45 cal for squirrels?

[Stringbean]

Hello, I currently do not have a designated squirrel rifle and I was wondering if my 45 cal. would be too much?

 

[Wes/Tex]

If you and your rifle are capable of head shots, you bet. A .45 can be a bit messy with body hits. That would be about the only problem.

 

[Stringbean]

Thanks for the response and what is a ballpark powder charge for these critters?

 

[coloradoclyde]

I have used a .45 for 30 years.
55 grains 3fff works for me becuase that is my accurate load. and I want to be accurate to hit them in the head.
find your accurate load.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Best load is the most accurate with your rifle. It's a small target and you can't be too accurate.

 

[Stringbean]

Thanks guys. I think I will try her on woodchucks too this summer just for the fun of it. Ever since I got into flinters I haven't used my newfangled rifles much!

 

[hanshi]

The .45 can work just fine for squirrels. While top accuracy is important, I highly suggest a very light load. The head/neck area is the target but if you stray a little too far back (light loads, again) that's okay. Not much worth saving in the front half, anyway.

 

[Vaino]

My .45 pet squirrel load is 30 grs 3f and a .445 RB and as was said....."head shots only".....Fred

 

[roundball]

Hello, I currently do not have a designated squirrel rifle and I was wondering if my 45 cal. would be too much?

Not in my opinion...I killed a few with a throttled back .45cal Flintlock using 30grns Goex 3F myself as it was the smallest caliber rifle I had. And speaking only for myself, there isn't enough meat on the front half of a squirrel to pay attention to the often repeated head shots only mantra...and of course those who like "squirrel brains" don't ever take head shots...hind-quarters are where the bulk of the meat is. Personally, I take whatever shot I can get in the head/neck/shoulder area and go pick up the squirrel...the .45cal will get it done just fine.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Use charcoal briquettes hanging on a string for practice targets, if you can hit those you can hit a squirrels head..

 

[Ken Cormier]

I only use a,45 as it is the only caiber rifles. I have my smoothie 20 gauge a little heavy for limb bacon just my :2

 

[Curt]

Stringbean if your 45 is accurate enough and your squirrels are destined for a hot skillet a light load and a head shot is far better than any other shot.after all if you can hit the shoulder you can probly hit the head too .

if its the fox squrriel veriaty they are the bigger of the bunch.havefun huntin.Curt

 

[GWM]

If you hunt in Pa., it is against the regulations to hunt small game with anything larger than 40 cal.

 

[TLanoy]

If you hunt in Pa., it is against the regulations to hunt small game with anything larger than 40 cal.

There ya go, always know your regulations first! :thumbsup:

 

[Vaino]

Hi...one of the reasons to "head hit" squirrels....they skin easier w/o tearing apart. I really dislike when I'm pulling the skin on a squirrel and the carcass separates because of a body hit ...the only way then is a very sharp knife and much more work. Another reason is more meat....if indeed a person does eat what they shoot......Fred

 

[Stringbean]

Hmmm...Didn't know that one. I guess if the wife wants to keep me out of jail then she will have to ok the building of yet another rifle :hmm: