What is your favorite load for squirrels?

Smokinfeathers · **Joined:** Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:42 pm **Posts:** 6

Tall trees here on forest service I use turkey choke n high brass no 5’s, or use a knight mk86 turkey muzzleloader n load 80gr of fffg with 1.5 oz of 7.5’s

geometric · **Posted:** Sun Dec 22, 2019 9:49 am

I also prefer .22 standard or low velocity but it is hard to get head shots in the thick stuff before the leaves fall. Also, I have the same problem a lot of other folks seem to have which is running into winged game hunting squirrels. I killed a couple tractor trailer loads of squirrels with 7/8 oz. #6 when I was a kid. Many years later, I still enjoy hunting bushy tails. No 6 lead is the smallest size shot I would use. Squirrels are pretty tough little creatures with tough skin. Consider #5's for fox squirrels. Bigger shot will of course kill them but pellet size is a poor substitute for pattern density. It goes without saying, modify your loads to match conditions. However, in many years of squirrel busting, I have rarely found 7/8 oz. of #6's from my 20 ga. L.C. Smith lacking for ordinary gray squirrels.

lossking · **Posted:** Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:03 am

geometric wrote:

I also prefer .22 standard or low velocity but it is hard to get head shots in the thick stuff before the leaves fall. Also, I have the same problem a lot of other folks seem to have which is running into winged game hunting squirrels. I killed a couple tractor trailer loads of squirrels with 7/8 oz. #6 when I was a kid. Many years later, I still enjoy hunting bushy tails. No 6 lead is the smallest size shot I would use. Squirrels are pretty tough little creatures with tough skin. Consider #5's for fox squirrels. Bigger shot will of course kill them but pellet size is a poor substitute for pattern density. It goes without saying, modify your loads to match conditions. However, in many years of squirrel busting, I have rarely found 7/8 oz. of #6's from my 20 ga. L.C. Smith lacking for ordinary gray squirrels.

Spot on, geo. I've been at it over 50 years and agree 100%.

Wildwood · **Joined:** Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:06 am **Posts:** 583

We only have fox squirrels around where I hunt. If I’m hunting in an area where I can use lead then I prefer #5 shot. A couple of years ago I bought a case each of 12, 16 & 20 gauge pheasant loads #5 shot. But prefer #6 shot if I’m using the .410.

Wellcraft1 · **Joined:** Tue Dec 31, 2019 7:55 pm **Posts:** 5

I use a mix between, leaves on early season my 410 #6. Late after leaves fall off my .22. My 410 was my first shotgun that my dad bought me when I was 9 years old, I am now 65 years young ! It is a youth model so I may look funny to the squirrels but I do bring them home to cook.

Wellcraft1 · **Joined:** Tue Dec 31, 2019 7:55 pm **Posts:** 5

I use a mix between, leaves on early season my 410 #6. Late after leaves fall off my .22. My 410 was my first shotgun that my dad bought me when I was 9 years old, I am now 65 years young ! It is a youth model so I may look funny to the squirrels but I do bring them home to cook.

lossking · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:00 am

Good post, Wellcraft1. Your dad would be proud of you.

204_ruger · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:32 am

I pick up 2 boxes fiocchi 20ga high velocity 1oz #5 and #6. I paid 11.00 a box. But a fount a place has them for 8.88 for 10 more boxes. If they shoot good. I am going to get my wife a case .

lossking · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:51 am

204_ruger wrote:

I pick up 2 boxes fiocchi 20ga high velocity 1oz #5 and #6. I paid 11.00 a box. But a fount a place has them for 8.88 for 10 more boxes. If they shoot good. I am going to get my wife a case .

That's the 20ga load I prefer for squirrels.

What is your favorite load for squirrels?

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