HW30s joins in

[TCups]

After yesterday's dispatch of a nutter with the AR2078A, I realized that except for my Walther LGR-U, which is clearly above any such common tasks as pest control, the HW30s was the only one of my several air rifles that had not yet made a squirrel kill.  Further, Bob Werner had been kind enough cross hatch the compression tube, de-burr the cocking mechanism and lube the rifle for me a couple of months ago.  It has since been sooting very sweetly in the 615 FPS range and been re-topped with a Bushnell Trophy 4-12X 40 mm scope.  A very nice little rifle saying to me "what are you waiting for?!"  

So, again, this morning before my coffee, I load up a predator, and go to the back bedroom window to check out what's shaking in the tree about 12 yards away.  Answer:  This guys tail.  But he's down the trunk, and around the corner before I can get set and shoot.  OK, so now I have time to get comfortable, sit on the floor with the rifle resting on my knee and the barrel completely inside the window, and the lower half of the tree framed nicely in a 6 inch gap in the dark curtains.  And wait . . .  And it wasn't a very long wait, maybe 5 minutes, before the return.  Better yet, he climbs right into the center of the shooting lane, then turns right, perching on a horizontal limb with a perfect profile shot.  Well, at something like 12 yards with this little rifle (which I often shoot at 10 meter targets), this was a fatal move.  One shot and he's fallen down and dancing.  I reloaded and keep looking, but no more to be seen.  When I got the cameral and went back down for the photo, though, this critter is still moving and flopping a bit, and it has been maybe 5 minutes since the first shoot.  If you look closely, you will see 2 entry wounds just under the ear, the 2nd a coup de grace at close range, the first shot having been about a quarter inch too high.  Oops.

[Crzyfrlss1]

Nice hunt with a nice rifle.

I've always liked the looks of the HW30s over the R7 version, costs less too.

[PeakChick]

Fine shooting and waiting out your prey for the right shot Tommy. My HW30 has downed more pest birds than I can count.

[only1harry]

1 shot or 2 shots you still got him Tommy.  Way to go with that little HW30 shooter.

6.8fpe may not sound like much but at close range like that its kinetic energy can handle squirrels no problem with the right shot placement.  Head shots are you best bet so you did the right thing.  They disable the squirrel even though may not kill right away sometimes.  I often followed up with a 2nd shot when I used my 5.5fpe 760 pump on them from 10-15yds out many years ago.  3.5-4 fpe is all you need on impact to cause major trauma to their little head :)  

The Predator is a great hunting pellet.  I have done some considerable reseach on it and have read several test articles on this pellet.  Some of the tests seemed to have concluded that the Predator (like other HP's such as Cro Magnum) must be used/fired at a minimum of 10fpe (or hit the target with..) in order to expand properly and take advantage of its leathal capabilities.  Nothing wrong using it on a 7fpe gun.. if anything it's more than just another pellet with that polymer tip which helps crush and penetrate bone, but a pointed pellet or even a domed one, would probably accomplish the same task at this "lower power" range.

[gamo2hammerli]

Nice gun and nice shot at that nutter.  That first shot gave him a terminal headache...and the second shot put him out of his misery.

[CFX Marauder]

Nice nutter Tommy ! Please dont leave the Walther unbloodied !!! Thats a dead *_*_*_*_*_*xy rifle that would look great with a dead nutter or hapless bunny who wandered in to close !!

[shadow]

Another nutter down Tommy, great shootin with the HW30 and great pic's.:) Ed