Best Air Pistol for Grouse??

firejim

firejim

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Hello All;

Love getting some grouse when I'm moose hunting. I usually spend a day or two walking trails, targeting grouse. But, I thought this year I would take an air pistol along in case I stumble across any when I'm focusing on moose. Any recommendations? Was thinking of a Gamo target, but I'm definitely open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.
 
Depending on the province you're in, air guns may not be on the "approved" list of hunting tools. I know here in Quebec airguns of any kind are a no-no for hunting. 22LR rifle loaded with CB Longs would be my choice, basically the same power as a pellet gun, and less noise to boot.
 
Let me start my saying this is second hand info, so best you check it for yourself...

A buddy of mine who used to do hunter safety/firearms courses had a brother in law who was a CO. They hunted together up north (Ontario). Most of the guys in the gang would carry air pistols for grouse while hunting. He told me to be sure that the air pistol was not concealed.

I've considered checking it out myself. Now when we moose hunt, I keep an unloaded shotgun in the truck for "birds of opportunity" when driving unmaintained roads. When I see one, I drive past it, stop the truck and get out, load up and walk back to the bird.

I manage to get my limit for a grouse feast.
 
Probably an HW 45 in .22, Benjamin EB22 or HB22. You will want to stay under this (from Criminal code)
(i) a shot, bullet or other projectile at a muzzle velocity exceeding 152.4 m per second or at a muzzle energy exceeding 5.7 Joules, or


(ii) a shot, bullet or other projectile that is designed or adapted to attain a velocity exceeding 152.4 m per second or an energy exceeding 5.7 Joules.
 
Hey Guys;
Thanks for the info so far. For the moose hunting I do, it's all backpack, map, compass stuff, so carrying a shotgun is possible (I've done it), but it gets awkward in the tough stuff. Here in Ontario, it is legal to hunt with a pellet pistol, as long as it's under the velocities stated by AP. Good call on the concealed thing though, daveg01 - hadn't considered that, but will look into it. Have a great day.
 
My father always carried our old Crosman .22 Co2 target pistol with him to bag a few grouse while out on the Moose trail up in North Ontario. If you are a good shot most any pellet gun works well, barring those super-cheap pistols and whatnot from Canadian Tire.

My own grouse gun is just a Crosman 1377 in .177 - Pump it five times and you get good accuracy and kill power up to about 30-40 feet, enough for a partridge. It's fairly light and small, as well.
 
RobSmith said:
Depending on the province you're in, air guns may not be on the "approved" list of hunting tools. I know here in Quebec airguns of any kind are a no-no for hunting. 22LR rifle loaded with CB Longs would be my choice, basically the same power as a pellet gun, and less noise to boot.
Click to expand...

Actually... I think they just changed that law for 2010. Now .177 airguns with a muzzle velocity of over 1000 fps can be used, i'm not sure about other calibers.


I also suggest an hw45, maybe in .177 for better penetration. They are very quiet pistols but spring operated so very recoil sensitive, it will take you a while to learn how to shoot well with one.
 
Body shots don't work well for grouse so accuracy is more important than power.For pistols to be non-restricted they must be under 500fps...............Harold
 
I have a Beeman P3 pistol, which is actually a renamed German air pistol (I forget the name of it, but it's made by the same company). I bought it at Canadian Tire (yes, I know...) for 99$ and it is a pump operated single shot design. You lift the 'slide' up and push it all the way out, insert the pellet, close it and you get 495ft/second right away (Edit: Beeman now seems to rate this pistol at 410 fps).

I have a Crossman 1377 also, but the P3 beats it hands down. It is made out of a thick high quality plastic/polymer, needs only 1 'pump' to achieve max velocity, has an adjustable rear sight and a rifled thick metal bore, a functional muzzle brake, light (& adjustable) trigger pull, a scope/red dot rail and has absolutely no recoil. It kind of feels like shooting a .22LR pistol with a silencer, lol!

Also, the accuracy is bang on. I've shot this thing in my basement and I can shoot a fly in half at roughly 10-15 yards with a proper calibration of the rear sight (if the fly were to sit on the target, lol!). Definitely a quality air pistol for very little money! I just don't know if they still sell them... I bought mine a few years back for target practice. Here it is:



P3.gif


P.S. Since this is not deemed to be a firearm, I don't see what the problem would be if you had it concealed... because it's not a weapon according to the criminal code. Unless there's some BS in the provincial hunting regs to that effect.
 
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762mm said:
P3.gif


P.S. Since this is not deemed to be a firearm, I don't see what the problem would be if you had it concealed... because it's not a weapon according to the criminal code. Unless there's some BS in the provincial hunting regs to that effect.
Click to expand...


That's an hw40 clone, I had one and yes they are accurate but I wouldn't hunt anything larger than a mouse with it. Have you chronied yours or are you just stating what was on the package? because the companies always lie about their digits, I dont think that pistol gets more than 410-420 fps which isn't fast enough for a fluffy bird, unless you can nail that tiny bobbing head...
 
Beer_drinker said:
Actually... I think they just changed that law for 2010. Now .177 airguns with a muzzle velocity of over 1000 fps can be used, i'm not sure about other calibers.
Click to expand...


At that speed are they not considered a registrable firearm? AKA Handgun? If so carrying one in the bush is a no no in any province??

I've a Webley Hurricane that will easily snuff a Grouse with the right ammo, but hunting with firearms designed to be fired with one hand is illegal in BC :mad:
 
Beer_drinker said:
That's an hw40 clone, I had one and yes they are accurate but I wouldn't hunt anything larger than a mouse with it. Have you chronied yours or are you just stating what was on the package? because the companies always lie about their digits, I dont think that pistol gets more than 410-420 fps which isn't fast enough for a fluffy bird, unless you can nail that tiny bobbing head...
Click to expand...

No, unfortunately I don't have a chrony yet... but I've compared my P3's penetration at roughly 15 yards with the penetration from my Crossman pistol and my Gamo Cadet rifle (both rated at 495 fps) and there didn't seem to be much difference at all. All three seemed to hit equally hard at my test material (insulating styrofoam in multiple layers).

Anyway, I second guessed myself after you brought this up and went to check on the Beeman website... and they list the P3 at 410 fps with a .177 pellet, not 495 fps. I was positive that mine was rated higher than 410 when I bought it, but maybe I'm mistaken...

Oh well.. still a very nice air pistol to own. And the best part is that it doesn't require any PITA Co2 canisters, lol! :D

Maybe using the new 'Raptor' hunting pellets would increase velocities to an acceptable level for grouse?
 
Quebec province introduced for 2010 the use air rifles ( spring. Co2 or pump) to hunt certain small game. The rifle must be over 1000’/sec in caliber .177 or bigger. Air handguns are not permitted for hunting.
 
eeyouelder said:
Quebec province introduced for 2010 the use air rifles ( spring. Co2 or pump) to hunt certain small game. The rifle must be over 1000’/sec in caliber .177 or bigger. Air handguns are not permitted for hunting.
Click to expand...


I had not heard of this latest news, but we're no further ahead! There are very few airguns capable of actually hitting 1000 fps although many of them are rated at 1000 fps in .177. And finding a .22 that goes 1000 fps is even rarer! Why couldn't they just say like Ontario where airguns are allowed and leave it at that?
 
Check out this months edition of the Ontario Outdoors magazine (OFAH publication). There is an entire article about hunting grouse with airguns, including handguns.
 
I would say choose one of three Crosmans. 1377, 2289 and 2240. First two are pumpers second is CO2 powerlet. First on is .177 and the second two are .22 cal. I've shot all three extensively and they are all great value. They can all have their grips swapped with a little carbine skeleton stock. None of them will break the $100 mark and parts and expertise is everywhere about them.

Kick around online and find out how to modify the valve to get closer to the high 400fps range. There is a bleeder hole that directs some power away from the chamber for the Canadian market. Just degrease the hole and put a smear of JB weld in there. Some like to tap it and put a screw into it.

If you want more info just ask, or check out the Canadian Airgun Forum modification section.

As far as the law and non PAL airguns, if they are used in a crime you can get charged as if you used a real firearm, even if the pellet gun doesn't fit the definition of a firearm. Hold up a bank with a 280fps BB gun and you will get treated as though it was a real handgun. I read that just recently, not sure where.
 
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