1st shot of day

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crowski

crowski

Member
Dec 14, 2020
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On, Canada
I was shooting my hw98 .22 off and on yesterday into my snow targets. Couldn’t miss. Lethal till 5.pm. 

Having my coffee this morning, squirrel alert. I grab the 98, sight him in, squeeze the trigger, miss. No way. Not the first time this has happened.

After your gun rests for several hours does something change with the flight of the pellet with next shot? 
Another theory; I shoot from my deck which is 15 ft. down vertical when 
9C86ACF5-A3CD-49B8-98B0-06EDDB4E7230.1612801293.jpeg
target shooting. Now if Rocky is in the tree does the different angle change your sights?
59954AE4-3558-47A1-8664-C2B3C56C9E86.1612801586.jpeg
 Crow 
 
Mechanical or biological is the question. Meaning is it the gun or is it the operator?

For example, it's possible that a small amount of lube is migrating after being stored a while, contributing to more or less detonation on the first shot...altering both the velocity and harmonics. So store it in the usual manner and duration, then pick it up and put 5 pellets over the chronograph. Do you see signs of a settling in?

If not, it's probably the biological one. In my experience, that was the case more often than not.

 
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A slight amount of regulator creep will often happen in hours or days of non use. When it starts to do it in less time or when you are done with the creep you can pull the reg out, clean all the sealing surfaces and install new o-rings to end the problem.

OK then spring guns are a different matter completely. It's all the shooters fault then. ;^)
 
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As someone stated above a steep angle will affect point of impact. The photo of the tree tells me you shot about level when you fired from your deck. If this is true shoot a few targets from the angle you shot at the squirrel and shoot a few targets from the down ward angle you normally practice at then compare the points of impact of both angles.
 
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Throughout the day I grabbed 4 different guns, a 77,97,tx200 and lgu varmite,all sat idle at least few days. I was meticulous with the first shot on all, Your right they were all dead on. When I targeted where Rocky was they were high. there is about a 35° difference, as well the targets were 10 yards further than the squirrel.
I was aiming for his skull cap,my error. He is one lucky squirrel. Thanks for all the replies Crow 


 
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When shooting at some thing at an angle either high or low, You have to hold low. There is less impact from gravity on either of those shots. The big question always becomes how much? It really depends on the distance as someone else pointed out. In this case it sounded like a neck hold would’ve worked. 


The other question I would have is what were you shooting off? If because you saw a squirrel you set your rifle on the railing of the deck, it’s going to bounce high every time. I am not at all saying you did this, it sounds to me like you had a good set up and took your time. But any hard objects, a Springer is going to bounce away from. Even if you’re holding to the side of a window it’s going to bounce away from the window significantly.

Springers are awesome. Once you master the Springer, the PCP is much easier.

mike
 
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Flintsack I held the railings and rested the gun on my hand,

Not thinking I sighted,shooting down because in winter I shoot off my deck. I’m out 5 times a day for 5-10 rounds ea. then back in to the warmth. 
I think I’ll set up targets at both locations and take some readings. I ordered a range finder, it will come in handy.

I avoid PCP’s like the bubonic plague. I’m hoping the springers keep me occupied. I’d welcome master but I have to get out of Mickey first. Much appreciated. Crow
 
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