Tell me about squirrel rifles.....

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Do any of you guys hunt with traditional 'squirrel rifles"? I'm curious as to how different they are (i.e. what are the quirks) in shooting these guns as opposed to the bigger (50 & 54 cal) rifles. Any favorites? Seems a ball would do a lot of meat damage....do you go for head shots only? What caliber is more popular (or which would you recommend)....32 or .36?
Thanks in advance.........

[wrenchman]

I had read storys about old timers that they would aim for the bark just under there chest when they would lay flat against a limb and it would kill them with out any damage at all.
I dont know how true that is i have never done it and dont own and 32 or 36 i would love to get one just never have.

[DogYeller]

I Squirrel hunt with my deer rifle a .54 Mowrey. I just reduce the loads to 50 Gr and go for head shots. I bark several Squirrels every year. The .54 ball at 1200 fps does less dammage than a .22 lr.

[EricH]

My favorite squirrel rifle is cabelas blueridge 32cal flinter. Had a good mornin yesterday. Got 3. This gun is a tack driver out to 40 yrds so long as i squeez through till the smoke clears :-) Easier said than done for me alot. .311 ball from lee molds, .15 cotton wonderlube patch and 25 grains 3f and 3f for pan.
Only gripe i have with the gun is the trigger pull is too long for my stumpy arms. Its 14.5" . My fit is 13.5". Gonna find someone to help me take an inch off the butt.
I have a crocket rifle also but it collects dust now unless my boy uses it.
I have shot about everything out there but when i got this flinter this spring (my first flinter) I can honestly say i have more fun shooting flint than anyother. so much so i had to buy a 50 flinter for deer.

Remember always squeez through the clack.