While many associate the changing colors and cooler air of a crisp fall morning with time spent in the deer woods or chasing waterfowl, another time-honored tradition also takes place every fall in the woods: squirrel hunting! Chasing squirrels has been the start of the hunting journey for many of today’s hunters, often with a trusted .22 caliber rifle in hand. However, many hunters choose a different path for their squirrel pursuits, and that is the path of the shotgun. 

Why choose a shotgun for squirrel hunting? We’re glad you asked! Let’s dive into why shotguns can be a great choice for squirrels, what aspects make a good squirrel shotgun, and a few Savage shotguns that will put you well on your way to filling your limit this fall!

The Tradition of Shotguns for Squirrels

While today’s squirrel hunting is often associated with rimfire rifles, shotguns have always been another great choice! Shotguns have been a staple for squirrel hunting for decades due to their reliability and usefulness for chasing a variety of game. With many young hunters and shooters growing up learning how to shoot with shotguns, they’ve been used heavily in small game hunting by new and experienced hunters alike. 

Why Choose a Shotgun for Squirrel Hunting?

So, why choose a shotgun for squirrel hunting? There are a few reasons to consider why a shotgun may be the right fit for your next squirrel gun: 

• Shotguns can be more forgiving than a rifle when it comes to hitting your target. The wider pellet spread can give you some room for movement from a squirrel, which can benefit younger or less experienced hunters.

• Shotguns are great for up-close shots or shots on squirrels that are moving. Use a similar shooting technique like you would when bird hunting or rabbit hunting. 

• You can use your shotgun for more than just squirrels! A squirrel shotgun can also be a great choice for hunting rabbits, pheasants, quail, and other upland birds.

• Sometimes, shotguns are your only choice. In some states, certain public hunting areas may be restricted to shorter-range firearms like shotguns and muzzleloaders. In these areas, a shotgun is your best choice for squirrel hunting!

Whether you’re getting a squirrel gun for a youth hunter, or you find yourself hunting squirrels at close range, shotguns can be a great choice or squirrels and other small game animals!

What Makes a Good Squirrel Shotgun?

Not all shotguns are created equal, especially when it comes to squirrel hunting. There are a few key characteristics to look for when it comes to the ideal squirrel shotgun, including what gauge the shotgun is, the action, and the choke tube and ammo used.

Gauge

When it comes to squirrel guns, a sub-gauge shotgun is the most preferred option. Most shotgun squirrel hunters you’ll find use a 20-gauge, 28-gauge, or 410 bore shotgun. Sub-gauge shotguns are popular for small game for a few reasons.

• Low recoil: The smaller your shotgun gauge, the less recoil you will generally have. Sub-gauge shotguns are perfect for small game like squirrels, which don’t require much knockdown power to harvest. Low-recoil game loads don’t beat up your shoulder while you’re pursuing a limit.

• Lightweight: Sub-gauge shotguns are lighter in weight than their larger-bore brethren. When you’re walking around the woods looking for squirrels, having a lightweight shotgun to pack around makes the hunt more enjoyable and helps you stay sharp with your shots.

• Pellet count: While one of the main ideas for using a shotgun for squirrels is the more forgiving nature of a pattern of pellets versus a single bullet, you don’t want too many pellets covering such a small target and damaging the meat. Sub-gauge shotgun shells have fewer pellets, making for patterns that are dense enough for a clean, ethical kill but not so dense that you're ruining the meat from your harvest.

Choke

When you’re picking the right shotgun for squirrel hunting, picking the proper choke tube is just as important. Look for a choke tube that provides a relatively tight pattern, such as an improved modified or full choke. You don’t want too tight of a choke, like an extra full choke, unless you are consistently shooting at longer ranges or using one of the smaller sub-gauge shotguns like a 410 bore. If you’re consistently missing closer-range shots or shots on running squirrels, open up your choke tube to a more open pattern. 

Ammunition

Choosing ammo for your squirrel hunting shotgun is pretty simple! Game loads that you would use for game like rabbits or doves also work great for squirrels. Game loads often come in #7 or #8 shot and have a low amount of recoil, so you can hunt and shoot comfortably all day. If your state or hunting area requires non-toxic shot, make sure you look into alternative loads such as tungsten, steel, or bismuth shot. 

Savage Shotguns for Squirrel Hunting

If you’re looking for a shotgun for your next squirrel hunting adventure, we’ve got you covered! We have several different shotgun models that are perfect for anyone, from the new youth hunter to the experienced veteran squirrel hunter. 

Model 301

The Model 301 isn’t just for the spring woods; it’s also a great choice for chasing squirrels in the fall! Its easy, simple design is perfect for the no frills hunter or the young hunter who’s just starting out. The XP model comes with a red dot sight mounted and ready to go out of the box, or the Thumbhole model comes with an ergonomic stock that’s comfortable and easy to shoot! If you’re looking for a multi-season shotgun, the 301 Turkey model is a great choice for chasing longbeards in the spring and squirrels in the fall!

• Action: Break-action single shot

• Gauges: 410 bore, 20-gauge, 12-gauge

• Modified or extra full Win choke included, depending on the model chosen. 

Model 555

If you’re looking to double up your break-action shooting, the Model 555 is a versatile option for squirrel hunting. A classic over/under shotgun, the 555 is perfect for a variety of small game pursuits with its light weight and smooth shooting performance. The 555 E comes with automatic ejectors for faster reloads, while the 555 Compact is perfect for youth hunters.

• Action: Break-action over/under

• Gauges: 410 bore, 28-gauge, 20-gauge, 16-gauge, 12-gauge

• Includes Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes

Model 320

For the pump-action shotgun hunter, the Model 320 can be a solid option for the squirrel woods. It’s a no-frills, reliable option with a few different models to choose from. The Field Grade model can come with a compact stock that’s great for youth hunters, or the 320 Turkey Thumbhole can be an excellent choice for adding fiber optic sights and an ergonomic stock.

• Action: Pump-action

• Gauges: 20-gauge, 12-gauge

• Includes a Modified or Extra Full Win choke, depending on the model chosen.

Whether you’re a new squirrel hunter or have been chasing those bushy tails for decades, using a shotgun for squirrel hunting can be an exciting way to put some small game on the table. There’s nothing quite like a cool fall morning walking through the woods with a shotgun in hand, looking for squirrels leaping from tree to tree. Next time you’re heading out to the woods, consider grabbing that shotgun for a fun small game adventure!