Squirrels have been knawing on my "Ground Neutral" power line causing fluctuations in the current so I've decided to purchase a Smoothbore .22 Caliber rifle. Found a rifle (Not Inexpensive) and went looking for some ammo (I'm at a local gun show) and find three 50 round boxes @ $25.00 ea. Haven't bought any in a while or even seen any but that's HIGH PRICED Squirrel ammo, it may not be powerful enough unless I'm really close and the squirrels aren't "Sitting Still" targets either. Any experienced Rat Shot Squirrel shooters reading this?

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Not sure I’d consider rat shot ethical on squirrels (too likely to wound without killing) but FWIW I did a head to head between Winchester and CCI shot loads, and the blue plastic CCI was clearly superior.

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Uvidíme se později, aligátore.

A Daisy Red Rider would be a whole lot cheaper and probably more fun.

And probably more effective. All you'll be doing is scratching their butts for them with that rat shot.

That #12 "rat shot" in ANY .22 will not kill a squirrel. It will hardly kill a carpenter bee. You need a 410 shotgun. Shooting them with .22 rat shot will make them laugh at you.

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S&W Accumulator

I doubt that you can get close enough for it to be effective.
Expensive, but if effective, I would think just one box would solve the problem.
If shot was known to be effective, I'd probably buy the cheapest .22lr bolt gun and make it a smoothbore.
Ages ago, I think I used cb short ammo to solve a squirrel problem, but it wasn't around power sources. They had decided that they wanted to remain in my attic and were not to be discouraged by any other means.
Nowadays, I'd probably buy a pellet rifle.

I tried some on barn rats. First with a Ruger Bearcat and then with Winchester 9422. You had to be with in 10-15 feet and even then it wouldn’t kill them flat dead. I switched to cb cap 22 shorts. I had much better success.

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There are no bad pig parts!

And add that it is manufactured by Federal & is Long Rifle Bird Shot, 25 Grain No. 12 Lead Shot with the brass case crimped instead of the plastic capsule enclosing the shot pellets. Not much room for Power & Pellets.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I use the plastic capsule rounds in a revolver-only. I am afraid that they would break going through a magazine and make a real mess.

Also, I no longer use shot ammo (crimped case) in a semi-auto rifle after I broke an extractor once.

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6/23/2022

I have shot rats, eating my corn, with .22 shot shells. Went out at night, quiet, hit them with the flash light, bang, from 10 ft. Dead rats.

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No baby we aint

Same experience I had (I used a Rifle) If noise is a concern the Crimped End Style are a good bit quieter than the Blue End CCI Brand

. Who makes a smooth bore 22 rifle? Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Anschutz made one. A few other brands in the late 50s/1960s. (Winchester offered a version of the model 61)

Back in the Fifites through early Seventies Remington sold their single shot bolt action in a smooth bore as well as a pump action repeater. The barrels had a “Routledge Bore”. They were used with miniature skeet birds called “Mo-Skeet-Os”. I’ve been told they were actually developed during WW Ii to practice indoors in gyms for aerial gunnery. I remember they were hard to break even if you hit them squarely!

Froggie

It'll kill them if you're close enough, but maximum range is going to be on the order of 10-12 feet.

I'd agree with an air rifle. Some these days are very quiet and your maximum effective range would be way out there.

I'm more of a squirrel sniper. Though I seem to have eliminated my problem at this point.

I would use an air rifle with a suppressor if noise is an issue. My .25 cal Air Venturi Avenger has taken ground squirrels at 25 yards or more.

I had the same issue with squirrels chewing on the neutral just last month. I was also experiencing bad voltage dips. Thankfully, the electrical co-op came out and replaced the line.

I had heard them chewing on the line, so I would get my air rifle, pump it twice, and plink them on the butt to make them leave (at least temporarily). But since they actually did some damage, the next one I hear/see gets full power and a different point of aim.

22 shot is a joke. Serious squirrel problems like I have seen with Squirrels is better accomplished with traps. I’ve never known any kind of vermin to be shot out. In the end it’s traps or poison that gets them under control.
Go on You Tube and check out DIY traps for squirrel.

A half way decent .22 or .177 cal air rifle of most any make would do that job ten times better than that .22 rat shot.

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NRA Life Member

vipermd asked:

. "Who makes a smooth bore .22 caliber rifle"?

The rifle I found was a Remingtom, Model 121 produced in Dec. 1939. Others who have produced smoothbore rifles are:
Winchester M-61, Savage, Henry is making a lever action and this is a short list, there are likely others who I have not included.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

For squirrels I would recommend a good pellet rifle and a little patience. That’s what my neighbor and I use on the squirrels around here. As others have posted about the rat shot, I think if you could get Mr. Squirrel to stand still for 4 or 5 shots, then you might get him, but I doubt it.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

Air rifle much cheaper and more effective.
or

Traps,,you don't have to invest your time 'hunting' them. Unless you see that as an enjoyable way to spend some time every day.

A Have-a-Heart trap will trap one every 1/2 hr with some peanut butter and you you won't have to clean up anything or make holes on your power lines.
You will have to deal will taking the unfriendly little guy 'for a ride' though.

Smooth bore Win 61 and 62 pump .22 rifles are in the $1,000+ range is in any sort of decent condition.
The old single shot Remington 511 series guns are usually about the cheapest when you can find them.
Even the Nylon Remington series Bolt action (Single Shot) was made in a smooth bore.
The .22LR Shot ammo is crazy expensive and not very effective unless you get close.
There is .22RF Magnum Shot ammo as well. A bit more shot,,more noise. more effective. more $$. I don't know of any 'smooth bore' rifles made for it though.
I did run 5 straight on Station 8 low house skeet with a Winchester 61 22Magnum w/shot loads one time though!

I use a 22lr round for squirrels. If noise is a worry try the CCI Quiet-22 ammo, it really is quiet and still works.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I forget whose brand it was, but I have used the brass crimped end birdshot successfully on squirrels, but you have to be real close, and most time s it takes 2 shots. I just used a Remington 510 single shot that was not smoothbore. There is a 510 smoothbore, but they are expensive and not needed

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I wonder why they choose that ground neutral lead to chew on?

I always liked the saying that ".22 shotshells are good for taking grasshoppers on the wing."

With regards to the previous post, I don't know why they want to chew on wiring. When I found that they had chewed on some Romex in my attic, that speeded up my plan.
I smoked them out, patched their roof entry, and vent entry. They came back with a vengeance, trying to tear off my work and the siding etc.
Couldn't hit them with my FN Trombone. Got serious and out came the Walther KKJ. Game over.

As suggested, air rifles can be very effective on squirrels. A hardware store proprietor suggested this Crossman for squirrels, and it worked DRT at the 60 foot distance we needed it for, as long we used the pointed pellets.

Crosman 760 Pumpmaster with Scope | Air Rifles | Crosman


Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

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Slava Ukraini!

They seem to have an affinity for the aluminum, not sure why!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

The only thing these 22 rat shot cartridges are good for is practicing your wing shooting on dragon flys or hand thrown baloons.

That application is great for introducing wing shooting to children.

They are hopeless on any larger game.

I used Federal crimped shotshells on red squirrels with great effectiveness. Northern Red Squirrels for those of you who don't live in their range and are thinking of fox squirrels. These vermin are about the size of a large mouse if you discount the tail. They seem to have an affinity for electrical insulation in general and wreaked havoc in the attic at the farm if I didn't keep them cleaned out. Usually dead on first hit out to about 15 yards. Sometimes took a coup de grace. Never got the same results with either Winchester or CCI.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Those Federal rat shot must have some kind of magic I've never witnessed to kill even a mouse at 45'. Maybe larger shot, dunno.

CCI short sub sonic is much quieter than a pellet gun and totally effective on squirrels. However, depending on where you live it may be illegal. If you are a good shot with a decent rifle you shouldn't have a problem but be safe.

A good pellet gun or sub-sonic 22 rifle loads will work better. A buddy shot at a snake with 22 bird shot at about 6 ft. All it did was to tick off the snake.

John

1.5 gr of lightning.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Two rounds of CCI snake shot did kill a big Bufo Toad long ago.
6-8 feet away... was not impressed.
Got the Mrs a Sec6 snub and CCI 38 snake shot.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

This may not be the case here, but some jacket material for wire and cable are soy/vegetable based. Mighty tasty for rodents.

HENRY now makes a smoothbore 22 rifle.
i agree with the airgun fans-longer range kills that 22 shotshells.
CCI "QUIET" 22 if you're able is a great round-in a rifled 22.
best of luck
Larry

Right now I have a few boxes of those, they are made by Winchester. Years ago they were available at Cabela's I think it was. I bought 5 boxes of 50 but back then the prices were not high like now.

They seem to work well enough on small birds like Starlings. I have never tried using them on Squirrels. Like I said above, all you need for them is a 22lr round. Nothing special needed either but some homeowners like to use CCI Stingers or Velocitors for Squirrels. Also like I said, nothing wrong with the CCI Quiet-22 ammo. Since they are going only 720fps you don't want to try anything over 50 yards with them, I prefer within 25 yards.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Thank you to all who offered suggestions and shared their experiences.
I now am actively seeking a quality & reliable pellet rifle to help eliminate the wire knawers and pecan stealers. Even bfore the wire knawing problems the squirrels were getting every pecan before all the leaves were even shed from the trees. I have tried "Have A Heart" traps but the little varments are really weary and learn very quickly so not many after the first few were trapped and relocated. To add there was a truck in which to transport that is no longer available.
Please accept my gratitude for all the help.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Yes, soy bean based plastics are squirrel bait! Both my neighbor and I have had the little buggers chew up the gas lines on our propane grills. And a couple years ago they got the EVAP return lines on my truck. My garage mechanic said that it is a common problem with autos of certain years, especially if they are not driven much. Our Dodge Dakota is a 2001.

John

Are there states where squirrel hunting/shooting is not regulated? In Michigan, they are considered game animals and are protected by game laws with hunting seasons established. Also, I agree that more would be wounded and suffer a long time before dying if shot with this stuff.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thank You. Idid not know anybody was still making a smoothbore 22. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

I know smoothbore 22's under the name "garden guns". Basically meant for snakes and rats.

I bought a Savage Mark 1G a couple of years ago. It's a single shot, but shoots anything I put in it. Best to wear glasses when you're shooting it. I find those little BB's tend to bounce back off of anything but dirt.

Had half a dozen squirrels destroying 3 avacados a day off my tree, got 3 with my side cock spring powered. 177 pellet gun but fealt a little guilty not making them into gravy, decided to bribe them with a daily supply of peanuts in the shell, now we are friends and they left the avacados alone preferring Mr peanut instead.
Those dang Iguanas are a different story and must be terminated on site, they say they call them "Chicken of the tree" in Haiti but heard they also carry salmonella so no thanks.

I have wondered how the sound of a CB cap in my Ruger 77-22 would compare to my pellet gun, will have to test that one day.

CCI used to make a 22 CB Cap , not a "shot" round but a lightly loaded round w / priming compound , no powder , and a light weight bullet . I have taken many rabbits and couple bird feeder robbing squirrels with head shots ... get close . Very low noise and no recoil ...
Would work much better than 22 LR "Rat Shot" .

If you have already bought the 22 LR Ratshot shells ...
Test Them out and post a complete field report !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I have some that are made by Federal........they seem to concentrate the shot in a tighter pattern than the plastic capsule rounds from CCI.......if you are within about 15' they will do a number on Starlings in your bird feeders.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

But if you own a centerfire and roll your own there is bountiful information on the web about homegrown shotshells...

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Cling Peaches in Heavy Syrup

357 brass works wonders as a 38 special shotshell!