Squirrel hunting and the shotgun-or-rifle debate

A longtime friend, colleague, and fellow hunter once quipped, "If squirrels were the size of bears, they'd rule the world." He was referring to how tough their skin is and how they can take shots like a roaring twenties gangster.

It's true. I've hunted squirrels with 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns and with my Ruger 10/22 repeater, and the results have been interesting.

It begs the question as squirrel season nears: Which do you prefer — shotgun or rimfire rifle? For me, it comes down to numerous factors, not the least of which is safety. Each has its pros and cons, and interesting enough, the pros can be the cons. Let's take a look.

Shotguns

The advantage of using a shotgun when hunting squirrels or any fast-moving small game is the shot spread. My favorite squirrel gun is my 1940s single-shot Iver Johnson 12-gauge with a 32-inch, full-choke barrel, using 6-shot, 1-ounce shells. I find the shotgun and heavier loads give me enough reach for power and accuracy at a fairly long distance but with enough spread to not miss. The older I get — with my eyesight not the 20/13 acuity it once was — a little spread is helpful.

It's also safer on public hunting grounds, as I don't have to worry about shot traveling too far.

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In the early part of the season, when the tree canopy is thick, that's my go-to regardless of what land I'm on. I'm usually shooting upward, and I like knowing errant shot won't travel much farther than my intended target.

But the slowing velocity of shot — even with a muzzle velocity of nearly 1,300 feet per second — can be a disadvantage and potentially lead to a wounded or not-so-clean kill. A few years back, I shot a fox squirrel perched on a limb about 25 feet high, only to watch it fall onto the leaf-covered ground and take off running to a nearby tree. I was able to finish it off when it began climbing up the next tree, but still. And before you say it, yes, it was an intended head shot. They're all intended head shots with a shotgun. That's not always so easy when they're dancing from branch to branch. I consider myself a pretty good shot and have nailed many running rabbits in the head with my Remington 870, so don't go all keyboard warrior on me! By the way, I seldom use the 870 for squirrel hunting. The shorter barrel with its modified choke is my go-to for rabbits. Squirrels — not so much.

Another disadvantage is felt at dinner, when you inevitably bite into a lead shot and wince in pain.

Rimfire rifles

Several years ago, my father-in-law and I had the luxury of hunting on private land deep in the boonies, and we sat high upon a hill, looking a little downward toward treetops. I remember it was well into rabbit season, and the canopy was long gone. My 10/22 was great for the occasion. It had reach, and it was highly accurate. Of course, I was much younger and had great vision, with no cataracts. But I was a good shot — accurate even at 30-40 yards. I don't take shots much farther than that regardless, as I want to ensure a clean kill. I do not like laming animals of any kind, including small game.

One significant advantage is that you can chew on a tasty piece of meat without fear of shell shot shock!

Now that I mostly hunt on public lands, I rarely use my 10/22. It's not worth the risk. There's one spot on the land I usually hunt on that I could sit on a hill and shoot downward toward treetops, but it has become overhunted, and the fox squirrel population there isn't what it once was.

Those .22s can travel a ways, and I have this fear that an errant projectile is going to land on someone somewhere. You may recall back in 2011, a Holmes County guy was about to clean his muzzleloader when he inadvertently shot it, striking an Amish girl in a buggy over a mile away. That thought has stuck with me all these years.

I've never squirrel hunted with a .410-bore, a .17-caliber, or a true bolt-action rifle, so I can't speak to their pros and cons. Feel free to chime in on those options.

What's your go-to squirrel gun and why? Share in the comments on social media.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth is a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry.