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Which springer for squirrel hunting?

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drsquall

drsquall

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Jul 22, 2022
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I know it’s been asked a 1,000 times. I am wanting a quality springer for squirrel hunting. I have an old Remington nitro piston in 22 and it’s okay. I don’t care if it a break barrel, side cocker, under lever, whatever. Weight doesn’t bother me, but I like a good sling on a rifle. I am left handed so at least an ambi stock and thumbhole stocks are not for me. It doesn’t need to be a true left handed gun either. Budget is up to 800 for the gun. I will be putting a good quality scope on it with a parallex at least down to 25yards preferably lower and adjustable. I will put a good base and rings on as well. I have pcps but I like Springers because I grew up with them and pumpers. It just brings back good memories of my father and me shooting them and hunting with them. I don’t mind sending it to get tuned by a quality airsmith to get them right. Range will be out to 40-50 yds max.
I know they get more difficult to shoot accurately as power and caliber goes up. I’m open to other calibers as well. I

Thanks
Jon
 
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drsquall said:
I know it’s been asked a 1,000 times. I am wanting a quality springer for squirrel hunting. I have an old Remington nitro piston in 22 and it’s okay. I don’t care if it a break barrel, side cocker, under lever, whatever. Weight doesn’t bother me, but I like a good sling on a rifle. I am left handed so at least an ambi stock and thumbhole stocks are not for me. It doesn’t need to be a true left handed gun either. Budget is up to 800 for the gun. I will be putting a good quality scope on it with a parallex at least down to 25yards preferably lower and adjustable. I will put a good base and rings on as well. I have pcps but I like Springers because I grew up with them and pumpers. It just brings back good memories of my father and me shooting them and hunting with them. I don’t mind sending it to get tuned by a quality airsmith to get them right. Range will be out to 40-50 yds max.
I know they get more difficult to shoot accurately as power and caliber goes up. I’m open to other calibers as well. I

Thanks
Jon
Click to expand...
Diana 48 in 22 cal and easy to install sling studs.
 
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Out to 40 yards a 177 Hw50. It's light and handy. Points and balances perfectly for most people. This is my personal choice. If you regularly need to make shots past 40 yards the Hw95 is better. The 97 is the same power as the 95. It's great if "weight isn't a consideration". To give you some actual weights from a scale.

Hw50 7.2 lbs with my current setup a 4x non AO Vantage
Hw50 7.53 lbs with 2-7x32 AO Vantage IR

Hw95 3-9x40 Airmax 9.04 lbs

Hw97 4-12x40 Airmax 10.9 lbs.

If you're shooting from a fixed blind weight isn't much an issue. If you have to schlep it there, every ounce counts
 
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I have 2 HW 35's a HW77 and a R1. My favorites are the .177 HW35's because they are the nicest shooting of the group. All are close to 1 hole at 10M. The .22 R1 is heavy 10+ lbs. with Leupold scope and I have to use my right arm to cock it., The HW 77 is also a .22 and not as powerful s the R1, but not as heavy either, Everyone of these guns will kill a squirrel at 25 yards, and if you can hit them at 50 yds. as well.

You gotta hit 'em in the head no matter what. My uncle taught me that when I was 9 years old.!
 
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My R9 .20 has been outstanding as far as accuracy goes. Weight wise no problem. Deadly squirrel gun, easy to cock and load. Most tree rat shots are 20 - 30 yds.
Tough question, all my guns are for the squirrels, that’s why I’m here. Maybe a HW50, HW35e already has sling rings. You could spin a wheel, any Weihrauch would work .22 cal. , if weight isn’t a problem. Crow
 
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W.R.Buchanan said:
I have 2 HW 35's a HW77 and a R1. My favorites are the .177 HW35's because they are the nicest shooting of the group. All are close to 1 hole at 10M. The .22 R1 is heavy 10+ lbs. with Leupold scope and I have to use my right arm to cock it., The HW 77 is also a .22 and not as powerful s the R1, but not as heavy either, Everyone of these guns will kill a squirrel at 25 yards, and if you can hit them at 50 yds. as well.

You gotta hit 'em in the head no matter what. My uncle taught me that when I was 9 years old.!
Click to expand...
Fwiw a Hw35 with a 2-7x32 AO scope is 9.5 pounds. It's not light or even close to it. My Hw50 with the same amount of power and same scope is 7.53 lbs. Basically two lbs lighter.
My R9/Hw95 scoped with a 3-9x40 Airmax is around 9 lbs flat. My R1 with a 3-9x40 Airmax is 10.38 lbs. These are actual scaled weights, Not advertised.
Everyone has their favorites these are the facts regarding actual weight if it matters to you. It might not. I like a light and handy rifle.
 
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beerthief said:
I would say the HW 50 in .22 for hunting squirrels the way you described . that will be best in my opinion , i have HW97 and it is heavy to carry.
I say in ,22 for a heavier pellet in the wind . (and my older fingers load .22 much easier )
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Here in OK wind is always a concern. Well here in the farmland I live around.
 
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crowski said:
My R9 .20 has been outstanding as far as accuracy goes. Weight wise no problem. Deadly squirrel gun, easy to cock and load. Most tree rat shots are 20 - 30 yds.
Tough question, all my guns are for the squirrels, that’s why I’m here. Maybe a HW50, HW35e already has sling rings. You could spin a wheel, any Weihrauch would work .22 cal. , if weight isn’t a problem. Crow
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I like a 20cal alot but with pellets being hard to find it scares me away. I know 50yds is a poke especially on fast grays. Usually shots are closer. I’ve been using heavy guns so long now for competitions(powder burners) I grab a light rifle and it just fills like I am not as solid as a heavier gun.

Thanks
Jon
 
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I hunt squirrels pretty often and prefer .177. They deliver plenty of power out to 40 yards and I find it easier to shoot accurately given the .177's flatter trajectory. I've spent a lot of time hunting with my hw97k and my hw50s. Both are fitted with a sling because walking 5+ miles is not unusual where I hunt. I prefer the hw50s because it is lighter and easier to handle, but both get the job done very well.
R
 
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EMrider said:
I hunt squirrels pretty often and prefer .177. They deliver plenty of power out to 40 yards and I find it easier to shoot accurately given the .177's flatter trajectory. I've spent a lot of time hunting with my hw97k and my hw50s. Both are fitted with a sling because walking 5+ miles is not unusual where I hunt. I prefer the hw50s because it is lighter and easier to handle, but both get the job done very well.
R
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I walk but not near that. Here we have mostly wheat fields with creeks here and there but not all creeks are worth hunting. I have one spot I hunt where maybe it’s 600yds long of decent squirrel hunting but most of the time it’s a couple of hundred yards at max with decent cover for squirrels.
 
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