longcruise
70 Cal.
So, here is an illustration that clearly shows what is happening on those straight up shots. As we all know, a ball follows a straight line exiting the muzzle for only an inch or so. From that point on it begins dropping in an ever increasing arc until it lands on the ground. We compensate you aiming a bit high. How much higher depends upon how far away the target is. BUT, when we shoot straight up, the only effect of gravity is to very gradually slow the speed of the ball. There is no curved trajectory within the confines of our squirrel hunting distances.Off handed for me followed by straight up. The squirrels have a real good chance of living through either one!
The wider line at the bottom represents our barrel, of course.
Obviously, every range needs to install a tower that can lift a target holder to various distances to allow each squirrel hunter to study the exact ballistic behavior their specific rifle.
As to the shooting from a rest problem, we need to engineer inverted L shaped rests that attach as a bipod to your AR (I know you all have one). That way the hunter can lay on their back and have a perfect resting shot at any overhead squirrel.
This is a special advantage to certain hunters of a certain age who prefer to sit and wait for the squirrels. The correct camo pattern will appear as does the forest floor which should NOT bear any resemblance to any manner of forest mast crop lest it encourage unintentional and toothy attacks by their quarry. This risk becomes even greater for the hunter of a certain age who engages in this new and deadly strategy in that the hunter will likely be asleep at the time of the attack. In actuality, that certain type of hunter would probably not be able to rise up to prevent the attack.
Be careful out there!!