Just an excellent video for educating newer hunters on ammunition selection and safety considerations. A very responsible video. Blessings, Grace and Peace
Awesome video! I didn't grow up hunting and have been learning online and heading out into the woods with my air rifle I had as a kid. Just recently bought my first ever firearm, a shotgun, and this was so helpful. Online I always read about people using 22lr but never talked about it's problem in somewhat populated areas. Thanks for taking the time to discuss all of this!
THANK YOU! That helped a HEAP! You're the first one I've found that even mentioned shot sizes. Sadly, all I have on hand right now is 7.5 and 8 shot, but PLENTY of .22 and vintage rifles to try out. Subbed ya too, btw.
Remington Yellowjackets...the largest truncated cone hollowpoint 22 LR. I hunted in Georgia and those squirrels needed that "slap" of that hollowpoint to knock them off that limb at the top of those landmark oaks in the swamp. For 50 years, I have used a Remington 552 Speedmaster and it shoots the Yellowjackets well. I'm carefully using my last box. My second choice especially for the larger fox squirrels would be the CCI Stinger.
The 552 speedmaster is a neat little rifle. When the leaves fall ill pull out my Marlin 66 and go knock down a few cat squirrels. Thanks for the comment hope you have a good season this fall.
Great video sir, going out in the morning to Shelby Forest north of Memphis for the first time in over 50 yrs! Navy took me all over the world but this little 20 ga Maverick 88 is bringing me back home! Wish me luck and watch out squrrels!!
I like how he's putting safety into consideration being as squirrel hunting is generally where people start hunting starting them off with safety in mind
Lots of comments on this one, I say to each their own, what ever works for the species of squirrels you are hunting , the type of woods and as you said the condition of said woods. Very good video👍👍👍🇺🇸
CCI standard velocity for head shots only. .22 remington subsonic hp if you got em or can find them. I never use high velocity rimfire to hunt squirrels.
I have 2 preferred squirrel guns one is my 10/22 I did a lot of work to. And my 20 gauge mossburg 500. I use them for completely different hunting styles. When the squirrels are on the ground running through heavy coverage early morning late evening I will slowly walk through the woods listening for the squirrels in the leaves and use a shotgun to shoot them, that is my favorite way to hunt squirrels but a lot of days that will only last a couple hours and they take to the trees. Once they take to the trees I go back to the truck grab my 10/22 and a nice light seat I will find a spot sit for a hour or so then move find a spot sit and move most of the day until they start feeding for the evening. I like the 20 gauge because it is light ammo is light I can carry more than 12g ammo but it still has decent range and very deadly on a squirrel. I also like less pellets that it puts in the squirrel sort of the opposite that you say you like 12 for. I almost always get a chance at a second shot if needed but it rarely is. I like my 10/22 because it offers fast follow up shots and aftermarket parts let me customize it to be perfect for myself
I can say with no reservation that any shot smaller than #6 is best avoided. I can also say that 12ga 1 1/4 ounce loads are going to give you the best results across the board. I also tend to be a firm believer in #4 shot. Pattern density is a little less than 5s and 6s but penetration is always better on tough old reds. I also have a definite preference for CCI 22LR HP and the .22 short HP as well.
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 I should have mentioned that there are actually 2 standard but different 1 1/4 ounce loads in 12 ga.. Now that ammo makers print velocity on the boxes it's very easy to tell them apart. The faster one at around 1330 FPS will help some on those longer 40 yard shots. Personally I carry a mixed bag of shells when in the woods. It gives you options.
I just got back from squirrel hunting. Didn't even hear a bird chirp, much less see, or hear a squirrel bark. lol I'm on Christmas break here in southern WV, so it's pretty chilly out. I'm a #4 guy myself. Also, a little more punch, just incase a coyote comes in close. Haha
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 Hogs that close are generally trying to chew you lol and just won't hold still for that behind the ear coup de grace. I loved WV, good luck and safe hunting.
You miss a pellet every now and again. I really don't worry much about it. Biting down on a lead pellet is not fun, but it happens. Just be aware you are eating a meal that was shot by a shotgun. If it is the lead itself, you're worried about I don't know the long-term effects but I do know I had 2 great grandmother's live over 100 years eating squirrels shot with shotgun their whole life.
Im 54 and been useing the 22 for squrils all my life and thrugh the yrs i have shot countless tree rats with countless brands of 22 ammo. That being said any 22 will work fine i use the cci subsonic hp. Its deffently accurate and works just fine out of my 10/22. Stingers a little to hot and loud for squirls. But i do carry the stingers in my pistol just incase a coyote or bobcat gets a little to close to me. Out of all the yrs i had to shoot a cotote 1 time. It was sick and wasnt affraid of me at all. It came around behind me when i was sitting next to a tree. At first i thaught it was a squirl because i couldnt see it. I pulled out my pistol and fired 2 times. 1st shot hit the spine and broke it and 2nd i walked up to it and put one in its head.
The comments acting like using a shotgun is ridiculous or saying never use 4,5,6, et cetera obviously don't squirrel hunt as much as they like to sound like they do! Most guys, myself included, use both .22s and shotguns depending on the time of year. Also most guys I know roll out with some #6s in the pockets along with some #4s/#5s. I pick the shell for the target. He is close up, low brass #6, little bit further away but still clear of the leaves, High brass #6 or a #5. That one that you can see his tail but he is behind a bunch of leaves...out comes that high brass #4! People talking about using #8s must have more time on their hands to pick out shot than sense! Guess some people like peppering them with 50 pellets when they are under 40 yards!
Like you i use 4 5 6 size shot would rather have 4 or 5 but will use 6 but that's small as i go got 9 boxes of 12ga 6shot now couldn't get bigger shot 16 and 20ga the same hope find 4 or 5shot soon
I shoot .36 grain hollow points for squirrels. I kill between 200-300 a year over my dogs. I've never blown the front off of a squirrel with one, they work just fine for me. My buddy uses 40 grain solids and has a few either get into a nest or hole after being shot. We always do our best to head shoot them. With a shotgun we use #4,#5 or #6 high brass only in a full choke.
Number 4 or 5 shot is it steel shot and a 3inch she'll just got my first 20 Gauge wanting to get correct she'll for rabbit and squirrel thank you for video
My preferred 20g round for squirrels is either #4 or #6 lead rabbit #6 lead patterns better I like the 4s because you get more straight pass through and less picking of pellets
Your best common 20ga load for squirrels will be the 2 3/4" 1 ounce loads. Your best balance between pattern density and penetration will be #5 shot. #4 and #6 will work if you can't find #5. The heavy 1 1/8 ounce 2 3/4" magnum loads will give you more pattern density but they also are really expensive, and not really helpful except in the more difficult situations.
Your best common 20ga load for squirrels will be the 2 3/4" 1 ounce loads. Your best balance between pattern density and penetration will be #5 shot. #4 and #6 will work if you can't find #5. The heavy 1 1/8 ounce 2 3/4" magnum loads will give you more pattern density but they also are really expensive, and not really helpful except in the more difficult situations.
Coincidentally, I just watched a video of a fellow that was testing steel shot for rabbits. He was using 12 gauge, not 20, but he found that 32 grams (about 1 1/8 ounce) of #4 steel shot worked well for him. Here's his video: ua-cam.com/video/g8SS0uyr3S4/v-deo.html If you're stuck using steel due to local regulations, 3" steel 20-gauge loads seem to run 7/8 to 1 ounce. Try a variety of loads with #3 or #4 shot and see what patterns best in your gun. They'll do for squirrel or rabbit as long as the pattern is dense enough to make good hits. If you can use lead shot, #4, #5, and #6 will all do the job whether you use 2 3/4" or 3" shells. At that point, it's just a matter of what gives you the best pattern at the distances you think you'll be shooting the rabbits and squirrels.
Don't think I ever heard anyone say Remington Thunderbolts were a good OR excellent Round. My only complaint and I've heard from others, there are a lot of duds. Have YOU experienced the Duds as well?
I might get a dud once in a hundred rounds. I personally haven't had any real issues with them. I would like to point out that weapon cleanliness does play a factor in miss fires, especially on rim fire cartridges. I try to minimize those types of mishaps by thoroughly cleaning the firing mechanism. Thanks for the comment, and happy hunting.
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 Thanks. I have read ,22s can go quite a while without cleaning. Perhaps not so much. I haven't shot my Thunderbolts for quite a while. Maybe I need to test, shoot without, then after cleaning!
I only use air rifles. And anyone who doesnt make a head shot on their squirrels has to buy lunch. Who the hell wants to pick #6 shot out of their meat??
@@mini14head Nothing wrong with that. You do you. Just keep in mind that some places limit you to shotgun. Some places don't limit you to that, but it's still the responsible choice due to proximity of livestock or structures thanks to shotgun pellets losing energy very quickly over distance compared to a single solid projectile from a rimfire or air gun.
Your gun selects the round. Not you. Each gun needs to try multiple different rounds to see what shoots best with it. My 10-22 rooks probably 10 different type of rounds to find out what it likes. Now I’m shooting dime sized groups at 25 yards because of the time I took.
um...i been hunting squirrels for almost 25 years - let me tell ya, me and my grandfather NEVER use 4's or 5's on squirrels. Like, what hell ya trying do - butcher the meat before ya skin it? Of course, we have chokes on our 12 gauge shotguns. But regardless, all we use is 6 and 7 1/2 - cuz with choke ( depending on what kind of choke ) you can reach out and touch them at 60 yards with nice pattern. Ive used 8's, rarely do i unless i have to comes to being low on ammo, but feel they dont pack enough punch and put to many BB's into meet and sometime feel it best not shoot out at far, vetter closer range. So i tend to stick with 6 and 7 1/2 shells only. Unless your turkey hunting or shooting foxes or coyotes, we never used 4's or 5's, unless it was for just that - cuz of the knock down power and the fact shells arent cheap the bigger the " shot number " you buy; especially when you get into buying BB or Buckshot rounds and other fancy round for turkey or foxes/coyotes . I just keep it simple, stick to 6 and 7 1/2 with a nice full choke - plus at close range...um,....head shots are a man's KO dream with this setup!
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Just an excellent video for educating newer hunters on ammunition selection and safety considerations. A very responsible video.
Blessings, Grace and Peace
Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed
Awesome video! I didn't grow up hunting and have been learning online and heading out into the woods with my air rifle I had as a kid. Just recently bought my first ever firearm, a shotgun, and this was so helpful.
Online I always read about people using 22lr but never talked about it's problem in somewhat populated areas. Thanks for taking the time to discuss all of this!
No problem, sir. Glad to hear you are starting to enjoy and learn about the outdoors
Solid video! Planning to squirrel hunt for the first time since I was a kid here in a couple months. Getting excited - thanks for the info!
Thank you sir
THANK YOU! That helped a HEAP! You're the first one I've found that even mentioned shot sizes. Sadly, all I have on hand right now is 7.5 and 8 shot, but PLENTY of .22 and vintage rifles to try out.
Subbed ya too, btw.
No problem good luck
Solid advice! Guy definitely knows his way around the squirrel woods...
Thankyou sir
Remington Yellowjackets...the largest truncated cone hollowpoint 22 LR. I hunted in Georgia and those squirrels needed that "slap" of that hollowpoint to knock them off that limb at the top of those landmark oaks in the swamp. For 50 years, I have used a Remington 552 Speedmaster and it shoots the Yellowjackets well. I'm carefully using my last box. My second choice especially for the larger fox squirrels would be the CCI Stinger.
The 552 speedmaster is a neat little rifle. When the leaves fall ill pull out my Marlin 66 and go knock down a few cat squirrels. Thanks for the comment hope you have a good season this fall.
Just so you know they started making yellowjackets again you can order it online It's one of the best expanding rounds I've ever used
More please😊 good stuff I like your style
Thankyou
Great video sir, going out in the morning to Shelby Forest north of Memphis for the first time in over 50 yrs! Navy took me all over the world but this little 20 ga Maverick 88 is bringing me back home! Wish me luck and watch out squrrels!!
That's right. Good luck. The Army took me all over the world. Happy hunting.
Great video, appreciate the run down as someone new to hunting.
No problem. I'm glad you enjoyed the video
I like how he's putting safety into consideration being as squirrel hunting is generally where people start hunting starting them off with safety in mind
Thanks for watching. I appreciate your comment.
Good video. I like #6 when the leaves are on. #4 will add that range like u said.
Yessur 4s break bones fine shot
Good video. Great explanation. Thx.
Thank you
Lots of comments on this one, I say to each their own, what ever works for the species of squirrels you are hunting , the type of woods and as you said the condition of said woods. Very good video👍👍👍🇺🇸
Thanks for watching
CCI standard velocity for head shots only. .22 remington subsonic hp if you got em or can find them. I never use high velocity rimfire to hunt squirrels.
I like a 20 gauge for early season when you may find them close on the ground, later, this season, I may try a browning A5 12 gauge
Thanks for watching
Thanks for sharing 🍸.
Yessur
I have 2 preferred squirrel guns one is my 10/22 I did a lot of work to. And my 20 gauge mossburg 500. I use them for completely different hunting styles. When the squirrels are on the ground running through heavy coverage early morning late evening I will slowly walk through the woods listening for the squirrels in the leaves and use a shotgun to shoot them, that is my favorite way to hunt squirrels but a lot of days that will only last a couple hours and they take to the trees. Once they take to the trees I go back to the truck grab my 10/22 and a nice light seat I will find a spot sit for a hour or so then move find a spot sit and move most of the day until they start feeding for the evening. I like the 20 gauge because it is light ammo is light I can carry more than 12g ammo but it still has decent range and very deadly on a squirrel. I also like less pellets that it puts in the squirrel sort of the opposite that you say you like 12 for. I almost always get a chance at a second shot if needed but it rarely is. I like my 10/22 because it offers fast follow up shots and aftermarket parts let me customize it to be perfect for myself
Thanks for watching sir good luck and happy hunting
I love the shorts frog gigging. Cant getem with the gig . 22 short does the trick.
Glad you enjoyed
Liked you video.
Pretty good for being a first.
Thanks
Great video. Subscribed
Thank you sir
good info
Thanks
Good video thanks
Thank you sir
I can say with no reservation that any shot smaller than #6 is best avoided. I can also say that 12ga 1 1/4 ounce loads are going to give you the best results across the board. I also tend to be a firm believer in #4 shot. Pattern density is a little less than 5s and 6s but penetration is always better on tough old reds. I also have a definite preference for CCI 22LR HP and the .22 short HP as well.
I agree
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 I should have mentioned that there are actually 2 standard but different 1 1/4 ounce loads in 12 ga.. Now that ammo makers print velocity on the boxes it's very easy to tell them apart. The faster one at around 1330 FPS will help some on those longer 40 yard shots. Personally I carry a mixed bag of shells when in the woods. It gives you options.
Good first video. Im thinking about trying to post videos but im not sure about it yet.
Thanks. Give it a try
Thanks
No problem
I just got back from squirrel hunting. Didn't even hear a bird chirp, much less see, or hear a squirrel bark. lol I'm on Christmas break here in southern WV, so it's pretty chilly out. I'm a #4 guy myself. Also, a little more punch, just incase a coyote comes in close. Haha
If your close enough they will kill a small hog if you shoot them in the ear 10yrds or closer
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 Hogs that close are generally trying to chew you lol and just won't hold still for that behind the ear coup de grace. I loved WV, good luck and safe hunting.
Good luck to you as well
I use a 20 with 3 inch copper clad 6 shot, have been since 72..
Not a bad choice at all.
Do you consider lead affecting the meat when picking ammo, or is it that negligible?
You miss a pellet every now and again. I really don't worry much about it. Biting down on a lead pellet is not fun, but it happens. Just be aware you are eating a meal that was shot by a shotgun. If it is the lead itself, you're worried about I don't know the long-term effects but I do know I had 2 great grandmother's live over 100 years eating squirrels shot with shotgun their whole life.
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 Fuck yeah! Thanks for the response!
Im 54 and been useing the 22 for squrils all my life and thrugh the yrs i have shot countless tree rats with countless brands of 22 ammo. That being said any 22 will work fine i use the cci subsonic hp. Its deffently accurate and works just fine out of my 10/22. Stingers a little to hot and loud for squirls. But i do carry the stingers in my pistol just incase a coyote or bobcat gets a little to close to me. Out of all the yrs i had to shoot a cotote 1 time. It was sick and wasnt affraid of me at all. It came around behind me when i was sitting next to a tree. At first i thaught it was a squirl because i couldnt see it. I pulled out my pistol and fired 2 times. 1st shot hit the spine and broke it and 2nd i walked up to it and put one in its head.
Thanks for watching sir
The comments acting like using a shotgun is ridiculous or saying never use 4,5,6, et cetera obviously don't squirrel hunt as much as they like to sound like they do! Most guys, myself included, use both .22s and shotguns depending on the time of year. Also most guys I know roll out with some #6s in the pockets along with some #4s/#5s. I pick the shell for the target. He is close up, low brass #6, little bit further away but still clear of the leaves, High brass #6 or a #5. That one that you can see his tail but he is behind a bunch of leaves...out comes that high brass #4!
People talking about using #8s must have more time on their hands to pick out shot than sense! Guess some people like peppering them with 50 pellets when they are under 40 yards!
I've been shooting them my whole life with a shotgun, no problems yet. Thanks for the comment
I like 4’s but not easy to come by. All I got is 7.5 so going to limit my shots to 30 yards.
Shot has been hard to come by. You might look at Natchez shooters. I was able to pick some up there. They ship fast too.
Like you i use 4 5 6 size shot would rather have 4 or 5 but will use 6 but that's small as i go got 9 boxes of 12ga 6shot now couldn't get bigger shot 16 and 20ga the same hope find 4 or 5shot soon
4s and 5s knock them out for sure thanks for watching.
I shoot .36 grain hollow points for squirrels. I kill between 200-300 a year over my dogs. I've never blown the front off of a squirrel with one, they work just fine for me. My buddy uses 40 grain solids and has a few either get into a nest or hole after being shot. We always do our best to head shoot them. With a shotgun we use #4,#5 or #6 high brass only in a full choke.
I love those #5s
Very good video , what choke should I run with 5 shot ??
Thanks! Whichever choke patterns the best at the furthest distance you plan to shoot. Hope you have a great day.
Mod or full. Full will tear them up,up close. Mod is great.
I normally use a full choke. But if your hunting low canopy areas a mod is good too.
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 22 is best for actually eating the squirrel
I used a full choke gun and practice hold off as needed and when I can to catch sitting squirrels with the edge of the pattern in the head and neck.
Number 4 or 5 shot is it steel shot and a 3inch she'll just got my first 20 Gauge wanting to get correct she'll for rabbit and squirrel thank you for video
Lead shot. Steel shot doesn't perform well because its lightweight and not very malleable
My preferred 20g round for squirrels is either #4 or #6 lead rabbit #6 lead patterns better I like the 4s because you get more straight pass through and less picking of pellets
Your best common 20ga load for squirrels will be the 2 3/4" 1 ounce loads. Your best balance between pattern density and penetration will be #5 shot. #4 and #6 will work if you can't find #5. The heavy 1 1/8 ounce 2 3/4" magnum loads will give you more pattern density but they also are really expensive, and not really helpful except in the more difficult situations.
Your best common 20ga load for squirrels will be the 2 3/4" 1 ounce loads. Your best balance between pattern density and penetration will be #5 shot. #4 and #6 will work if you can't find #5. The heavy 1 1/8 ounce 2 3/4" magnum loads will give you more pattern density but they also are really expensive, and not really helpful except in the more difficult situations.
Coincidentally, I just watched a video of a fellow that was testing steel shot for rabbits. He was using 12 gauge, not 20, but he found that 32 grams (about 1 1/8 ounce) of #4 steel shot worked well for him. Here's his video: ua-cam.com/video/g8SS0uyr3S4/v-deo.html
If you're stuck using steel due to local regulations, 3" steel 20-gauge loads seem to run 7/8 to 1 ounce. Try a variety of loads with #3 or #4 shot and see what patterns best in your gun. They'll do for squirrel or rabbit as long as the pattern is dense enough to make good hits.
If you can use lead shot, #4, #5, and #6 will all do the job whether you use 2 3/4" or 3" shells. At that point, it's just a matter of what gives you the best pattern at the distances you think you'll be shooting the rabbits and squirrels.
Great video I have a 22 magnum can I shoot 22lr with my gun?
No sir that would not be advisable
Don't think I ever heard anyone say Remington Thunderbolts were a good OR excellent Round. My only complaint and I've heard from others, there are a lot of duds. Have YOU experienced the Duds as well?
I might get a dud once in a hundred rounds. I personally haven't had any real issues with them. I would like to point out that weapon cleanliness does play a factor in miss fires, especially on rim fire cartridges. I try to minimize those types of mishaps by thoroughly cleaning the firing mechanism. Thanks for the comment, and happy hunting.
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 Thanks. I have read ,22s can go quite a while without cleaning. Perhaps not so much. I haven't shot my Thunderbolts for quite a while. Maybe I need to test, shoot without, then after cleaning!
Hey dad
Hey son
I only use air rifles. And any squirrels not head shot U must buy lunch for the other hunters.
Thank you for your input
Shotgun for squirrel?? They dont have wings here in indiana.
Thank you for your input
You've never tried to pick one out of the air when it's jumping from one tree to another? You're missing out on the fun.
All the time. Lots of fun
I only use air rifles. And anyone who doesnt make a head shot on their squirrels has to buy lunch. Who the hell wants to pick #6 shot out of their meat??
@@mini14head Nothing wrong with that. You do you.
Just keep in mind that some places limit you to shotgun. Some places don't limit you to that, but it's still the responsible choice due to proximity of livestock or structures thanks to shotgun pellets losing energy very quickly over distance compared to a single solid projectile from a rimfire or air gun.
Your gun selects the round. Not you. Each gun needs to try multiple different rounds to see what shoots best with it. My 10-22 rooks probably 10 different type of rounds to find out what it likes. Now I’m shooting dime sized groups at 25 yards because of the time I took.
I use 5 or 6 in my 410 3 inch. And 5 shot in my 28ga. I use 4 shot in 20ga. I reload for 410 28 20 and 12ga.
I really need to get into reloading
What state are you from? I live in northern Arkansas. Working on getting traps dipped. Trapping season isnt far off.
North East Texas. I usually don't start trapping until after Thanksgiving
um...i been hunting squirrels for almost 25 years - let me tell ya, me and my grandfather NEVER use 4's or 5's on squirrels. Like, what hell ya trying do - butcher the meat before ya skin it? Of course, we have chokes on our 12 gauge shotguns. But regardless, all we use is 6 and 7 1/2 - cuz with choke ( depending on what kind of choke ) you can reach out and touch them at 60 yards with nice pattern. Ive used 8's, rarely do i unless i have to comes to being low on ammo, but feel they dont pack enough punch and put to many BB's into meet and sometime feel it best not shoot out at far, vetter closer range. So i tend to stick with 6 and 7 1/2 shells only.
Unless your turkey hunting or shooting foxes or coyotes, we never used 4's or 5's, unless it was for just that - cuz of the knock down power and the fact shells arent cheap the bigger the " shot number " you buy; especially when you get into buying BB or Buckshot rounds and other fancy round for turkey or foxes/coyotes .
I just keep it simple, stick to 6 and 7 1/2 with a nice full choke - plus at close range...um,....head shots are a man's KO dream with this setup!
I'm sorry to offend you.
@@cofieldcountryoutdoors4567 nah, didnt offend me, just surprised was all lol