C02 BB Pistol enough for Small Game?

MetalMike

MetalMike

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I apologize if this is a dumb question, it's probably been asked before. I am new to airguns and I did a quick search, didn't find anything.

I want your opinions on whether a CO2 powered BB pistol (lists 380 FPS on my Umarex Makarov) will humanely dispatch a squirrel or similar critter within 5 meters or so if I get a solid hit center of mass. I know it's probably not ideal (then again maybe it is I don't know) but I have got a pest that might need to go. I had a clean shot the other day but I hesitated and didn't shoot because I wasn't sure.

Should I do it? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
 
You'll only hurt the little critter probably badly and you'll have to execute it with a 2nd maybe a 3rd shot so not recommended
 
I wouldn't hunt with a BB pistol Makarov. It's not powerful enough for a clean kill and a BB airgun isn't really very accurate.

Now a Crosman 2240 pistol that shoots a .22 cal pellet might be powerful enough at short ranges on small birds but I wouldn't recommend it. A PAL rated .22 cal air rifle would be the best idea.

FYI: I'm not an airgun hunter but when I was a kid I used to hunt squirrels & rabbits with a .22 cal powder burner.
 
IMO "hunting" and getting rid of a pest are two separate things. When we were kids we dispatched lots of birds and squirrels with airguns, but it wasn't always pretty. One more thing, BBs are not very accurate and typically pellets are faster as well as more accurate. Get one with a rifled barrel. But I would plink away at a pest in a heartbeat with your BB gun.
T
 
Maybe if you have Bulldog!!

(Just teasing I was looking for a thread to share this blast from the past!)

C44D0192-BFF2-41ED-B963-42E64D5ECAA7-17566-00000D1B45098797_zpsd5892e88.jpg
 
I loved those old Bulldog pellets .Shot thousands of them as a kid.Brings back memories........Harold
 
Don't do it. You'll maim the thing and it'll likely be flopping around making a follow-up shot impossible. A Crosman 2240 air pistol (same amount of $, or even less) would be a different story. I personally NEVER recommend anyone hunt anything with a sub-495fps air gun (and never a BB gun) but the 2240 would probably be lethal at close range on a squirrel, with perfect shot placement.
 
You'd be hard pressed to get a clean kill shooting BBs, even at point blank range. Any cheap pellet shooter rated at just below 500fps will be much better. Just be sure to grab a package of round nose or hollow point pellets.

Crosman 2240, 1322, 1377, and 357 are all good, inexpensive options, with the first three being highly customizable, too.
 
Don't shoot anything other than paper, with a good soft backstop with BB's.

Also, don't you need a hunting license even for squirrels?
 
Guess that probably answers my question, so I will try another method. Although I was surprised that the BB pistol will punch through one side of a coffee can and put a decent dent in the other at close range so I thought it might work. Too bad I can't just take the 12ga Mossy and vaporize him with birdshot but not an option where I live. Any other cheap solutions?
 
I used to take out squirrels with my Webley Hurricane .177 and it was good for 450 with light pellets on a good day, aim for the head.
 
MetalMike said:
Guess that probably answers my question, so I will try another method. Although I was surprised that the BB pistol will punch through one side of a coffee can and put a decent dent in the other at close range so I thought it might work. Too bad I can't just take the 12ga Mossy and vaporize him with birdshot but not an option where I live. Any other cheap solutions?
Click to expand...

If you have a 22 powder burner, both CCI and Federal make cartridges with #12 buckshot in them. Meant for varmints and pesting at close range. Fairly quiet, no damage and 1000 fps. A lot of guys use them in their barns for pigeon control, without damaging the barn. Here is a link to the CCI ammo (federals are cheaper, but I like the CCI):

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=3&loadNo=0039

Give them a try.

Bearc
 
I've shot lots of grouse with a sub 500 pellet rifle, aim for the head with cone or pointed pellets. Don't expect center mass shots to kill them, head only!
 
bondjames80 said:
I've shot lots of grouse with a sub 500 pellet rifle, aim for the head with cone or pointed pellets. Don't expect center mass shots to kill them, head only!
Click to expand...

Shot and killed a few shrub eating rabbits with one shot with a BB gun. Like bond says shoot to kill. Get as close as you can
 
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