Hunting deer with a pellet gun?

[bobbymalone]

OK, so we are not talking about a red ryder but it is a air rifle shooting .40+ caliber lead pellets, errr bullets. Saw this in the most recent issue of Missouri Conservationist and it's available online right here:

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2010/10-0/air-gunomics

[Archerysniper]

I also read a article in a hunting mag this spring about it they were useing a .54 cal

[walleye365]

not for me

[PurpleFloyd]

I get a subscription to Predator Xtreme and they have an air gun article in every issue.

[NaturesRespect]

i remember watchin a video of some big game animal being hunted with an air rifle. also watched as they shot targets out quite a ways and they were able to hit it. not sure about the amount of speed and energy it has but ill stick to firearms. i have heard of a air rifle of i think it was .177 or .22 cal being able to take down a boar.

[flipper]

When I shoot the heavy lead conicals out of my muzzleloaders I get somewhere between 1200 and 1300 fps muzzle velocity. If they are getting 800 fps out of these air guns they have a lot of knock down power. The heavy conicals might be slow but they carry a lot of energy with them. I bet out to 50 or 60 yards you would have no problem.

[goblueM]

if its only really good out to 50 yards why not just use a bow instead

[Fins-n-feathers]

if you miss or the deer is wounded, then your stuck walking back to your air compressor to pump up your gun again.

[nofishfisherman]

I believe the article says you have about 3-4 full power shots before needing to head back to the compressor.

[bobbymalone]

The article in the MO Conservationist said the particular gun they were discussing can get three full power shots before needing a recharge.

I would be surprised if a .177 or a .22 air rifle could take down a wild hog unless you hit it square in the CPU.

[mrklean]

ill stick with my bow and high power rifle

[harvey lee]

Maybe for a guy that works with this plinker but I do not believe that average Joe hunter should use it. Many deer with little holes in their ears.

Maybe we can now use high powered pea shooters.