Pellet or Slug for Squirrels

[Hylander]

I was asked to dispatch some Squirrels that are causing damage.
Best to use Pellet or Slug?
My rifle shoots either equally well.
Distance will be less than 50yds.

 

[pan60]

I was asked to dispatch some Squirrels that are causing damage.
Best to use Pellet or Slug?
My rifle shoots either equally well.
Distance will be less than 50yds.

I take a crap load at that distance and farther with pellets. look up the thread another EVOL morning in the hunting section.

 

[Hvacguy]

Less than 50 yards pellets are the easy button. Not worth messing with slugs

 

[Pumacarl]

Sure, either would work, but if you miss with a pellet it won't travel as far or with as much retained energy as a slug. Pellets are cheaper too, and some are designed to expand well and be as accurate, Hades.

 

[Madhatter]

At 50 yards it's a waste to use a slug IMHO.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

Try some of each and let us know how it goes.

If the accuracy of them is the same, and you are taking head shots I don't think it will matter much.

With body shots, the slug might do a better job. I don't know as I have never shot a squirrel with a slug.

John

 

[FL22]

I say pellets because 90% of the shots I take are 50y and closer, I haven’t had any reason yet to go to slugs.



“dead is dead the squirrel doesn’t care” PasadenaMike

 

[mrage]

I was asked to dispatch some Squirrels that are causing damage.
Best to use Pellet or Slug?
My rifle shoots either equally well.
Distance will be less than 50yds.

You will find either will work. Some pellets expand nicely and travel less afterwards or on missed shots , if that may be an issue.

 

[Pumacarl]

This topic isn't black & white, for sure. It depends on what you have for guns and how well they shoot, where you are shooting, and when. What I said about slugs flying forever only counts if you are shooting up and miss, if you don't miss what's left might travel less. Under 75y around houses I only shoot a 21fpe .177 Vectis using 10.03gr JSB KO Mk3 slugs that absolutely explode on impact and there is nothing left to ricochet. The violent expansion and energy dump doesn't remind me of shooting hollowpoint .22LR, it reminds me of using my .17HMR. There is a lot of different ways to do this stuff, the important thing is to do what you are comfortable with and know. Anybodies opinion around here isn't going to be informed on what situation you are in, and what the rules of engagement are, or how experienced you are, etc. You'd have to paint a pretty detailed picture to get a specific response that would apply just to your situation. Mostly all we can do is point out what can go wrong or right with each and which ones are prudent, generally speaking. Generally speaking, to minimze further damage, use only what you need to get the job done, especially around property.

 

[Danman]

I was asked to dispatch some Squirrels that are causing damage.
Best to use Pellet or Slug?
My rifle shoots either equally well.
Distance will be less than 50yds.

Im going to go out on a limb and guess you will be using .22 caliber between 25 and 40fpe?
If so and sticking under 50Yards as mentioned pellets are all you need. Squirrels around here dont sit still much, I like an 18gr pellet going 880fps, aim for shoulder and make the hit and they wont make it more than a dozen yards or so. Hades (15.89gr) are destruction on wings inside 40Y but they are meh past 50Y as they shed speed quickly, I give the nod to the 18gr 40Y+. Once you blow past 50fpe its a different animal, my Ghost with Mrds is huge overkill inside 50Y. I have never tried to shoot a squirrel with a slug, I reserve them for birds and reactive targets.
What slug (hardness) you choose, and your surroundings play a BIG part in whether they will be a good idea or not.

 

[Hylander]

This topic isn't black & white, for sure. It depends on what you have for guns and how well they shoot, where you are shooting, and when. What I said about slugs flying forever only counts if you are shooting up and miss, if you don't miss what's left might travel less. Under 75y around houses I only shoot a 21fpe .177 Vectis using 10.03gr JSB KO Mk3 slugs that absolutely explode on impact and there is nothing left to ricochet. The violent expansion and energy dump doesn't remind me of shooting hollowpoint .22LR, it reminds me of using my .17HMR. There is a lot of different ways to do this stuff, the important thing is to do what you are comfortable with and know. Anybodies opinion around here isn't going to be informed on what situation you are in, and what the rules of engagement are, or how experienced you are, etc. You'd have to paint a pretty detailed picture to get a specific response that would apply just to your situation. Mostly all we can do is point out what can go wrong or right with each and which ones are prudent, generally speaking. Generally speaking, to minimze further damage, use only what you need to get the job done, especially around property.

Just looking for what makes a quicker cleaner kill.
10 acres, vineyard and tree groves, no neighbors.
Have killed hundreds of Squirrels, just not with a pellet rifle.
Shooting mostly ground level.
Rifle .22 cal under .5" at 50yds.
Most shots will be around 25yds.
Ammo I have now:
JTS 18.1 @ 960fps
H&N Beracuda 18.13gr @ 960fps
JTS 16.08 @ OVER 1,000fps
H&N 23gr slugs @ 900fps
I have some 23gr NSA slugs but have not shot any yet.

 

[Fishing 43]

This topic isn't black & white, for sure. It depends on what you have for guns and how well they shoot, where you are shooting, and when. What I said about slugs flying forever only counts if you are shooting up and miss, if you don't miss what's left might travel less. Under 75y around houses I only shoot a 21fpe .177 Vectis using 10.03gr JSB KO Mk3 slugs that absolutely explode on impact and there is nothing left to ricochet. The violent expansion and energy dump doesn't remind me of shooting hollowpoint .22LR, it reminds me of using my .17HMR. There is a lot of different ways to do this stuff, the important thing is to do what you are comfortable with and know. Anybodies opinion around here isn't going to be informed on what situation you are in, and what the rules of engagement are, or how experienced you are, etc. You'd have to paint a pretty detailed picture to get a specific response that would apply just to your situation. Mostly all we can do is point out what can go wrong or right with each and which ones are prudent, generally speaking. Generally speaking, to minimze further damage, use only what you need to get the job done, especially around property.

I use the 10.3 ko’s also for in town pest removal and they work fantastic. Your recommendation is spot on.

 

[FL22]

Just looking for what makes a quicker cleaner kill.
10 acres, vineyard and tree groves, no neighbors.
Have killed hundreds of Squirrels, just not with a pellet rifle.
Shooting mostly ground level.
Rifle .22 cal under .5" at 50yds.
Most shots will be around 25yds.
Ammo I have now:
JTS 18.1 @ 960fps
H&N Beracuda 18.13gr @ 960fps
JTS 16.08 @ OVER 1,000fps
H&N 23gr slugs @ 900fps
I have some 23gr NSA slugs but have not shot any yet.

Pass-through lots and lots of pass-throughs, I think.

 

[Pumacarl]

Pass-through lots and lots of pass-throughs, I think.

You're probably right, but no neighbors and a lot of room to set yourself up right and it wouldn't matter much. I used to use a 22-250 around the yard. Funny how things change. ...and my ears ring a lot too, lol!

 

[Pumacarl]

Just looking for what makes a quicker cleaner kill.
10 acres, vineyard and tree groves, no neighbors.
Have killed hundreds of Squirrels, just not with a pellet rifle.
Shooting mostly ground level.
Rifle .22 cal under .5" at 50yds.
Most shots will be around 25yds.
Ammo I have now:
JTS 18.1 @ 960fps
H&N Beracuda 18.13gr @ 960fps
JTS 16.08 @ OVER 1,000fps
H&N 23gr slugs @ 900fps
I have some 23gr NSA slugs but have not shot any yet.

Any of those will do fine. Take head shots and use a good moderator and you will be shooting way more than you ever shot with an unsuppressed firearm. They don't all go to ground at the first shot. You'll see.

 

[PapaT]

Any of those will do fine. Take head shots and use a good moderator and you will be shooting way more than you ever shot with an unsuppressed firearm. They don't all go to ground at the first shot. You'll see.

I literally had one walking down the fence toward me yesterday while I was long range launching pellets from my M4-177, just shaking its tail for attention. I guess I should have obliged.

 

[Jaabaa]

Most of my actual 30 yard in Rat Killings where done with Crosman Hollow points as a kid. Now since the break barrels have dominated most of my time, tending to just stick with pellets.
It's a great topic, we have had many versions of this discussion here before. I really never used slugs till hanging around here.
The sound on steel is amazing

 

[Fishing 43]

You're probably right, but no neighbors and a lot of room to set yourself up right and it wouldn't matter much. I used to use a 22-250 around the yard. Funny how things change. ...and my ears ring a lot too, lol!

Noise and deafness is a great motivator for getting into airguns. HUH lol