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?

my friend shoots them with #8 target loads but yes #4 would be fine for squirrels

7 1/2 is fine for tree rats,I am takin my mossberg 410 with 7 1/2 shot squirrel huntin tomorrow,killed one today with my stoeger 12 gauge with 6 shot.I agree 6 shot is better than 7 1/2 shot for squirrels.

I found that when I used 7 1/2 shot the squirrels would fall from the tree, but run away. So #6 is a minimum. Maybe 7 1/2 would work in a magnum load, I dunno

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...

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.

i use 7/12 shot and it works fine i dont know what your talking about

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.

No problem, Cal..Your concern for the environment is commendable..