22LR for Squirrels and offhand practice

[M-61]

I've had a bunch of 22's. 1st was a Winchester model 69a, a gift when I was 11 from my father....still have it.
To your point. I bought a Savage MK II BSEV. It is so weird and different looking until I picked it up and handled it. Not my style for sure but I got it as it just fit as if it were made for me. It is so accurate I could not believe it. Put a Nikon scope on it and have more fun plinking with it than I ever remembered. If I were a squirrel hunter there would be a serious decline in their numbers.

 

[Outrider27]

A friend had a woodchuck problem with his grapevines and didn't want to disturb the neighbors early in the morning, so I loaned him my stainless MkII with a 3.5x10 variable with a sunshade (I just like the looks)and a Sparrow supressor. He lasered it at 85 yards and dropped the chuck with one shot to the head. A Savage MK II will hold its own with other modern sporters.

 

[SShooterZ]

My guess is that 453 will outshoot the 455 from what I've seen. The 452/3 line is just incredible accurate and nice little guns to boot.

I will second the 541 recommendation too. I have 6 and they ALL shoot. The "S" typically being the most accurate.