MINIMUM LOAD

[SHAGBARK]

hELLO , WE HAVE A SQUIRREL PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE YOUR RECOMENDATION FOR A MINIMUM .45 LOAD TO KEEP NOISE AT THE LOWEST LEVEL. ABOUT 25 YDS WILL BE THE SHOOTING DISTANCE. tHANKS, SHAGBARK

 

[FishDFly]

10 grains

 

[Grenadier1758]

The minimum load depends on where the flash channel comes into the main charge. If the rifle has a drum and nipple, then the powder charge has to be enough to be over the entry from the drum. This could be 10 grains or it could be 20 grains. If the ball blocks the flash channel, then you have a dry ball situation. If you have a chambered breech, the minimum charge could be the one that fills the chamber. I know that 3 or 4 grains of powder will clear a dry ball and that is essentially the charge that fills the flash channel between the nipple seat and the barrel.

 

[EC121]

Get an air rifle.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

22 CB or slingshot

 

[Eric Krewson]

I used to hunt squirrels with a .50 TC, I put about 10gr of powder in it and a patched round ball. When the gun went off it was more of a bloop than a bang. This load was incredibly accurate out to about 25 yards, when I hit a squirrel head the ball just took a crescent shaped slice out and didn't cause any tissue damage.

 

[GriscomRun]

10 grains

use a Battenkill

 

[azmntman]

Some of the new air rifles are super accurate and as powerful as a .22. Watch the Big Five ads.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Moderaters please remove if need be. Shop smart let Airgun Nation forum , guide you if your not in the know air gun wise. Thorough research will reward you.

 

[longcruise]

Work slowly and carefully up to slingshot velocity!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

22 CB or slingshot

YEP Slingshot. A LOT of jurisdictions even in pro-firearms locations frown on shooting live ammo, no matter what the load, be it the lightest from something rimfire or 10 grains of 3Fg.

LD

 

[SHAGBARK]

hELLO , WE HAVE A SQUIRREL PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE YOUR RECOMENDATION FOR A MINIMUM .45 LOAD TO KEEP NOISE AT THE LOWEST LEVEL. ABOUT 25 YDS WILL BE THE SHOOTING DISTANCE. tHANKS, SHAGBARK

 

[SHAGBARK]

I do have a air rifle but no one will fill my tank. So I would rather put my money in a rifle that smokes. I will try the 10 gr load and am looking forward to some fresh squirrels

 

[Banjoman]

I don’t wish to break forum rules, but I have killed a bunch of squirrels, rabbits, crows and even a few groundhogs with a Daisy Powerline 880, .177 pellet gun. You pump it yourself.

But back on topic, my Jukar percussion rifle shoots cloverleaf patterns at 25 yards with about 22 grains of 2f and a patched .440 round ball.

 

[Steve Wagner]

10 grains and a baseball mit. Run in the direction of your shot, as soon as you pull the trigger, to catch any misses on the fly. Saves a ton of lead and keeps you in shape for D League. Practice bunts, with your stock, on the wounded squirrels. SW

 

[TDM]

Sling shot or break action pellet gun.

 

[Juice Jaws]

I don’t wish to break forum rules, but I have killed a bunch of squirrels, rabbits, crows and even a few groundhogs with a Daisy Powerline 880, .177 pellet gun. You pump it yourself.

But back on topic, my Jukar percussion rifle shoots cloverleaf patterns at 25 yards with about 22 grains of 2f and a patched .440 round ball.

Being that everyone are breaking the rules guess I can too: Daisy Powerline 880 with a little scope is the best air rifle around, killed many critters with it

 

[Sooty Scot]

hELLO , WE HAVE A SQUIRREL PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE YOUR RECOMENDATION FOR A MINIMUM .45 LOAD TO KEEP NOISE AT THE LOWEST LEVEL. ABOUT 25 YDS WILL BE THE SHOOTING DISTANCE. tHANKS,

Some time ago a post showed a small, low caliber, screw-barrel rifle, presumably for gathering bird’s for study or collections, w/out scattering the flock.
It was suggested that Audubon used one similar.

As I recall, it was about .25-.30 and the powder pocket only held 5-10 grains of BP.

Obviously a rare bird itself but the BP equivalent of a strong air rifle and ideal for what you describe.