Best setup for squirrel hunting

Canadiankeeper

Canadiankeeper

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I know its not the season, but I didn't particularly like what I was running with all that much this past season.

I ran a CZ452 Varmint, 22lr with a 3x9 bushel optic.

I found it a little cumbersome and often had to dial back the optic.

Also had issues with the 22LR arch, some missed shots at 20 yards, some missed shots at 60 ish. (usually in the bush, except when they are munching the corn in the field by the edge of the bush)

I aim for the head not the body.

Perhaps something in the 17Hmr cal for a flat trajectory ?
A 2-7 optic so it stays lower with my optic for a lower power and small objective lense? I had to use high rings for the CZ.

I prefer head shots, as I feed most of them to my friends hawks. Try not to ruin the chest cavity to much. This is also why shot guns are out of the picture.

What do you guys like to use? Any opinions I can consider ?

Fall into the rabbit hole of 10/22
 
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I use my 452 22lr with a 3-9. Mini mags don't really do much damage in my experience. Most of my shots are 30-70 yards away. The cats still have a lot to eat
 
I like a Millet Dms 1-4 and limit my shots to 50 yds which is what I dial in for. You must shoot at closer distances so you know the difference in POI, especially if you like headshots.
 
jables said:
A 17hmr would do a number on em, something that can shoot a more heavily constructed bullet would be better, 22lr or 22wmr with fmjs shouldn't destroy them.
Click to expand...

Hmm ok, I like the accuracy of the 17hmr, but I mean at 50 yards its hard to find a 22 that isn't minute of tree rat head.
 
Savage 42. 410 for running shots. 22Lr with a 1x 1moa red dot for standing still. I can hit a squirrel standing still up to 50y no problem with the red dot. Worth mentioning i got it for 350 lightly used. Would not buy this product new. Way too pricey. I also had to adjust the trigger myself which was done with a file and has voided the rifles warranty... Totally worth it. Stock trigger pull was garbage.
 
Are you talking about ground squirrels or grey and fox squirrels? Since you mention feeding on corn next to a bush, I will assume that you are referring to grey/fox squirrels. No reason that your 452 Varmint wouldn't work perfectly from 0 - 75 yards... I use my 452 Lux with iron sights to 60 yards with Mini-Mag HP's... and my 452 American scoped with a VX-2 3-9 EFR with CCI SV's to 100 yards... and my Anschutz 1416 D-HB scoped with a VX-2 6-18X40 AO to 125 yards with SK St.+...

I would suggest, sticking with your 452 for another season and investing in a better scope and 5 or 6 bricks of CCI SV's from the same lot... then do some shooting to learn your rigs trajectory... there is no reason that you shouldn't be hitting heads at 75 yards with that rig... get to the range and zero your scope at 50 yards and then walk it in and out in 10 yard increments and learn your hold over/under at each distance... make yourself a cue card until it becomes second nature.
 
I use a 455 for squirrels with a Burris 3-9 and it's a solid 50yd gun (head shots). I also planned on using my 17 Hornet for really long shots but didn't get the opportunity this year. Don't rule out a shotgun either. I hunted doves this year for the first time with my 20ga O/U and with those you need steel shot. While dove hunting I encountered quite a few squirrels and I found #7 Kent steel worked really well. Unlike the 7 1/2 lead loads I used before the steel blew through them and you weren't finding pellets for supper. The 20ga didn't damage them at all but 30-35yds was about the limit for range even with a full choke. TC
 
I have a few firearms to use from 410 sxs to CZ Varmint with 6-20 x 40 scope but my best choice to keep my shooting skills up is my CZ 452 Super exclusive in the 22 lr with iron sights with a long barrel. This is my first choice any time...
 
The .17 hm2 is considered to be the best rimfire for senious squirrel hunters on rim fire central forums for the reasons you mentioned. The problem is finding one.

In lieu of that, i suggest a lower powered scope, a 25 yard zero and lots of practice at various ranges.
 
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