19 badger questions

[fryfour]

hi
im new to this site. i was wondering if anyone has any experience with the 19 badger for tree squirrels such as fox or greys? is it too much gun? would the 19 hornet be a better choice? i currently use the 5mm mag. thanks for all your help.

[Teancum1]

Are wanting to just kill them or are you planning to eat them? If you want them dead, the badger will certainly do the job out to 200+ yards. If you plan to eat them, the badger will let you use a straw, depending on bullet selection. I find it ideal for ground squirrels. The whole "know your target and beyond" can be problematic when hunting tree squirrels. Personally, I think a .22LR is enough for shooting in the canopy - and then you still need to watch your backstop. You can go bigger if you restrict yourself to shots backed by a tree trunk.

[Hotshot]

I shoot a bunch of prairie dogs with the 20VT(very similar ballistics).
It tears them all to pieces well past 200 yards. You can be assured the 19 badger will take out a tree squirrel.

[410gauge]

Talk to Kevin Harrington. He knows more about the Squirrel and Mink series based off the .22 Hornet case than anyone I know. The .22 Squirrel and the .22 Mink "might" work-out to be just what you are looking for tree squirrels. I use the .20 Mink for short to medium range Ground Squirrel shooting...my favorite. The Ruger 77/22 Hornet with the rotary clip (I built one in .20 Mink for jacks) would be slick for tree squirrels. Best of luck on you decision.

[georgeld]

Welcome to the board!

[17VLD]

George beat me to it, you certainly are at the right place.Glad to hear you shoot a 5mm and are interested in the 19s.The 5mm as you are well aware is tough to find ammo for, a little better since Aguila started making it but still a bit tough.
I currently reload the 5mm Craig cases with James Calhoons 20 caliber bullets.
Not sure if he still offers them, I would definitely call him and talk about your ideas.He can be chatty in a good way.I think like the others in that perhaps the 19s may be a little too potent in the squirrel woods.Have you considered the 17 Mach2? A lot of tree squirrel shooters love it as it is very accurate and flat shooting with plenty of juice and accuracy for accurate head shots.Perhaps a Sako Quad or a Contender could be outfitted with a new barrel for not a lot of money, just my .02

Matt

[obijohn]

A .19 Calhoun is a hotter (as fast, more energy) than a .17 Hornet. A .17 Hornet does at 150 yards what a .17 HMR does at the muzzle. In short, way too destructive for hunting tree squirrels. The .19 Calhoun will also have a much longer maximum range and IMO isn't safe for shooting at squirrels up in trees.

The .22 LR subsonic target-grade cartridge is widely seen as the ideal squirrel cartridge. In an accurate rifle a skilled hunter and marksman can take squirrels out to 80 yards consistently. Late season squirrel hunting when the leaves are down can present longer shots where a .17 Mach 2 would extend that range past 100 yards, at the expense of potentially significant meat damage for shots under 50 yards.

As others have suggested, the aptly-named .17 Squirrel approximates .17 HMR velocities (2500 ft/sec) and can readily be downloaded to .17 Mach 2 (2100 ft/sec) or even .17 PMC/Aguila (1800 ft/sec). IMO 1800 ft/sec with a 20gr .172" caliber bullet out of a centerfire cartridge would be about ideal for squirrel hunting... more accurate than .22 LR target ammo, flatter trajectory, good for 100 yards plus, acceptable meat damage on a body shot, reloadable at a significantly lower price than rimfire .17 ammo.

A ready solution would be to either buy a Miroku/Winchester 1885 in .17 HMR, get a centerfire breech block and .22 Hornet extractor, and have a gunsmith rechamber it to .17 Squirrel... or pick up one in .22 Hornet and get a new barrel fitted. Or, get any .22 Hornet and use Trail Boss to give you a 35 gr Ballistic Tip at 1500 to 1600 ft/sec... or do the same with a .17 Hornet and 20gr bullet. The squirrels will never know the difference.

[JSH]

Only thing that kept me from trying a .19 is bullet supply. To many eggs in one basket so to speak.

[17VLD]

Great idea popped in my head , New Year so time to add to my stock pile of 19 caliber bullets.Wish I could call Todd and get some 17 caliber 30 Golds today too
or any 17 caliber 30 grain bullets for that matter.Or 6mm 105s or 6.5mm or

Matt