Welcome to BGH.
I would suggest you contact The dept of natural resources,local gun clubs etc and take an appropriate Firearm Safety Course iif you have not yet done so. Some jurisdictions require specific training, others just seem to let you "wing it"
a 22 is probably the most under rated firearm on todays market. Many folks think " that little bullet can't do much damage". It is about as deadly a cartridge as it gets.

You're on the right track by thinking safety first

thanks for the reply, i have been around guns my whole life, but haven't hunted yet, and as far as just plinking or target practice i am fine, and i also took the hunters safety course a long time ago.
But i just am wondering about shooting a an upward angle, which i don't think i have ever done with any sort of rifle.

If you want to knock a squirrel out of a tree and play it safe, use a pellet gun or shotgun with bird shot. That .22 will travel a ways, and will come back down. You could always just wait for a more level or ground shot too if you choose the 22. You sure will stand a better chance on rabbit with a shotgun though for running shots.

What goes up must come down and I'm pretty sure a .22 will travel in excess of a mile. How about a .410 or 20 gauge? Those pellets won't travel nearly as far.

.410 would be perfect for that.

Yea I would also agree with red and french use a nice pellet gun or a 410. It is proven when shooting on a upward agle a 22 shell will travel atleast a mile if not more if its not stopped by something. Thats why hunting with a rifle for waterfowl is illegal because the bullet will riccachet off the water and you never know where it will end up its way to dangerous. I would have to say if your close to any houses or civilization not to use a 22 for squirrels. Plus these days you can get some pretty powerfull pellet guns. Dont use a 12 guage trust me on that.

410. is the best bet the pellets dont travel near as far as the 22. and your more likely to hit them lol if your a bigginner
its also great for grouse and rabbits especially if your in thick bush

nice 410. crack shottie would be cheap and effective!
my father has a really old remington single shotgun that i started out with

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Yeah i guess that is what i thought that the .22 would travel to far, i will have to look to see we have one laying around. If not, what can i expect to pay for a decent one (sorry pretty vague).

I would think you could find a decent one for couple hundred bucks

Play the waiting game, look hard. Single shots are fun to use, and you can usually find a .410 or 20 guage for under $100. At least around here.