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The gauge or a .22 for squirrel

This is a very interesting thread for me and it made me realize squirrel hunting and how I learned to do it has shaped my life as a boy, young man in the military and a old guy teaching his kids.
I grew up with much older brothers and we are very competitive with each other.
In our family it wasn’t who could run the fastest or throw the longest it was who was the best hunter or best shot.
A shot gun was for birds and rabbit but squirrel hunting it was .22 heads shots or nothing. That’s just how dad taught us boys.
I don’t think there is a certain tool or way to do it for everyone. I say use what you like or need to make it happen . If all my family had to eat was squirrel and my time was limited to get a mess I’d grab a shot gun and be done with it quick.
But if I’m to challenge myself and have all day give me a scoped .22 and I’m sure I can still get my limit and have fun my way.



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KYHunter said:
I’ve used both and have been happy with both!
In regards to an 870 super mag though I wouldn’t recommend it over other guns. I’ve not been happy with mine compared to the mossberg 500 I’ve got. I’m actually looking at getting rid of it and getting a 835 or 535.
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I have the 535. I don't hate it, but I have no love for it either. Nothing like my 50 year old 870 Wingmaster I grew up with. If I had it to do over again, I would keep looking past the 535 for something that I loved. I don't like the top mounted safety. It just feels clunky, not smooth and natural.
 
11be00a220bac65b1eb6fec8c99f5183.jpg


Tough to tell in the picture, but that's an albino squirrel, boys!! I really debated on slinging an arrow at this beauty that day.
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DanielB89 said:
11be00a220bac65b1eb6fec8c99f5183.jpg


Tough to tell in the picture, but that's an albino squirrel, boys!! I really debated on slinging an arrow at this beauty that day.
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Have only seen one albino skwerl and watched it get sniped with a 22 hollar point to the noggin.
 
Skeeter said:
A guy can shoot a bunch of 25 cent rounds before he exceeds the cost of a new .22 and new scope that he doesn't have.
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So true. I had the 22. I think the lesson was more to match the weapon to the game in order to max out the "sporting chance" for the animal. Make it harder to kill them, learn how to get closer to them. Who knew it would take me 35 more years to pick up a traditional bow. Never stop reinventing yourself I guess.
 
I am a .22 man all day everyday. I have a BSA sweet .22 scope on my Marlin model 60 and it is a straight up killer. With that big scope I can look them right in their beady little eyes and then give them a frontal lobotomy. I like to spot and stalk the river bottoms. I really like being able to reach out and touch them. I dropped one yesterday 85 yds away in the top of a big oak tree.
 
elk yinzer said:
I know a guy that has an O/U with a .22 mag up top and a 12 gauge on the bottom. It's a heck of a fall turkey gun because it can reach out a bit or you can jump shoot them with the scattergun. I'm sure someone makes a .22/20 gauge that would be great for squirrels.

Me, I say skwerls were just made to hunt with a scoped .22.
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I have a o/u 22mag/20gauge and it is the best all around gun I have ever had in my hand I LOVE this gun it is just plain fun to shoot!!! Perfect gun end of discussion!!!!!!!
 
Of course there is nothing like hunting squirrel and rabbit with a stick and string!!! You won't fill your freezer this way but you will have a awesome time!!!!
 
Bama_Xander said:
I am a .22 man all day everyday. I have a BSA sweet .22 scope on my Marlin model 60 and it is a straight up killer. With that big scope I can look them right in their beady little eyes and then give them a frontal lobotomy. I like to spot and stalk the river bottoms. I really like being able to reach out and touch them. I dropped one yesterday 85 yds away in the top of a big oak tree.
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What ammo do you use? I find ammo inconsistency is easily the biggest detriment to my .22 accuracy.
 
I own a 32 flinter I take sometimes it's a fun hunt ,but I cant ever keep nothing in front of ribs it's pretty rough on them ,other than that a 22
 
Depends on where your hunting also. If you hunting on Wheeler in Al you either use a 22 or hunt them with other than lead in the gauge. Which makes killing them expensive!


See you in a tree, Ricky
 
Bama_Xander said:
My Marlin Model 60 loves Remington Thunderbolt. A couple years ago I bought several types of ammo and set up targets and found the one my gun liked.
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You ever have trouble with your 60 jamming/feeding rounds?

I’ve tried re-bending the ejector wire using the penny nickel trick, but I cannot seem to figure it out. I’m trying to find a gunsmith to fix it.


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ImThere said:
Depends on where your hunting also. If you hunting on Wheeler in Al you either use a 22 or hunt them with other than lead in the gauge. Which makes killing them expensive!


See you in a tree, Ricky
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That is another reason I am a .22 guy. Wheeler is my main squirrel hunting spot.
 
iamcorey said:
You ever have trouble with your 60 jamming/feeding rounds?

I’ve tried re-bending the ejector wire using the penny nickel trick, but I cannot seem to figure it out. I’m trying to find a gunsmith to fix it.


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I have never had a feeding problem. I've had some stovepipes over the years but nothing outside of normal expectations.

I did have an awkward moment in the woods last year. After shooting about 6 squirrels my bolt jammed open. I could not get it to close. I hit the bolt close button, I hit the gun, nothing would work. As I am trying to get my bolt closed I had 3-4 squirrels appear and were bouncing around all around me. I'm sitting there hitting my bolt and gun trying to get it working to shoot the squirrels just begging to die. I could not get it closed so I had to walk out defeated. When I got home and did some internet searching I found out all I need to do was pull back and push in the black part of the bolt to close it. I had no idea it had a manual lock back function. I felt like an idiot. I decided to do a deep clean and when I took it apart I discovered that the recoil buffer (plastic piece inside gun) had disintegrated. I had to replace it but it was cheap and seemed like something that happened too several people (gun was like 20 yrs old and plastic don't last forever after taking beatings by the bolt). Without the recoil buffer, the bolt was coming back too far and engaging the bolt lock back function that I didn't know about.

Overall, my Model 60 has been very good to me. I love it. Probably one of my favorite guns I own.
 
Bama_Xander said:
I have never had a feeding problem. I've had some stovepipes over the years but nothing outside of normal expectations.

I did have an awkward moment in the woods last year. After shooting about 6 squirrels my bolt jammed open. I could not get it to close. I hit the bolt close button, I hit the gun, nothing would work. As I am trying to get my bolt closed I had 3-4 squirrels appear and were bouncing around all around me. I'm sitting there hitting my bolt and gun trying to get it working to shoot the squirrels just begging to die. I could not get it closed so I had to walk out defeated. When I got home and did some internet searching I found out all I need to do was pull back and push in the black part of the bolt to close it. I had no idea it had a manual lock back function. I felt like an idiot. I decided to do a deep clean and when I took it apart I discovered that the recoil buffer (plastic piece inside gun) had disintegrated. I had to replace it but it was cheap and seemed like something that happened too several people (gun was like 20 yrs old and plastic don't last forever after taking beatings by the bolt). Without the recoil buffer, the bolt was coming back too far and engaging the bolt lock back function that I didn't know about.

Overall, my Model 60 has been very good to me. I love it. Probably one of my favorite guns I own.
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Very accurate little guns!!
 
Granddaddy had a single shot bolt action 22 and used iron sights and would hit them in the head. Me, my blind as a bat a$$ used a shotgun lol


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