I don't know where this doe squirrel came from; I haven't seen her around. I guess they're coming out to feed, now that we're having a warm spell. (40s)
My daughter (4) was having breakfast and I spotted the nutter out of the corner of my eye. I had to sneak out and pop that squirrel unbeknownst to her. I told her I had to go do something in the garage, and that she should keep working on the yogurt with Cheerios, despite the sudden lack of fatherly moral support.
You may recall that yesterday's squirrel took a CPHP through the chest, and the squirrel barely seems to have slowed it down. I got just one lung and the squirrel lived a bit longer than I'm comfortable with. (though he didn't get far) After watching the video a few times, I resolved to accept a bit of accuracy loss and re-zero for RWS Super H-Points (14.3 gr.) which is the weight range this gun likes. I spent a good couple hours down in the basement last night, shooting between 10 and 14 yards to make sure I have it right. The 4X scope doesn't have mil dots, so I'm back to guessing hold over by inches @ yards instead of mil dots.
This time, I have my good camera back; I set it to high speed video mode. No sound and not as much footage before and after the shot, but we can really see the impact of the pellet.
I hit a bit far back yesterday (which is why I only got one lung) so I held a little further up today. It can be tricky, since their torsos are bent at 90° when their on their hind legs chewing. Since the NP2 is a lightweight magnum springer and therefore quite hold-sensitive, I was careful to zero using the exact same hold last night.
It all came together when I cut loose with the Super H. I expected the pellet to exit, but not too fast. To my surprise and joy, it did not exit! That doe squirrel took all 20 FPE from the soft lead hollow point and she just folded over and twitched for a few seconds. I've found that with some chest hits, their reflex is not to jump, but to fold up into the fetal position and close their eyes; they just curl up, fall down, and roll over. I'd like to think it's the heart area, but sometimes I clip the heart an they still run for a bit. Maybe it has more to do with what alert level they're at.
I didn't have time to clean her, as I was late again today. I had to sneak her inside in a plastic grocery bag and just put her in the fridge. I'm sure Ivy will be delighted to find her there later.
I can't wait to open her up and recover the pellet. I bet it's at least .30 caliber.
Without any further fanfare, here's the clip:
My daughter (4) was having breakfast and I spotted the nutter out of the corner of my eye. I had to sneak out and pop that squirrel unbeknownst to her. I told her I had to go do something in the garage, and that she should keep working on the yogurt with Cheerios, despite the sudden lack of fatherly moral support.
You may recall that yesterday's squirrel took a CPHP through the chest, and the squirrel barely seems to have slowed it down. I got just one lung and the squirrel lived a bit longer than I'm comfortable with. (though he didn't get far) After watching the video a few times, I resolved to accept a bit of accuracy loss and re-zero for RWS Super H-Points (14.3 gr.) which is the weight range this gun likes. I spent a good couple hours down in the basement last night, shooting between 10 and 14 yards to make sure I have it right. The 4X scope doesn't have mil dots, so I'm back to guessing hold over by inches @ yards instead of mil dots.
This time, I have my good camera back; I set it to high speed video mode. No sound and not as much footage before and after the shot, but we can really see the impact of the pellet.
I hit a bit far back yesterday (which is why I only got one lung) so I held a little further up today. It can be tricky, since their torsos are bent at 90° when their on their hind legs chewing. Since the NP2 is a lightweight magnum springer and therefore quite hold-sensitive, I was careful to zero using the exact same hold last night.
It all came together when I cut loose with the Super H. I expected the pellet to exit, but not too fast. To my surprise and joy, it did not exit! That doe squirrel took all 20 FPE from the soft lead hollow point and she just folded over and twitched for a few seconds. I've found that with some chest hits, their reflex is not to jump, but to fold up into the fetal position and close their eyes; they just curl up, fall down, and roll over. I'd like to think it's the heart area, but sometimes I clip the heart an they still run for a bit. Maybe it has more to do with what alert level they're at.
I didn't have time to clean her, as I was late again today. I had to sneak her inside in a plastic grocery bag and just put her in the fridge. I'm sure Ivy will be delighted to find her there later.
I can't wait to open her up and recover the pellet. I bet it's at least .30 caliber.
Without any further fanfare, here's the clip:
