Who`s using a high powered pellet gun for predator control?

[pascopol]

Quote:
LOL

I don,t use "gauge" much, .22 is sufficient, cheaper and less noisy.

 

[bayside chick]

All shots are as point blank to the head as I can get with an angry coon at the other end of the barrel.

It`s an 800 fps gun w. the .22s (1000 fps w/.177s , but they fall out of the gun when it`s pointed down

)

I wonder of the gun is not working as it should , it`s less than 6 months old......

 

[EllyMae]

Quote:
LOL

I don,t use "gauge" much, .22 is sufficient, cheaper and less noisy.

I love the ones that end in "gauge" , lol. But I haven't used it for the predator control...yet. The pellet gun works good for any stray dogs that might venture into my neck of the woods...that is if my dog Diesel doesn't get to them first, lol.

 

[silkiechicken]

I am assuming it is a break barrel type. If not, lube it up to make sure there are no pressure leaks.

My little brother is a good shot can has taken out two coons on the first hit each time, with a shot right between the eyes with his high powered rifle. I want to say it was a 1200fps .22 but he has a few to pick from. The coon just dropped to the floor as soon as it was hit, didn't even have time to walk or turn, just collapsed.

 

[bayside chick]

Yes , it`s a break barrel. The skull seems soo thick , the pellets bounce off , and are FLAT. I`ve been trying to get them in the side of the head in the ear area.

 

[can you hear me now?]

you can also buy pointed pellets that are listed as a max speed pellet which will help penetrate the skull. That is all I use.

 

[jholler]

I'm assuming you're livetrapping them then shooting them? Might be easier to gas, poison, or even spear them if you've got them in a trap. A trashcan full of water big enough for the trap to fit into would be even less messy.

 

[Swamp Roo]

800 fps is not what I would call high powered, but that is subjective. Exact shot placement will be key. I'd put a round right between their beady little eyes. The pellet should definitely NOT fall out of the gun. Are you sure you have the right caliber ammo? .177 pellets would probably slide right out of a .22 chambered gun. I'd call the manufacturer and talk to them, something is very wrong if the gun is only 6 months old, even at 60 yrs old a pellet should not just slide down a barrel. I've had BBs roll down a barrel if it was knocked off of the bolt magnet, but never a pellet. Could be dangerous to fire actually. Me, I'm in the gauge crowd, 12 ga. #4 high brass pheasant loads for anything bigger than a rabbit, buckshot, or preferably slugs for anything bigger than a coon. If I had neighbors that actually cared, I'd switch to a subsonic .22 HP round out of a regular .22 riffle or pistol. It is my understanding that they really are just a quiet as a pellet gun (quieter in some cases). Just don't use short rounds, they sound even louder to me. Having never needed to be quiet with firearms, I've never used subsonic rounds. There are numerous gun/hunting forums that have discussed this ad nauseum. A quick search should find one. With the fps you are shooting, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with some of the other posters about pellet type if you are shooting in the head. I'd choose a .177 hard pointed round (use your .22 pellet gun since you already own it) for maximum penetration of the skull. A needle will kill in the brain. Body shot? Yup, I agree, bigger hole is better, and you may miss bone altogether. That is why I have a .45 for uninvited guests in the house (personal defence start with a 4 and ends with a 5

). I've also come across some of the hybrid pellets, they have a steel shot on the tip of a hp pellet. Supposedly the best of both worlds. Looks good on paper, but it may just be good advertising, don't know.

I've got a trap set for coons tonight as well. Took 4 young'uns through the wire while I was on vacation.

Swamp

 

[DODALDO]

You need to check state reg's. I know in CO you are can not shoot wild life "to kill it" unless you are using a 22 cal rifle or bigger, This is so that you are not woonding an animal and he is getting away.
On the other hand a have to agree with the guage croud on coons and coyotes i will neever load anythang less than 4 shot but perfer 00 buck.
If in a area that noise is a problem, go for no-noise 22's they are quiet, not to preach to the quire in in an area with neighburs watch the back ground even with a pellet gun, (bought a few windows in my younger days). There is no law against how big the gun can be I have shot a coon with every thing from 22 to 300 ultra mag "not mutch to clean up after that" but the little b#st%(*d won't get my chicks. sorry to ramble on but hope it helps

 

[Swamp Roo]

300 ultra mag, you could take out a coon the size of a city bus with that! Wow! Can't blame you though.

Swamp