Wadcutters for tree squirrel hunting?

[Flintlock]

Do any of you prefer wadcutters for your squirrel hunting?

My HW30 (.177) groups them excellently out to 50 yards (which I've read is maybe unusual for a wadcutter).

I'm thinking the large flat face should transfer energy well.

I've killed some squirrels with domed pellets out of this new rifle, but, am anxious to try the wadcutters with their exceptional accuracy.

All thought, opinion and actual field results very appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I’d love to try some in my Prod within 30 yards on tree squirrels. I think they’d put a serious smack down on them with headshots. A .22 is a little more demanding placement wise compared to a .25 and the larger meplat should definitely be more forgiving in that regard. I just don’t know how consistent they would be out of that gun at that range. Haven’t shot any, but I’d like to try them. I haven’t hunted squirrels with a .177 caliber. So that seems like an even larger challenge to me.I liked some of @AirArcher66 ’s input on the topic in another thread.

Dave

 

[nervoustrig]

An accurate wadcutter is devastating to small game and pests. I used a 12fpe PCP and wadcutters to remove scads of gray squirrels from a small local pecan orchard. For the purpose of demonstrating the blunt nose will penetrate adequately even at a more modest power level, here's an example at just 8fpe muzzle energy, or about 4.6fpe at 30 yards.

 

[Removed]

I used them all the time for tree squirrels years ago, pretty effective actually. I don't shoot .177 much anymore but now that you mentioned it I should try dusting it off.

 

[Mycapt65]

Wadcutters are great at close ranges. I've used them on greys squirrels from my Hw30s and 50s. Not sure I'd use wadcutters from a Hw30 for grey squirrels much past 20 or 25 yards. I'd opt for domes past that. Wadcutters bleed energy badly and may not get adequate penetration. Get JSB or AA 7.33s and you'll get excellent accuracy and better penetration at longer distances.

Personally as much as I love the Hw30s they're a little light on power for squirrels past 25 yards to begin with. My 177 Hw50 is my personal choice for a squirrel gun. The Hw50 with 8.44s will take squirrels at 50 yards. I limit myself closer to 40 yards because of my field shooting abilities. Or lack of.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I used them all the time for tree squirrels years ago, pretty effective actually. I don't shoot .177 much anymore but now that you mentioned it I should try dusting it off.

@Crosman999 In which caliber(s)?

 

[beerthief]

used them all the time for tree squirrels. I think the shock is enormous and i shoot .177 , can't imagine what it would be in .30
I have been trying to find in .25 but nothing found . who makes .30 wad's ?

 

[Flintlock]

Thanks for the replies all!

Mycapt, I agree that longer shots should be avoided with the hw30. Its done perfectly out to 30 yards with the domes I've used to this point. I plan to not go any farther and likely less with the wadcutters.

Thanks again.

 

[beerthief]

oops misread about .30 wad's

 

[OldSpook]

All that said I've got to BSA lightning GRT and 25 caliber and I would love to get some wad cutters for... Maybe I'll end up having to cast them.

 

[Scouty]

I do like wadcutters & have shot them from my stock .177 HW30 but only at paper. As I recall I've only tried the Meisterkegelen & only around 15 yards.

What wadcutters are you using? Is your HW30 stock or tuned?

Like I said mine is still stock and I live around 4000' above sea level. I don't recall what speed they shot at but I decided to not use it for squirrel.

 

[Flintlock]

Scouty, mine likes the H and N "Sport" wadcutters .

 

[Flintlock]

Its stock.

 

[Hal4son]

@beerthief @OldSpook The H&N Crow Magnums are the only thing close in .25 cal. They shoot good in my Maverick and hit with authority...cut nice round holes in birds.

 

[MEC17670]

I used them in my R7 for barn pigeons at night. Extremely accurate, dumps all the 7flbs into the target. Doesn't over penatrate so roof damage is almost none existence. All shots were 20 yards or under.

 

[JungleShooter]

The H&N Crow Magnums are great hollow points — almost as wide a meplat as a wadcutter, with the added HP advantage.


For those who like a heavier wadcutter in .22 because their gun's power is fairly high —
there is a new option:
Apolo/ Air Boss (Argentina) makes two wadcutters in 17 (seventeen!) grains.
Sold by Hatsan USA.

Matthias

 

[Geezerhood]

I’d love to try some in my Prod within 30 yards on tree squirrels. I think they’d put a serious smack down on them with headshots. A .22 is a little more demanding placement wise compared to a .25 and the larger meplat should definitely be more forgiving in that regard. I just don’t know how consistent they would be out of that gun at that range. Haven’t shot any, but I’d like to try them. I haven’t hunted squirrels with a .177 caliber. So that seems like an even larger challenge to me.I liked some of @AirArcher66 ’s input on the topic in another thread.

Dave

Meisterkugeln 22 cal flat nosed pellets shoot substantially better than any pellets I have tried in my stock out of the box Prod, but I have not shot them on paper past 25 yards. I am curious now to try them at 50.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Gezzerhood and @JungleShooter Thanks guys. I plan to test various brands to see for myself. I wasn’t aware they made any in that caliber until recent discussions sprang up in the forums.

 

[Geezerhood]

Glad to be of some help!

 

[uglymike]

.177 RWS Supermag wadcutters are lethal and surprisingly accurate at distance in several of my German springers. Them "flying frying pans" are nasty squirrel medicine, dissipate energy inside, not so many pass thru.