #6 .410. That....
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,702 Likes: 3 |
I prefer High Brass #4's in a 12 gauge, and High Brass #5's in a 20 gauge.
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them."
-Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104 |
I guess that east Texas squirrels are wimps. I've killed a boatload of both reds and grays using #6s in 12, 16 and 20 gauge shotguns.
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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