Squirrel gun

[TAS]

When my brothers and I used to shoot ground squirrels, there was a minimum of three guns used. 22LR for close range, 17HMR(or 22Mag) for mid range, and .223 for the longer ranges.

We would start in the morning with the .22 for up to 50-75 yards, switch to the .17 for out to 100-125, and then switch to the .223 in the afternoon when the close squirrels were spooked and the wind picked up.

My go-to .22 was a 10/22, my .17 a Ruger 77/17, and my .223 a heavy barrel Savage. My brothers’ guns were usually similar but also included Savages in .17HMR and .204 Ruger.

If I were still shooting squirrels, I’d still pick the 10/22 for quick follow up shots but would seriously look at a nice CZ in either.22LR, .17HMR, or even .22 mag. I think the caliber of your choice is dependent on what the yardage is on your squirrels.

[Teachu2]

With lead-free ammo, the 17HMR is much more accurate. Lead-free 22lr sucks.

In 22lr with say MiniMag hollowpoints in a budget rig, I'd go with the Savage. My 10/22s took a lot of $$$ to achieve the accuracy I get with my Savages right out of the box.

Even better would be an older Marlin 60 with a 22" barrel and 18 round tube magazine. I bought one at the LGS for $125 a while back and upgraded the scope. Very accurate.

An alternative would be a PCP air rifle. Then you can shoot lead pellets, at least until they change the law again.....

[Teachu2]

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Nonlead-Ammunition#25046244-when-does-the-nonlead-ammunition-regulation-take-effect-

[Teachu2]

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1753773

[Czsp-01-9mm]

I did pretty good with my air rifle gamo magnum 10x gen 2 still gonna use it to help teach my boys , but thanks for all the advice, getting a savage 93r17 GVXP put the money down just waiting for it to come in to do the paper work

[oddjob]

I shoot ground squirrels with the 17HMR and 17WSM. The 17 HMR rifles I use are the CZ 455 and 457 in varmint barrel configurations. I'm going to get a 22 WMR in the CZ 457 next. Get the best glass you can afford....It's really important.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

If your typical distance is 20 - 50 yards, then the 10/22 is probably your best, 'budget' set up. It's just hard to argue with all the aftermarket support that's available. Even with current pricing, .22 LR is still the most cost effective and good enough, depending on the brand/model, out to 100 yards. Importantly, to me, is that it comes with iron sights and, with the aftermarket support, it can be 'built up' or 'customized' over time.

The Savage is more of an 'inexpensive' nod to precision. Parts and magazines won't be as readily available in many places. Being a bolt action, it will 'slow' your shooting, yet be more intrinsically accurate over longer distances. Yet, you said you don't shoot over 100 yards and left the impression (at least to me) that the majority of your shooting will be between 20 - 50 yds. That leads to how you judge 'precision' and 'successful' shooting; i.e., is 'good enough' sufficient or are you the type to measure groups by fractions of an inch, something somewhat inconsistent with 'budget' thinking.

I have shot Ruger 10/22's for a LONG time and find them 'accurate enough' for most shooting in terms of plinking and hunting, even in a bone stock configuration. (Though, inevitably, you will be tempted to install some readily available 'upgrades.') Insofar as bolt actions over longer distances, I've been quite happy with a stock CZ 452 Ultra Lux with and without a scope. It's a notable upgrade to the Savage however (with the price reflecting it) and came with iron sights (it's been discontinued for some time).

At this point, once again, if your emphasis is on 'budget' and most of your shooting is under 50 yds., then the truth is that the Ruger really is the choice. If, however, you're simply looking for a 'budget' way into 'precision' shooting, then the Savage will allow for better 'training' leading to a better package in the future; just with the caveats of more difficult parts/magazine attainment and the fact that you'll be paying as low as $5/box of 50 (was $2.50 a box just a couple of years ago) for .22 LR in the Ruger, but between $17 and $22 a box of 50 for .17 HMR in the Savage (which brings up the question of how you define 'budget rifle').

Good luck.

[Czsp-01-9mm]

If your typical distance is 20 - 50 yards, then the 10/22 is probably your best, 'budget' set up. It's just hard to argue with all the aftermarket support that's available. Even with current pricing, .22 LR is still the most cost effective and good enough, depending on the brand/model, out to 100 yards. Importantly, to me, is that it comes with iron sights and, with the aftermarket support, it can be 'built up' or 'customized' over time.

The Savage is more of an 'inexpensive' nod to precision. Parts and magazines won't be as readily available in many places. Being a bolt action, it will 'slow' your shooting, yet be more intrinsically accurate over longer distances. Yet, you said you don't shoot over 100 yards and left the impression (at least to me) that the majority of your shooting will be between 20 - 50 yds. That leads to how you judge 'precision' and 'successful' shooting; i.e., is 'good enough' sufficient or are you the type to measure groups by fractions of an inch, something somewhat inconsistent with 'budget' thinking.

I have shot Ruger 10/22's for a LONG time and find them 'accurate enough' for most shooting in terms of plinking and hunting, even in a bone stock configuration. (Though, inevitably, you will be tempted to install some readily available 'upgrades.') Insofar as bolt actions over longer distances, I've been quite happy with a stock CZ 452 Ultra Lux with and without a scope. It's a notable upgrade to the Savage however (with the price reflecting it) and came with iron sights (it's been discontinued for some time).

At this point, once again, if your emphasis is on 'budget' and most of your shooting is under 50 yds., then the truth is that the Ruger really is the choice. If, however, you're simply looking for a 'budget' way into 'precision' shooting, then the Savage will allow for better 'training' leading to a better package in the future; just with the caveats of more difficult parts/magazine attainment and the fact that you'll be paying as low as $5/box of 50 (was $2.50 a box just a couple of years ago) for .22 LR in the Ruger, but between $17 and $22 a box of 50 for .17 HMR in the Savage (which brings up the question of how you define 'budget rifle').

Good luck.

To answer your question yes I want a gun I can practice longer range shots, and when I need to I can reach out over 100yards if I wanted to, I just want something that?s somewhat cheaper maybe ?budget? was used to loosely I apologize, plus I do like bolt guns, I wanna eventually get something in 22-250 for coyotes and step up from there, been out of the gun game for while, trying to get back into the rhythm of things again, gonna end up picking up a 22lr after,
I know I?m scattered brained sometimes when I ask for advice, then go way off track

[Strafer]

I did pretty good with my air rifle gamo magnum 10x gen 2 still gonna use it to help teach my boys , but thanks for all the advice, getting a savage 93r17 GVXP put the money down just waiting for it to come in to do the paper work

Can't go wrong w the Savage IMO. I have 3 of the 93r17s, a 10fcp-k in 223, and a 12FCV in 22-250. All extremely accurate right out of the box. Happy hunting!

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[k1dude]

For up to 50 yards, use a .22 magazine fed pellet rifle. PCP is preferred for high volume shooting. It would suck with a break barrel shooting that many squirrels.

For beyond 50 yards use a .17 HMR mag fed bolt gun. Very accurate compared to a lead free .22 LR semi-auto.

[LaFlamaBlanca]

17HMR all the way, ammo is plentiful and it just dropped in price recently. Plus they are devastating to ground squirrels or any small game. I take down rabbits, coyotes, and upland birds regularly with my 17hmr.

I started with a Savage 93r17 and just sold it to a buddy so he can get in on the fun.

I now switch between my Volquartsen Superlite, CZ 457, or Savage B17 Precision. I can easily hit a ground squirrel at 300 yds off of a tripod. And that 17hmr ammo takes down squirrels in one shot no problem.

Those 22lr rifles work but honestly they are only great up to 150 yds if you are a good shot. Ammo is **** and inconsistent. It also isnt as effective on ground squirrels, some times it takes 2 shots if you are hitting their body.

[bigbossman]

I have a Remington 597 that is inexpensive and a tack driver. I use it on ground squirrels with great success.

[cmart357]

Second the older marlin model 60 or 99c etc. The older guns I have shot are very very accurate especially with the 22" barrels. I love tube loaded .22 rifles!

[NATEWA]

I'm chasing squeaks 3 or 4x a year - this year 10 days straight in late March and early April.
I use a Savage 93r17 w a Boyds Barracuda stock. And a Ruger 10/22 also in a Boyds thumbhole stock. Both now wear Pride Fowler Industries rapid Reticle 3 - 12 x 42 scopes that are FFP w a tree calibrated for the 17hmr and 22lr high velocity. No dialing needed.
That said, when I first started I was using a stock 10/22 w a Nikon fixed 4x rimfire scope and it was fine albeit limited in range. Now however I am firmly in the 17hmr camp w a Volquartsen superlite, my Savage 93r17, and I just built an AR15 in 17 using an Alexander Arms upper. Burnin ammo! Lol.

I still use the 10/22 when they are thick and close (and a buckmark pistol too w a vortex venom 3moa red dot).

Good luck!


Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

Any issues with the AA .17 upper?

What mags does it take?

[Strafer]

Any issues with the AA .17 upper?

What mags does it take?

Sorry, just seeing this. No issues w the upper. Very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Mags are from AA and IIRC about 17 bucks apiece. I bought ten bc who wants to reload in the field, lol.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk