Choosing the best Squirrel Rifle
 

Well im in the market for a small game rifle (22 long rifle,17 mach 2). I will be hunting mostly squirrels with it. What do you guys recommend for the most accurate and reliable rifle for this purpose? I dont want something that is going to be heavy. No single shots, will have around 400-500 spend and that needs to include scope.

.22lr is best for that work IMO.


http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=105102

Yep ive only found 1 manufacture that is still making the Mach 2 which is savage. Im probaly just going to go with a 22lr. Ive been looking at ruger 10/22 since i have a ruger and they are very accurate.

Ruger 10-22 is a very fine choice,accurate dependable just flat out a great 22 LR. Ive killed everything from chipmunks to coyotes with mine using CCI Mini Mag hollow points 36 grain. Good Luck!

Since you're looking for an accurate hunting rifle, I would recomend getting a Marlin 917V in .17HMR. Sure ammo costs a little more, but it's not over priced either. There aren't many true hunting cartridges that cost less than $14 for 50 rounds. This round is just explosive, if a squirrel doesn't fall from the tree, then you missed him. Mine will hit squirrels all day long at 150 yards, this is a serious hunting round. The rifle sells for $239 and you can get a Mueller 4.5-14X40AO scope for $115.

I love my .17 HMR Marlin 917 VS-CF and it is accurate beyong 100 yards.

...............but, it's too dam loud to hunt tree squirrels with and I don't know any trees that are 150 yards except for giant redwoods anyway.

However, you'd be hard pressed to find better for ground squirrels.......................

A ruger 1022 is a great gun. I use a Remington model 552 speedmaster and love it you can shoot 22short longs or longrifles from it and it's extremly accurate balances well and not much heavier than a 1022. It holds 15 rounds in the tube also check em out on Remington.com

Can't go wrong with the 10-22. Myself, I use an old Weatherby XXII semi-auto.

I LOVE Rugers, have 60+ of them including 13 or so 10/22' but for a general woods gun squirrel getter, I'd probably go with a Marlin Model 70 for a semi-auto or a Marlin or Savage for a bolt gun.

For just snipeing tree rats, 22lr is the only way. Cheap and can find ammo everywhere.

Go with the 10/22....there are several aftermarket accessories for it when one day you decide you want a "match grade" rifle for shooting turtles.

I've got to agree with the .22LR vote--first of all, don't forget to check the used gun rack. I've bought some very good used .22's, all of them inexpensive and very accurate, often with decent scopes on them. One of my friends has a .17 and they are very loud and a missed shot will carry much further [ something to think about when shooting up into trees]. I've not owned a semi-auto so can't comment on them, but every .22 bolt action I've owned, Mossberg, Winchester, CZ, Remington and the Savage/Anschutz I use now, has been a superb squirrel rifle--the Seventeens are impressive, but I don't need that much noise, speed and expense to hunt squirrels----

Ruger 10/22. Got three of them, they all shoot great, accurate, reliable, and just fun to plink with as well.
-Jake

IMO the first thing you have to do is pick your cartridge and ammo. Personally I would go with a 22 LR, and I would choose sub-sonic rounds. These rounds are more than powerful enough to kill or to bark squirrels. A 17 HMR or 22 magnum is irresponsible in the squirrel woods. Way too much power, and way too much down range performance. Choose the slowest sub-sonic that shoots well in your 22.

When shooting sub-sonic's alot of them will not function a semi-auto rifle. So I do not believe a semi is a good choice.

That leaves us with lever actions and bolt actions. If you really like the faster action then go with a 9422 or a Marlin lever. That will push your budget. But they are the best. You can get a Henry in your price range, and alot of people like them. But personally the receivers and the plastic turn me off.

The next choice is a good accurate bolt action. I would look for a good used Remington bolt action 22 like a Remington 581. Or some of the other bolt actions that Remington made.

I would skip the Savage's and the Marlin's, but that is just my opinion. You have enough money to buy a really nice rifle so find that good used Remington 581 and you will have a fine rifle for life.

Then a scope. A simple scope is all that is need. I shoot alot of squirrels with open sighted rifles.

A 2X7 is more than enough power. But personally I would spend my money on a higher quality fixed 4X scope.

I see guys all the time with 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 different 22 LR's. I never understod that. I would spend my money on one top quality rifle before I would own that many different low end quality rifles. Just an opinion. Tom.

JMHO ,But that is the best answer to the OP question yet.