Research leads to building right squirrel rifle

ANDERSON COUNTY – When Richard Hale goes squirrel hunting, his rifle is probably worth more than his truck. OK, so he drives a beat up 1995 with about 250,000 miles. The rifle itself is probably worth more than 99 percent of American deer rifles, though the dentist from Garnett won’t disclose the gun’s worth.

“I’m going to (hunt) with this rifle more than any rifle I own, so I want to enjoy it the best I can,” he said.

▪ Rifle - Hale has been a fan of Winchester Model 52 .22 rifles since he was a boy because of the rifle’s legendary accuracy. He ordered ten rifle barrels when he decided to create his ultimate squirrel gun. That takes some looking online, since Model 52s haven’t been made since 1980. The barrel he selected was made in about 1953.

Hale and his daughter, Abby, a University of Kansas freshman also talented with rifles and hunting, fired at least 100 rounds out of each barrel, testing for accuracy at 100 yards.

They only shot under ideal, calm conditions, using the same scopes and ammo to keep things consistent. Barrels were cleaned after every 50 rounds. Many of the rifles kept five shots in groups of an inch or less at that range.

Hale placed his favorite barrel in a customized stock made from high-grade walnut, made by a professional in Missouri.

▪ Rather than an ultra-modern variable scope, Hale’s squirrel rifle is fitted with a six-power Unertl target scope, made in about 1950. It matches the era the rifle was made. It is also a scope with dial in about any range into his scope and the crosshairs will hit dead on. Using an electronic range finder, he’ll be able to shoot accurately on squirrels out to 150 yards or more.

▪ Hale hasn’t shot a squirrel with a shotgun since he was about 10. He tried a .22 magnum for a while but said the report was too loud and spooked too many animals. Now, he shoots only competition grade Ely .22 ammo which can cost up to five times more than standard. .22 long rifle ammo. It also shoots slower, but that means it shoots quieter, too. There is no piercing “crack” when he takes a shot in the calm woods.

“That comes handy when you’re in a situation where you have several squirrels around you,” he said. “With the quieter ammo I can often get more than one while the noise of the high velocity ammo would spook about everything around.”

This story was originally published October 3, 2015 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Research leads to building right squirrel rifle."