Which Shotgun for squirrel or chipmunk hunting?

[Great North Guns]

12 gauge shotgun for squirrel, which somebody says they want to eat, is not a reasonable recommendation. .410 if you have to use a shotgun, .22LR if you're a good shot or PAL-rated air rifle.

I don't think chipmunks are considered small game, are they? And some squirrels are considered fur-bearing, so there's that regulation.

I shot plenty of squirrels with a 12ga cylinder choke and target loads. It kills them on the spot with few or no visible injuries. Plenty left to eat.

 

[Rob!]

...And this came across my feed today....

 

[C9er]

Ever see .22 cal shot cartridges? They’re a hoot. Not much shot in those and the range is limited (Which can be a real bonus in certain conditions. Not going to continue half a mile past the target if you miss.). I have a farmer friend who shoots mice inside the house with those.

LoL

 

[sillymike]

JP Sauer do make squirrel shotgun

 

[Hunter7]

If I will be grouse hunting in an area where I think I might have to stop a chipmunk charge, I pack nothing less than my Browning BPS 10 gauge 3 1/2” magnum with 2 1/4 oz lead BB shot. More than once I have dropped a charging chipmunk on the very last shot skidding to a stop right by my feet, had to change my underwater as well after that.

 

[Big Bad]

Re Sharpshooter's indoor mousehunter: I was given the .22 shotshell advice in my student daze when I lived in an apartment infested with rats. I didn't take it because I didn't want to wait up all night to bag one and anyway the rats knew a heck of a lot more about where we were than we did about where they were, if you see what I mean. Anyway, I was assured the dust-like shot would do no damage to the place, but I've never even owned such rounds. I think they were invented for backyard skeet game that has since disappeared from most people's memory?

 

[Falconflyer]

"Chicken of the Tree"..... um no thanks