GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: timegoat on July 23, 2010, 03:08:15 PM
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Well well well. My new 34 compact got it's first kill today. Red squirrel sitting on top of the bird feeder gave me a perfect head-on shot, and I took it. I knew from the 30yd bench match I shot today that it was shooting well enough to take a squirrel with authority and it did. Got this guy between the eyes but closer to the left. Didn't take a photo of the entry wound cause the left eye was bulged out a bit and looked gross. I'm a bit squeamish with this stuff. :-\
Details: Diana 34 Meistershutze Compact with CPHP .177 at around 25 yds; 3-9x40 scope at 9x.
Boy howdy did that pellet hit hard! I gave it a warning first by shooting at a large tomato can near the feeder to try to scare it away. Obviously it didn't care. Death must have been instant because it dropped immediately and it was directly below the feeder when I got down there. The pic is how I found it.
Why do I feel bad about this? If it was a mouse, a rat, or a mole I'd be shouting, "Take that, you (&#^((&^*!". Maybe it's cause they're so "dang" cute. Cute, destructive little ^(^^%$#^ that regularly pee and poo on my house. Well, at least it didn't suffer. I hate wounding them.
Anyway, Mori has now proven herself as a target shooter, plinker, and hunter. That's what I want in my rifle. An all around performer.
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Congrats on your 1st kill with the 34! The Diana 34 is a great all around gun. It's an excellent hunter. Other members here have taken much bigger small game with the 34 variants, like raccoon, possum and fox. Ed (Shadow) reported 1 or 2 coon kills recently with his Panther 34 .177. The .177 version is a solid 14+fpe (Foot-Pounds of Energy) at the muzzle, but like any gun it has its limits, so you have to be mindful of the distance, as the kinetic energy of the pellet decreases the farther out it travels.
Most critters depending on size and skull thickness, require 6 to 10fpe on impact to take down quickly with head shots. So as long as your "target" is within 30yds, (35 max), you should be able to deliver 8-10fpe with no problem down range with your 34. With head shots (only), you should be able to take most small game and backyard critters at "reasonable spring gun" distances. I would limit the (head) shots on medium-sized game like possum, raccoon, Groundhog, etc. to 25yds however, with the 34. Squirrel, rabbit and crow should be no problem at 30-35yds. My 36 (same as 34 but with checkering and Monte Carlo stock) delivers the most energy with JSB 8.4gr Exact pellets, or 14.6fpe and CPHP 2nd with 14.4fpe. The 34 is no Magnum Springer, but an excellent mid-powered one (at the very high end of "mid-power").
Shooting critters is not for everyone. You might feel better if you shot it for food or for a reason, like it was eating the veggies in your garden, or all the bird seed, chasing the song birds away, getting on your roof, house, etc. But you will either get used to it, or continue feeling badly. If the latter occurs over and over, you should probably stop, but only you know how you feel and how to proceed from here. I think we will see more posts from you in the near future ;)
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Good shooting and nice pic. Like Harry said, those 34's are nice shooters. No doubt the first of many harvests with that rifle....
Jeff
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Thanks Harry. I appreciate the comments. Trouble is, I'm doing it for all the reasons you mention except for eating. Although, one day, when my tummy settles a bit, and if I can convince my wife, I do want to cook one up. I hear they're tasty. Eh, I'm just a sensitive 41 year old boy. :) But a cheap meal is mighty appealing and messing with my home is something I can't tolerate. Once I cross that line, I think I'll be much better with it.
But again, if it was a rat or mouse, I wouldn't think twice about it.
The reds are in season all year round and I am licensed to hunt small game in my state. The grays get a pass till Sept thru Dec, but they're a problem for us too. We have chipmunks as well, but they don't cause any problems so they get a pass until they do. Eh, I've been shooting targets since I was 10, but I'm new to hunting. I'll get over it. :)
I don't plan on doing any critter shooting any further than 25-30yds as I'm most confident in my own shooting at that range or closer and my scope is generally set for that range as well. But that's very good to know. As I said, I don't like wounding them. If I'm gonna take an animal I want it to be very very quick.
Methinks you're right... you'll be seeing more from me. :)
p.s. Thanks Jeff!
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Nice shooting! Those reds raid song bird nets ! and are not native to the US
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Good shooting and pic. Ed
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nice shooting
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Thanks everyone! And ya know what? I'm over it. Even with empty feeders, they're still leaving their droppings on my house. "Tree Rat" is absolutely right.
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Actually if you learn to cook them very slow for 2-3 hours and use Peppercorn Medley by McCormick and sprinkle it lightly and fry (slowly!) It makes great eating. Not sure about The little reds but Fox and grays and blacks and our Abert squirrels out here in AZ are great table fare. Oh ya....good shot!