Diana 36 .177 impresses..

[only1harry]

I was kind of down today not having seen a squirrel in 4 days, and was beginning to think that I had annihilated them.  Still I was persistent and wanted to know for sure.  So for the 3d day in a row I took position at the window again at 4pm.  Yesterday I was at the at window from 3:30 to 6:15 and nothing.

Well around 4:30 I heard some noise in the trees in the backyard like something waking on the ground.  I loaded a 7.9gr CPHP in the Diana 36 and kept my ears in tune.  I hear another little sound like a twig or leaf moving and all of a sudden a Gray jumps out from behind a bush and heads for the base of the biggest tree back there as many of them do.  I know the distance to the base of that tree well.  It just a hair under 25yds.  The squirrel was on the ground and circled the tree once, then stoped, looked like he spotted me.  I had adjusted the A/O and put the crosshairs on its head, when he hid behind the tree again.  A few seconds later he stuck stuck his head out again.  He did this 3-4 times until finally he settled down and stuck his head out one last time, only this time he was facing me straight with his head down a little.  I put the crosshairs between its eyes and before he could move again I squeezed the light trigger of the 36.  I immediately heard a LOUD "crack" and it was the all familar sound of the squirrel's skull getting cracked open.  The squirrel jumped about 2-3ft off the ground and landed on the ground twitching with a very small and short death dance.  He then came to a stop up against a fallen limb and expired on its back. 

The shot was almost too perfect (pat myself on the back, hehe), but I was surprised at the hole and damage the CPHP made.  I have shot about 20 squirrels with the 36 but have never seen damage like that.  The bone on the skull had given in some around the pellet hole, making it look like at least a .22 hole, plus there was some brain matter there. 
His eye also popped out.  It's not the first, nor the 3d or 4th time I have popped their eye out, but I don't think I 've ever done it with the 36 or a .177 pellet.  Only with 350 and Condors. 
Now don't even think I used any of my Condors on this squirrel.  The 36 with the puny 7.9gr CPHP were the only culprits!  The hole may look bigger than actual size in the pics because I parted some of the hair aside to make it more visible in the pics. I probably should have left it alone.
I really like that the 36 shoots dead on from shot #1 - cold.  On the Chrony it seems like shot#1 (cold) is always 10-15fps less than shot #3 or #4 where it settles down and becomes consistent, but the POI does not change which is what I like. Whether it's 910fps or 895fps its shoots dead on.  3d season now pesting and sniping with the 36, and it has yet to let me down.  Have never missed or lost a critter with the 36.  BTW, this gun is 9.5yrs old.  I hope I don't jinx it

[Froghunter]

Harry,

Great read and nice shooting. The 15th of September..........I'm hoping my Diana 40 will be harvesting some Gray Squirrels.

Froghunter

PS: I will have to hunt hard to get my harvest count up!

[only1harry]

Thanks William.  The 34 variants like the 36, 40 & 45 are all great hunting rifles.  We 'll be looking forward to your 40's harvests.  I need to get one more to make a decent meal.  This was not a big one or fat one, but just below average.  I think he was from this Spring's litter.

[shadow]

Great shooting and pic's Harry.......scared him so much his eye bulged hehe. Ed

[dk1677]

Great shooting there Harry!

[timegoat]

Nice shot! Glad one finally showed up for you.

- Mark

[only1harry]

Thanks guys.  I am glad there 's still some wildlife coming through my yard once in a blue moon, hehehe

A big 20+lb raccoon came in 15min. ago and surprised the hek out of me.  9:30pm is NOT the norm for them at all and I think this is the earliest a bandit has come.  Just when i was about to put some food out the Ding Donger goes off.  I turned the outside lights on thinking it had to be a cat or a skunk, but no, it's one of the "bruiser" bandits!  The cat food bowl was almost empty and within a few secs after I turned the light on, he finished it quickly except 8-10 pieces of dry food, and took off running.  They don't like the 160W flood light at all.  They come in more often when I leave it off, like about every other day.  When it's on for a week straight, they may come in once, if that, and will only stay 30-60 secs max.  When the lights are off they stay up to 5min.

I am thinking of going back to the 100W bulb. It was soft and "weak".  They didn't seem to mind it much 2yrs ago and would come right in.  The 160W is just blinding strong.  I 'll leave it off for now and use my blue gun light.  I just have to try real hard not to pull the trigger until October, even though they usually trash my backyard (patio chairs & tables).  I 'm pretty sure it's because I put the cat food for this cat we have sort of adapted, up on a chair so the skunks don't get to it.  It seems the raccoons want to check every chair now to see if something is on it, and knock them over very easily when they get up on 2 legs to check it out.  They push them right over, whereas the "cat food chair" has 2 large flat stones on it weighing it down by about 15lbs, and doesn't get knocked over as often. But they still do it about every other visit or 1 out of 3 visits.  One of these nights one of them will get bit by one of those rocks on the head and I will go out one morning and find one dead or injured    

[1377x]

wow thats some damage for a .177 cphp
nice shooting!

[Furseeker]

Wow Harry great story and even better shooting. You would think with an eye that size that litter critter would have seen you coming.

[only1harry]

Thanks guys!

I think he did see me coming Dave.  Critters are so scared of me, they develop physical problems once they see me    I leave a long lasting impression on them

[Atchman2]

Nice shooting man!  I think there are so many lights in our neighborhood the critters don't care how bright.  I have a 500 watt lamp that I put on the fence during bandit season. 

[only1harry]

Well Randy, maybe your night critters are more social than mine, and like the night life, lights and action   Maybe if I put some spinning "Disco" lights out, they 'll come ?   

[Jonesin]

Nice shot!

[only1harry]

Thanks.  I was in Sterling, VA a couple of times for business/training.  I love it there.  The temps are mild (better than NY) and the houses big.  And it was inexpensive compared to NY.  We visited some caves (took my wife with me while training for the company, hehe), and some fine restaurants.  The country side is also beautiful, and very picturesque with farms, white fences and horses, rivers, etc.  Very nice over there and close to the Dulles airport and DC.  If I ever move out of state that is one area I 'd consider living in.. if I can afford that town   That was 10+yrs ago.  I 'm sure it won't seem as inexpensive to me now..  A lot of big companies there.  We stayed at the Hyatt hotel.

[Jonesin]

I am 10 minutes from Dulles! I love this area. My hometown is Lovettsville and went to HS in Purcellville. Grew up hunting when this county was considered "country". I love to hunt this area but it gets harder and harder every year.

[Nightstalker]

Nice Shooting Harry and I Love the 36! I wish i had one to set beside my 34P and 350 Magnum .22 cal.Oh well I've got the 470 TH coming in 2 weeks so the 36 will have to wait,he he,,love the Diana's! Troy

[only1harry]

Thanks.  Same here Troy.  Big fan of the Dianas.  In a few days my Diana stable will grow by 1 

[Nightstalker]

Nice,,you'll have to post a pic as I'm kind of curious which one your adding to your collection.I just got news this morning,my 470 is pushed back an extra 2-3 weeks,(Big Demand I guess)! Now I've got to buy something else to fill the void,he he,,maybe it's time for that 36 after all,lol. Happy Shooting.