Last Light Squirrel...She Didn't Quite Make It

[beachgunner]

I saw this gal on the fence superhighway booking it home to the pond that is about 1/4 mile from here. I was able to get out to the table and chamber a round while she curiously looked at me while sitting on a post cap. I was afraid she would get going, so I took a pretty hurried shot.

Bagged her in the neck. Huge puddle of blood where she hit the deck. As I squeezed the trigger, she started to move right. Very interesting part was there was just a hint of sunlight left coming from over my shoulder. Really lit up the pellet from behind as it made it's way to the squirrel. Very nice thing to see.

19 yards, JSB 15.89, Regal XL, Bench.

I know there are guns out there with more power, but man does this laser hit with some authority. As Jeremy (Smaug2) said to me when I was shopping for my first PCP, "It's almost like cheating". I agree it is, and I'm fine with it. 

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Holy Be-je-bers Michael, that squirrel looks like it was hit with a 90mm recoilless rifle !  Wow what A HIT !  Very Good Shooting Michael !     Best Wishes & More Good Hunting         -         Tom

[Mosin Marine]

Great shooting michael!

[dk1677]

Nice shot Michael!

[beachgunner]

Thanks guys.

[cryptoad]

Great shot, Michael!

[beachgunner]

Thanks Kim.

[mobilemail]

Good job. Since I started hunting squirrel with an airgun, using a PB feels like way too much gun.

[HunterOne]

Nice shot.  Well done.

[beachgunner]

Good job. Since I started hunting squirrel with an airgun, using a PB feels like way too much gun.

Thanks Mark. I agree. I've taken a ton of squirrels with a 12 fpe springer, and even that is plenty. Using a .22LR with 1200 fps, 40 grain standard ammo is like hitting a fly with a machete.

[beachgunner]

Nice shot.  Well done.

Thank you.

[VTME13]

Nice shot!

[beachgunner]

Nice shot!

Thank you Steve.

[Wayne52]

Great shot there Michael !!!

[beachgunner]

Thank you Wayne.

[Rwils002]

Excellent shot, I showed this to my buddy who is somehow convinced that you HAVE to use hollowpoint pellets to achieve effective terminal results on small game when shooting with airguns.

[Smaug2]

Those shots where we hurry a bit, because we don't think they're going to stick around long are tough. We've got to home in right away and send the lead before their curiosity gives way to caution. Neck shots can be just as effective as brain shots, and without as much dancing.

Nice shot. (cheater!) 

You said there may be more powerful guns. I think yours is shooting at 28 FPE or more. that is more than enough. My Hammerli 850, with which I was hunting last week, sent the JSB 15.89s straight through every squirrel I shot, even when I hit the shoulder at 40+ yards. It's shooting the JSB 15.89s at 25 FPE. The ones where I thought they didn't pass through actually did, they just didn't bleed enough for me to find the exit wounds until I skinned them.

[beachgunner]

Cheater I am..

I guess I was referring to the trend of larger caliber air rifles for hunting. 28 fpe with the 15.89's is more than enough to accomplish my goal of humane dispatches. Any more is certainly overkill for me.