I'm not a squirrel hunter, but it seems like the blast of a 22 mag pistol going off would make a second shot harder if not impossible. Plus you would have to walk a ways to find some more squirrels to shoot at. When I was a kid my Dad had a 4" S&W 22 mag - we didn't shoot it much due to the noise level.
.22WMR revolver
- Thread starter Gman
- Start date
This gets my vote. Plus, when they get old enough to deer hunt, pop a rifle stock and a 6x45 barrel on it.
MikeT49
Gold $$ Contributor
I used to carry a scoped 6 1/2" Ruger Single 9 with me when bowhunting whitetails North of Spokane. The coyotes were thick as fleas and the little assholes were getting a little too "friendly". I put a scope on it because I'm not exactly a Jerry Miculek with a wheelgun. Weigand makes a scope rail that works on both the Single 6 and Single 9. Part number is RSSWMB-1 (black) or RSSWMS-1 (silver).
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COLT45SA
Silver $$ Contributor
Have you ever shot a 17 qith an 8" barrel~? Amazing in single-action~!!
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I had a 22 mag 6 inch revolver, loud is the operating word for me, didn’t even shoot it a full box and I traded it off. There’s so many good choices in 22LR and the variety of ammo is a real advantage. Some of the heavy grained subsonic stuff is a lot of fun and more lethal than one would think. The TC idea Snert threw out would be a good way to go for a hunting pistol in 22WMR IMHO.
Those are five of my favorite 22 lr pistols, those old flat top Rugers are very accurate as are the rest. The older Smith holds six, the newer one holds 10 and is stainless which is nice for hunting on wet days or conditions.
Those are five of my favorite 22 lr pistols, those old flat top Rugers are very accurate as are the rest. The older Smith holds six, the newer one holds 10 and is stainless which is nice for hunting on wet days or conditions.
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My S & W model 48 .22 WMR revolver, W/ 6" Bbl., brought a "Premium Price",.. when I Sold It ( Had, Horrible Sharp, Noise / Blast.! ) NO miss 'um / NO regrets, selling,.. this gun !
However, my 10" Single Shot, Oct bbl'd Contender, in .22 Win. Mag., Shot real Nice ( much Less, Blast ! ) and was Very accurate. Lots of, Jack Rabbits and Ground Squirrels, were shot with, it !
My T / C Frame, now Boasts, a 7 X 30 Waters 21" Bbl with, a 2 x 7 Scope and I'm NOT selling It, EVER !
Tree Squirrels, should Be, Head / Neck shot with, an ACCURATE .22 LR Rifle using, Std Velocity, Mid Priced, MATCH Grade,. SK, CCI or, Wolf std Vel. Ammo, ( MUCH Quieter and, very, VERY, Accurate ! ),... IMHO
However, my 10" Single Shot, Oct bbl'd Contender, in .22 Win. Mag., Shot real Nice ( much Less, Blast ! ) and was Very accurate. Lots of, Jack Rabbits and Ground Squirrels, were shot with, it !
My T / C Frame, now Boasts, a 7 X 30 Waters 21" Bbl with, a 2 x 7 Scope and I'm NOT selling It, EVER !
Tree Squirrels, should Be, Head / Neck shot with, an ACCURATE .22 LR Rifle using, Std Velocity, Mid Priced, MATCH Grade,. SK, CCI or, Wolf std Vel. Ammo, ( MUCH Quieter and, very, VERY, Accurate ! ),... IMHO
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nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Neat!
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I've thought a lot about getting another .22 Revolver for ground squirrels. I had long ago given my old Ruger Convertible .22 /.22 Mag to a young lad getting started out in hunting. Thinking back on the "shortcomings" of noise and accuracy - I've been thinking a Thompson Contender single shot might be in the cards.
Ruger super single six with mag cylinder rides along with me during archery season here in NY. Center fire handguns not allowed during the bow season, targets of opportunity (coyotes/daylight racoons etc). Shoots pretty well with Win Super X 40g JHP.
Mike
Mike
outasite`08
Gold $$ Contributor
No I have not. But I`ll bet they are accurate as well. I just liked the shorter barrel for ease of carry. Jeff
Dan Hall
Gold $$ Contributor
I’m a nut for the 22 mag and one of my favorites is a 6” model 648 8 shot smith revolver. I also own a 6” model 48, a kel tec PMR 30, which has become reliable after over 1000 rounds and a S&W MP 22 mag. that has not had any malfunctions since new. I’ve only owned that one for about 3 weeks with 250 rounds. As for an accurate 22 mag rifle I own a Vudoo that shoots 1/4” 5 shot groups at 50.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
After reading all the posts on this one, I'd agree that a good 22LR revolver would suit you much more for tree rats. For some years I fielded a Smith M648 22WMR for PD's and ground squirrels. Worked well over a rest, but eventually I scoped it with a Leupold 4X. Worked better, but these things are LOUD!
After a few years a friend just HAD to have it, so I sold it without too much regret. They command premium prices now. I replaced the WMR with a M617 in 4" and still have it to this day. On one trip to MT for PD's, it accounted for 91 prairie poodles when I wasn't at the bench with my rifle.
Since that time, the little 617 has accounted for literally hundreds of ground squirrels here in Orygun. I much prefer the 4" for ease of carry and holster use. The slightly reduced velocity and shorter sight radius doesn't seem to really make much of a difference, and the 4" is just more 'handy'.
Another aspect of the 4" Smith, is that it fits nicely in all my OWB rigs for my M686 which started out as a 6" revolver. Midway had a killer sale on 4" barrels so I snagged one and installed it for a "switch barrel" 357 revolver.
The two four inchers make a handy pair to handle 22LR, 38 Spl and 357 Mag, all using the same OWB leather rigs for carry.
My interest in SA revolvers waned way back in the 70's, so mine now are all DA, which get shot most in SA mode for squirrels for the accuracy it offers when shot that way. Maybe not relative to this discussion, but one of my favorite revolvers is my Smith M651 22WMR, 4" J-Frame with a factory 22LR cylinder for a 'real' convertible revolver. But the OP is wanting a full size, so this is just included for interest.
I'm having a hard time understanding why PA will not allow auto-pistols for squirrels. WTH not? What's the problem? Seems to me a ridiculous rule with no basis in logic. But when do bureaucrats ever consider logic?
After a few years a friend just HAD to have it, so I sold it without too much regret. They command premium prices now. I replaced the WMR with a M617 in 4" and still have it to this day. On one trip to MT for PD's, it accounted for 91 prairie poodles when I wasn't at the bench with my rifle.
Since that time, the little 617 has accounted for literally hundreds of ground squirrels here in Orygun. I much prefer the 4" for ease of carry and holster use. The slightly reduced velocity and shorter sight radius doesn't seem to really make much of a difference, and the 4" is just more 'handy'.
Another aspect of the 4" Smith, is that it fits nicely in all my OWB rigs for my M686 which started out as a 6" revolver. Midway had a killer sale on 4" barrels so I snagged one and installed it for a "switch barrel" 357 revolver.
The two four inchers make a handy pair to handle 22LR, 38 Spl and 357 Mag, all using the same OWB leather rigs for carry.
My interest in SA revolvers waned way back in the 70's, so mine now are all DA, which get shot most in SA mode for squirrels for the accuracy it offers when shot that way. Maybe not relative to this discussion, but one of my favorite revolvers is my Smith M651 22WMR, 4" J-Frame with a factory 22LR cylinder for a 'real' convertible revolver. But the OP is wanting a full size, so this is just included for interest.
I'm having a hard time understanding why PA will not allow auto-pistols for squirrels. WTH not? What's the problem? Seems to me a ridiculous rule with no basis in logic. But when do bureaucrats ever consider logic?
Gman
Gold $$ Contributor
After reading all the posts on this one, I'd agree that a good 22LR revolver would suit you much more for tree rats. For some years I fielded a Smith M648 22WMR for PD's and ground squirrels. Worked well over a rest, but eventually I scoped it with a Leupold 4X. Worked better, but these things are LOUD!
After a few years a friend just HAD to have it, so I sold it without too much regret. They command premium prices now. I replaced the WMR with a M617 in 4" and still have it to this day. On one trip to MT for PD's, it accounted for 91 prairie poodles when I wasn't at the bench with my rifle.
Since that time, the little 617 has accounted for literally hundreds of ground squirrels here in Orygun. I much prefer the 4" for ease of carry and holster use. The slightly reduced velocity and shorter sight radius doesn't seem to really make much of a difference, and the 4" is just more 'handy'.
Another aspect of the 4" Smith, is that it fits nicely in all my OWB rigs for my M686 which started out as a 6" revolver. Midway had a killer sale on 4" barrels so I snagged one and installed it for a "switch barrel" 357 revolver.
The two four inchers make a handy pair to handle 22LR, 38 Spl and 357 Mag, all using the same OWB leather rigs for carry.
My interest in SA revolvers waned way back in the 70's, so mine now are all DA, which get shot most in SA mode for squirrels for the accuracy it offers when shot that way. Maybe not relative to this discussion, but one of my favorite revolvers is my Smith M651 22WMR, 4" J-Frame with a factory 22LR cylinder for a 'real' convertible revolver. But the OP is wanting a full size, so this is just included for interest.
I'm having a hard time understanding why PA will not allow auto-pistols for squirrels. WTH not? What's the problem? Seems to me a ridiculous rule with no basis in logic. But when do bureaucrats ever consider logic?
We can't even use semi auto rimfire rifles for squirrel hunting. Must all be manually operated such as bolt, lever, pump. Same for big game hunting centerfire (deer, black bear) rifles. No semi-auto centerfire handguns for big game hunting either.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Gman, I assume you're in PA also?
With these rules and restrictions, have the bureaucrats given you all any logical reason for these silly rules? I mean we're talkin' squirrels for crikey-sakes, not deer, bear, antelope or other game animals. Orygun is ruled by a bunch of brain dead libtard dem's that have the majority here (ugh!), but we can use any firearm or ammunition we choose for both tree rats or ground squirrels...or any varmint for that matter. You seem to be burdened by some very overly restrictive rules there. Time to vote them out?
Out for some longer range ground squirrels with my "built" 10-22 with WW Power Point HP's here in the outback:
Where we are, I see more tricked out 10-22's in the rat patches than any other rimfire rifle. There would be a rebellion here if the bureaucrats in suits made them illegal.
Gman
Gold $$ Contributor
Gman, I assume you're in PA also?
With these rules and restrictions, have the bureaucrats given you all any logical reason for these silly rules? I mean we're talkin' squirrels for crikey-sakes, not deer, bear, antelope or other game animals. Orygun is ruled by a bunch of brain dead libtard dem's that have the majority here (ugh!), but we can use any firearm or ammunition we choose for both tree rats or ground squirrels...or any varmint for that matter. You seem to be burdened by some very overly restrictive rules there. Time to vote them out?
Out for some longer range ground squirrels with my "built" 10-22 with WW Power Point HP's here in the outback:
Where we are, I see more tricked out 10-22's in the rat patches than any other rimfire rifle. There would be a rebellion here if the bureaucrats in
Yes, I live in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We do have some strange hunting laws, but I must admit that we have quite a bit of public hunting land to harvest critters.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Well then, I suppose there's always an upside despite some very unusual game regs you seem to have there regarding what can and can't be used, even for varmints.
bobinpa
Gold $$ Contributor
You are absolutely allowed to use a 22 rimfire semi auto rifle for small game in PA and that includes squirrels.
It's been that way for several years now.
Go to the link below and read #2 of the arms and ammunition...
read.nxtbook.com
It's been that way for several years now.
Go to the link below and read #2 of the arms and ammunition...
Small Game
read.nxtbook.com
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