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blip01 · Member

In my other thread I posted a video of a squirrel that got away after I failed to get a clean head-shot on it. This happened one other time, so I decided to spend some time today zeroing in my scope again for the distance I was mainly shooting the squirrels at, 42 ft., which is where I put down some bait for them.

I discovered my misses were caused by 2 issues, that's the OH! part, and I solved them.

First problem. I had sighted in before at only 26 ft. ,shooting across my basement. Today I was able to set up in my garage and shoot the full 42 ft. into my living room. (yeah, my wife wasn't home Laughing

)

The second problem I discovered was the Gamo Big Cat really needs to be held securely, like real tight or the barrel bounces too much. After shooting off a rest for about 20 minutes I couldn't get any sort of groups at 42 ft., they were all over the place. I switched between Gamo PBA pellets, and some plain Jane Crossmans. Same issue. Finally I picked the gun up off the rest held it like I was shooting my 12-gauge and it was dead-on. I started grouping shots into a squirrel target no problem. OH!

The whole time I was shooting at squirrels in my yard I was using a bipod and holding the gun lightly, just by the end of the stock. Rolling Eyes

I finished fine adjusting the scope with the Crossman pellets(the PBA pellets are way louder, too much "crack" for my backyard) and start packing up.

I walk into the kitchen with my gun and pellets and BAM! there's a squirrel sniffing around the trash can, 42 ft. away. Dude, you're so dead, I just sighted in at 42 ft., corrected my grip issue, and put 5 pellets in a bullseye on a squirrel target. I can't miss, right? Crack the kitchen window, cock the gun, load a pellet, sights on the squirrel, tight grip on the gun.....MISS. Embarassed

I sighted in with the Crossman's, but mistakenly grabbed one of the PBA pellets. That's the DOH! part. Those PBAs track WAY higher than the Crossmans.

Oh well. At least I completely missed him and didn't wound him.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Yes my friend, you are learning that you need to control every aspect of your shooting if you are to be a proficient hunter. I won't barrage you with snide remarks as others might since as a fellow hunter I can recognize when one is coming into his own.

I'm to the point where I sight in at the exact spot I see the birds I shoot land. In addition, I use the same pellets to hunt that I use to sight in with. I've even gone one step further and set my rifle on sand bags on the floor under my shooting window, so it never lays on its side and is horizontal to the ground. This is my way of eliminating any disturbances with the scope. Since I started doing this, I have become very proficient.

And keep sighting in between hunts. It will sharpen your shooting skills.

blip01 · Member

Ditching the bipod and holding the rifle firmly paid off today. I just dispatched two more trespassers. One who was gnawing on my trashcan lid again! Twisted Evil

The first shot was about 50 ft., the second was a little further. Both clean shots.

I haven't heard a peep from the attic or roof in quite awhile now. Mr. Green

blip01 · Member

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Yeah, you hunt to rid your property of vermin. I hunt for sport and food. Despite those differences, the act and process is exactly the same though. Kind of neat.