For the last 4 years I have been using a Kimber Hunter 22 for squirrels, with no complaints. However, I keep reading about the extended range capabilities of the 17 HMR. Do any of you hunt squirrels with your 17? What rifle/scope combination do you use? Also, what cartridge/bullet combination have you found to be the best for squirrels? Thanks for any replies.

I've purposely shied away from the 17's for squirrel. I've always been under the impression that they would be extremely hard on the meat when you hit one of the critters. The only ammo I've seen all seems to be high velocity with highly frangible bullets, for varminting.

I know several people that use them for small varmints, but I don't know anyone using one for a purposeful squirrel rifle.

I still think the best all around squirrel rifle is the old 22 lr. That is when it's for meat for the pot, anyway.

well i use them for tree rats and it does rip them to shredds but CCI has out a 20Gr. gamepoint for it that "acts" like a bullet meant for larger game so it just mushrooms and i can confirm that because i have recovered them from water bottles and they did what was calimed it mushroomed but i haven't tried them on any game so i can't tell you if they tear up the meat or not so if you do hunt squirrels for meat with a 17 HMR i'd use that round but bring along a 22lr jus tincase it does mess the meat up

quote:

Originally posted by LBGuy:
For the last 4 years I have been using a Kimber Hunter 22 for squirrels, with no complaints. However, I keep reading about the extended range capabilities of the 17 HMR. Do any of you hunt squirrels with your 17? What rifle/scope combination do you use? Also, what cartridge/bullet combination have you found to be the best for squirrels? Thanks for any replies.

I have a Savage 93/17HMR stainless with the standard contour (not the bull barrel ).
Weaver 3-9 power with the adjustable parallax.
Most definetly do use this rig for squirrel hunting!! I don't worry about ruining meat because this thing is so accurate that I can litterally head shoot out to 100 yds. Anyway , I have shot one through the neck and it still didn't blow up, so in my experience I would say go for it!!!

I have shot them with the 17 grain v-max, tnt, and the hornady 20 grain xtp "gamepoint". the game point works the best but still does alot a damage on sholder shots, if you get em behind the solder its not bad.

I'm currently waiting in a CZ 452 American leftie for this exact purpose. I plan on head shots only, so far I've been doing that with a Browning Buckmark out to 35 yards. I've passed up several that were well within 100 or so. I have an older Simmons 3-9 x 50 I'll put on it for now but I've been looking into other offerings from Leupold, Burris and Nikon.

Thanks for the responses men. I think I'll just stick with the .22 for another year. Went out yesterday am almost got my limit, my first hunt for tree rats this year. Gotta love the challenge of hunting these critters with a .22. Thanks again.........

I use mine, CZ 452 Trainer with a 4x12 Pentax Gameseeker, on Western Ground squirrels so meat is not a consideration. But they are great inside about 75 yards head shots are no problem at all. My area is almost always windy so much past 100 and I'd have to aim for the body.

I loaned it to a freind the other day - it is now top of his "next gun" list since he nailed a briefly exposed squirrel's head at about 60 yards the first time he pulled the trigger.