What distance is best to sight in for squirrel hunting?

[ChuckMiller]

35 yds shooting Winchester 40gr Power Points. From there make sure I know my POI at 25 out to 50, I don't shoot past 50yds.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

35 yds shooting Winchester 40gr Power Points. From there make sure I know my POI at 25 out to 50, I don't shoot past 50yds.

Why don't you shoot past 50 yards? Is that the accuracy limitation of your rifle or is there some other reason? Just curious.

 

[Tommie]

For tree squirrels in thick woods something like a 10 yard sight-in. Sure, the occaisional long shot happens but usually the distances are inside of 25 yards and the gun is pointed upwards at a 45 degree angle.

 

[ChuckMiller]

Can't ever remember shooting at a squirrel outside of 50yds up in the tree tops. Most shots are inside of 100ft, offhand shooting up at 45*. If I could see one in a tree top 60-70yds away, which I probably couldn't, I generally move closer before attempting a shot.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Can't ever remember shooting at a squirrel outside of 50yds up in the tree tops. Most shots are inside of 100ft, offhand shooting up at 45*. If I could see one in a tree top 60-70yds away, which I probably couldn't, I generally move closer before attempting a shot.

If shots are regularly that close, why wouldn't a fella use a shotgun as a safety factor? A 22lr bullet can travel a very long distance if it's launched at a 45 degree angle and misses it's mark.

My hunting 12 gauge shotgun with a full choke can pepper a 12oz pop can at 50 yards with a very tight pattern using 3" BB rounds.

Tho 22lr ammo is a lot cheaper I suppose...

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I'm a squirrel hunter that only takes head shots. I sight both my 22 and 17hmr for about 35 yards. If I get something a little closer, or a little further away, the POI will be a little off. But not by any real amount...the squirrel will still be dead.

I NEVER shoot past 50 yards. I don't have the skills for that. So I don't have to worry about bullet drop. I always lean against a tree for stability, but even so, I'm still standing. Sometimes I will kneel and lean against a tree. And for any squirrel further than 50 yards: I would either want to advance/stalk and try to get closer, or use a call to draw it in. My dad taught me in the 70's, you don't pull the trigger unless your sure you can get a kill. And I'm not confident I can get a sure kill at more than 50 yards. And often times, it's less than 50, and I still won't pull the trigger because I can't hold the gun steady enough. For the most part, I'm trying to hit something the size of a quarter, so I don't feel bad about being limited to less than 50 yards.

I hunt in the relatively thick woods of Ohio.

 

[langenc]

In my file I have an article from 70s or before that says 50 FEET for 22 sight in.

Then I like to post a target and shoot it at 25 and 50 yards, on the same targhet. Keep it for reference and as noted several times label as to ammo.

I also may put a little sticker on the gun w/ hold over/under data for various distances.

Do that for sure for the deer rifle only I sight at 25, 50 and 100 yds--swampy here. No 600-900 yard shots. I would never shoot at that distance anyway. Never know when you will need to shoot close-less than 25 yrds.