There are several differences between the 7.1/2 and the 4.10. For the most part, the 7.1/2 is superior to the 4 and vice versa. Ultimately, it depends on your target. If you plan to hunt squirrels in thick brush, the Stevens single shot.410 will work best. If you plan to hunt in a dense forest, you may want to try out different patterns. For example, the 3″ #6 steel patterned shell will do better than the lead.
Table of Contents
7 1/2s
The size of the shot that you use for a squirrel hunt can determine your success or failure. While some hunters prefer to blow holes in their quarry with 7 1/2s, others will saturate them with #4s. While either size will kill a squirrel, you’ll end up losing a lot of thump, and it’s likely that you’ll have to pick the shot out of the meat and mouth afterwards.
Remember that spooked squirrels tend to have short attention spans. Waiting 15 to 30 minutes is enough time to bring more squirrels to the ground. After a few minutes, try shooting up and marking the downed one. If there is no sign of another squirrel, continue scanning branches until the animal begins to move down the tree side. It’s important to wait for the right moment to make this shot.
While you may have been told that lead #7-1/2s are better for squirrel hunting, the fact is that lead #7-1/2s contain a lot more energy than their lead cousin, the 7.8. As a result, they put less pellets on the target and are therefore better for holding the killing pattern further out. However, the 7.1/2 shot is a bit heavier than lead #8s and will require more practice to find a good balance between the two.
4s
A number four pellet will do the job of anchoring a squirrel, and a number five will do so without much problem. Both of these pellets will penetrate a squirrel’s thick hide, but a number four shell will cause more meat damage. While there are arguments against number four shells, they’re insubstantial. A number four shell will be adequate for most squirrel hunting distances and conditions.
When you’re hunting for squirrels, a single shot Stevens.410 will do the trick best. Its 410 pellets should have adequate penetration for medium-sized squirrels. The 3″ #6 steel pattern is best suited to squirrel hunting in dense brush, but a single shot Stevens.410 will give you the most bang for your buck. A number four shot shell is also a good option for testing different patterns.
As with any hunting scenario, choosing the right ammo is a critical component. If you’re looking for knockdown and coverage power, you’ll probably want to opt for a higher-velocity hollow-point cartridge. A higher shotgun load will have a higher knockdown power and more pellets. And if you want to shoot for sport, you can always opt for a lighter, less powerful shotgun with a smaller pocket.
For early season squirrel hunting, the No. 4s shells will work just fine. It will kill a squirrel when head shotged in leafy branch tips or heavy foliage. It will also help tame squirrel runners. With a good range of sight, a 4-5X scope can help you zero in on your target at a range of 25 to 40 yards. This is crucial since many shooting opportunities take place before sunrise and right before sunset.
While it may seem obvious to shoot a squirrel from a distance, squirrels are tough opponents. A squirrel on high alert is difficult to kill. And a 4s shell with the proper amount of shot will make the shot more effective at long range. And because of this, you can use your 4.10 for many other purposes. So, go ahead and get yourself a 4s shell for a 4.10 to squirrel hunt today!
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
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