squirrel with a pellet riffle

[justonebuck]

So Ive been attempting lately to hunt squirrels with a high power pellet riffle. I have a newer riffle that shoots over 1000 fps, yet I seem to be struggling a little with it. It has a very long barrel and if very front heavy, requiring a good rest. Ive also noticed that even off a shooting bench, it does not group nearly as well as a .22. Any of you guys using these new pellet riffles? I also have no idea what affective range they are good to...Im guessing 25 yards, tops...

 

[catman529]

I use a Crosman Recruit that shoots around 650-680 fps both pellets and BBs, .177 cal. Pump up 10 times and shoot...and it came with a scope as well. I've killed a bunch of squirrels and chipmunks, as well as a few birds and rabbits. Farthest kill shot was just under 30 yards at a squirrel. I prefer 10-20 yards though, not too accurate much farther than that. Pellets are much more accurate but a bit slower. Surprisingly though, the 30 yard shot was with a BB. I got lucky...

 

[Blount County Hunter]

I use to use my pellet gun I got at a tool show for $20, shoots 1000 fps, it worked well for birds, but I ended up chasing wounded squirrels more than I found, but I shot a rabbit with it from about 30 yds away, and it kicked in circles for about 2-3 seconds and then died instantly, more about shot placement than anything with a pellet gun

 

[catman529]

Oh and aim for the neck or heart/lungs area. Spine shot will disable them but it's a narrow target. Headshots seem to work too, especially on rabbits

 

[Blount County Hunter]

some air rifles actualy like one type of ammo over another...expeiment with some differant types and see if it helps..

True, and the hunting pellets by copperhead work pretty well in mine

 

[stik]

daisy 880 has accounted for many messes of squirrel and dumplins.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been debate'n on get'n a new pellet gun, I aint had one in years, ther a blast to hunt with or just set up a target and practice shoot'n, cost next to nothin.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been dig'n around some of the air rifle sites and thers definately some great pellet guns now days, you can spend what ya want on one.

 

[trealtree]

I dont know anything about this subject, so I will just keep my mouth shut....

 

[Warlord]

I use a Benjamin Marauder in .25 cal and go for the head. As others have said....try different pellets.

 

[trealtree]

So Ive been attempting lately to hunt squirrels with a high power pellet riffle. I have a newer riffle that shoots over 1000 fps, yet I seem to be struggling a little with it. It has a very long barrel and if very front heavy, requiring a good rest. Ive also noticed that even off a shooting bench, it does not group nearly as well as a .22. Any of you guys using these new pellet riffles? I also have no idea what affective range they are good to...Im guessing 25 yards, tops...

On a serious note, It would be helpful if you could tell us what the brand and model of pellet gun you have. I am sure someone out there can suggest what brand and weight pellets might shoot best our of your pellet rifle.

 

[justonebuck]

Im using a crossman g1 extreme. Im going to get a few different pellets this week and play aroud in the yard. Ive tried pointed pellets and flat pellets so far. The pointed pellets are amazingly sporadic out of my gun. In fact with the pointed pellets I was lucky to hit a 12 in by 12 in target 2 out of 5 shots. Im going to try dome pellets and the gammo pellets this week. Ill let you all know how they work out.

 

[trealtree]

Im using a crossman g1 extreme. Im going to get a few different pellets this week and play aroud in the yard. Ive tried pointed pellets and flat pellets so far. The pointed pellets are amazingly sporadic out of my gun. In fact with the pointed pellets I was lucky to hit a 12 in by 12 in target 2 out of 5 shots. Im going to try dome pellets and the gammo pellets this week. Ill let you all know how they work out.

According to what I am reading these are your best bet.

Also with a break barrel gun like that, there is a breaking in period. It may take over 500 shots to get the gun shooting accurately. DOnt use this good ammo for the break in period.


http://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/Crosman_P ... 1250ct/118

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

are you wanting one to hunt with

 

[justonebuck]

Im not looking for a new air riffle. Im pleased with the power of the one I have, and I think experimenting wwith ammo is what I need to do. In all honesty I only use it to hunt a couple times a year. I typically use the ole ruger .22. If the amma switch works well however I may start using it more!

 

[AlabamaSwamper]

I killed 100's as a kid with a Daisy 880. Used those pointed pellets and it was deadly.

 

[caseyb73]

I've got a Crosman Remington Vantage and have tried the majority of .177 ammo they offer. I always end up coming back to the pointed. One thing to remember is that while your air gun may shoot like a .22, the spring action on a break barrell takes a little longer to go through the firing sequence than a normal rifle. When I sighted mine in, I treated it like I was sighting in a muzzleloader.

Since sighting it in, my groups are pretty tight (2 - 3") from 25 yds and I have been able to drop quite a few squirrels.

 

[redblood]

there is a guyy on here that killed an opening morning limit with a pellet gun in august 09. you can probably find the thread

 

[TiptonHunter]

I have a rifle and a pistol that do very well. I have a Beeman Bearcub rifle in .177 that shoots around 925 fps. I use it on pigeons at work. I also have a Beeman P1 pistol in .177. I have killed squirrels and rabbits both with it. It is around 550 fps. I use the pistol alot because it has 1911 grips and it is great practice with a handgun other than my .45.

 

[trealtree]

there is a guyy on here that killed an opening morning limit with a pellet gun in august 09. you can probably find the thread

Who was that guy?

 

[Anonymous]

Looks like the pellet gun idea is catch'n on. lotta people seem to be pile'n on this post, maybe we should start a thread for air rifles on here.

 

[stik]

lots of squirrels have fallen to my little daisy.

 

[trealtree]

Just tryin to rattle your chain there, TRealtree.

 

[KENBOB10]

Got my son a Gamo Hunter I think it is. He shoots the metal pellets in his from Gamo. That thing is awesome. 1200 fps 3x9 scope.