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Squirrel Gun Questions

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Years ago, in I believe Muzzle Blasts magazine there was a great story by a gentleman named Max Vickery entitled 'Shag Bark Squirrels' that really caught the flavor of ML squirrel hunting. If you can find a copy, you will love it. And if you do find it, please share how to obtain a copy. That was really my catalyst into hunting the darkened bay galls in search of man eaters. George.
 
Bassdog1 said:
Barking squirrels is talked about quite a bit but my thought is that if I can shoot well enough to hit the limb in the right spot to stun them I will shoot them right below the ear. I would think that you would injure more than you kill by barking but have never tried it. Murphinator hope you end up with a nice accurate gun squirrel hunting and practicing to do it will sharpen your shooting skills up.
Click to expand...
I have done this once by accident of course. Dead squirrel no blood. Area under neck was full of blood. I was very surprised ike
 
ike said:
I have done this once by accident of course. Dead squirrel no blood. Area under neck was full of blood. I was very surprised ike
Click to expand...
Squirrels don't bark. They give it billy hell trying, though. Dogs bark, but I have trouble getting dogs to climb trees. Evolution is still in it's formative stages, as my wife often reminds me, when I'm getting undressed for bed LOL! I respond that real coffee has yet to evolve, but complaining to a higher power is pointless.
 
Treestalker said:
Squirrels don't bark. They give it billy hell trying, though. Dogs bark, but I have trouble getting dogs to climb trees. Evolution is still in it's formative stages, as my wife often reminds me, when I'm getting undressed for bed LOL! I respond that real coffee has yet to evolve, but complaining to a higher power is pointless.
Click to expand...

My comment was a play on words ref "Barking" , please dont be offended I'm feeling fragile now.....
 
My squirrel gun was a .40 and was a really short gun. I used it for deer more often than not, though. It did a number on squirrels so I’d recommend a .32 with a swamped barrel.

Not to stir the pot, but I’m more of a ‘shot’ vs ‘bullet’ guy when it comes to tree rats. If you miss, you don’t know where that piece of lead is going
 
Murphinator said:
Well I figured I would start with my first of three questions I am going to ask the forum. What makes a good squirrel gun. More specifically a squirrel/ small game rifle. Caliber, barrel length etc. What does everyone on here prefer ? What has everyone here found success with ? What is the better caliber .32 or .36 ? What is better a long barrel around 37" to 42" ? Or a shorter barrel of 36" and under ? Also what is too much to pay for a squirrel/game rifle in the eyes of some ? ( If no one wants to answer that last question that is fine I know some of you here on the forum believe that a price is a price and that is between buyer and seller). Thank you to all who reply and for all of your help that I've recieved in the past.
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love hunting squirrels, fav game to hunt. built a 36cal underhammer. super accurate. 30gr 3f with .350 ball .015 patch. way more load then you need. but its what she likes best!
 
My 40 Cal Early Lancaster likes 20grs 3f and a PRB. You can cover 3 shots with a quarter at 25 yards.

I've hunted squirrel with my 40, 45, even my 58 one time. That's a waste of powder and lead, but it was what I had at hand that day. I used 30grs 3f in my 58 and a PRB.

I get tickled at guys who say their squirrel load is 60grs of black, but complain it really tears them up!! Lol.

Screenshot_20190527-095906_Gallery.jpg
 
Ok,disclaimer i dont shoot squirrels anymore. But first off these squirrel around here bark like dawgs all day long! Especialy the little red pine squirrels!second barking squirrels down.is fer when your in the woods with your 62 flinter loaded with patch and ball or.,? Just close soos not 2 be left with a left arm only😐
 
I had a history teacher in high school, Mr. Baker, Sr., who had grown up in the holler somewheres, and in the Depression helped feed his family by taking his grandpap’s .58 rifled musket (a Civil War bringback) and barking squirrels. Swore he had to because if he ever hit them there wasn’t enough left to carry home. Also had his son, Mr. Baker, Jr., but he didn’t have any interesting squirrel stories.
Jay
 
Bassdog1 said:
Barking squirrels is talked about quite a bit but my thought is that if I can shoot well enough to hit the limb in the right spot to stun them I will shoot them right below the ear. I would think that you would injure more than you kill by barking but have never tried it. Murphinator hope you end up with a nice accurate gun squirrel hunting and practicing to do it will sharpen your shooting skills up.
Click to expand...

I suspect that most squirrels that are ‘ barked “ where the shot went lower than intended, but was close enough to traumatize the brain if the squirrel happened to be laying flat with it’s chin resting on the wood.
 
Wat the heck you talkin willis?
No, here the poop!
Your out hunting deer with a 69 cal.
Loaded with a minie a big 1(heavy)deer aint bittin, but squirrels are.(and your a desperate heathen that would eat a squirrel😐) so instead of trying a head shot,you use the branch or perferably the tree trunk as shrapnel generator! It has nadda to do with concussion.And yes you pick out the bark!
And we will skip the sermon on why not eat unclean!(the unclean iz not food)
 
I shoot more .36 & .32s than .45s & 50s. When any small game was sought I've always reached for the .36 or .32. The .36 is my favorite and fires the same powder charge that's used in the .32. That charge is 30 grains of 3F or 20 grns in either rifle. Generally it's 20 grns nowadays. I hold both calibers in high regard and have no doubts as to their capability.
Iron mounted .36 and bushytail.
PICT0577-2-1-1.jpg
 
This is what happens when you shoot a squirrel with a .40 with 40gr of 3f, shot placement was not ideal but it got the job done. Little guy chose the wrong time to show up during a woods walk session.
20220924_152047.jpg
 
If you’re interested…$1500 plus Shipping! Extra fancy maple, .40 caliber Kibler, special Kibler tuned lock.
 

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