25.4gr AA Diabolo VS ballistic squirrel medium.

[Blowpipe Sam]

Had a nutter sneak up on me this evening.  I picked a good hunting spot, facing away from the setting sun but after about 20 minutes I could hear a squirrel stirring the leaves behind me.  I had to stand up and turn completely around to see it.  Fortunately it didn’t see me.  Range was about 20 yards, slightly uphill, and into the glare of the sun.  I estimated the hold under, aimed for the center of the squirrel silhouette (which was all I could see) and let one go.  There was a most satisfying smack of lead on flesh and the critter rolled a couple of yards down hill, DRT.
The .25 cal AA domes are very accurate in my Hatsan Mod 125 and they generate a healthy 27.53 fpe.
The pellet hit the squirrel in almost the center of its chest, penetrated the rib cage, destroyed the vital organs and continued on until stopped by the spine. Reflexive twitching lasted less than two seconds.  Damage to the vital organs was massive.  I couldn’t even find the heart.
That’s the third nutter I’ve killed with the .25 and it is proving to be very powerful but also surprisingly accurate.

[ranchibi]

Carter, excellent shot and photo! When they hardly move, you know the projectile did some major damage!

[ER00z]

Great shooting and a nice one you got there. A .25cal with 27+fpe is serious medicine on squirrel 

[JimD]

Congratulations!  I've been using a 25 on squirrels this fall and I find it is very effective.

[A moron]

Makes me glad im not a squirrel trekking across your yard 😜

[Blowpipe Sam]

Thanks guys. I don’t like the weight of this gun and I don’t like how muzzle heavy it is.  It is a load to carry through the woods and it’s hard to hold steady while aiming.  But it is very accurate and man it does a number on squirrels!

[Back_Roads]

 They sure do deliver a wallop, my first kill with mine was a cottontail at 25 yards, Poly mag, lets just say the result looked similar to a whitetail shot with a high power rifle 

[Smaug2]

> 27 FPE and it didn't even punch through!? 

I'm shooting squirrels through the vitals with 18.1 gr. .22 domes and it blows through them with enough energy left to blow up the dirt on the exit side.

Must be quite the "WHOP" when it hits. No point in even shooting expanding ammo, then.

If you want something a bit lighter but still with enough juice, you might consider a Crosman Diamondback in .22. Mine's shooting at around 22 FPE and is accurate enough for vitals shots out to 25 yards. They frequently go on sale for around $115 without the scope and rings. It's still a magnum gas ram break-barrel, so still muzzle heavy, but I bet nothing like a Hatsan 125.

Or if you want to go fancy, Diana 48s are about that power level and aren't so muzzle heavy, because the barrel doesn't have to double as a cocking lever. I'm gonna get another one of those one day and have it tuned.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I’ve got a line on a .22 cal Hatsan Mod 95 right now.  I’ve also got a closet full of 12-20 fpe springers and pumpers. 

 The pellet was stopped by the spine and deflected downward into the abdomen.  It was a real mess in there. 

I’m willing to put up with the weight and bulk of this gun in return for the flat trajectory and terminal performance.  I wish it shot H&N Crow Magnums or Baracuda Hunters well.

 I’ll have to try the poly mags.  I’ve looked at them before and thought they were a bit expensive but now that the gun is well broken in I might chance it.

[A moron]

Lol...  Dont know why ,but seen this and your post popped in mind

[Bicycleman]

Cap, you are doing a fine job gathering ingredients for the cookpot.  Congratulations!