squirrel shot
09-30-2009, 07:10 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Middleville Michigan
Posts: 15
squirrel shot
I have found that 7 1/2 shot is ineffective on squirrels and switched to #6 lead shot. But now I have squirrels in oaks at the water's edge. I should probably use steel shot, as there are ducks feeding in the water and my pellets will land in the water. Would I have to go to #4 steel shot to be effective on squirrels?
Last edited by Cal-MI; 09-30-2009 at 07:14 PM. Reason: typo
10-01-2009, 04:22 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NE Alabama
Posts: 1,060
I have found that 7 1/2 shot is ineffective on squirrels and switched to #6 lead shot. But now I have squirrels in oaks at the water's edge. I should probably use steel shot, as there are ducks feeding in the water and my pellets will land in the water. Would I have to go to #4 steel shot to be effective on squirrels?
10-02-2009, 08:34 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,085
Actually, I've had pretty good luck killing squirrels with 7 1/2 shot, but it puts too many pellets in the eatin' meat...
# 4 lead works well, but the larger pellets drag too much hair into the shot wounds for my taste...
I've settled on # 6 lead as the best compromise...
I never shot any squirrels with steel, so I can't comment on that..
However, due to the relatively few shots you will fire at squirrels, compared to the number fired in hunting ducks and geese, I would not worry about sprinkling a few pellets in the water... Issues with waterfowl ingesting lead shot pellets occured in areas where hundreds or thousands of shots might be fired over water in a fairly small area in a single season... The effect of your squirrel hunting on the environment would be negligible...
# 4 lead works well, but the larger pellets drag too much hair into the shot wounds for my taste...
I've settled on # 6 lead as the best compromise...
I never shot any squirrels with steel, so I can't comment on that..
However, due to the relatively few shots you will fire at squirrels, compared to the number fired in hunting ducks and geese, I would not worry about sprinkling a few pellets in the water... Issues with waterfowl ingesting lead shot pellets occured in areas where hundreds or thousands of shots might be fired over water in a fairly small area in a single season... The effect of your squirrel hunting on the environment would be negligible...
10-02-2009, 09:40 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NE Alabama
Posts: 1,060
How far away was the squirrels when u shot?Every squirrel i've shot from under 30 yards with 7 1/2 shot fell stone dead.I've killed um with my 12 gauge with #6 at 40 yards.
10-03-2009, 03:35 PM
#9
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Middleville Michigan
Posts: 15
Yes, a .22 standard velocity with a flattened nose is what I normally use. The SV is quieter than HV when I am near houses. And the flat nose gives greater impact, similar to a HV.
But while the leaves are on the trees, a shotgun is easier. After leaf fall, I will go back to a .22.
Non-toxic shot is important to me because the ducks and squirrels are in my back yard.
But while the leaves are on the trees, a shotgun is easier. After leaf fall, I will go back to a .22.
Non-toxic shot is important to me because the ducks and squirrels are in my back yard.