22lr bird shot

[steelheadSABO]

Hi has anybody used 22lr bird shot for hunting or target practice how much does it spread and whats the penatration like.I will be using it for mice in the dark

[BearSniper]

Never heard of it before.

It would seen to be a good application on Squirrrels ands Crows

[Mr. Dean]

I have some but never used then.

I opted for these instead:





Gotta be fairly close. IIRC after 15' they open up significantly. Wouldn't recommend them on birds. Rats however, go 'splat'.

[Gateholio]

I've used it on mice and packrats. Works great at close range.
I woudln't bother trying it on crows or grouse.

Great for in sheds and barns, when you dont' want over penetration, but it's not a good hunting device.

[kloosterboer]

I had some they were useless couldn't even go though cardboard at 5 yrds. But the one's i had were quite old so maybe there better now.

[Archer]

I shot at a starling from 5 yards, directly below him, and aside from a couple of feathers floating around, he was basically laughing as he glided away. The stuff is crap. I much prefer the old .177 pellet gun.

[kloosterboer]

The stuff is crap. I much prefer the old .177 pellet gun.

2nd That!!!

[Pete]

22 LR bird shot does work. However, you have to use a smooth bore .22 to make it happen. Bird shot coming out of a rifled bore does not work. The shot is spinning as leaves the barrel a result you will be more than lucky to hit anything much less dispatch it. Smooth bore .22 are still available today, Savage MKIG and Ruger 77/22 are and example of just a few. We used to use a smooth bore .22 with shot in pig barns to shoot mice and rats when I was younger
Pete

[Mr. Dean]

Bird feathers are like armour....

[ohno]

I have a box of 22LR w/ #12 shot. It is the size of cream of wheat or corn meal. It will not penetrate a sheet of paper at 25yrds.

As others have stated close shots are a must and a pellet gun may be a better option on mice.