55 yards is not irrestponsible. I've taken jack rabbits to 85yards. There is plenty of footpounds available even at that distance to take them humanely if the shot placement is good. Nice shooting by the way.
Some people just can't take hearing about hunting. That's their opinion. Our opinion is different. Don't worry about it. I've been hunting so much in the last few years, that I tend to look for the "long shots" myself.
