calling all hunters: dealing with an air rifle- Grafic content

[patvetzal]

I have a couple of spring type rifles that were supposed to be good quality but neither one would kill a red squirrel. Most of ours up here are limited to 500fps or else they are classed as firearms the same as a 22...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

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I couldn't agree more! The snake shot for .22 it a terrible idea.
Heck, a high power air gun is more lethal than shotguns with small bird shot.
Shotguns unless high brass and bigger shot is simply cruel to use on racoon size targets.

ETA- Use pellets in air guns. Designed to expand for larger entry. Lung shots take a few minutes for the ultimate effect. And yes, high powered air guns over 700 ftps. http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Crosman Rifles.html The Crossman 2100 is an effective classic pellet gun for cheap. The Phantom is 1000 ftps and still under $100.

 

[AHappychick]

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Sorry just got back online...

its a Daisy Powerline 880 .177cal

 

[AHappychick]

thanks everyone. Yes I dropped it in one shot but I was in the window literally 5-6 feet from it and I have experience with some weapons as my DH and i own plenty (nothing I could even think about using if not at a range). Not only that but he was just standing there getting ready to eat I shot him right in the side of his head

After I shot him he just ended up on his side and did not move at all but was breathing steadily and blinking at me it was very sad. WHY do things so vicious have to be so freaking cute?????? Anyway, The air rifle was bought from walmart as a toy years before I owned chickens my hubby and i used to shoot cans in the yard and such. I figured if pumped a lot it was stronger than the CO2 ones we also have. I never put a shot behind the ear, I will keep that in mind thank you. as for the 22 i will get one with those hollow bullets just in case. I plan to move to a farm before the years end so this will not be such a concern when that happens. I have drowned many a trapped coon in the past few years and hate every second of it I know I need to suck it up though and do whats needed. Once I get the farm I am gonna get some LGD's and then no coons will bother me anymore and hopefully I wont have to do this anymore either.

I will look into a better air rifle as well I guess as long as it is not too expensive. I know there is a huge family of them in the trees in the wooded area behind my house I can hear them fighting sometimes with each other (sounds crazy) but I lock all the chooks up really good so they cant do too much damage that is as long as they stick to being out at night. I know sometimes they are perfectly healthy and just around during the day but I can not tolerate that.

Thanks again guys. If i am understanding correctly that behind the ear towds the brain is best and quickest?

 

[33yardbirds]

Here's a little trick I used as a kid for .22 shorts. I woud take a razor blade and cut an "X" about a 1/8 of an inch into the nose of the bullet. Never a through shot on any squirrel or rabbit, but have had .22 long rifle Hollow points pass through game up to fox size.

 

[roadrunnerred]

@aHappychick, see I don't know if I would be able to do what you did, that is what I am also trying to figure out about myself and making a decision to change an ordinance and raise chickens....I applaud you for your bravery.

 

[mjuenem]

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Actually I have never seen a .22 rimfire hollow point expand until it exits the animal and strikes the pavement. I don't think they have enough velocity. These are standard long rifle HP's I have used.

 

[mjuenem]

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Actually Walmart (here in NY) does carry a very capable air gun. I purchased a Beeman .22 caliber pellet gun that exceeds 1000fps with one pump. It comes with a scope sight and has taken several raccoons with one shot head kills. I believe it was around $120.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Next suggestion would be to buy or borrow a .22 and use the "snake" rounds instead of a traditional bullet. The snake rounds are essestially a shot gun shell and very effective I might add.

Thsoe work great for things no bigger than a rat, and at distances of less than 20 ft.

They won't kill a raccoon

I have to respectfully disagree with you on your assessment of their ability to drop a raccoon. Wouldn't be a one shot solution but would work if you were close enough.

I tried to kill a possum with one, but I guess 2 INCHES was too far, because it didn't seem to bother him at all.

They call it "Rat shot" for a good reason​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Not for shooting a wandering coon, but disposing of one in a trap, I would definitely use 22 shotshells, with the end of the barrel about 4" (or less) away from its head.

They still won't work.

Maybe if you stick it in their ear, but I wouldn't bet money on it​