Well I have been reading about all your adventures, so I thought I would contribute. Be a month before I go deer hunting but I dearly love squirrel hunting, and eating. Have been playing with a few neglected guns recently. Yesterday it was a Browning SA22, I put a 24 inch tapered barrel on it a few, 18 probably, years ago. It shoots one ragged hole at 25 and under a half at 50 with almost any subsonic HP. Took both squirrels within 30 second period. 2 makes a mess for me so headed back home to more project work.
The 2 above are with a Charger, Burris 4x mini mounted to the barrel so I can use it like a short rifle. Ducktail under my cheekbone and a handy tree for a front rest. 2 for 2 shots, both head shots, about 25 to 30 yards.
The scopes are a must with the leaves still on, even thru the scope it takes a bit to pick the head out from all the woodsy stuff.
Anyhow, get something out of the safe that is lonesome and go for a walk.