Killing Squirrels

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Ovenpaa
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Killing Squirrels

#1 Post by Ovenpaa »

I have been asked to deal with some things including Squirrels on a local estate and I was thinking of taking my old and trusty Webley .410 bolt action as it is relatively quiet and pleasantly old school however it is only chambered for 2.5"cartridges so the question is #4 or #6 shot bearing in mind I want to knock the little chaps down yet keep wood damage to a minimum as some of the trees are specimens.

Alternatives are trapping them, however that means checking the traps daily and I would not be able to get over every day, or I could use an air rifle however I don't own one and more importantly I prefer things that go bang.

Thoughts anyone?
/d

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saddler
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#2 Post by saddler »

.223, or .22 Hornet, with Varmint Grenades

Or look up some recipes on the FourTen forum
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#3 Post by froggy »

Thoughts anyone ?
Yes. Please, be selective & don't kill the red ones if any ...
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#4 Post by Ovenpaa »

saddler wrote:.223, or .22 Hornet, with Varmint Grenades
I cannot use a centre fire or rim fire rifle on this particular estate for a variety of reasons.

Froggy, sadly there are no Reds around here, they are long since gone :(
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#5 Post by saddler »

Aye. Squirrels are the only exception when Reds should be shot on sight.
Add magpies to that list.

For the shotgun...largest shot possible, so 4 or whatever else you can get.
Just keep the distances sensible.

Mmm, squirrel stew!
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#6 Post by shotgun sam »

Size 6 is more than enough to take out the tree rats I have never had any complain when I have used the 410.
I would start as soon as possible before the trees get any leaves on them, if you can get someone to poke the dray's that is fun alternately fire the firs shot into the bottom of the dray's either way expect some fast and furious action.
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#7 Post by dromia »

Why not use a muzzleloader?

I've tried barking squirrels a la Davey Crockett with my 32 cal Pennsylvania flinter and bugger me but shooting to miss works very well.
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#8 Post by kennyc »

No4 shot and have at 'em! as long as your gun shoots to point of aim the pattern size should be big enough and squirrels are tough little suckers!
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#9 Post by dodgyrog »

Daystate MK 4 FAC with 22 barrel
Can I help as I just happened to have one?!
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Re: Killing Squirrels

#10 Post by saddler »

May have a 10-bore you can try if they get awkward.
3 1/2" shell with a 3 ounce lead BB load....should hit them irrespective of which side of the tree they're on!
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