what size load....

Dukebh40 · 09-28-2005, 06:50 PM

would you use in a 12 gauge 2 3/4" load for squirrels. any specific manufactor. how about a 20 gauge. thanks guys

mauser06 · 09-28-2005, 07:26 PM

get close enough and any will do.....when i used the 20ga single shot i shot 3inch mag copper plated #6s...man that thing knocked em down!!! then i went with a 12ga....and used light 1o-1 1/8thoz of #6s and it just wasnt cutting it.....to many took more then one good hit.......and i was having the same problem with other small game....(i admit i do like to take a little farther shot then most guys) so i went with stiff loads of 1 5/8th oz of shot......loud..kicks alot harder......but they do the job......i cant find a good inbetween load.....i hit a ringneck 2 seasons ago and blew it in half......when i carry the big loads the games always close....if i have the light loads i cant get a good shot at anything...............

kevin1 · 09-29-2005, 10:29 AM

I use a 20 guage loaded with 2-3/4" #7.5s or #8s with a modified or improved cylinder choke , the highest I'll go is #6s .

SPIKEHORN11 · 09-29-2005, 11:17 AM

When I used to use a shot gun I used 4-6 shot with a full choke.

DearSlayer357 · 09-29-2005, 01:39 PM

I use in any shot gun 4s or 5s

Dukebh40 · 09-29-2005, 06:54 PM

will a 12 gauge tear them up too much? i have a double barrel that i really like but im afraid i wont have much left. thanks for the replies guys

Tom_L · 09-30-2005, 09:03 AM

You can shoot a wide range of shells, the real issue is what you are used to and how long the shot is. I have stuck to #6s over the years, and never change. A few times I switched to 7.5s in the winter when the leaves fall off the trees, but it didn't work for me. I wounded a few because I wasn't great a judging the range - and that extra 10 yards is the difference between a wounded squirrel and a dead one. Some folks I know use 5s, which gives you a pretty long range, but in my experience 5s break too many bones.

I use No. 6s and pick my shots carefully. If they come out of a hole that is 10 yards away, I wait until they are 25-30 yards to shoot. I generally shoot a few dozen a year, and most years I use one shot per squirrel.