Question for the small game hunters

[bushytail]

Like above, 5 or 6 shot work nice for squirrels. I usually mix the 5 & 6 together. I wanted to mount a pine/red squirrel. 5 & 6 shot peppered the hide to much. Their hide and fur seemed to be on the thin side compared to there cousins. So I tried 7 1/2 shot. It was easier on the fur. Red/pine squirrels are fun to hunt too. They may be smaller but they make a lot of noise. I use my 58 cal/24 ga trade gun.

 

[bushytail]

Here’s the mount I got a few years ago. The taxidermist could’ve done a better job.

 

[sheriff john]

Only shoot young squirrels. If you shake the tree and hear nuts rattle, they're too old.

 

[Historian]

I always use 1 1/8 oz of 5's or 4's lead or bismuth, depends on where I am hunting. I primarily hunt Southern Fox Squirrels which requires large shot as they can get up to 3 pounds and shots are out to 40 yards. I use a variant of the Sky Chief load in my 20 ga Pedersoli SXS's. Powder, Leather OP wad, 3/8" wool felt wad soaked in olive oil and beeswax, shot charge and then another 3/8" lubed felt wad to seal the bore. Works great.

 

[jackpine54]

Lots of good advice already, but my .02 cents- #5's seem to work best for me. Big fox squirrels are pretty tough. Red/pine squirrel I think 7-1/2's are plenty.

 

[megasupermagnum]

Red squirrels are basically chipmunks. I've shot them, but I don't think I've ever ate them. Seems like a waste of time to me. I could be wrong. Grey and fox squirrel I have shot with #7.5 and even #8. Very rarely will the shot pass through the meat. Anywhere you hit them, the shot will stop inside. I don't consider this desirable at all. #6 is ok, especially up close. #5 and #4 are more sure pass-through, or at the very least you can bet they will be on the far side skin.