ammo question

[Donaye37]

With ammo going crazy right now, really wanting to get exactly what I need. What 12ga shell would be best for rabbit and squirrel,  I know I need low base shells, but just curious what other people use?

[CP]

Any cheap 1oz or 1 1/8 oz load of  #7 1/2 will work fine.

[WSU]

Or #6.

[bobcat]

I'd go with 1 1/8 ounce loads of number 6 shot, and I wouldn't go cheap, unless you want to limit your effectiveness at longer distances. The more expensive, higher quality loads, usually have higher quality shot that will give you better patterns. For shooting clay pigeons I'd buy the cheap stuff, but for hunting get the best you can afford.

[300rum]

6's work best.  They tend to go right through them where 8's and 7 1/2's stay inside the carcass.  I like 6's for this reason.

[Donaye37]

Awesome, has anyone tried number four shot?

[CP]

Awesome, has anyone tried number four shot?

4s will work too but keep in mind that as shot size goes up, the load weight needs to increase to keep pattern density.  So you won’t find many #4 loadings with less than 1 1/4 oz of shot.  That’s more recoil and expense than you need.  Really it doesn’t take much of a 12g load to be effective on rabbits and squirrels.   

[HighlandLofts]

All of the small game I hunted I shot with high base #6 shot or # 5 shot. Dove hunting would be the only thing I'd consider to use low base shotgun shells on. Most small game hunting I used a modified choke shotgun. For squirrels I like to use a 22 magnum or a 17HMR.

[Bean Counter]

I'd go with 1 1/8 ounce loads of number 6 shot, and I wouldn't go cheap, unless you want to limit your effectiveness at longer distances. The more expensive, higher quality loads, usually have higher quality shot that will give you better patterns. For shooting clay pigeons I'd buy the cheap stuff, but for hunting get the best you can afford.

I've always wondered that... All I've ever bought for birdshot is the bottom shelf cheap lead stuff. Plenty of times I've    when trying to shoot stuff at even a moderate distance.

[LEN]

Terms:
High and low brass = High brass usually high power load-----Low brass= target or small game lower power and lower shot load
High and low base = High and low base wadd= how much room in the case ---High base wadd= target or low power load--- Low base wadd high power and large shot charge.
In realality the low base and low brass can be loaded as hot as any high brass low base, just looks good to have the high brass.
LEN

[CP]

Terms:
High and low brass = High brass usually high power load-----Low brass= target or small game lower power and lower shot load
High and low base = High and low base wadd= how much room in the case ---High base wadd= target or low power load--- Low base wadd high power and large shot charge.
In realality the low base and low brass can be loaded as hot as any high brass low base, just looks good to have the high brass.
LEN

High “brass” is a holdover from paper shell days.  It was needed for hotter loads that could burn through the paper.  Plastic doesn’t need it but it remains for marketing purposes. 

[BiggLuke]

Cheap trap loads are perfect. Besides, when you miss 5 or 6 times before hitting your target, it doesn't seem as bad when they are just #8 trap loads.

[dinker]

i was told it was illegal to hunt squirrel in WA state. what are the seasons and what type ca be hunted?
 

[huntingfool7]

I'd go with 1 1/8 ounce loads of number 6 shot, and I wouldn't go cheap, unless you want to limit your effectiveness at longer distances. The more expensive, higher quality loads, usually have higher quality shot that will give you better patterns. For shooting clay pigeons I'd buy the cheap stuff, but for hunting get the best you can afford.

I've always wondered that... All I've ever bought for birdshot is the bottom shelf cheap lead stuff. Plenty of times I've    when trying to shoot stuff at even a moderate distance.

High end shot has higher antimony (5%).  Tin and nickel (costs more) added to lead makes harder pellets that will deform less.  Thus they fly straight and stay in the pattern.
Buy the good stuff for hunting or anything with money on it.  Slip those Eono shells in your buddies bag and wager him on a round of long range trap.

[BiggLuke]

i was told it was illegal to hunt squirrel in WA state. what are the seasons and what type ca be hunted?
 

Well yes... It is illegal to hunt squirrels in washington.
The reason there are no squirrel hunting seasons in washington is because of how many different native species we have. Most of them are on the protected species list.
So, even though it's ok to kill Eastern Grey squirrels (which are non-native invasive species) they can be hard to differntiate between Western Grey squirrels, which are protected.

Plus, why would you even want to hunt squirrels in washington?
Most of the species around here... like Douglas Squirrels or Red Squirrels, are tiny. You'd have to shoot about 10 just to make a meal out of them.

Well, at least this is the offical reason I was given directly from the WDFW Olympia Office, after I asked the same question to them.