If you're thinking about hunting with a pellet gun, here are a few guidelines to follow to make sure you take action effectively and humanely. Selecting the best gun, ammo, scope, and using guidelines are all critical indicators. However, the first consideration is what game you should and should not hunt with a pellet gun. This short article is intended as a quick guide to hunting having an air gun.
The Game
First and foremost, understand that only small game ought to be sought when pellet gun hunting. Even probably the most powerful air guns usually do not impart enough destructive force to make sure clean kills when hunting larger animals. Stick to small pests (field mice, squirrels, rats). GUN STORE than an average-sized raccoon ought to be shot with a pellet gun, and only when the distance is in a way that accuracy is assured and with the proper caliber gun and ammunition.
Pellet Gun & Ammo Choices
In general, .22 caliber guns and pellets are preferable when hunting small game with a pellet gun. A common misconception is that the smaller caliber guns (.177 and .20) produce higher pellet velocities and are therefore better for hunting. Actually, it's more about internal damage force than penetration force. In other words, you need to strike the animal with a projectile that will disperse more killing force after impact. That means utilizing the heavier and thicker .22 caliber. The smaller calibers risk passing through the pet without causing sufficient internal harm to kill it cleanly (or at all).
This is not to state you should not work with a .177 or .20 caliber pellet gun for hunting. If your target is quite close and you will easily take a head shot, any caliber will work together with another. But this is simply not often the case when hunting small game. If you do choose to hunt with an inferior caliber, you can improve the probability of a clean kill by choosing heavier hollow point hunting pellets. Hollow points are designed to blossom open and tumble after impact, which creates more devastation within your prey. They are the best choice for hunting with pellet guns, regardless of the caliber gun you use.
Muzzle Velocity
With pellet guns, speed is measured in feet per second (fps) and listed as muzzle velocity. When hunting small game with a .177 caliber air gun, it's best to use one that produces at the very least 1,000 fps muzzle velocity. This high speed, coupled with heavier hollow point pellets, offers you the best possiblity to make a clean kill every time you hit your target.
However, if you make a poor pellet choice, this higher muzzle velocity can in fact work against you. For instance, pointed pellets are a bad idea when hunting with air guns, especially at close range. Absent a head shot, you run a real risk of getting the pellet pass cleanly through the animal without inflicting mortal damage. It's inhumane to merely maim, after all. Always use the very best ammo with the objective at hand to see that the work gets done quickly and thoroughly.
Scopes
If your game will be up in the trees or farther out than about 15 yards, using a scope on your pellet gun is a smart idea. Most pellet rifles have scope mounts included a wide selection of scopes will fit into easily. Knowing your unique gun's tendencies at various distances, a scope can really help you hit game exactly where you need the pellet to strike.
Pellet gun hunting is fun and a good way to teach young shooters how to safely handle and respect the energy of a gun. As long as you're careful about choosing the overall game you hunt and the sort of air gun and pellets you use, this sort of hunting could be rewarding and a good solution to spend a weekend afternoon.