Forums46
Topics537,812
Posts9,729,413
Members87,042
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
#7999295
10/05/20 09:09 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2
TexasHunterFisher49
OP
Green Horn
|
OP
Green Horn
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2 |
What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel? Is the .410 caliber a better choice for squirrel? Thanks!
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#7999307
10/05/20 09:14 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,907
unclebubba
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,907 |
What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel? Is the .410 caliber a better choice for squirrel? Thanks! For Squirrel, any birdshot will do, but you might be better with a little heavier shot. Say 6 or 6 1/2. If you have a .410 already, then yes, it is a better choice IMO. Same advice on shot size there.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#7999325
10/05/20 09:21 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,930
Sniper John
gumshoe
|
gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,930 |
#6 game loads. The 410 will do a lot less meat damage.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#7999326
10/05/20 09:22 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,125
TCM3
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,125 |
Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels Hebrews 13:2 (R-TX)
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#7999584
10/06/20 12:07 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,837
Adchunts
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,837 |
I prefer #6 shot. Makes it easier to pick out the shot when you skin them. I would also choose a 20 gauge over a .410, simply for economic and availability reasons. 20 gauge shells are cheaper and easier to find.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8000824
10/07/20 01:31 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,088
jakebunch
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,088 |
#6 shot in 20 gauge. As a new hunter you will probably have some challenges getting close and the 20 gauge gives you more effective killing distance than a .410.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8000991
10/07/20 03:32 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,133
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,133 |
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8001654
10/07/20 07:32 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331 |
On the .410, you'd have to pattern it to make sure it groups okay at the range you figure the squirrels are.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8001732
10/07/20 08:32 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,248
Biscuit
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,248 |
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8001735
10/07/20 08:34 PM
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,019
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
|
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,019 |
#6 is great for squirrels & rabbits.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8002035
10/08/20 12:31 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268
7mag
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268 |
"Laugh with many, but don't trust any"
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8002545
10/08/20 01:47 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,673
bp3
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,673 |
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8002968
10/08/20 08:02 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,846
Greg Z
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,846 |
#6 game load. Yes a 410 or 20ga will do less damage.
Greg Ziemer Sewell Lexus 214-597-6006 Life's short... Enjoy the ride!
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: 7mag]
#8003096
10/08/20 09:33 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,125
TCM3
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,125 |
Skins and De-Bones in 1 shot.
Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels Hebrews 13:2 (R-TX)
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8003691
10/09/20 01:10 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 477
RGLass
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 477 |
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8007783
10/13/20 01:34 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 101
sfa99
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 101 |
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8009242
10/14/20 04:20 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 927
GNTX
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 927 |
First thing I ever hunted was squirrel. I was using a single shot .410 with #4 shot. Brought home a lot of food at 12 years old with that gun. Still hangs on the wall to this day.
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8014109
10/18/20 01:38 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 97
Sader762
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 97 |
My preferred method
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: Sniper John]
#8014282
10/18/20 03:54 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,610
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
|
emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,610 |
#6 game loads. The 410 will do a lot less meat damage. That's what i used single shot break over...
i'm postaddic
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: RGLass]
#8014520
10/18/20 02:22 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,745
fredeboy
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,745 |
This and head shot only
|
|
|
Re: New to hunting. What is the best 12 gauge round for squirrel?
[Re: TexasHunterFisher49]
#8016769
10/20/20 02:47 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,522
Reloder28
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,522 |
I began my first Squirrel hunt with a 12 gauge Smith & Wesson 1000 semi-auto. It worked great. As time pressed on I decided to try a .410 & it was a no-go. Tried a 20 ga & it was a no-go.
Hunting in East Texas amongst the 85 ft Pine trees required a hi-brass load to break thru the foliage. I settled on #5 shot which Remington now markets as Pheasant loads. I have never been disappointed with #5's in my 12 ga.
Sold the S&W & pulled my 1965 Browning Auto 5 from its box in Oct 2018. I love that gun!!
[b][/b]
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|