Squirrel hunting with a 12 gauge

[Aught Six]

The few times I've gone squirrel hunting I used my 22LR. I'm going to take my wife for the first time this September, and she wants to use my 870 Wingmaster. I've done some light reading on shotguns for squirrel, and we've decided to go with #6 shot. For all those 12 gauge squirrel hunters out there, which loads would you recommend? I prefer Winchester centerfire and shotshell ammo, so I'm taking a couple boxes to the range next time, but I'd love to hear from everyone else!

[Handles]

#6 will work great, #4's a little better, a few less pellets in the meat. Remmington light game loads work well.

[Canadian Hunter312]

if goin for squirrells only then id just buy those 100 shell cases of the cheap federal shells. there great shells for squirrells and blackbirds.

but if your going to be hunting rabbits, grouse, crows, etc then id suggest the remington heavy field loads (think thats the name) in #4...then yer set for everything.

ch312

PS. DO NOT buy the 100 shell cases of winchester 12g shells. they have nickel coated brass or just nickel (not sure if its coated brass or not). i bought a case in november and ive only shot 7 of them. reason? 3rd shell and the 7th shell were crap. the brass/nickel split and the shells ended up being jammed in my gun. nuttin beats havin to jam a stick down yer barrel to get a shell out eh? ill never use those shells again.

[thefamilyredneck]

I would use #4's, larger pellets and fewr ones to pick out.

[zak123]

6's work fine.