Solids or Hollow Points for Squirrel?
#11
I have some early SK 22LR that came out and is Subsonic HP. If I remember story correct, it is/was made by Lapua. Cant find it hardly any more. That, RWS and Eley are my go to ammo for tree rat smakn. All area HP and Subsonic. I never shot the wolf ammo for I heard it didn't shoot very well from the few who told me they had shot them.
And 100% agree that Standard or Subsonic are far more accurate from what I have shot over the years in all my rifles for match and top shelf accuracy.
And 100% agree that Standard or Subsonic are far more accurate from what I have shot over the years in all my rifles for match and top shelf accuracy.
I do not remember any ammo labeled as Subsonic that did not shoot well, including Remington and Winchester (both very difficult to find anymore).
CCI Standard Velocity and CCI Blaser shoot very well and are reasonably priced and commonly found to boot.
All of it works for squirrels.
#12
I have two of them, this one and a standard model I got for my grandson, we have been hunting with them for a couple of seasons and they have became our favorite squirrel rifles. Triggers were a little stiff at first but have smoothed out very nicely, I would guesstamate 2-2.5 lb's. I have only ever shot the Aguila and CCI Mini Mags through them but they will both shoot dime size groups at 50 yards, off a bench that is.
#14
Thanks for the replies.
Went to the range last night for a quick check with three boxes I picked up at D!cks - CCI standards, Ely Target and Winchester Subsonics. Still spraying bullets at 50yds with 2.5" groups. The Winchester Subsonics seemed the best but not by much. Thinking there may be an issue with my rifle or scope (can't be me!). I'd hate it to be my rifle since it's the first rifle I ever owned, a gift from my dad when I was a teenager. I'm using a cheap scope that I may try replacing first.
Went to the range last night for a quick check with three boxes I picked up at D!cks - CCI standards, Ely Target and Winchester Subsonics. Still spraying bullets at 50yds with 2.5" groups. The Winchester Subsonics seemed the best but not by much. Thinking there may be an issue with my rifle or scope (can't be me!). I'd hate it to be my rifle since it's the first rifle I ever owned, a gift from my dad when I was a teenager. I'm using a cheap scope that I may try replacing first.
#15
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
I have several Swifts and I know what the end result would be. Leaves some pretty nasty holes on 'yotes and fox. To each their own. Makes no never mind. And on the Hornet, I mainly load 45grn Speer Spitzers. I also load some ballistic tips. I guess I like to keep it simple and close. That's why I shoot pistol when I can. I have inadvertently popped some in the shoulder with the Hornet and it was no need to use the knife on the front half.
#16
Popped more than a few tree rats with my .220 Swifts loaded with 55gr VMax's smoking out an average of 3720fps. Head shot equals removal of head Body shot equals a fairly large greasy stain on the tree and a tail Ya want overkill, hit one with a .22-250 loaded with a 40gr VMAX flying at a cruising speed of around 4250 Those buggers will even skin the tail out for ya! Pink mist! Was out smacking ground hogs and this little bugger was irritating me! Bang, POOF, no more irritation
As to the OP, I've killed thousands of squirrels with both solids and HP's. Whatever my rifle liked to eat is what I went with. Stick either one in an ear hole and watch it drop.
As to the OP, I've killed thousands of squirrels with both solids and HP's. Whatever my rifle liked to eat is what I went with. Stick either one in an ear hole and watch it drop.
#17
From the Speer # 11 reloading manual, also in the # 12 and 13 manual. Which contains reduced loads for a lot of 22 center fires like the Hornet, Fire ball, jet, wasp, 222, 222 mag, 225 and even 22 250.
Speeds are in the 22lr range up to the 22 mag range and damage is roughly the same as using those. Problem I have now is they have discontinued SR4759, so am looking for new published loads with different powders. Cost per round for the hornet it about 7 cents and 8 for the Swift. BIL called me Friday and said the local gun shop had 22 mags limit of one box per and cost 20.00. No thank you.
Ruger77V
26" 1 in 16 twist barrel
W-W case
CCI Primer
40gr Spire SP
SR4759 10.5 to 12.5 grains
1662 to 1973fps
45gr Spitz SP
SR4759 10.5 to 12.5 grains
1631 to 1938fps
50gr Spitz SP
SR4759 11 to 13 grains
1669 to 1997fps
52gr HP
SR4759 11 to 13 grains
1680 to 2001fps
55gr Spitz SP
SR4759 11.5 to 13.5 grains
1709 to 2000fps
70gr Semi Spitz SP
SR4759 12 to 14 grains
1642 to 1906 fps
Al
Speeds are in the 22lr range up to the 22 mag range and damage is roughly the same as using those. Problem I have now is they have discontinued SR4759, so am looking for new published loads with different powders. Cost per round for the hornet it about 7 cents and 8 for the Swift. BIL called me Friday and said the local gun shop had 22 mags limit of one box per and cost 20.00. No thank you.
220 Swift reduced loads.
Ruger77V
26" 1 in 16 twist barrel
W-W case
CCI Primer
40gr Spire SP
SR4759 10.5 to 12.5 grains
1662 to 1973fps
45gr Spitz SP
SR4759 10.5 to 12.5 grains
1631 to 1938fps
50gr Spitz SP
SR4759 11 to 13 grains
1669 to 1997fps
52gr HP
SR4759 11 to 13 grains
1680 to 2001fps
55gr Spitz SP
SR4759 11.5 to 13.5 grains
1709 to 2000fps
70gr Semi Spitz SP
SR4759 12 to 14 grains
1642 to 1906 fps
Al
Last edited by alleyyooper; 11-07-2016 at 04:05 AM.
#19
I would use a 22lr or a 22mag if I could walk into a store and buy a couple boxes of ammo. You can't in this area you have to drive several hours, order on line and pay a hasmat fee, or go to a gun show and pay a bunch for a little.
For me much more fun to set down and load up a couple hundred rounds for the same or less money.
I got a E mail from my BIL Monday morning a local gun shop had 22 mags one box per and only 20.00. I don't think I would waste my time driving a couple miles for a box at that price.
Nice thing about the swift is you can go squirrel hunting and if you see a coyote rack the rifle insert a 3808 round dial up the turret an collect a coyote out there 200 yards.
Al
For me much more fun to set down and load up a couple hundred rounds for the same or less money.
I got a E mail from my BIL Monday morning a local gun shop had 22 mags one box per and only 20.00. I don't think I would waste my time driving a couple miles for a box at that price.
Nice thing about the swift is you can go squirrel hunting and if you see a coyote rack the rifle insert a 3808 round dial up the turret an collect a coyote out there 200 yards.
Al
#20
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
Popped more than a few tree rats with my .220 Swifts loaded with 55gr VMax's smoking out an average of 3720fps. Head shot equals removal of head Body shot equals a fairly large greasy stain on the tree and a tail Ya want overkill, hit one with a .22-250 loaded with a 40gr VMAX flying at a cruising speed of around 4250 Those buggers will even skin the tail out for ya! Pink mist! Was out smacking ground hogs and this little bugger was irritating me! Bang, POOF, no more irritation
As to the OP, I've killed thousands of squirrels with both solids and HP's. Whatever my rifle liked to eat is what I went with. Stick either one in an ear hole and watch it drop.
As to the OP, I've killed thousands of squirrels with both solids and HP's. Whatever my rifle liked to eat is what I went with. Stick either one in an ear hole and watch it drop.