The .22 is probably the most used squirrel rifle out there. The 12 gauge shotgun also takes a lot of squirrels, but as mentioned, you will get shot through out the meat. Stick with #6 or #5 shot, and don't shoot if the squirrel is too close or there will be little left to recover. I personally have been hunting squirrels since I got my first pellet gun at age 10. I have progressed over the years from .22 rifles, to .22 hand guns, .32 Black powder percussion guns, and finally to .32 black powder flint locks. I no longer need to see how many squirrels I can get. I prefer a quality hunt using the methods and equipment that my fore fathers used.