The Shoot2hunt Podcast

[The Guide]

$160 all in is great! I didn't really have a specific budget because I didn't really know what the market offer, the podcast with James inspired me but I definitely wasn't about to drop 2 grand plus for some plinking. Would you suggest .25 or .22 for any sort of pest control?

I like them both. 22 cal pellets are easier to find locally (but are generally generic ones with higher level of variation in pellet to pellet size/shape/weight) but I usually just order pellets in bulk (multiple tins of the guns preferred pellets) via mail order. Pyramid Air does buy 3 get one free (buy 4 and get 1 free on some sizes) so it becomes pretty easy to stock up on what works for you. You have to realize that airgun hunting is done with subsonic pellets much lighter than the corresponding rimfire or centerfire bullets. For me, I would use a 25 cal gun for pest work just for touching/crushing more flesh. My preference for pesting are Predator Poly Mag pellets. Basically they are like a tipped match bullet. Very accurate and kill well if your gun likes them. I use them in 22, 25 and 30 caliber versions. Generally, 22 cal pellets are cheaper and sold in larger volume packages than other sizes.

Honestly the 22 vs 25 discussion comes down to the pests size, body covering (fur or feathers), and distance away.

Jay

 

[WCT3]

I like them both. 22 cal pellets are easier to find locally (but are generally generic ones with higher level of variation in pellet to pellet size/shape/weight) but I usually just order pellets in bulk (multiple tins of the guns preferred pellets) via mail order. Pyramid Air does buy 3 get one free (buy 4 and get 1 free on some sizes) so it becomes pretty easy to stock up on what works for you. You have to realize that airgun hunting is done with subsonic pellets much lighter than the corresponding rimfire or centerfire bullets. For me, I would use a 25 cal gun for pest work just for touching/crushing more flesh. My preference for pesting are Predator Poly Mag pellets. Basically they are like a tipped match bullet. Very accurate and kill well if your gun likes them. I use them in 22, 25 and 30 caliber versions. Generally, 22 cal pellets are cheaper and sold in larger volume packages than other sizes.

Honestly the 22 vs 25 discussion comes down to the pests size, body covering (fur or feathers), and distance away.

Jay

Very helpful. Pests would mostly just be squirrels and rabbits, maybe a raccoon but I honestly don't really have issues with them getting into stuff

 

[The Guide]

Very helpful. Pests would mostly just be squirrels and rabbits, maybe a raccoon but I honestly don't really have issues with them getting into stuff

I've removed a ton of those sized pests with a 22 cal gun. Pigeons, grouse, squirrels (tree and ground), rabbits, and other all have been easy to take out with a well placed shot.

Jay

 

[nm.otter]

22 cal pellets are easier to find locally (but are generally generic ones with higher level of variation in pellet to pellet size/shape/weight)

I bought a .22 cal Daystate PH-6 PCP (FAC, supersonic, with a suppressor) about 20 years ago to manage a muskrat problem in our pond (congested area, no firearms allowed). With a bit of practice, it was relatively easy to hit dime-sized targets at 30 yards.

No more muskrats.
Also a whole lot of squirrels, a half-dozen rabbits, three raccoons -- and two coyotes (very close range).

I would use a 25 cal gun for pest work just for touching/crushing more flesh.

Knowing what I know now, I would have gone .25 cal and stayed subsonic.

 

[The Guide]

Knowing what I know now, I would have gone .25 cal and stayed subsonic.

I thought that .25 was the holy grail until I got a .30 cal. A 44.75 grain pellet that shoots 7 shots through the same hole at 830 fps just starches everything. One of the most interesting things I've seen in all my pesting is that prey animals general die quickly often never moving while predators often bolt or flip and flop even with a cns shot. I shot a coyote that was killing chickens on the edge of a populated subdivision on the city/county line once. Being quiet was of paramount importance to this client since it was being done at night. Played some cats fighting and that thing came from inside the subdivision over to the farm looking for a kitty dinner. Shot the coyote in the lungs with a 25 cal pellet and thought I missed. Thing just stood there then walked away. I had my 17 HMR with me as a backup incase it came in away from the houses and apartments. It was headed towards the back fields and I lost site of it. Got the rimfire and the spotlight cause I figured I'd have a long shot over 100 yards. That thing was right where I had last spotted it dead as could be. Guess it didn't even know it had been shot and just stood there and bled out until it got light headed and tried to walk it off. Most animals have very little reaction to being shot with an air rifle vs a firearm. Almost like shooting suppressed with subsonic ammo. They just don't seem to have that flight instinct and often act like they've been stung by something but they aren't sure what and where the pain came from.

Jay

 

[nm.otter]

Shot placement really is king.

A swimming muskrat gives you about a quarter-sized moving target for reasonable lethality.

 

[Mountain_Life]

In one of the reloading episodes, Jake gave a preference list of brass brands. Does anyone know it or where it was?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

In one of the reloading episodes, Jake gave a preference list of brass brands. Does anyone know it or where it was?

Ep. 4 Ammo Deconstructed 2.0 | Brass & Bullets Part 1 |

Podcast Episode · Shoot2Hunt · April 9 · 47m

podcasts.apple.com

Around 10 minutes in they start glazing ADG. Around 17:30 they get into it again. ADG, Peterson, Lapua.

 

[swavescatter]

Conspicuously not recommended was Alpha Munitions brass who sent Jake a cease and desist

 

[HuntHarder]

Conspicuously not recommended was Alpha Munitions brass who sent Jake a cease and desist

For what reason?

 

[justin davis]

As an avid airgunner, I was happy to hear it brought up but he is full of sit on his ability to shoot baby ground squirrels at extended ranges with a "red dot and a magnifier". That was tough to swallow due to knowing the power levels and trajectory of a .25 cal 30-35 grain slug from a 350mm barrel @ 800 - 875 fps (all depends on the tank size and tune). EdGun makes a great gun and they are highly accurate so it isn't a knock on them but some of the information James disseminated about airguns was highly embellished in my opinion.

If @Ryan Avery and @Unknown Munitions are seriously interested in playing with some air guns (I have brake barrel, CO2, and PCP guns in pistol, carbine, and rifle configurations) let me know. I'll order extra tins of pellets that the guns like and come over to the shop. I'll bring targets and pellet traps and the like.

Jay

Yea some of those air guns are crazy. My step dad has a Fx one. It’s either 30 cal or .25 can’t remember. But he has a Arken scope on it and dials it. He head shoots squirrels pretty regularly at 100 yards. It’s crazy how accurate it is

 

[IrkedCitizen]

For what reason?

Unknown Munitions started life as Alpha Unknown. Alpha brass hit them with the C&D and Jake switched to Unknown Munitions

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Conspicuously not recommended was Alpha Munitions brass who sent Jake a cease and desist

They did mention them. They said they focused on smaller cartridges for competition.

 

[HuntHarder]

Unknown Munitions started life as Alpha Unknown. Alpha brass hit them with the C&D and Jake switched to Unknown Munitions

I knew that! Thanks for reminding me, totally forgot about that.