5.56 is easier to find right now than .22, I'd prefer not to fuck up the oak trees with my shotgun, and my pellet gun is single shot (usually you get multiple squirrels close together, so having a quick second shot is convenient). Dead is dead.
I just realized I've been on the bike for almost 30 minutes with my headphones in and not listening to anything. #likeagirl Am I doing right? I'm also trying to figure out a way to take a picture of the old guy wearing a sponge as a headband. My son went snow tubing last night. I asked if he had all his gear and he said he had the purply snow pants. Not knowing we had them in that color and wondering exactly what they looked like, I asked to see them. He pulls them out of his bag. "Patrick, they're navy blue." "Yeah, so? I'm a little colorblind". I laughed. At least I was correct in that I did not, in fact, buy purply snow pants.
This is why we can't have nice things. Holy shit dude, even I wouldn't do that. I am hung over (boxed wine was still worth it) and discovered pizza in the fridge. It's a miracle.
But down here the AR is a tool. It's a hunting rifle, yes, when needed. Just like a hammer is also a weapon when called into duty. I harvested an incredible 12 pointer with the 5.56, and I've also exterminated more pests with it than the pest control person ever got with their poison. That 5.56 is just comfortable for me. It's like that rusty old hammer that fits in the palm of your hand and still drives nails with the best of them.
We used to plink groundhogs with a .223 all the time... didn't leave much left of them. A flat of beer, a high powered scope, a big box of ammo, sitting on a ridge beside a farmer's field was a great way to spend a day, I tell you what. All you kids with your fancy NATO shit... back in my day, it was just a plain old .223 that hasn't changed since the 60's.
Drunk me made sure not to drink all my jamba juice last night. So while stumbling around trying to find something to drink this morning I found that sugary miracle. Nothing better than a cold smoothie to ease the morning pain
I grew up shooting .223 as well. It's just a really familiar round. Only reason I transitioned into the "OMG scary AR!!!" is because it allowed be a little more customization for what I wanted. Namely, night time hog hunting. I take it with me fishing all the time. Throw it in the back of the truck, bass fishing can turn into shooting gallery real quick. Can't tell you how many nutria I've bagged with that thing.
Yeah but at the ranges you are talking about, a few yards from your house, on tiny targets that's like using a jack hammer when hanging a picture frame. ARs are great for long range varmint hunts and are becoming popular for your smaller end large game like white tails. Shit just seems way over kill and not the glove like fit for the situation as you are claiming.
Nevermind that shit, GUINNESS HAS POTATO CHIPS. http://time.com/3696386/guinness-flavored-potato-chips/ Comes in Guinness flavor and... Guinness Beef Chili. Oh holy fuck, Ireland. Beef and beer stew chips. I have to go change my knickers.
But what if you just really like using jackhammers? It's a man's prerogative to be able to use tools that are totally not meant for the job that they are being used for. #JustLikeABoy Followed shortly by a trip to the ER with a self-inflicted bullet wound. #JustLikeNerds
Dead is dead. With targets at unknown ranges (anywhere from 10 feet to 100 yards), who move, and require quick target acquisition and potentially a follow up shot on another target at a different range? You go with what you're comfortable shooting. Besides, like ToyToy said, it's only overkill if you plan on eating them.
I'm guilty of shooting squirrels with a .223. It's a bit much, but on the bright side it turns them into two easily disposable pieces!
Are you going to shoot at squirrels up in a tree with that .223? Do you realize how fucking far that bullet would go? Unless your closest neighbors are miles away, I'd take that into consideration. Even a .22 will go a mile, mile and a half. Oh yeah make sure your house isn't behind the tree too. You don't need to rationalize going overkill on vermin and using whatever you're comfortable with to me, but the Illinois in me considers squirrels game animals and doesn't want to blow 'em up. That's all. How hard can it be to buy .22lr ammo in your area? Is there absolutely none available?