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

[mjuenem]

Quote:
They still won't work.

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

I agree. Tried .22LR snake shot for rattlers and found they wouldn't kill a rattler from my waist to the ground. Did you ever take one apart? That's not shot, it's dust. I quickly changed over to .38 shotshells.

 

[Dennq]

Get a 17 HMR. Bullets blow up when they hit anything. Kills coons dead!

Shoot them in the eye with that pellet gun.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

That's not shot, it's dust.

I quickly changed over to .38 shotshells.

Most of them use #12 shot

Most hunters would use #6 for squirrels, and #4 or larger for coons

 

[1320]

Quote:
Any ya think a .177 calibre air rifle is? Based on the information in the original post, a .22 shotshell is absolutely the best choice. The poster lives in a populated area and has children. Absolutely ludicrous is recommending a high powered anything in this situation, including more powerful air rifles. Reading between the lines, I think the poster would like to have a one shot harvest but is willing to compromise this in the name of safety, liablility and responsibility.

 

[zengrrl]

Quote:
This is something that I know I'm going to have to deal with. I certainly can't discharge a gun where I live but was just looking online at amazon at airguns, bb guns. All I can hope is to find something to scare whatever it is away.

 

[hunter109]

get you a live trap or a couple foot hold traps and set around the area you have seen the coons you have to make a small hole though if you use foothold traps but they work good or just shoot them pesty things i kill any i see i run them over on the road with my truck when i see them so yea

 

[AHappychick]

thank you Bear Foot that is very helpful. I am going to look into a lot of things mentioned.

As for a shot to the eye I had heard that this works but was completely unable and I guess unwilling to do that for some reason it seemed worse to me even though in my heart I know I was hurting it anyway but I dont think I could deal well with an image like that in my head.

If I set leg traps and traps everynight I would certainly have a coon almost everyday because there are just dozens around me. Normally I only set traps when I have an issue with one trying to enter coop or in some cases succeeding in getting a chook because i made some mistake in locking them up. I try to live by "live and let live" but obviously that is just a goal and not always possible.

Thanks again for all the great responces I love BYC

 

[Quail37]

the gammo air rifle is pricy but it can kill even a hog. thes are sure enough pellet guns that shoot like a 22. they are the best on the market.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Based on the information in the original post, a .22 shotshell is absolutely the best choice

I can't understand why you'd repeat that when so many have already stated from experience they DO NOT work on animals that size.

If a .177 diameter projectile won't give quick kills, how could a .050 size be better?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat-shot

Rat-shot (also called snake shot) is generally used for shooting at snakes, rodents, and other small animals at very close range. It is used by farmers in rifles for the control of birds flying inside of barns and sheds, as well as for killing rats, for the simple reason that rat-shot will not damage the metal roof of a barn or the metal sides of a shed, while still being effective against small pests at close distances. The maximum effective killing range of such cartridges is very limited, typically being less than 10 to 16½ feet (3 to 5 meters).

Rat-shot is weak, and will not break skin at more than 5–10 meters. At this distance, it only has a small chance of tearing through a sheet paper target

The best choice is going to be either a 22 cal pellet rifle with 800+FPS velocity, or a .177 cal rifle with a 1000+ FPS velocity, a good pointed pellet for penetration, and ACCURATE shot placement either to the back of the skull or the temple

http://www.airgundepot.com/22caliber-air-rifles.html

22 caliber air rifles are the best choice for medium to large pests. The extra weight provides the best take-down power in a pellet gun. Look for velocities of 500-900 fps for best results in a .22 caliber air rifle. The pellet will not fly as far in a .22 air rifle compared to the lighter weight calibers, but the better penetration is worth the loss in speed and carry.​

 

[1320]

I can't understand why you'd repeat that when so many have already stated they DO NOT work on animals that size.

I repeat that because is solid information and for what it's worth, there are as many posters that agree as disagree. Matter of fact, I think it's 4 to 3 in favor and 1 indifferent. Some say it works, some say it doesn't. I understand that it's difficult to see this when it doesn't support your position.

I've used .22 shotshell to harvest many critters up to and beyond racoon size, it works. My recommendation is based on experience. Ever used the round yourself?