Pellet Gun Hunting - Gun and Ammo Guide

If you're thinking about hunting with a pellet gun, there are several guidelines to follow to make sure you do it effectively and humanely. Selecting the best gun, ammo, scope, and using best practices are all critical indicators. However, the first consideration is what game you need to and really should not hunt with a pellet gun. This short article is intended as an instant guide to hunting with an air gun.

The Game

First and foremost, recognize that only small game ought to be sought when pellet gun hunting. Even probably the most powerful air guns do not impart enough destructive force to ensure clean kills when hunting larger animals. Stick to small pests (field mice, squirrels, rats). Nothing bigger than an average-sized raccoon ought to be shot with a pellet gun, and then only when the length is such 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. Quite simply, you intend to strike the pet with a projectile which will disperse more killing force after impact. That means utilizing the heavier and thicker .22 caliber. Small calibers risk passing through the pet without causing sufficient internal damage 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 very close and you can easily take a head shot, any caliber will work in addition to another. But this is not usually the case when hunting small game. If you do choose 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 made to blossom open and tumble after impact, which creates more devastation within your prey. They are the best choice 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, it's best to use one that produces at least 1,000 fps muzzle velocity. This high speed, in conjunction with heavier hollow point pellets, gives you the best chance to make a clean kill every time you hit your target.

However, if you create a poor pellet choice, this higher muzzle velocity can in fact work against you. For example, 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, in the end. Always use  https://cvgunandammo.com/  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, using a scope on your pellet gun is a smart idea. Most pellet rifles have scope mounts included that a wide variety of scopes will match easily. Knowing your unique gun's tendencies at various distances, a scope can certainly help you hit game exactly where you want the pellet to strike.

Pellet gun hunting is fun and a sensible 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 nice way to spend a weekend afternoon.