Choosing the right BB gun

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Really? So don't use any metal pellets? What if the intent is JUST to shock with say - we get black bears here too. You cannot shoot to kill them(protected) but is it safe to shoot them with a bb and gun lalf-pumped like a dog?

The only safe thing to shoot a bear with is something that will break a shoulder and drive down through the lungs. Some DNR people use rubber buckshot on bears pretty succesfully but they have backup when needed. If you shot one with a pellet gun it would probably turn tail and run but I wouldn't reccoment it.

Shooting a bear with a pellet gun reminds me of the old saying that goes, "Never bring a knife to a gun fight."

Anyone foolhardy enough to go after bear with a pellet gun probably needs to go to confession before shooting. It might be the last thing you do!
If bears are protected, then they are not going to be fearful of man or his activities. The most you are liable to do with a pellet rifle is make them mad and angry bears are the last thing you want around. Use strong electric fences on them, keep your distance and don't attempt to "control" them with a pellet gun.

 

[Rin]

Quote:
Really? So don't use any metal pellets? What if the intent is JUST to shock with say - we get black bears here too. You cannot shoot to kill them(protected) but is it safe to shoot them with a bb and gun lalf-pumped like a dog?

The only safe thing to shoot a bear with is something that will break a shoulder and drive down through the lungs. Some DNR people use rubber buckshot on bears pretty succesfully but they have backup when needed. If you shot one with a pellet gun it would probably turn tail and run but I wouldn't reccoment it.

Well, the black bears here are complete cowards. I wouldn't mess with one with a cub though but the best thing against them seems to be dogs. We had one come on here already and get into the shed and steal chicken feed only for my LITTLE dog to frighten it off with a single bark. I just want to have it as backup if that occurred again and the bear decided it could take her. Granted it's been months and that sucker hasn't been back since.

 

[Ozark Chicken]

practice practice practice!!!! I'm proud of anyone that knows its a tool and only as good as the operator that uses it. The pellets wont ricochet near as bad as the BB's. Pellets are soft lead, RWS makes very nice pointed ones. Daisy is good, Crossman is also a good choice. If your looking for a step up look at RWS in a barrel cocking model (pellets only) and if you want to really step up to the best (IMHO) look at fenwerkbrau in a side cocking model. this is by far one of the most accurate on the market. Muzzle velocity from 700fps to 900 fps on my chronograph, very quiet.
Seriously though the daisy and crossman are excellent choices. If you get a pump up model do not leave it pumped up. It will damage the seals. Never over pump it either, max is max
Good luck and have fun with the practice. Change up the practice (position and angle) make it a game

 

[Rin]

Quote:
The only safe thing to shoot a bear with is something that will break a shoulder and drive down through the lungs. Some DNR people use rubber buckshot on bears pretty succesfully but they have backup when needed. If you shot one with a pellet gun it would probably turn tail and run but I wouldn't reccoment it.

Shooting a bear with a pellet gun reminds me of the old saying that goes, "Never bring a knife to a gun fight."

Anyone foolhardy enough to go after bear with a pellet gun probably needs to go to confession before shooting. It might be the last thing you do!
If bears are protected, then NOT shooting them is your best bet. They are not going to be fearful of mans presence in such a place and the most you might do with a pellet rifle is make them mad. Angry bears are the last thing you want around. Use strong electric fences on them.

Maybe the bears there aren't scared of humans but here - they see you and usually wet themselves in fear. In fact the only bear attack in YEARS here was some guy in town who was feeding the stray cats and knew the bears were eating it but didn't do diddly about it(according to his neighbors though he was leaving the food out for the bears - not the cats and often fooled with them). He opened his front door into them (they were on his front porch eating catfood)and startled them and got a swipe before they ran off. They were put down ofc and the man got fined pretty heavily for enticing the bear in the first place (something like $500? I forget). In any case these are also incredibly small bears from the ones I've seen of them, I've had a dog that was bigger. I would NOT take on a grizzly. ._.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Pissing off a bear with a small caliber BB is NOT a good idea under any circumstance. Use a bull-horn if you must but do NOT go after it with a BB gun. It may be the last thing you ever do. If you MUST shoot, shoot at the muzzle because that fur and lard underneath is gonna stop the BB before the sting can even kick in.

The BB shot is good with for popping off annoying starlings, sparrows, squirrels, mice, etc. Pellets are for the larger animals such as possums, raccoons, maybe even birds of prey not that I'd know.

I use the copper-coated, but usually whatever is on sale:

 

[Rin]

Quote:
I've gotten the hint. Bang a pot and pan instead of a bb gun XD <3 It was just a thought. Glad I mentioned it now and guess that means just pellets? I actually like all the wild birds and squirrels because they alert my chickens to things. They don't cause any damage despite the fact when I bought this place squirrels where living in a wall. They took off without issue once we kicked them out.

 

[kaddidle]

My usual weapon of choice against black bears is a pine cone aimed at the butt and a lot of loud shooing. The ones I've dealt with have sauntered right off at that treatment.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
I've gotten the hint. Bang a pot and pan instead of a bb gun XD <3 It was just a thought. Glad I mentioned it now and guess that means just pellets? I actually like all the wild birds and squirrels because they alert my chickens to things. They don't cause any damage despite the fact when I bought this place squirrels where living in a wall. They took off without issue once we kicked them out.

That may be true, but with the thread of AI and other diseases, they are easily able to spread disease. Then there's the issue of all the wild birds wanting to hang at your house because you've got the yummies during winter!

 

[Rin]

Quote:
I've gotten the hint. Bang a pot and pan instead of a bb gun XD <3 It was just a thought. Glad I mentioned it now and guess that means just pellets? I actually like all the wild birds and squirrels because they alert my chickens to things. They don't cause any damage despite the fact when I bought this place squirrels where living in a wall. They took off without issue once we kicked them out.

That may be true, but with the thread of AI and other diseases, they are easily able to spread disease. Then there's the issue of all the wild birds wanting to hang at your house because you've got the yummies during winter!

Hmm good point... I never thought of that and with cat and dog currently and goats to look forward to in the future.. diseases are not something I want looming about. Well, humorously enough when the birds migrate my home seems to be a stop over for large flocks of birds. But, they are only here an hour or so then they're gone as suddenly as they appeared(it's the sandhill cranes that stick around XD). I was surprised one rainy day when I popped out my door to find THOUSANDS of brownish red birds stopping to get a drink and bathe in the puddles. This was before my chickens were big enough for their coop. But, I dunno. I like the wild birds.. they are just as fun to watch - squirrels I could do without but I need all the bug control I can handle and all the bird nests in my trees makes me feel like I'm doing something right that I'm able to improve on my property without completely destroying the nature around me

Prolly doesn't help I have bird feeders with which I'm QUITE fond.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

See, we have issues with starlings here. Thousands of them will flock to our house and will stay for days. They ate, literally, a 50lb. sack of feed out of the 24/7 feeders for my chickens. Not happy...