Does anyone use .22 shorts for squirrel hunting? How far do they travel after being shot and and at what distance after being sh

[thehunter98.6]

Does anyone use .22 shorts for squirrel hunting? How far do they travel after being shot and and at what distance after being shot are they considered safe. I normally use a shotgun for squirrels so the shot doesn't travel far but next season I'd like to try a .22 but I've heard a .22 LR round can travel a very far distance after being shot.One last thing, can any .22 rifle shoot shorts?

[Guest]

.22 shorts are plenty powerful enough for squirrels. I've killed my fair share with them, and bullfrogs, too. I would consider that the modern .22 short will shoot almost the distance of a long rifle, and is just as dangerous if you do not know where the bullet will come to earth.
As to any rifle shooting shorts, yes, they can. Semi-automatics probably will not cycle them, nor will a lot of bolt actions feed the short cartridge. You are back to shooting a single shot weapon. Best to stay with a rifle marked for .22 S, L, & LR.

[Treestand]

Ditto~~crm3006 +1 Good Call.

thehunter98.6: Look for some used old Pump Action .22Rifles back in the day they were set-up for .22S,L,& Lr. Stevens,Savage,Marlin,Winchesters...Shoot Straight and know your back-stop.

[FirstBubba]

The Marlin 39A of yore (I have one!) easily handles all three rounds.
I don't know that anybody still makes "long" ammo?
The short is a pretty neat round but would reduce "effective" range considerably compared to the long or long rifle.

[DEER30]

I use a .22 for squirrels but I try to limit myself to shots with safe backstops (no aerials). Typically if your patient, the squirrels will come down to the ground to feed. But I am also hunting National Forest where the closest house is about 3 miles in any direction.
I have always heard a .22 long can travel as far as 1-1.5 miles. Its a safe bet that a .22 short will travel far enough that you don't want to forget basic safety course instruction and keep a safe backstop.

[IND_NRA]

My Henry lever action cycles 22 shorts with ease. Great little round to put meat in the pot. Good luck.

[small game sportsman]

22 short will work just fine

[Drover1]

You have to use the same cautions as with any other rifle round. That said, shorts will certainly work. Back when I hunted squirrels in my youth, some of the guys preferred using shorts, saying the lower velocity did a better job of knocking the squirrel out of the tree, while a .22lr would pass through too quickly, leaving a dead squirrel on a limb. I’m not sure it’s really that much of an issue, and as mentioned, you usually shouldn’t be taking high shots with a rifle anyway. But that was their theory.

[ozarkghost]

.22 shorts also have the added advantage of often times sounding like a hickory nut hitting the ground. The reduced noise is always a plus.

[DesertWalker]

I have a Henery lever action and that works like a charm with the shorts, I also have a Whinchester semi that shoots them good too. I wouldnt suggest shooting them in a gun that is not marked for them though.

[thehunter98.6]

Thanks guys for the suggestions!

[mike0714]

The rounds are light enough that most wont do damage when they come down
(20-30gr) also it takes very little to deflect, tumble, or stop a .22 short so thick tree cover helps. But always remember that it is a gun and can cause real damage. I will agree with DesertWalker my first gun was a Henery Lever Action and it still works great for squirrels.

[Safado]

I was taught if you are shooting squirrels in trees use a shotgun after the leaves have fallen and you're hunting them on the ground use a 22. That was due to the carry associated with 22s. The 22 short will work fine just be sure of your background.