While most squirrel hunters use a rimfire rifle or shotgun to hunt squirrels, some people are interested in a hybrid type approach that almost blends the benefits of a 22LR rimfire rifle and a shotgun together. I’m referring to a rimfire round that is fired from a 22 long rifle but fires several BB-like projectiles similar to a shotgun. A common question I see in squirrel hunting forums and on discussion sites like Reddit involves the idea of using one of these 22 shotshell cartridges to hunt squirrels.
What is a 22 Long Rifle Shotshell
.22 caliber shotshell ammunition is a specialized type of .22 caliber rimfire cartridge designed primarily for short-range pest control.
Each round contains multiple tiny pellets (typically a #12 shot) instead of a single bullet. The pellets are usually held in a plastic cup or crimped directly into the case.
When fired out of a firearm, the ammunition releases a spread of tiny pellets, similar to a miniature shotgun blast. This creates a wider pattern than a standard bullet, increasing the chances of hitting small, fast-moving targets at close range.
On average, this type of rimfire ammunition has a muzzle velocity of 900 to 1000 feet per second. When fired from a handgun (pistol or revolver) with a shorter barrel, the muzzle velocity typically drops down in 700 to 800 feet per second range.
These types of ammunition are most effective at very short distances, typically within 5-10 feet. The pattern spreads quickly, with most pellets falling outside the target area beyond 10-15 feet. Penetration is limited, making them suitable only for smaller-sized pests like mice, rats, and snakes.
Since these types of shotshell rounds were popular for certain pests, they go by several names, including:
- 22 bird shot
- 22 rat shot
- 22 snake shot
The smaller pellet size and limited penetration power help reduce the risk of damage to property or unintended injury. This is particularly useful in environments where over-penetration could be a concern, such as in or around barns, sheds, or residential areas.
The most popular ammunition brands associated with 22 LR (Long Rifle)shotshells are CCI and Winchester.
I’ve used 22LR shotshells many times throughout my life for various uses. When I was a teenager, a local farmer would pay me to shoot rats, mice, and pigeons out of his barns when they became an issue.
The shotshells weren’t enough to bring down a pigeon (unless it was almost point-blank), but they were effective on the mice and rats at close distances. They were also very effective on the occasional snake as well.
Hunting Squirrels with a 22 shotshell
Given the effective range of 5-10 feet, the limited penetration, and the overall lack of power with 22 shotshells, these 22 shot shells are NOT a good option for hunting limb chickens, IMHO. I’m not even sure that an almost point-blank shot at two feet or less would have enough power to ethically harvest a squirrel. As such, I can’t recommend or suggest using these types of 22 shotshell rounds for this type of small game hunting. A traditional .22 shell with a round nose or hollow point bullet is a much better option.
Now, they are an effective option if you are shooting the squirrels to keep them off your bird feeder or out of the garden and don’t want to cause permanent damage. At ranges of 10-15 feet, this type of ammunition will pepper these rodents, so they can be an effective pest deterrent in that scenario.
FAQS
Here are some commonly asked questions that are also mentioned in a conversation about hunting squirrels with .22 birdshot:
I’ve been hunting squirrels for 45 years, and I try to spend as much time as I can in the woods chasing bushy tails. I do hunt a few other game species, including deer, doves, some upland birds, and the occasional coyote. I prefer to harvest squirrels with a rimfire rifle and do my best to ethically harvest bushy tails with a head or neck shot. In addition to hunting, I enjoy fishing and various types of shooting. When I’m not squirrel hunting, I work in the gun holster industry.
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