If you're interested in hunting with a pellet gun, there are a few guidelines to follow to be sure you take action effectively and humanely. Selecting the best gun, ammo, scope, and using guidelines are all important factors. However, the first consideration is what game you should and really 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, recognize that only small game ought to be sought when pellet gun hunting. Even the most powerful air guns do not impart enough destructive force to make sure clean kills when hunting larger animals. Stick to small pests (field mice, squirrels, rats). Nothing larger than an average-sized raccoon should be shot with a pellet gun, and then only when the distance is in a way that accuracy is assured and with the correct caliber gun and ammunition.
Pellet Gun & Ammo Choices
Generally, .22 caliber guns and pellets are preferable when hunting small game with a pellet gun. A standard misconception is that small 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. Put simply, you intend to strike the pet with a projectile that will disperse more killing force after impact. Which means using the heavier and thicker .22 caliber. Small 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 as well as another. But this is not usually the case when hunting small game. If you do elect to hunt with an inferior caliber, you can enhance the odds 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 inside your prey. They are the best option for hunting with pellet guns, whatever the caliber gun you utilize.
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, you need to use one which produces at the very least 1,000 fps muzzle velocity. This high speed, coupled with heavier hollow point pellets, offers you the best chance to make a clean kill every time you hit your target.
However, if GUN STORE create a poor pellet choice, this higher muzzle velocity can actually work against you. For example, pointed pellets certainly are a bad idea when hunting with air guns, especially at close range. Absent a head shot, you run a genuine risk of having the pellet pass cleanly through the animal without inflicting mortal damage. It's inhumane to merely maim, after all. Always use the best ammo with the objective at hand to see that the job gets done quickly and thoroughly.
Scopes
If your game will undoubtedly be up in the trees or farther out than about 15 yards, utilizing a scope on your own pellet gun is a smart idea. Most pellet rifles have scope mounts included that a wide selection of scopes will fit into easily. Knowing your unique gun's tendencies at various distances, a scope can certainly help you hit game wherever you need the pellet to strike.
Pellet gun hunting is fun and a good way to teach young shooters how exactly 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 utilize, this kind of hunting could be rewarding and a nice way to spend a weekend afternoon.