RE: 7 1/2 shot in a twenty gauge
Istarted out hunting squirrels with a 20 gauge and size 6 shot. 7 1/2 will work.It isn't to hard to pick out shot they don't go to deep in the squirrels.And onthe range question, go ahead and try it at what ever range you want, you might get lucky. Butyou probably won't get one past 35 yds.