Handgun squirrel hunting
- Thread starter Bmlove
- Start date
Fishinfool
Member
Did a lot of tree rat hunting in CT using a Ruger MKll bull barrel with a 2x scope, and a High Standard Victor, also scoped. Since I moved to PA, have to use a revolver, so its a 617 6 inch with a 4x scope. If price is an issue, you can't go wrong with a scope sighted Ruger semi MKll or lll. Pictured is my old MKll with a functional but ugly B-Square clamp on mount. It allows the use of scope or factory irons.
I have killed squirrels with a variety of handguns, but a quality .22 semi or revolver with optics really increases your hit potential.
Larry
I have killed squirrels with a variety of handguns, but a quality .22 semi or revolver with optics really increases your hit potential.
Larry
Attachments
Last edited:
at_liberty
Member
I shot squirrels from a tree with a 22 rifle in my youth but now realize that I have to have some idea where the bullet will come to rest. I would take a squirrel on the ground, but up in the air without rifle like aim and steadiness is not something I would do. A LR is probably overkill anyway. I wonder if there is a better gun or better ammo for up-in-the-air shots. Shot shells like from my 410 Judge or coach gun might be fun.
My .22 revolvers are a 617 6" and a Buckmark, either of which would do the job. I haven't reached the point where I need to eat squirrel though.
My .22 revolvers are a 617 6" and a Buckmark, either of which would do the job. I haven't reached the point where I need to eat squirrel though.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Bmlove:
Many years ago, I used to love to squirrel hunt with an old H&R 999 Sportsman and .22LR Stingers. This was when I was in college, and I used to shoot Silhouette in competition - so I thought I was hot stuff. I turned my buddy on to the sport, and he hunted them with the only handgun he had, a Model 27 with .38 Specials (head shots only). Good times. I've told my son (17 yrs. old, and a new hunter) about handgun hunting squirrels and he is very interested in trying it, but we haven't been able to find an area around here (we also live in Austin, TX) yet. Now a days, I'd use my Model 34-1 and let my boy use my Ruger Mk-II.
Best of luck,
Dave
Many years ago, I used to love to squirrel hunt with an old H&R 999 Sportsman and .22LR Stingers. This was when I was in college, and I used to shoot Silhouette in competition - so I thought I was hot stuff. I turned my buddy on to the sport, and he hunted them with the only handgun he had, a Model 27 with .38 Specials (head shots only). Good times. I've told my son (17 yrs. old, and a new hunter) about handgun hunting squirrels and he is very interested in trying it, but we haven't been able to find an area around here (we also live in Austin, TX) yet. Now a days, I'd use my Model 34-1 and let my boy use my Ruger Mk-II.
Best of luck,
Dave
David R
Member
I have used a Colt Challenger from about 1950-1955.
I have used a 10" TC contender in 32-20 for MANY squirrels, then I put a 2X scope on it and kept going. I can no longer shoot a squirrel with out a scope on a hand gun. Its tough with my Savage 22/410 combination with iron sights. Its a little easier with my 222/20 because it has a receiver sight. I use reduced 222 loads.
I shot a couple partridge and a few squirrels with a match grade 1911 that I happened to have on me in the woods. Head shots only.
For now the only 22 handgun is a browning Buckmark with an after market match grade barrel and a red dot sight. I would take the contender if I needed to eat.
I truly enjoy squirrel hunting. The peace and quiet. The pace fits my life style, I can't sit for long so deer hunting is OUT for me. I don't eat much wild game any more, so I just go sit in the woods and watch.
David
I have used a 10" TC contender in 32-20 for MANY squirrels, then I put a 2X scope on it and kept going. I can no longer shoot a squirrel with out a scope on a hand gun. Its tough with my Savage 22/410 combination with iron sights. Its a little easier with my 222/20 because it has a receiver sight. I use reduced 222 loads.
I shot a couple partridge and a few squirrels with a match grade 1911 that I happened to have on me in the woods. Head shots only.
For now the only 22 handgun is a browning Buckmark with an after market match grade barrel and a red dot sight. I would take the contender if I needed to eat.
I truly enjoy squirrel hunting. The peace and quiet. The pace fits my life style, I can't sit for long so deer hunting is OUT for me. I don't eat much wild game any more, so I just go sit in the woods and watch.
David
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,534
- Reaction score
- 30,845
Model 63 works for me - lightweight, compact, accurate, stainless. Only the "accidental squirrel" that crosses paths when in the field Pheasant Hunting - not a dedicated squirrel hunter otherwise.
OP
Bmlove
US Veteran
Stranglehold
Member
I've hunted squirrels with a 6" 17-3 for over 35 years. This was the first handgun I purchased, and has accounted for enough bushytails to fill a barrel with Brunswick stew...
It's a fine choice and still remains my favorite, but honestly any accurate rimfire pistol or revolver will do the job if you're up to the challenge...
Even those handguns that aren't so accurate, as long as you have enough patience and stalking skills...
Roe
It's a fine choice and still remains my favorite, but honestly any accurate rimfire pistol or revolver will do the job if you're up to the challenge...
Even those handguns that aren't so accurate, as long as you have enough patience and stalking skills...
Roe
HarryD
US Veteran
I shot a few with my Buckmark Silhouette 22. Sorry this is the only photo I have of the pistol. sorry about the model.
K22 Squirrel
Where I come from most people hunt squirrel with 22 rifle. Me
and my brother have used K22 6" for years. We don't use pistols
until leaves begin to fall. It is considered unsporting to use a
scope, red dot,tripod, ect.
Where I come from most people hunt squirrel with 22 rifle. Me
and my brother have used K22 6" for years. We don't use pistols
until leaves begin to fall. It is considered unsporting to use a
scope, red dot,tripod, ect.
The red dot sight makes it easier in the leafed out trees.
Harkrader
Member
Handguns for squirrels
The Single Six at the top is the one I've had the longest and that has seen the most field and range time.
This is the K 17-3. It has seen considerably less field time but is a fine choice for small game.
I've taken rabbits, coons, various birds, rats and chipmunks with them both.
I first hunted squirrels with my "run what you brung" Ruger Single Six. To my way of thinking it is still the best.
Rather later I got a S&W S&W K 17-2 Masterpiece with 6" barrel and someone's custom grips. I still prefer the Single Six simply because it is easier to hold and keep on target (I always go for the head) than the double-action S&W. Single-Action, the S&W is the equal of the Single Six and it's usually just a matter of which one I drag out of the safe first.
We have no need to "thin the herd" of them around here, so when I hunt them it is while camping or staying at a relative's cabin in rural WI, and it is to eat. Hence, head shots or I don't shoot.
The Single Six at the top is the one I've had the longest and that has seen the most field and range time.
This is the K 17-3. It has seen considerably less field time but is a fine choice for small game.
I've taken rabbits, coons, various birds, rats and chipmunks with them both.
I first hunted squirrels with my "run what you brung" Ruger Single Six. To my way of thinking it is still the best.
Rather later I got a S&W S&W K 17-2 Masterpiece with 6" barrel and someone's custom grips. I still prefer the Single Six simply because it is easier to hold and keep on target (I always go for the head) than the double-action S&W. Single-Action, the S&W is the equal of the Single Six and it's usually just a matter of which one I drag out of the safe first.
We have no need to "thin the herd" of them around here, so when I hunt them it is while camping or staying at a relative's cabin in rural WI, and it is to eat. Hence, head shots or I don't shoot.
lscocoa
Member
bananaman
Member
I've hunted squirrels with a 6" 17-3 for over 35 years. This was the first handgun I purchased, and has accounted for enough bushytails to fill a barrel with Brunswick stew...
It's a fine choice and still remains my favorite, but honestly any accurate rimfire pistol or revolver will do the job if you're up to the challenge...
Even those handguns that aren't so accurate, as long as you have enough patience and stalking skills...
Roe
Great pics! Thanks for posting! Bob
bananaman
Member
My son shot a squirrel in my back yard with his carry gun. Sig P238. We were surprised he shot it. MORE surprised that he hit it! Bob
Lobster Picnic
Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2010
- Messages
- 1,573
- Reaction score
- 996
I handled one of the new Ruger Chargers today and it looked very nice. With a bipod, a 10" barrel, and a nice big rail for optics, this is like cheating. It was $260 which I thought was a good price.
one eye joe
US Veteran
IF I WAS THE OP, I WOULD PUT A SCOPE OR A RED DOT ON THE MK I, THAT I ALREADY OWN. THAT WOULD CERTAINLY GET THE JOB DONE, WITH THE MINIMAL AMOUNT OF EXPENSE…..
pacecars
Member
I have used a High Standard Citation, A Ruger MKII and a T/C Super 14 .41 Mag quite effectively on tree rats
Texas Star
US Veteran
Just use your Ruger .22 auto if you shoot it well. I'd opt for LR HP ammo to be sure of a clean kill. If close enough, try head shots, to avoid ruining meat.
If I was setting out to hunt squirrels with a handgun, I think I'd buy a S&W M-66 with six-inch barrel and use .38 wadcutter target ammo. That way, I could also carry Plus P .38 and full .357 Magnum ammo for other applications. I don't feel really safe in the woods armed with just a .22.
A Model 66 or any quality .357 is enormously versatile, and some are astoundingly accurate.
I find the Beretta M-92FS and the CZ-75B and the Colt Govt. Model .45 to be good, but meat damage is going to be extensive. The Colt, unless it's the Gold Cup target model, may need accuracy work by a good gunsmith. I used to make up very accurate handloads in .45 with a cast lead SWC 200 grain bullet. At about 850 FPS, they'd shoot well enough for small game and were still pretty fair defense loads, although I bumped them up to 900 FPS for that role.
But don't sell your Ruger .22. For most shooting appropriate to the .22 caliber, it's an excellent gun and a fine value. I especially like the stainless bull bbl. version, and put Ruger checkered walnut stocks on mine. I love it.
Col. Chas. Askins wrote about shooting squirrels from trees with .38 target revolvers. He got mainly head shots. At the time, he was the US national pistol champion at Camp Perry and firearms instructor for the USBP. But if you can shoot like he did, the handgun is a viable harvester of small game.
But if you shoot jackrabbits, you might want HP ammo or a centerfire gun. They're pretty tough.
Again, if it's in nice condition, don't sell that Ruger.22 auto. You'll probably regret it. Badly! If you have the skill, it'll kill squirrels quite well at reasonable ranges. Fool around with ammo brands to see which it shoots best...as with any .22RF gun. However, I've avoided Remington .22 ammo lately, as it burns very dirty and sometimes gums up my guns. I think CCI makes the best .22 ammo.
If I was setting out to hunt squirrels with a handgun, I think I'd buy a S&W M-66 with six-inch barrel and use .38 wadcutter target ammo. That way, I could also carry Plus P .38 and full .357 Magnum ammo for other applications. I don't feel really safe in the woods armed with just a .22.
A Model 66 or any quality .357 is enormously versatile, and some are astoundingly accurate.
I find the Beretta M-92FS and the CZ-75B and the Colt Govt. Model .45 to be good, but meat damage is going to be extensive. The Colt, unless it's the Gold Cup target model, may need accuracy work by a good gunsmith. I used to make up very accurate handloads in .45 with a cast lead SWC 200 grain bullet. At about 850 FPS, they'd shoot well enough for small game and were still pretty fair defense loads, although I bumped them up to 900 FPS for that role.
But don't sell your Ruger .22. For most shooting appropriate to the .22 caliber, it's an excellent gun and a fine value. I especially like the stainless bull bbl. version, and put Ruger checkered walnut stocks on mine. I love it.
Col. Chas. Askins wrote about shooting squirrels from trees with .38 target revolvers. He got mainly head shots. At the time, he was the US national pistol champion at Camp Perry and firearms instructor for the USBP. But if you can shoot like he did, the handgun is a viable harvester of small game.
But if you shoot jackrabbits, you might want HP ammo or a centerfire gun. They're pretty tough.
Again, if it's in nice condition, don't sell that Ruger.22 auto. You'll probably regret it. Badly! If you have the skill, it'll kill squirrels quite well at reasonable ranges. Fool around with ammo brands to see which it shoots best...as with any .22RF gun. However, I've avoided Remington .22 ammo lately, as it burns very dirty and sometimes gums up my guns. I think CCI makes the best .22 ammo.
Last edited:
Old TexMex
Member
Take your pick, but here's my ideal squirrel gun:
The 48 in front took many in Real county, up on the Nueces River pecan bottom. (and an occasional doe for tamales/ camp meat.)
The 48 in front took many in Real county, up on the Nueces River pecan bottom. (and an occasional doe for tamales/ camp meat.)
Last edited:
