Squirrel Target?

[Smokey Plainsman]

I’ve been working up squirrel/rabbit loads in my trade gun. Using #6 shot as I’ve had good luck with it in unmentionables.

So aside from patterning, I’d like to shoot at a target that would replicate or prove safe lethality and penetration of the animal.

I want to be sure the pellets have sufficient penetration for a clean kill and ideally would go through and through to keep lead out of the meat.

Any thoughts on what would be an appropriate target are appreciated. I thought of maybe a Cornish hen carcass but those are pricey. Maybe some chicken thighs or wings?

Thanks!

 

[Hermit Tim]

If you want to shoot real meat here is a tip that might help: do you have a grocery store near you that has a reduced meat section? We've got two of them. I buy lots of beef out of those cases but tend to stay away from the reduced chicken and pork. More often than not they are both bad before you get them home. But packs of chicken parts and thin pork roasts are super cheap. Might be some good targets with plenty of coyote bait when you're done.

 

[Banjoman]

If your shooting a .62 caliber/20 gauge gun, then a square load of 65 grains powder and 65 grains #6 shot will get the job done. At least it does for me at reasonable distances.

As far as a target, maybe grapefruit or oranges?

 

[Sam squanch]

Just find a neighbor with chickens…….

 

[snakebit]

Hunting with a shotgun you are pretty much guaranteed to get pellets. Just be thorough when cleaning. Some seem to always squeak by though. If you want passthroughs on small game, there won't be meat left. Rule in our house, whoever gets the most pellets in their food has to do the dishes.

 

[sheriff john]

Buy some whole chickens on sale. Thaw them first.

 

[2 shots]

tin cans always seemed to be the standard , if it penetrates one side its said you are good to go.