Bullets and fires

[terrace]

Is Anybody ever concerned about starting a fire while shooting squirrels
From the studies I've read (most shooting steel targets) it seems like the odds are slim with a copper jacketed lead core and go up with solid copper and steel core. Not sure where the leadfree VG's, NTX and Noslers fit in but I'm guessing if its on target the ground squirrel will cool the fragments

[Rick in Oregon]

Terrace, I'd opine that the answer to fires and shooting squirrels is "no".

As about 99% of squirrel shooting is done in, on, or around alfalfa, and the crop being rich, moist and green, the chances of starting a fire in green alfalfa is almost zilch, zero. But I'm sure hot bullet particles could start a fire on the fringes of the field, where the grass is dried and brown from sun bleaching.

Basically, I'd call it a non-issue.

[terrace]

Thanks rick
although I'm not shooting in irrigated areas that's the answer i was looking for

[Bill K]

Even tho fire is a real danger in dry grass and such. It still is not that dangerous, unless there are a lot of rock, then a spark caused by striking a rock is more apt to ignite the grass.
Most of our varmint style bullets, as more explosive and break apart, so a ricochet is not that likely. I am like RIck, it is highly unlikely that the way we shoot ground squirrels, fire is about a 99% non issue. Bill K

[brooksb]

I'm a little late on this topic, but here it is, at the range out of Oroville there's probably at least one fire a year there is dry grass but not real thick, but plenty of rocks so bulkeets are definitely an ignition source.

[Rick in Oregon]

Brooks, I'm sure you're right, seen it myself, but the OP specifically asked if a fire was possible while shooting ground squirrels. As most of that shooting usually takes place where it's green (squirrel food), fires are pretty much a non-issue.

In the 50+ years I've been behind a rifle shooting squirrels, no fires to report.....ever.

[brooksb]

Yeah I understood the OP, just thought I'd give some perspective. Plus I'm bored Leupold is in Beaverton getting checked out, and apparently my barrel is getting past its prime, so I'm down for long range.

[Bill K]

I will throw in another thought about fires in our fields.
While Ca. has very few, from what I have seen over the years in shooting in our pivots and squirrel fields, NV has numerous fires, every year in their ranges and shooting areas. ( Not in wet fields or pivots) and probably is caused mostly from the fact that NV allows FMJ, which a lot of shooters shoot and plink with, while that bullet is actually illegal in Ca. Bill K

[terrace]

20200508_111404.jpg (3.07 MiB) Viewed 2165 times

From 2 weeks ago This is pretty typical of where I shoot squirrels

[brooksb]

On trips to visit daughter at school near San Luis Obispo saw lots of Beechey GS's/digger squirrels, thought at the time it would be fun shooting. Not as numerous as Beldens but fun and and ya don't have to tvl far to shoot'm.

[Bill K]

Are those digger squirrels, the larger one's with the white ring around the neck area ? If so, I take them when I see them and around my area we call them ring neck squirrels. Like you say not as numerous, but enough, here and there, to make good targets. Bill K

[brooksb]

Yes, kinda a white patch on the back of the neck and down the sides...digger squirrel

[terrace]

Brooksb I am in Santa Maria right below slo that pic is about 20 miles up highway 166
Bill they do have a faint white around the neck not sure if they are diggers because all the images I see on line don't have intestines blown out like my pictures

[brooksb]

Got it, been on the LP many times.