Squirrel project

[jimg]

Hi,
For some time Ive wanted a 22H based rifle for small game, one that doesnt destroy what I shoot and thats reloadable. Im still looking into it but the 17/20/22 Squirrel cartridges look pretty neat and perhaps one might fit the bill. A few problems...1) I can find little, other than SCN, info about the Squirrel. Is anyone here shooting it in any caliber? Would you recommend it? How well does it work in the field?

The other problem is Im LH which severely limits my choice of rifle. I thought I would take a LH Savage CF and just stick a correct bolt head on it along w/ the appropriate bbl. The rub w/ that is finding the bolt head. Im thinking that might be a custom job. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

[BrianM(2)]

What about a Contender Carbine ? That would work for a lefty . Might want to ask about those cartridges over on Saubier's site too .

[RePete]

What about a Contender Carbine ? That would work for a lefty . Might want to ask about those cartridges over on Saubier's site too .

I'll second that...Saubier.com.........Those guys are pretty Squirrely. :D
Just kidding. You can find all you need or want to know about small calibers over there.
The Contender is not a bad idea either as alot of those small cal. wildcats have difficulty feeding.

Good luck

[jimg]

Thanx for the input.

Honestly I hadnt considered a Contender or Encore. I used to own a couple and found my bolt rifles so much more accurate. At any rate its something to stick in the mix and look at again. THanx!

[bcp]

Hi,
For some time Ive wanted a 22H based rifle for small game, one that doesnt destroy what I shoot and thats reloadable. Im still looking into it but the 17/20/22 Squirrel cartridges look pretty neat and perhaps one might fit the bill.


I believe that small game loads need to avoid high velocity. Some of the old time cartridges with a good reputation were the 22 WRF and the 25 Stevens rimfires. These would be easy to duplicate with a short Hornet case.

I still have one article from long ago on a custom small game rifle based on the Ruger #1 chambered in 32 S&W Long. Some of the other small pistol cartridges would work, too. The 32 Auto is 308 caliber, I believe, so lots of light bullets are available. I've often thought a 25 Auto in a converted rimfire action would be good.

Bruce

[glenn]

I'm left handed but I have a lot of right handed actions due to the fact there isn't that much of a choice. I have a ruger 77 in 22 hornet and have never felt handicapped because of the action. Give it a try and you'll probably get by o.k.

[BillyR]

Try 4 grains of Blue Dot behind a 45 gr. Sierra. I don't have a chrony but this did a good job on the only squirrel I used it on this fall. Accurate also. I think it gives about 1350. It was supersonic but didn't destroy much meat and really not more , if any, than a hi speed .22 lr HP. It sounded almost exactly like a Velociter but didn't destroy as much meat as a regular CCI mini mag HP. Once you go out with ONE rifle that can do it all just by switching rounds you'll never want to go out with anything else. I carry 3 kinds of rounds. Deer round. Coyote round. Squirrel/rabbit round. I hunt here in kentucky as far as I can see instead of just 75 yards that you do with a .22 LR. Very cool and fun. Good luck. Billyr

[TinMan]

Have you tried loading a regular 22 Hornet down? It is fairly easy to get down to below 22WMR and close to a hyper velocity 22lr velocities. A near full case of AA2200, 12.0 gr, gives me right at 2100fps with either a 45 or 50 gr SPT, and it shoots right at 0.5MOA from my Cooper M38. You can also get down to around 1500fps with SR4759.

[jimg]

Thanx for the many replies. Since I posted Ive decided to start w/ a 22H and if that doesnt work Ill convert it to a 17AH.

[Catfish]

If your willing to put out the money the .17 AH is a great little round. I have one on a Contender with a Bullberry barrel. 10.4 gn. of H-4227 and a 19 gn. Calhooh bullet gives me 3,600 fps. and a max point blank range abt 290 yrds. The biggest draw backs to this round is that you have to work up loads 1/10 gn. at a time as presure jumps very fast with a such a small case, and dies will cost you abt. $ 100. Also with squirrels you won`t have much left.