7 Squirrel Rifles for Every Budget

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Ethan Smith
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Video best 22lr for squirrel hunting

I was 5 years old, sitting beside my father with a .410-bore Model 37 Winchester in my lap. We were watching squirrels running amuck for nuts and I was out of shells. I don’t remember how many I fired but my shoulder was sore. On the way to camp I asked if I could use the .22 rifle next time. Dad said, “I reckon so.”

A squirrel rifle has to be accurate, ideally capable of sub-inch groups at 50 yards and the sights and cartridge you choose should be influenced by the hunting methods you employ. I’ve tried about every rifle even remotely suited to squirrel hunting; every action design chambered for every rimfire cartridge. Here are seven tried-and-tested rifles ranging in price from less than $500 to $1,300.

1. Savage 93R17 BVSS .17 HMRSavage has a reputation of building affordable and accurate rifles. They offer over 30 rimfires priced between $250 and $600. When the .17 Mach II became available, I tried one in a Savage model 93R17 BVSS for an entire season. My only complaint was the heavy trigger pull. The new version-now only available in .17 HMR-comes standard with the great Accu-Trigger, stainless steel finish and a laminated stock. The street price is less than $400. What a bargain! (MSRP: $411; www.savagearms.com)

2. Remington 597 VTR .22 LR Go ahead, laugh. I know tactical-looking rimfires don’t evoke visions of crisp fall mornings and bushytails scampering across the forest floor. But sometimes we hunt just for fun; every trip to the timber doesn’t have to be a nostalgic journey or follow pre-conceived protocol. Any way you look at it, this rifle is cool, and if you like to hunt with an AR it’s even cooler.

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I’d just customized a 10/22 with a collapsible stock so my 9-year-old son could squirrel hunt with a rifle that fit him. Then the 597 VTR showed up. The best thing about the 597 VTR is the collapsible stock, which fits him and me. I got to thinking I might like a tactical squirrel rifle(!), so I mounted one of Weaver’s new Tactical scopes. The big scope made the package too heavy for my son, but I enjoy head-shooting squirrels hiding high in a hickory tree while exercising all the stealth of a spec-ops squirrel sniper. Detachable magazines hold six or 25 rounds. (MSRP: $445; www.remington.com)

3. CZ 452 American .17 HMRAfter one year of squirrel hunting with this rifle, I was convinced it was the “answer” when it came to a stalking rifle for squirrels. No matter the distance, I just held dead on and pulled the trigger. Admittedly, a .17 HMR is a bit much for squirrels if anything other than head shots are taken. The good thing is head shots with the CZ are easy; at 100 yards you can cover every shot with a quarter.

I’ve tested a half-dozen CZ rimfires and all shot exceptionally well. The safety operates backwards from American-made rifles, and you might feel the trigger a bit creepy. A drop-in, aftermarket kit will fix the trigger, and after a few trips to the range you’ll be comfortable with the safety. (MSRP: $499; www.cz-usa.com)

4. Thompson/Center R55 .22 LRFor stump sitting or stalking, bolt-action or single-shot rifles are perfect. If you try hunting squirrels with a tree dog you need to be prepared for fast, tree-to-tree action, especially if you miss or are hunting fox squirrels. Then an autoloader is the way to go.

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T/C’s R55 is a real sleeper in this category. For a while I ignored the R55, thinking T/C’s specialty was single-shots. When I finally tested one I was pleasantly surprised. The R55 is capable of sub-inch groups at 50 yards with most loads, comes with fiber-optic sights and even Weaver scope bases. Oh, and just as important, after more than 500 rounds without cleaning, the rifle has yet to jam. (MSRP: $604; www.tcarms.com)

5. Ruger 77/22 RM .22 Mag.After years of squirrel hunting with a .22 LR, I felt like I’d traded my .30-30 for a .300 Win. Mag. when I got my first .22 Magnum. I could hold dead on and hit a squirrel beyond 60 yards. After trying several .22 Mags. I finally decided on Ruger’s classic 77/22 Magnum.

It has a nine-shot, rotary magazine, dual extractors, a stainless bolt, classic lines, integral scope bases and comes with scope rings. Mine shoots half-inch, 50-yard groups with all ammo I’ve tried and close to 1 inch at 100 yards with most loads. The factory trigger has a bit of creep and is a tad heavy, but a $50 Timney sear and spring kit will fix that. I imagine I’ll give this rifle to my son when he’s ready for his first magnum and completely bypass the old 37 Winchester or any shotgun for squirrel hunting. (MSRP: $754; www.ruger.com)

6. Weatherby XXII .22 LRIntroduced two years ago, the Weatherby XXII exhibits all the flare and quality that made Weatherby famous. Weatherby teamed with famed rimfire rifle manufacturer Anschutz on the XXII, which is actually built on the Anschutz Model 64 action. The fine checkering, grip and fore-end cap and high-gloss finish all scream Weatherby.

See also  .240 Weatherby Magnum for Elk Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Elk Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .240 Weatherby Magnum a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for elk hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .240 Weatherby Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the elk, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the elk in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .240 Weatherby Magnum Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a elk in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .240 Weatherby Magnum within the ideal range of suitable calibers for elk hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the .240 Weatherby Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .240 Weatherby Magnum Animal Species Elk Muzzle Energy 2430 foot-pounds Animal Weight 720 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .240 Weatherby Magnum? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .240 Weatherby Magnum round is approximately 2430 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male elk? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male elk is approximately 720 lbs. [Click Here to Shop .240 Weatherby Magnum Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in elk hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .240 Weatherby Magnum. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the elk being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .240 Weatherby Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .240 Weatherby Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting. [Click Here to Shop .240 Weatherby Magnum Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting elk to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

I hunted extensively last season with a Weatherby XXII in .22 LR. When I pointed it and pulled the crisp 2.5-pound trigger, squirrels fell from trees. I especially like how the bolt handle protrudes from the stock more than is customary. This makes cycling the action fast and easy. The Weatherby XXII bridges the gap between factory and custom squirrel rifles. (MSRP: $999; www.weatherby.com)

7. New Ultra Light Arms M20 Rimfire 22LRNew Ultra Light Arms is a custom shop in the hills of West Virginia that set precedence 25 years ago, offering incredibly accurate big-game rifles, some weighing less than 5 pounds. I’ve used Melvin Rifles-that’s what I call them because Melvin Forbes is the guy who makes them-to take my first black bear, my best whitetail and the most squirrels in a single season.

Melvin’s rimfire uses the same space-age, synthetic stock his centerfires rely on for strength and barrel-supporting stiffness. Mine is a single-shot, which you might think a handicap but, friend, not when one shoots like this rifle. Single-shots and repeaters are available in right- and left-hand actions and you choose barrel length and stock color. They come standard with a Timney trigger, Talley rings and a hard case. (MSRP: $1,300, single-shot; $1,350, repeater; 304-292-0600) 

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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