Does POI change in relation to POA as the barrel angle approaches vertical?

[pokey]

I ask because I missed the same red squirrel three times last night, and I was shooting almost straight up. My air rifle is sighted in for about 20-30 yards (I keep forgetting to measure my back yard), and it is dead on at that distance. The little buggar was right over my head, and not more than 35 or 40 feet up. It was too shady under the trees to see where the pellets impacted, but they sure as heck didn't hit a squirrel.

[Tatersoup]

yes.

[tnpaw]

Hey pokey! How many rounds have you got thru that new Rifle! POI and POA do change as you come off Horizonal Attitude! Take it from an old Ground Grizz hunter from way back! Now when shooting straight up, you will have to shoot and see! The reason I ask how many rounds through the rifle is mine start to lose accuracy after 100-150 rds. I just run a felt cleaning pellet or two, with a little Rem Oil through it and then a dry patch or two to bring accuracy back!... Tnpaw

[njcioffi]

As the angle increases, whether aiming uphill or downhill, your shots will start to go higher and you will need to hold under.

[pokey]

Ok, thanks guys. I really had no idea until I missed so bad last night and got really aggravated and thought hard about it.

tnpaw, I can't tell you how many rounds have been through it, because lost count when I spilled my tin of pellets (like an alpha fifty-five hole) and had to buy a new one. I also changed out the 14" barrel for the 18" one that I ordered before I got the rifle. My best guess is that there is somewhere between 150 and 350 rounds through the 14" and 100 - 200 rounds through the 18" barrel. I don't have any cleaning pellets yet, would a dry patch be ill advised? Also, it's still very accurate when I'm just shooting at the trap.

[tnpaw]

As long as it is still accurate, if thing is fine! When mine starts going different places on it's own, cleaning is the first thing I do! A dry patch would be fine! Just keep the brass brushes out of it! There are some good video's on YouTube about air gun maintaince! Also some good Rat Killing Video's , too!