Too tough squirrels

[Calson]

I have hit three squirrels with head shots that spun them 360 degrees and they were still able to run off. I have some very disappointed red shouldered hawks as a result.
Using an Air Arms S510 in .25 caliber and top pressure in the gun and 16.54 grain tin pellets.

Any suggestions other than going to lead?

 

[qball]

You might have shot them in the head but clearly not the brain, it’s a very small target. I would highly recommend going for a good vital shot which will drop them in less then 10 yards with much bigger kill zone. I have made a few “head shots” myself that needed follow up shot, unless I’m 100% certain of a brain shot I would only take a vital shot. Just advice from experience.

 

[L.Leon]

Maybe none of your "head shots" hit the brain. What distance where said squirrels shot at? Seems like your setup would do the job... Maybe go for shot to the heart/lung area. Your shot placement might be to blame.

 

[BluegrassBill2020]

I've killed 24 of 25 at 30-40 & 1@90 ft head shots. #25 went down and got back up and ran off haven't seen in 2 wks now. Gamo Urban .22

 

[Feinwerk]

This does happen. They are tough! I call this an NLP....non lethal perforation. We too, have red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks that come looking for the buffet.

 

[douger]

i got few red tails they seem to group up to me plus some huge cooper hawks that will come looking for a free lunch

 

[HikeNseek]

Not hitting the brain; I recently switched to heart shots with my .25 for the same reason, slightly larger margin of error and helped my confidence on longer shots.

 

[SHOMER]

I practiced shooting avocado pits/seed which is about the size of their melons, having always been a headshot guy. But alas I too switched over to the much quicker easier heart/lung area. My best shooting fest so far has been nine squirrels in about 45 minutes. Our birds were very happy with their still warm takeout orders, the squirrel community not so much.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I have hit three squirrels with head shots that spun them 360 degrees and they were still able to run off. I have some very disappointed red shouldered hawks as a result.
Using an Air Arms S510 in .25 caliber and top pressure in the gun and 16.54 grain tin pellets.

Any suggestions other than going to lead?

From how far out were you shooting?
Here are a couple of threads that I found helpful in discussing brain shot placement.

This specifically deals with squirrels and contains graphic photos https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/brain-shots.1198442/

Skeletonized skulls- fantastic teaching tools for brain shots (warning- graphic)

There is no doubt a well-executed brain shot is the most humane hunting kill possible; however there is little question few hunters are skilled enough to consistently execute that most humane execution. Those facts indisputable, I’m proud to say evidence suggests serious airgunners are leading...

www.airgunnation.com

Personally, practicing shooting targets with pictures of the animals I intended to hunt helps me. Some members think otherwise, but I find it helpful with shot placement. The target below comes from a multipack (Crosman Varmint Targets) and cost around $5 for a pack of 20 - 4 different animals, 5 targets per animal.

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

This does happen. They are tough! I call this an NLP....non lethal perforation. We too, have red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks that come looking for the buffet.
View attachment 273517
View attachment 273518

View attachment 273519

That's a great looking red tail!

I've had 2 squirrels taken by cooper's hawks after I've shot them. They just come out of nowhere and steal my lunch!

 

[FelixS]

The easiest thing to try is going to lead. I am surprised no one else suggested this.

 

[Ezana4CE]

The easiest thing to try is going to lead. I am surprised no one else suggested this.

I think he was looking for suggestions aside from switching to lead pellets.

 

[Cannonball]

I think he was looking for suggestions aside from switching to lead pellets.

Correct, it’s in his original post at the very bottom. If I remember correctly, in a separate thread he had mentioned leaving the dead squirrels for resident hawks and didn’t want them consuming any lead that might be left over in the carcass.

 

[FelixS]

DoH!

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

What about the heavier copper pellets? They're an option. If it's powerful enough to be a complete pass thru, wouldn't it be safe to eat for the hawks? Hard lead pellets like crosmans would surely pass thru with the power this rifle can produce.

 

[Mr.H]

I usually opt for head shots. But in the case of this one, it was hiding up in a tree behind some leaves, so I approximated.
25 gr. JSB, .25 cal @ 860 fps, 35 yds.

 

[FelixS]

I usually opt for head shots. But in the case of this one, it was hiding up in a tree behind some leaves, so I approximated.
25 gr. JSB, .25 cal @ 860 fps, 35 yds.
View attachment 274362

Dang, I hate when that happens

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

I usually opt for head shots. But in the case of this one, it was hiding up in a tree behind some leaves, so I approximated.
25 gr. JSB, .25 cal @ 860 fps, 35 yds.
View attachment 274362

Ouch! At least it killed it. Grey squirrels that I've missed on a vital shot have lived to be shot another day. I can't believe how tough they are. Now when I use polymags they end up looking something like that pic lol.

 

[Mr.H]

Ouch! At least it killed it. Grey squirrels that I've missed on a vital shot have lived to be shot another day. I can't believe how tough they are. Now when I use polymags they end up looking something like that pic lol.

Polymags I’ve never tried yet.

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

Polymags I’ve never tried yet.

They are devastating on small game. They literally will blow a starling in half out of my 25s.