Air rifle for raccoon? Needs to be quiet
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jmorris
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Where are you at that your running a heat lamp this time of year?
No...this was last winter....I was so darn mad...brand new coop, painted, water seal, fenced area...dug a trench and ran power to it so the water would not freeze and they could stay warm. Darn it was nice.
Raccoons like possums are pretty tough critters. I would use a CCI Quite 40gr 22 lr from a bolt action with a MV of 710 fps and a ME 45 ft/lbs
This is as quiet as my Hatsan 85 QE .22 cal. dieseled with coconut oil at 972 fps with a 15 gr pellet and a ME of 31 ft/lbs
This is as quiet as my Hatsan 85 QE .22 cal. dieseled with coconut oil at 972 fps with a 15 gr pellet and a ME of 31 ft/lbs
Jeb Stuart
member
Making a Springer diesel will ruin your spring.I imagine the noise was louder than a 22.cal.
Grumulkin
Member
I don't think raccoons are necessairly tougher than other animals but their nervous system seems to function for longer than other animals even though they are dead.
I've killed two nuisance raccoons this year with a Benjamin .22 caliber Nitro Piston air rifle. I had trapped both in Hav-A-Hart traps and a single shot to the head was enough though they did bang around in a non purposeful sort of way for awhile even though they were really dead.
I think with an air rifle versus raccoon you really need to make a head shot at fairly close range to be sure of putting them down so they don't run off.
As long as they stay where they belong, I like raccoons but I don't like raccoon feces on stuff in the barn or to have my plants dug up, etc.
I've killed two nuisance raccoons this year with a Benjamin .22 caliber Nitro Piston air rifle. I had trapped both in Hav-A-Hart traps and a single shot to the head was enough though they did bang around in a non purposeful sort of way for awhile even though they were really dead.
I think with an air rifle versus raccoon you really need to make a head shot at fairly close range to be sure of putting them down so they don't run off.
As long as they stay where they belong, I like raccoons but I don't like raccoon feces on stuff in the barn or to have my plants dug up, etc.
They are tough....just like tree rats...squirrel....tough critters that can take a licking and keep on tickin.
One of the few things that will get me on my high horse is unethical hunting/pesting.
Another thing people forget with pellet rifles is they slow down FAST. The foot pounds are close to the muzzle....go 25 yards out and those pellets really slow down.
This is going to be a project of mine....the speed of pellets from muzzle to target....I don't think I have seen any real tests on this yet.
One of the few things that will get me on my high horse is unethical hunting/pesting.
Another thing people forget with pellet rifles is they slow down FAST. The foot pounds are close to the muzzle....go 25 yards out and those pellets really slow down.
This is going to be a project of mine....the speed of pellets from muzzle to target....I don't think I have seen any real tests on this yet.
fpgt72: If you (or anyone) haven't yet, get the free program Chairgun and you'll see how quickly pellets slow. On avg I'd say half power is lost ~50yrds, depending on the pells BC so some are much worse. It's interesting to see how much is lost at even 10yrds, especially if transonic, but Chairgun can't calc transonic issues so you have to use two cronys and test yourself. I have it written down somewhere but I recall a massive power loss on some pells going too fast.
I don't like to see anything suffer as a general rule, but sometimes I don't mind it at all. Like when a Coyote killed my cat and later I had a shot at it w/ a 22LR. It was midnight using open sights at ~20yrds and I wouldn't risk missing a head shot. I had zero prob taking any shot I could and it ended up being in the chest somewhere. He ran off to die elsewhere and all that mattered was revenge. Gawdammuthafuknkoksuknsumbich. I have a love/hate w/ Coyotes since I had one as a pet when I was a kid, but after losing several cats I'd killem w/ my bare hands given half the chance. I even try n hittem w/ my car. I won't use a steel trap tho, that's too hard core cruel. Even as a little kid I couldn't believe anyone could use one on anything for any reason, super especially since the wrong animals often get caught. And as much as I hate gophers I won't use those steel spike clamp dealies, that's like hard core medieval torture...
joneb: I figured those CCI Quiet ammo wasn't all that quiet since they made so much power. Sounds like they may be louder than typical CB's? Thanks for the info bc I was considering buying a box to see, but I'll pass. The Colibri I mentioned are actually quiet, but very weak. Excellent for rats, gophers, birds etc. Would no doubt killa coon but tween the eyes brain shot only. The CCI does sound like an excellent suppressor round, but I live in California where cool stuff and fun are outlawed
Could be worse I guess, Canada doesn't overlook suppressors on airguns like the US does.
Maybe someone will come out w/ 22LR sabot ammo that doesn't need as much power to push so they can be as quiet as Colibri but have more power. Or better yet; allow me to have a suppressor and I'll be very very happy.
Jeb: dieseling won't hurt a gas spring like his, but it "may" stress a coil spring. My only concerns are the main seal bc some (Weihrauch) melt easily, and if dieseling is too strong it can force the piston all the way back and recock the gun. That could be a sweet bonus but I'd worry the piston is hitting the back too hard. Doubt it but ya never know...
A better way (imo) to diesel is to put the oil in the back of the pellet so the explosion is in the breech rather than the compression chamber so less of said boom gets to the piston/seal etc, and more goes to the pellet so less fuel needed which is also less stressful. Plus it's substantially more accurate to measure the fuel and your velocity is far more consistant. Doing it via lubing the chamber is iffy at best and vel is all over the place.
I don't like to see anything suffer as a general rule, but sometimes I don't mind it at all. Like when a Coyote killed my cat and later I had a shot at it w/ a 22LR. It was midnight using open sights at ~20yrds and I wouldn't risk missing a head shot. I had zero prob taking any shot I could and it ended up being in the chest somewhere. He ran off to die elsewhere and all that mattered was revenge. Gawdammuthafuknkoksuknsumbich. I have a love/hate w/ Coyotes since I had one as a pet when I was a kid, but after losing several cats I'd killem w/ my bare hands given half the chance. I even try n hittem w/ my car. I won't use a steel trap tho, that's too hard core cruel. Even as a little kid I couldn't believe anyone could use one on anything for any reason, super especially since the wrong animals often get caught. And as much as I hate gophers I won't use those steel spike clamp dealies, that's like hard core medieval torture...
joneb: I figured those CCI Quiet ammo wasn't all that quiet since they made so much power. Sounds like they may be louder than typical CB's? Thanks for the info bc I was considering buying a box to see, but I'll pass. The Colibri I mentioned are actually quiet, but very weak. Excellent for rats, gophers, birds etc. Would no doubt killa coon but tween the eyes brain shot only. The CCI does sound like an excellent suppressor round, but I live in California where cool stuff and fun are outlawed
Could be worse I guess, Canada doesn't overlook suppressors on airguns like the US does. Maybe someone will come out w/ 22LR sabot ammo that doesn't need as much power to push so they can be as quiet as Colibri but have more power. Or better yet; allow me to have a suppressor and I'll be very very happy.
Jeb: dieseling won't hurt a gas spring like his, but it "may" stress a coil spring. My only concerns are the main seal bc some (Weihrauch) melt easily, and if dieseling is too strong it can force the piston all the way back and recock the gun. That could be a sweet bonus but I'd worry the piston is hitting the back too hard. Doubt it but ya never know...
A better way (imo) to diesel is to put the oil in the back of the pellet so the explosion is in the breech rather than the compression chamber so less of said boom gets to the piston/seal etc, and more goes to the pellet so less fuel needed which is also less stressful. Plus it's substantially more accurate to measure the fuel and your velocity is far more consistant. Doing it via lubing the chamber is iffy at best and vel is all over the place.
OrangePwrx9
Member
Ain't nothing cute about raccoons. Hate 'em with a passion. Filthy things.
Hav-a-hart trapped one in the attic one night and set it outside to be disposed of in the AM. Gone when I went to look next morning. Dunno how. Won't make that mistake again.
Critter moved back in next spring and had pups. Ruger Mark II got 'em all. Noise was all inside even if it was country. Hav-a-hart my foot.
Next year saw a big one shoot up to the top of a nut tree. All I could see through the leaves was its butt. Shot at what I could see with a 7.62x39. Dead when it hit the ground. Country living means you can use enough gun.
Did I mention I hate raccoons?
Hav-a-hart trapped one in the attic one night and set it outside to be disposed of in the AM. Gone when I went to look next morning. Dunno how. Won't make that mistake again.
Critter moved back in next spring and had pups. Ruger Mark II got 'em all. Noise was all inside even if it was country. Hav-a-hart my foot.
Next year saw a big one shoot up to the top of a nut tree. All I could see through the leaves was its butt. Shot at what I could see with a 7.62x39. Dead when it hit the ground. Country living means you can use enough gun.
Did I mention I hate raccoons?
Love my .22 cal Benjamin Marauder pistol. It came with a rifle stock to turn it into a bit of a carbine. Very quiet, very accurate, and provides a 22 cal thumping. Its not as quiet as the .177 version but it's still quiet. The .177 Marauder rifle has an acoustic signature that's very close to the noise made when you open a can of coke. The .22 is a bit louder than that, but still quiet. I've shot both rifles in my backyard many thousands of times and never had a complaint. The sound of the pellet hitting the tree or the fence is many times louder than the actual report of the weapon.
gun and tank by scarfam, on Flickr
gun and tank by scarfam, on Flickr
TikkaShooter
Member
I have a RWS Diana 48 in 22, Crossman Valiant in 177, and a few others. I bought the Crossman because it has a gas piston so I can leave it cocked until the tree rats return. Take Crossman's ad " Silencing Barrel Device (SBD)-an innovative suppressor design that keeps its shots 3x quieter than other breakbarrels in its class." with a grain of salt. TO be blunt, it that is quiet; I'd hate to see noisy. OTOH, it is very accurate, sweet trigger etc. I have a Bug buster scope on it which adds to the fun.
I've shot raccoons with the Diana which has a Leaper's scope; however, it sure isn't a 22 RF and the kill is all about shot placement.
Edit: The problem I've experienced is they run off to die which in time, really smells bad.
I've shot raccoons with the Diana which has a Leaper's scope; however, it sure isn't a 22 RF and the kill is all about shot placement.
Edit: The problem I've experienced is they run off to die which in time, really smells bad.
TikkaShooter
Member
Since when is taking a life ethical unless one plans on eating what they killed or killing a threat?
Currently, we live in NE Georgia in the Chattahoochee NF; here I could shoot a chipmunk with a 300 winmag. In the past, I lived where shooting anything with more than a pellet rifle potentially had shot after's collateral effect risk.
To decide the ethics of another; one needs to know all the facts.
Might I ask if you've ever shot a deer and wounded it or shot a pheasant, quail or duck and never needed to grab its head and spin it to break its neck? Or noticed a hole in a deer's heart when you butchered it? A deer which ran father than one would believe with a hole in its heart.
If you never have experienced such things or everything you ever killed was a one shot; I stand in awe of your shooting skills. Or I'd bet you've put a lot of holes in paper.
KevininPa
Member
I recently acquired a Hatsan 135 QE in .30 caliber. I'm still only breaking it in. Just shy of a 200 round pellet count. It's very quiet. Has a lot of punch out to 35 yards. Drops quick over that. I'm confident that it would scramble a raccoons brain nicely. It's also very quiet.
There is only one FACT that matters.....No animal and I do not care what it is deserves to crawl off to a hole and die coughing up blood. End of story.
The post I quoted *I get the impression* that the poster shot raccoons with an RWS 48 (something I own) and that is not enough gun for an animal the size of a raccoon.....Can it kill a raccoon sure, just like a 22 can kill a water buffalo that does not mean it is the right tool for the job. Knowing that there is a ? The problem I've experienced is they run off to die which in time, really smells bad." tells me it has happened more then one time, thus the word *they*.....you keep doing it and that is flat unethical.....flat unethical in every way shape or from.
As to me, you bet I have screwed up and wounded an animal....missed a shot, and I always feel like _______ after I see it run away.....
Story alert***
we all know how 22 ammo is and you can get one that just will fly off into left field. Shot a skunk had a good front quartering shot right in the center mass....I shoot he jumps and runs off....hell how could I miss. (I was perhaps 50 yards away) I did not miss, there was some blood, a little fur....but not a lot....must have had a bad 22 round that just did not go to the right place. (This skunk was eating my chickens so he came back in a day or to...I know it was this skunk).....well another skunk shows up and this time a full on side shot at about the same distance and I drop him. (odd thing is he did not "explode" when I shot him...no smell, not sure if he was empty or not) so I go to get rid of him and he has a real fresh wound on his head.....looked like the bullet skipped off his skull.
That was the last one that I can think of off the top of my head.....just a bad shot. Never did ducks, or other water fowl....have an issue with things that pair up for life. But pest birds, starlings.....I hate (using the word HATE here to use a movie line) I have killed so many starlings....nasty air rats. I have wounded some shooting in the barn, broke a wing and had to put them down....and I feel bad for the animal, good hunters or pesters if you like that word better want clean kills....strive for clean kills.....will not take the shot if you think it is not going to give you a clean kill.....sounds like you do not and that moves you into a special place in my book, and I think a few others as well.
The key takeaway from all of this is I don't use something that I KNOW is marginal.
Animals doing animal things....yea it is destructive, yea it is expensive....the amount of feed I have lost over the years you could have fed Biafra for years....but the animal does not know what it does is wrong....it is just trying to live...people going nutz on mice, rats, pest birds because they destroyed X thousand of property yea I get you are pissed.....but don't set out to "punish" or make that animal "pay" it does not know what it is doing....remove the animal in a clean and ethical manner.
So as I seem to have hit a nerve with you on this subject I can only guess that you are one of those people that think those mice, those raccoons are eating your chickens because they want to make your life hard....and you need to get out there and make them suffer for the suffering they caused you.
I am sorry you are such a small person.
Doubt this thread will remain open and this post will exist for long.
jmorris
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I poison some animals I don’t like, I am sure that’s not a very fun death but it’s not really fun to have to rewire a vehicle they have chewed up either. If I had a more effective way to eliminate them I would.
That said, I have some pretty healthy raccoons, I’ve been feeding.
That said, I have some pretty healthy raccoons, I’ve been feeding.
If the poison is "ok" for that use, again I have no real issue with it.....the only question I have is how does it hang around.....we have a lot of different kinds of "natures vacuum cleaners" around here I would not want a buzzard or something to have issues....however those things could eat battery acid and do just fine.....but I think you get my drift.
I have a benjamin discovery in .22, with a suppressor and it works for this role, but shots need to be carefully chosen, and reloads are slow and finicky in the dark. Pellets this size and speed penetrate surprisingly well but make a narrow wound channel, you have to hit vitals, preferrably the brain. I would recommend getting a marauder for the extra power and faster follow ups, or stepping up to a more powerful gun in a different brand. I think a .25 would be better for raccoon but haven't tried one. The discovery is a pretty affordable way to get into a PCP, using a hand pump or a paintball CO2 tank. I use a hand pump.
For those that are transporting animals and releasing them, or suggesting that as an option, please check your local laws. In Ohio it is illegal to transport or relocate wildlife/nuisance animals. Personally I also find it irresponsible. If you pick up an animal that is in the early stages of rabies, or some similar disease and you drop it off 30 miles away you just introduced whatever it has to a new population of animals. Don't even get me started on dropping them off in populated areas where they just become someone else's problem.
Whatever you choose to do please make sure it is legal and ethical.
For those that are transporting animals and releasing them, or suggesting that as an option, please check your local laws. In Ohio it is illegal to transport or relocate wildlife/nuisance animals. Personally I also find it irresponsible. If you pick up an animal that is in the early stages of rabies, or some similar disease and you drop it off 30 miles away you just introduced whatever it has to a new population of animals. Don't even get me started on dropping them off in populated areas where they just become someone else's problem.
Whatever you choose to do please make sure it is legal and ethical.
TikkaShooter
Member
No, you haven't hit a nerve. As you don't know me, how can you judge me as a "small person?" Matthew 7:1-2 offers some advice on judging. Yeah, I'm one of them, a very well armed Christian with a lot of redneck in me..
No offense, but personally, I found your comment about wounding birds distasteful. We feed the birds and enjoy watching them or we are birder people. IMO, there is no difference between wounding an animal or a bird.
I'm retired and when I was hunting with a junior license, I wounded a deer. It was near St Marys, PA in the winter, very cold with snow on the ground. My father gave me a flashlight and said go find him; I found my deer dead about 50 yards from where I shot him. I learned at a very young age to kill or pass the shot. That being said, usually animals are more resilient than people.
Sportsmen want to kill the animal cleanly; OTOH, with some hunters, the mileage may vary.
With raccoons, the bird feeders are about 25' (if that) from the window. My M48 has a 3x12 Leapers mildot scope on it. Anyone who can stabilize a rifle and squeeze a trigger properly can hit a pebble at the range I mentioned. If they know which dot to use.... I do share as I'm curious how good of a shot they are...
In real estate they say location, location, and did I say location. With shooting, it is shot placement, shot placement, and did I say shot placement. Personally, I'm an accuracy addict.
I'm a service connected disabled Veteran, PH, hearing loss, etc. So I know how it feels and I would not subject an animal to the pain I so well remember.
Anyhow, there is no need to close this thread as I won't be posting in it again.
Redneck: Although, I've never seen the terminal ballistics, AKA ballistic gel, for a pellet; I'd bet your spot on with your description of the wound channel.. OTOH, I haven't had any run away wounded raccoons so far. I watch until they offer what I want.
TikkaShooter
Member
Some birds we feed prefer eating seed off the ground and they weigh too much to use the "squirrel" proof feeders..
To feed the doves, I throw bird seed on the ground which attracts some other evening feeder.
Amazing how a black bear will lick bird seed off the ground.
Mr/Mrs Black Bear is maybe 200#.. Others are a lot bigger..
To feed the doves, I throw bird seed on the ground which attracts some other evening feeder.
Amazing how a black bear will lick bird seed off the ground.
Mr/Mrs Black Bear is maybe 200#.. Others are a lot bigger..
You make a good point with the laws for your area, as to rabies good thing it is not real common.....but you really need to weigh that as well.....the shots are a great big bucket of suck even if they are "better" over years past.
This is why I chose land belonging to the feds.
I can judge you by your actions on this thread....pretty simple.
Yea and even with "pest" birds or "pest" anything else I just hate not getting a clean kill....but mistakes happen, we as ethical hunters should try to take down animals in the most humane way possible.....however we all know it just does not always happen for one reason or another....sometimes out of our control.
We do however seem to be on the same page with this......and this is one reason I both enjoy and totally hate forums......I SUCK at the written word.
I read your post as coming to the defense of a poster that (I) read to be using a marginal, and he knows it is marginal tool to do a specific job.....this is what got my hackles up.
Like I said someplace else, I really have had my fill of killing, I don't have animals so having pests around is not much of an issue any longer.....really you are correct in one respect, aside from the one or two destructive animals that might wonder by I do punch paper, ring steel and shoot flying orange things....that is about it for me.
As to the ethical nature of killing stuff I don't eat....I hope to never be in a place where I am eating starlings, mice, rats, groundhogs, skunks.....bla bla bla.
One last thing, your statement on animals are usually more resilient then people....not sure. In my 50+ years on this doG forsaken rock I have learned two things.....the smallest thing can kill a human, and then the human body can take a huge amount of damage and keep going....it is all up to luck, karma, or whatever you choose to believe in.
Armored farmer
Member
If I lived in town, I would definitely have a quality quiet .22ish pellet rifle. Then I would take care of business without talking about it with my neighbors. Sometimes it isnt pretty. SSS.
Neither is losing chickens, like we did.
Or losing an entire patch of sweet corn after doing all, the work.
Or having coons spend the winter pooping on your hay.
Or having one spend the winter pooping in the engine compartment of a combine.
I love raccoons, when they're in the woods.
Neither is losing chickens, like we did.
Or losing an entire patch of sweet corn after doing all, the work.
Or having coons spend the winter pooping on your hay.
Or having one spend the winter pooping in the engine compartment of a combine.
I love raccoons, when they're in the woods.
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