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Post by AcesWildAA on Feb 23, 2017 23:09:31 GMT -5
I'm new to the forum but I'm glad I found it. I'm really interested in pushing forward on air rifles mainly the big bore air rifle. I know the consensus is that in no way should a "BB GUN" be allowed to shoot deer. If you think that way then you are misinformed. Big bore air rifles are a viable tool to harvest large game. Michigan,Virginia,Arizona, and Missouri with Illinois adding a season this comming year. My goal is to get .40cal and up or possibly .357cal legal in our state. I think more in the range of 250-300fpe is good for a whitetail. Some larger bore like .45-.50cal have power greater than a .45acp. Big bore air rifles do not have the range of powder guns making them far less dangerous than the High power rifles introduced into the regs. They are more similar to bow hunting where you are going to want to be around 50yds of your quarry. Anyway I'm interested in what everyone thinks of it. It took one guy showing the Missouri DNR what his big bore was about to get it passed in that state. I'm willing to show mine if need be. Here is a video of a Missouri deer hunt you need to watch before you comment please. youtu.be/Vqk2Y8zLyo4Thanks all! |
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Post by esshup on Feb 24, 2017 0:47:52 GMT -5
 Thumbs up for Dennis Quackenbush!!
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Post by M4Madness on Feb 24, 2017 6:05:14 GMT -5
I don't own one, and have no plans of ever doing so, but I have no problem with legalizing them for deer as long as the DNR sets up a reliable minimum of some sort so that only effective air rifles are used.
My cousin owns a Benjamin .25 caliber with an ATN X-Sight II (day/night) scope, and it devastates squirrels and rabbits at long range. Since the scope records the shot, I've seen footage of him killing a rabbit with it at 163 yards. I have no doubt that a larger one would kill deer easily.
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Feb 24, 2017 7:11:44 GMT -5
I'm new to the forum but I'm glad I found it. I'm really interested in pushing forward on air rifles mainly the big bore air rifle. I know the consensus is that in no way should a "BB GUN" be allowed to shoot deer. If you think that way then you are misinformed. Big bore air rifles are a viable tool to harvest large game. Michigan,Virginia,Arizona, and Missouri with Illinois adding a season this comming year. My goal is to get .40cal and up or possibly .357cal legal in our state. I think more in the range of 250-300fpe is good for a whitetail. Some larger bore like .45-.50cal have power greater than a .45acp. Big bore air rifles do not have the range of powder guns making them far less dangerous than the High power rifles introduced into the regs. They are more similar to bow hunting where you are going to want to be around 50yds of your quarry. Anyway I'm interested in what everyone thinks of it. It took one guy showing the Missouri DNR what his big bore was about to get it passed in that state. I'm willing to show mine if need be. Here is a video of a Missouri deer hunt you need to watch before you comment please. youtu.be/Vqk2Y8zLyo4Thanks all! I don't have a problem with it. I doubt it would ever gain much popularity due to the limitations and cost of big bore air-gunning.
With regard to velocity and energy, I think bullet construction and expansion characteristics play a much larger role when it comes to performance on game. What type of bullets would a .357 or .40 caliber airgun hunter use?
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Post by parrothead on Feb 24, 2017 7:15:22 GMT -5
You can use them in Alabama too.
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Post by nfalls116 on Feb 24, 2017 7:24:08 GMT -5
You can use them in Alabama too. You can marry your cousin in Alabama |
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Post by parrothead on Feb 24, 2017 7:35:20 GMT -5
If she had some land down there I would. I love hunting there every year.
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Post by jjas on Feb 24, 2017 7:53:52 GMT -5
At this time, I have zero interest in pursuing air rifles for hunting anything as I see no upside in doing so.
As far as Indiana legalizing air rifles for deer hunting....I don't see the DNR jumping on that bandwagon anytime soon, but who knows what the legislature will try to push through.....
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Post by AcesWildAA on Feb 24, 2017 10:11:41 GMT -5
I'm new to the forum but I'm glad I found it. I'm really interested in pushing forward on air rifles mainly the big bore air rifle. I know the consensus is that in no way should a "BB GUN" be allowed to shoot deer. If you think that way then you are misinformed. Big bore air rifles are a viable tool to harvest large game. Michigan,Virginia,Arizona, and Missouri with Illinois adding a season this comming year. My goal is to get .40cal and up or possibly .357cal legal in our state. I think more in the range of 250-300fpe is good for a whitetail. Some larger bore like .45-.50cal have power greater than a .45acp. Big bore air rifles do not have the range of powder guns making them far less dangerous than the High power rifles introduced into the regs. They are more similar to bow hunting where you are going to want to be around 50yds of your quarry. Anyway I'm interested in what everyone thinks of it. It took one guy showing the Missouri DNR what his big bore was about to get it passed in that state. I'm willing to show mine if need be. Here is a video of a Missouri deer hunt you need to watch before you comment please. youtu.be/Vqk2Y8zLyo4Thanks all! I don't have a problem with it. I doubt it would ever gain much popularity due to the limitations and cost of big bore air-gunning.
With regard to velocity and energy, I think bullet construction and expansion characteristics play a much larger role when it comes to performance on game. What type of bullets would a .357 or .40 caliber airgun hunter use?
My .457 is pretty accurate to 100 yds with the 345gr 45/70 Gould bullet. I cast these myself. They shoot around 800fps for near 500ft lbs of energy.  |
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Post by AcesWildAA on Feb 24, 2017 21:56:18 GMT -5
Here is a 3 shot group from 75 yards with the 345gr Gould bullet. Impact of 470 foot lbs.  |
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Post by beermaker on Feb 24, 2017 22:18:11 GMT -5
My passion for air gun shooting and hunting is no secret. Although I have no interest in owning a "big bore" rifle myself, I hope our lawmakers latch on and allow those that do to hunt with them. Identical size and energy of a projectile is what it is, no matter the method of propulsion.
I will forewarn anyone who is thinking about getting into "adult" air guns. It is a silly, expensive, and addictive hobby. I just traded my "I'll never part with" customized .25 for a .22 that now wears the same label. At least until I find something more interesting.
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Post by M4Madness on Feb 25, 2017 8:51:52 GMT -5
I agree. If the bullet weight and velocity are the same, who cares whether gunpowder or air are the reason for the propulsion?
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Post by esshup on Feb 25, 2017 9:56:59 GMT -5
My passion for air gun shooting and hunting is no secret. Although I have no interest in owning a "big bore" rifle myself, I hope our lawmakers latch on and allow those that do to hunt with them. Identical size and energy of a projectile is what it is, no matter the method of propulsion. I will forewarn anyone who is thinking about getting into "adult" air guns. It is a silly, expensive, and addictive hobby. I just traded my "I'll never part with" customized .25 for a .22 that now wears the same label. At least until I find something more interesting. Agreed! I have 2 FWB 124's and I doubt I would part with both. One? Maybe, but they both have a place in pest control around the houses. I really need to send them out to be re-sealed..... I can't tell you how many pellets the one has seen and how many things it's shot. I've had it since getting them from Beemans in the early/mid 1970's along with a bunch of Silver Jet Pellets. Bought a Beeman scope to put on it too, but now it wears a Simmons 44Mag 6.5-20. I have a TX200 that is slightly more accurate, but the 124 is easier to handle. Yes, a .22 PCP would be the best route to go, and if I did it would permanently wear a moderator. |
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Post by Ahawkeye on Mar 10, 2017 15:02:49 GMT -5
What about noise? I would assume pushing a piece of lead or steel that far and that fast is going to cause some noise? I've been wondering about using a pellet gun for squirrels but wondered if there was any noise advantage to using one? If you've got two squirrels in a tree and pop one will the other stick arround or does it scare them away just like a .22 or 12ga gun?
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Post by span870 on Mar 10, 2017 16:33:06 GMT -5
Only issue I'd see is you're on the way low end of energy on killing a deer. Average number I've seen or heard is right at 1000 ft/lbs. You're under half that. Don't get me wrong, seen the videos but you don't have much margin for error. I'd say that's the issue you'd have to get around for it to be passed. Guess what I'm saying is that's going to be your hurdle. Guessing most that use them are going to be guys that put an insane amount of time in them shooting them. Not going to be a guy just go out and buy one the night before.
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Post by beermaker on Mar 10, 2017 16:37:47 GMT -5
What about noise? I would assume pushing a piece of lead or steel that far and that fast is going to cause some noise? I've been wondering about using a pellet gun for squirrels but wondered if there was any noise advantage to using one? If you've got two squirrels in a tree and pop one will the other stick arround or does it scare them away just like a .22 or 12ga gun? Most .22 air rifles are going to be significantly quieter than any powder gun. The Benjamin Marauder is a great value and is also very quiet out of the box with no modifications. The sound of pellet to squirrel impact is louder than the shot itself. Break-barrel spring powered guns are going to be a bit louder, but also more affordable and still way quieter than any non-suppressed rimfire. I replaced golf with air guns as my guilty pleasure hobby. I spend more money on air guns than most will understand, but still money ahead compared to golf. I have two .22 pellet guns that will print dime sized groups at 50-75 yards all day long and the only sound is the hammer slapping the air valve. I have been under a tree many times with multiple squirrels and shot one and the others don't notice until the "thud" of their buddy hitting the ground. Big bore guns that are suitable for large game are going to be loud, but still not comparable to a traditional rifle or shot gun. |
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Post by AcesWildAA on Mar 10, 2017 22:04:37 GMT -5
Only issue I'd see is you're on the way low end of energy on killing a deer. Average number I've seen or heard is right at 1000 ft/lbs. You're under half that. Don't get me wrong, seen the videos but you don't have much margin for error. I'd say that's the issue you'd have to get around for it to be passed. Guess what I'm saying is that's going to be your hurdle. Guessing most that use them are going to be guys that put an insane amount of time in them shooting them. Not going to be a guy just go out and buy one the night before. 410 is legal and yes it has a higher muzzle energy. But by 40yds you are at under 400fpe asuming you are using a 3" shell. The .457 I have has that and more at 200yds. And my air rifle will shoot hole in hole at 50yds and a 410 can not do it at 20 let alone 40. So That argument is already debunked. Even a 40cal 250gr will out shoot a 410 energy wise and accuracy. |
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Post by omegahunter on Mar 11, 2017 9:13:14 GMT -5
Only issue I'd see is you're on the way low end of energy on killing a deer. Average number I've seen or heard is right at 1000 ft/lbs. You're under half that. Don't get me wrong, seen the videos but you don't have much margin for error. I'd say that's the issue you'd have to get around for it to be passed. Guess what I'm saying is that's going to be your hurdle. Guessing most that use them are going to be guys that put an insane amount of time in them shooting them. Not going to be a guy just go out and buy one the night before. 410 is legal and yes it has a higher muzzle energy. But by 40yds you are at under 400fpe asuming you are using a 3" shell. The .457 I have has that and more at 200yds. And my air rifle will shoot hole in hole at 50yds and a 410 can not do it at 20 let alone 40. So That argument is already debunked. Even a 40cal 250gr will out shoot a 410 energy wise and accuracy. The State doesn't allow the .45 acp and I don't think they should have allowed the .410. But we can't leave our regulations alone, so why not as long as they set a minimum power requirement at least as high as their current minimum? |
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Post by esshup on Mar 11, 2017 11:09:02 GMT -5
What about noise? I would assume pushing a piece of lead or steel that far and that fast is going to cause some noise? I've been wondering about using a pellet gun for squirrels but wondered if there was any noise advantage to using one? If you've got two squirrels in a tree and pop one will the other stick arround or does it scare them away just like a .22 or 12ga gun? Most .22 air rifles are going to be significantly quieter than any powder gun. The Benjamin Marauder is a great value and is also very quiet out of the box with no modifications. The sound of pellet to squirrel impact is louder than the shot itself. Break-barrel spring powered guns are going to be a bit louder, but also more affordable and still way quieter than any non-suppressed rimfire. I replaced golf with air guns as my guilty pleasure hobby. I spend more money on air guns than most will understand, but still money ahead compared to golf. I have two .22 pellet guns that will print dime sized groups at 50-75 yards all day long and the only sound is the hammer slapping the air valve. I have been under a tree many times with multiple squirrels and shot one and the others don't notice until the "thud" of their buddy hitting the ground. Big bore guns that are suitable for large game are going to be loud, but still not comparable to a traditional rifle or shot gun. Gotta love accurate quiet guns!! I used to shoot Field Target when it first became popular and the accuracy level of the guns were amazing. On the PCP buns that were moderated, all you could hear was the hammer hitting the valve, then the pellet hitting the target. One good thing about this vs. golf is that I doubt that the guns will drop in price vs. used clubs.  |
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Post by antiwheeze on Mar 11, 2017 13:53:14 GMT -5
I'm new to the forum but I'm glad I found it. I'm really interested in pushing forward on air rifles mainly the big bore air rifle. I know the consensus is that in no way should a "BB GUN" be allowed to shoot deer. If you think that way then you are misinformed. Big bore air rifles are a viable tool to harvest large game. Michigan,Virginia,Arizona, and Missouri with Illinois adding a season this comming year. My goal is to get .40cal and up or possibly .357cal legal in our state. I think more in the range of 250-300fpe is good for a whitetail. Some larger bore like .45-.50cal have power greater than a .45acp. Big bore air rifles do not have the range of powder guns making them far less dangerous than the High power rifles introduced into the regs. They are more similar to bow hunting where you are going to want to be around 50yds of your quarry. Anyway I'm interested in what everyone thinks of it. It took one guy showing the Missouri DNR what his big bore was about to get it passed in that state. I'm willing to show mine if need be. Here is a video of a Missouri deer hunt you need to watch before you comment please. youtu.be/Vqk2Y8zLyo4Thanks all! I'm generally pro hunting and opened minded to entertaining the thought of less common hunting methods. Likely your airgun is as effective as my compound bow. Both are good about preserving the hearing I have left. |
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