Shooting Pests in Tree Tops

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nvelkhunter

Member
Aug 13, 2015
160
5
Nevada, United States
Ok we all know we shouldn't miss or take a risky shot but..... So the concern is if shooting at a tree top pest at 30 degrees and the pellet doesn't hit a thing how far is that sucker going to fly? Make the problem easy, assume flat level earth and no wind. My quick analysis is coming up with a lot more yards than I ever expected.

Used Chairgun to calculate based on my pellet and gun capability (18.13 gr & 870 fps muzzle). Chairgun's numbers are relative to the line of sight not earth, at least I think so. Translated numbers to a coordinate system relative to earth and found pellets still over 80 yards up at 700 yards out!

Yes there's not much energy left but still don't want to damage a distant neighbor's window or drop a pellet on their head.

Thoughts? How much clear space do you look for before taking a shot?
 
My Dad always taught me not to take a shot if there is a chance it might damage property, hit someone's livestock, or hit another person. There were many times I wanted to pull the trigger but a few cows were downrange of the target... That was a no go abort situation.

I know I haven't really answered your question. But I think when in doubt, don't take the shot.
 
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"glengiles"Living in a neighborhood I can only take shots at squirrels when they're on the ground in my backyard, period. It's tempting to to line up a shot when they're just 8' off the ground on a limb but no way.
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Man I hear ya. I shot a crow in my backyard with my Vulcan .25, it when right through him, more like obliterated him, and then the pellet lodged halfway into the wood of a 1/2" padded plywood backstop. So you can imagine, if I had shot that bird up in a tree, even if I hit him, that pellet is going to go quite far with ample power. So yes, I only shoot on the ground or with an appropriate backstop. I seriously need an adjustable power or lower powered air rifle for backyard plinking. I'm currently looking into that.

Oh I don't shoot squirrels, my wife thinks they're cute. I like sex better than dead squirrels. YMMV.
 
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I think many people do not have adequate ranges/backstops for target ( and I need it whisper quite eh ?) and hopefully actual squirrel hunters and such do know 800 yards is hit-able on accident. Use a swaged slug and you are right at .22LR distance due to less drag.
Even a perfect skiop off a rock not know to be in the yard WILL travel a LONG distance.
A great reason to use a .177 and 12fpe, along with making you a better shooter you and others are much safer.


John
 
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"glengiles"There are most certainly spots in my backyard I can't take shots from due to ricochet which further restricts my shot opportunities. This is why I have a lot of fat, happy squirrels in my yard and attic. 

I wouldn't play around letting those things in the attic. My fathers neighbor did and he got to build a new house when the tree rats chewed the wiring and set it on fire. He had a circuit go out and the electrician told him squirrels had caused a lot of damage. Home owner did nothing to keep them out and lost his house. At my place I hold my shot until they are on the side of a tree, giving a good backstop.
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