Powerful air rifle advice
- Thread starter pkitcheman
- Start date
If you're going high-powered air rifle, skip the springers and look at pneumatic ones instead. They cost more than a 22LR rifle but are a lot smoother to operate and less parts to wear. Not to mention, you can get them as large as 50cal!
I have 100% confidence that I can cleanly take an alpha coon with my airforce condor (.25 cal). This winter I intend to take at least 1 coyote with it,(just because!) if I can get him inside 100 yards he's done.(head shot)
Don't underestimate the power of "real" air guns.
Within your budget OP, I would look into the Diana line of rifles. I bought a .22 cal model 34 used at a gun show for $235. (Although this one is probably marginal for trophy coons lol) The condor I'm into for about $1100 but that includes a pump and an extra barrel (.22) and other assorted accessories, etc. Purchased on EE.
My HW80/.22 with JSB Predators kills 20lb plus varmints just fine. Vortek tuning kit so very smooth...............great on pigeons and grouse as well........a buddy killed a full grown coyote with a RWS 350/.177 I sold him ..headshot at about 30 ft......Harold
Forget using any springer.
Rabbits and gophers are one thing a big raccoon is in an entirely different class springers just pale against PCP air rifles. I have helped build up a couple of .25 Airforce Condors they will kill a raccoon easy in fact my buddy dropped a Coyote with his.
These airguns are expensive and need a scuba tank or hand pump.
I have punched tru one side of an oil drum with my .25, but the easiest way is to just use a .22 rimfire.
Rabbits and gophers are one thing a big raccoon is in an entirely different class springers just pale against PCP air rifles. I have helped build up a couple of .25 Airforce Condors they will kill a raccoon easy in fact my buddy dropped a Coyote with his.
These airguns are expensive and need a scuba tank or hand pump.
I have punched tru one side of an oil drum with my .25, but the easiest way is to just use a .22 rimfire.
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if you can't shoot a .22 rimfire, you can't shoot a high powered air rifle. Both are classified as non restricted firearms. The fact that one doesn't use gunpowder isn't going to make any difference with reference to laws or bi-laws. I don't know that that's what you were thinking, just putting that out there to contemplate if it is.
Well I just bought my first Pellet Rifle in 43 years lol! I bought a Crosman Nitro Venom, it is a .177 caliber and the box says it shoots 1,200 FPS. It has a Center Point 3-9x32 Scope mounted on it.
I have some questions for you guys in the know!
First off when I got home I but a target out at 20 yards because I wanted to sight in the scope. To my surprize the pellets were flying all over the place and would not go to the same aiming point! The pellets I purchased are the Crosman Premier Super Point Hunting Pellet. So I called the manufacturer and asked them about the scope being broken. The support rep I spoke with told me that before I can expect any type of accuracy that I would have to fire 250 rounds through the barrel. Is this true?
Any advice in getting this Air Rifle to shoot straight would be appreciated, because I bought it to hunt Grouse and Rabbits and I want a rifle that aims straight!
Also what is the effect range on grouse and rabbits for this type of rifle?
Thanks!
I have some questions for you guys in the know!
First off when I got home I but a target out at 20 yards because I wanted to sight in the scope. To my surprize the pellets were flying all over the place and would not go to the same aiming point! The pellets I purchased are the Crosman Premier Super Point Hunting Pellet. So I called the manufacturer and asked them about the scope being broken. The support rep I spoke with told me that before I can expect any type of accuracy that I would have to fire 250 rounds through the barrel. Is this true?
Any advice in getting this Air Rifle to shoot straight would be appreciated, because I bought it to hunt Grouse and Rabbits and I want a rifle that aims straight!
Also what is the effect range on grouse and rabbits for this type of rifle?
Thanks!
I bought my Springer used so no break in period but I have heard that enough times to believe it takes a lot of shots to break in and settle down. Run a can of pellets through it then try for accuracy.
I have trouble with my scope rings slipping on the rail..... I set the rear ring flush with the back of the rail so it's noticeable when scope has moved(rearwards).
Also, I have heard the way you hold the gun is very important. They say to use the "artillery hold"
I have trouble with my scope rings slipping on the rail..... I set the rear ring flush with the back of the rail so it's noticeable when scope has moved(rearwards).
Also, I have heard the way you hold the gun is very important. They say to use the "artillery hold"
1. Yes, it'll take a while to break in.
2. Look up "artillery hold" and practice the hell out of it. When firing a springer (the nitro is just another type of springer) there are three "recoils" that happen in a split second. First, rearward, as the spring is released and races forward. Second, forward, as the spring slams home. Third, rearward again as the air propels the pellet forward. All of this shaking happens before the pellet leaves the barrel, so managing it in an identical way every shot is key. It's almost like shooting a bow in that sense. But with practice, they can be quite accurate.
3. Buy a small batch of every pellet under the sun. After your break in, start some trials of different pellets. Keep good notes on the performers. I do 10 shot groups of each, and repeat the test occasionally to see if my technique has chanced and affected which pellet is more accurate for me. Youll be quite surprised how varied the groups will be. For me, the crossman destroyers are the most accurate (despite being the least aerodynamic). The daisy "hunting" pellets were the worst. I like the destroyers for hunting/pest control, but also because they're nice wad cutters on paper.
Some "terminal performance" for your consideration. Both the pointed and destroyer penetrated the same. Flat head had terrible penetration, and the hunting was somewhere between.
Thanks for the advice guys!
I must admit that although the pellets were all over the map, I have got to admit that I was actually very impressed with the results of the Crosman Super Point Hunting Pellets I was using. At 20 yards, even though there was no accuracy (yet) the terminal effect was outstanding. I was shooting at a target that was taped to a 1’4” particle board. The entrance hole was very small, but the exit hole was the size of a nickel!
He also told me to tighten the screws that attach the barrel to the stock, which I did, VERY TIGHT. The rifle is still all over the map!
Also, what is the effective killing range on pests, grouse and rabbits for this type of rifle?
VERY INTERESTING VIDEO! Does that mean that I should turn down the speed? And when should I do this, I assume after I have but through 25 pellets and tried multiple varieties of pellets, right?
I must admit that although the pellets were all over the map, I have got to admit that I was actually very impressed with the results of the Crosman Super Point Hunting Pellets I was using. At 20 yards, even though there was no accuracy (yet) the terminal effect was outstanding. I was shooting at a target that was taped to a 1’4” particle board. The entrance hole was very small, but the exit hole was the size of a nickel!
He also told me to tighten the screws that attach the barrel to the stock, which I did, VERY TIGHT. The rifle is still all over the map!
Also, what is the effective killing range on pests, grouse and rabbits for this type of rifle?
VERY INTERESTING VIDEO! Does that mean that I should turn down the speed? And when should I do this, I assume after I have but through 25 pellets and tried multiple varieties of pellets, right?
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)I have several PAL air rifles, HW100 PCP, BSA Sportsman PCP, HW77 springer, Diana TH470 springer all in .22 cal. They are shooting 700 to 1000 fps so 15 -22 ft/lbs of energy.... Personally I would only use one of these on a racoon at less than 25 yards if I was confident of a perfect head shot, generally I wouldn't consider the air rifle for this animal except for noise reasons, the real answer is the Ruger 10/22....
First off, Crosman's advertised velocities are usually pretty inflated. It sells.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fmlpo3nAT0
As for the artillery hold, you'd do well to try it. Try groups while having the hand under the forestock at different locations (more forward or back). And sometimes you have to be "open". I have 2 quality springers that shoot very tight groups as long as I DON'T use the artillery hold. Not a death grip, but fingers lightly contacting the stock. Try light cheek contact, and light shoulder contact.
Check the stock screws after every group you shoot. They'll loosen with shooting. This stops after a break-in. After a tin or 2 of pellets. Or you can put non-permanent loctite on the threads and let sit overnight.
Yes, try a variety of pellets. Pointed are typically inaccurate. Stick with domed. Try RWS Superdomes, Crosman domed, JSB if you can get them. Some rifles like a few different pellets. Some like only one brand.
A 30 yard shot on a rabbit or grouse isn't unreasonable. If you and the rifle are accurate.
I just love the placement for displacement argument...
Game can move in a millisecond making your perfect accurate shot a absolute inhumane kill!!
Use a .22 rimfire and if you need to use an airgun make sure it has enough FPE 55 ft lbs min. I only use a .25 PCP NOTHING less when pesting as I do not like having a pest suffer.
Game can move in a millisecond making your perfect accurate shot a absolute inhumane kill!!
Use a .22 rimfire and if you need to use an airgun make sure it has enough FPE 55 ft lbs min. I only use a .25 PCP NOTHING less when pesting as I do not like having a pest suffer.
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Any PCP driving a 40 plus grain .25 pellet at 1000 fps works just fine. it is the same as a .22 long rifle.
In fact you can get 70 grain Black Mamba slugs in .25 as well, stay away from springers and low powered PCPs.
