Gauges for SQUIRREL HUNTING

[Mad Reloader]

Just got back from a hunt with Spike-1, and this topic came to mind:

Gauges of shotgun suited for Squirrel hunting.

Spike currently has a 12, but per him, it's a LOT harsh for what he considers a scattergun for treerats.

{Note: He does NOT reload for shotgun, in 12-ga I've only got a Lee Load-all which IME (with it & other Lee stuff) is suited for light/occasional duty only. My primary shotgun's a 20-gauge, as what litle wingshooting I do is for Dove & Quail)

He's pondering a smaller gauge.

Spike's initial thought... .410

My counterpoint... 28-gauge. (recall hearing that some hunters are using 28's for one or 2 kinds of smaller birds, so squirrel may be another kind of game the 28 may work for)

{20 may also be a possibliity, but he really really was consideing one of the real small bores}

Where he and I are at, .410 and 28 gauge shells can be had no sweat (16 is the problem locally!)

Runing it past the seasoned scattergunners, as to which of the smaller gauges...besides 20...would make for a good Squirrel shotgun!