Ground squirrel appreciation thread

[Cantona256]

Gents,

I visited a new permission for the first time this past Monday and without a doubt, it was my best squirrel safari ever, PB’s included. It was epic!

As there were structures about, I stuck to my Brocock Sniper Safari in .177 shooting the JSB 13.43 Diablos at 820fps. Most of my shots were 50 yards and under, and despite this being our smallest caliber, any squirrel hit fairly ceased to be shortly thereafter. The little 177 continues to impress me, as does the effectiveness of the broadside heart/lung shot. Most times, the squirrel just rolls over SFD. And if they manage to go, they don’t go far.

I set my Roto Bench under the shade of an oak tree and didn’t move for 3 hours, except to fetch more air or pellets. I lost count at around 75 kills. After that I went mobile with my Trigger Sticks, and wacked a pile more. I estimate a body count of 100+ for the day. I think I may have a repetitive motion injury to my trigger finger now.

The ranch manager was EXTREMELY happy with the results and told me to come back anytime I wanted. He said the next day, the killing ground was carpeted with squirrel carcasses and vultures.

I took one snap at a road I called “The Trail of Tears”. I think, based on the photo, the name is entirely apropos. The road was 40-50 yards from my bench.

And all of this occurred in an area of about 1.5 acres…on a 1400 acre ranch. I think I’m going to have a busy summer.

Justin

View attachment 573887

Dude that’s so rad… how do you go about finding a permission like this?

Also I fully agree with the broadside shot in squirrels. I prefer it to the headshots actually. With my slugs it just instantly stops them dead which I like.

 

[ZekeZX10]

Well @Zebra13 it's not the 100+ squirrels you got lol but here's one from today.

Daystate Pulsar
16.5g Varmint Knockers @ 894 fps / 29 fpe

Squirrel was at 38 yards and I hit him a bit low (I'm zeroed at 50 yards), and here is where I'm glad for the extra penetration because I don't think the 10.03 JSB Knockouts that I've been testing would have been as effective, don't think they'd have penetrated nearly this much.

Hit him in the neck instead of his head but the 16.5g broke his neck, travelled down the spine a bit and almost broke through the opposite shoulder, slug was just sitting under the skin.

Another squirrel for the stew!