Squirrel hunting .22LR/.17HMR?

[Mindflayer]

I figure a .22LR or a .17HMR would be more of a challenge than a shotgun. My uncles swear by my 16 gauge break, but I think a rifle would be more sporting. I am debating on another 10/22 (the scope does not mount on my Takedown due to the rear sight and rotation during breakdown). I am also wondering about quick-detach mounts for the scope, and just re-zeroing every time.

Recommendations?

[Taggure]

Buy you a .22 and put Tree Rats in the pot open sight or scope don't matter shot them in the head watch them drop

Yummmy watch that gravy thicken

Serve over Mashed Taters or Biscuits and you have yourself a meal fit for a king

Vern

[Snakester]

Squirrel hunting and rimfire rifles go together like peanut butter and jelly. Any will do and you will have a great experience just being in the woods looking for tree rats ! I hunted last year for the first time in 12 years...On a 70 acre track of land in Southern VA. It was just like being a kid again ! I just hope the Squirrel Population has replentished itself for the upcomming season.

[Mindflayer]

I am going this weekend up to WV. I picked up a .17HMR-based Savage 93R17 BTVS for blasting the groundhogs and hopefully some headshots on squirrels. Got my 10/22 as well for the latter. The fiancée is not coming, but wants me to try out her .410, so taking that as well.

Haven't had squirrel in a while. I used to cook a lot in college at WVU, and game was always a anchor in the menu. Fried, stewed, gravy, curried (yeah, and it tastes good). Just thinking about it is making me hungry....

[dorminWS]

Only thing about the .17HMR is that in my limited experiance with mine, it seems to me it doesn't take much wind to move your slug enough to make you miss a head shot on a squirrel.

[Snakester]

You have it all covered with .22 .17 HMR and .410 . Sounds like a great time ! I used my Henry .17 last year for squirrels even though I bought it mainly for G-hogs. I can't wait to take my Taurus " Judge" .410 hunting this year.

[Mindflayer]

Spent the entire day out, and saw maybe a total of 5 squirrels. Got off a shot on one on the move, and missed. Rest were so deep down in the brush, it wasn't possible to take a clear shot. Ah well - next time!

[Sensai]

Yep, early season, while the leaves are still on the trees, is shotgun time for squirrels. I save the rifles for after the leaves fall. My favorite early season tactic is "still" hunting. I move a few feet and freeze and wait a while. You'll normally see motion and the south end of a north bound squirrel. Quick shotgun reflexes will usually bring down dinner. After the leaves have fallen I sit under a likely tree and wait until the squirrel movement starts back up from my movement coming in. Sometimes a young one will come out on a limb and scold you for being there, once. Although I prefer a bolt gun for accuracy, I use a semiauto for late season squirrels. If you fire an auto and freeze immediately after firing, the squirrels will come right back out in a few minutes. If you fire a bolt or lever gun and cycle the action right after firing, it can take fifteen or twenty minutes for them to come back out. In case you can't tell, this is one of my favorite pastimes in the woods. I often take one of the grandkids, just to pass on the tradition, but it's an occasion that I can enjoy completely on my on.

[Mindflayer]

I told my fiancée how much fun I had, and she wants to go with me next time. Maybe when we get back from the honeymoon. I had a lot of fun, and if we go together, we will have a shotgun and a rifle to cover the bases.

I used to stalk wildlife outdoors for photography. You gotta be quick and silent there, too. Of course, you also aren't making a loud BANG, either.

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[Snakester]

A couple of friends went squirrel hunting Saturday...Didn't bag many but did get 1 "NICE" one!

[Snake]

HA!!! To the above picture!

Anyways I have always used a .22 to Hunt the elusive squirrel. Currently I use my Marlin Model 25N. I cant stand to use semi auto .22 to hunt with. Just me I suppose. My Marlin is a 7 shot bolt action.

[Mindflayer]

Resurrecting an old thread, I know - but wife has her hunting license and she is real excited about the coming season. Squirrels all over the place here in Ashburn (noVa). Hope that means we will actually see some this year.

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[Taggure]

Tree Rats in the Pot and Biscuits in the oven sounds good to me.

[Snakester]

I went out early this morning to scout a 44 acre track of land in Sussex Co. that I recently obtained permission to Squirrel Hunt on this year. About 2/3 of it is a nice hardwood ridge with large timber and has a lot of Squirrel activity . The owner said it has never been hunted since he bought it in 1962. I can't wait to hunt the property. I plan to use my Henry .17 HMR on opening day...I have not been shooting as much as I have in recent years because of looking for a new place to Shoot and Hunt.

[vaeevictiss]

I had a 17 hmr and it was my dedicated squirrel gun. I kind of wish I still had one. I will say if you are planning on eating them you need a head shot. I would just shoot center mass and it damn near tore the carcass in half. It is a very brutal cartridge and very fun.

Sent from my Galaxy S4

[Mindflayer]

For squirrel, we have her .410 (Rossi Circuit Judge), a .22 LR (10/22 Takedown), and my Savage BTVS .17 HMR. We'll have a nice choice of what to take!

[gunderwood]

Spent the entire day out, and saw maybe a total of 5 squirrels. Got off a shot on one on the move, and missed. Rest were so deep down in the brush, it wasn't possible to take a clear shot. Ah well - next time!

Pretend you're deer hunting, then you will see hundreds of squirrels.