I was anxious to take my Savage 17 out this year after some giant fox squirrels here in Ohio. I've been out a few times and have come to the conclusion that my 17 isn't for squirrels.

First, let me say that the Hornady V-max's out shoot all other types in my gun, so I shoot them. The first squirrel I shot pretty much through the ear, and still had damage to the front shoulder.

I shot one through the body, and it was for all intents and purposes torn in two.

Another I shot in the base of the neck and both front shoulders were heavily damaged. If you're not into eating your tree rats, which I am, it would be a wonderful gun. It seems that the bullet pieces were finding their way into the body even when I hit in the neck. I found one piece of copper jacket in the heart/lung chamber of a squirrel I hit in the head.

For now, I'll stick to my S&W pistol and 4X scope or my 410 double for squirrels...but those groundhogs had better eat with one eye open