Air pistol hunting

[greybeard]

Does anyone hunt with air pistols.

I have a couple of air rifles a .22 and .177... in years past I took a fair amount of squirrels with the .22 and a couple with the .177 , but was thinking of getting into air pistol hunting .. no real plan.. just thinking...

I have two air pistols .. one is a crossman 38c(.22) and the other a crosman 1377 pump (.177)...

Many years ago I used the .22 a bit , and remember killing a muskrat one night while fishing and probably some other things that I don't remember.

I bought the 1377 a few years ago and mainly used it on frogs upstate ny, also some wasps.. It's really accurate, and when I put on the rifle stock I shoot even better...I did kill one gray squirrel with it , but it took a shot thru the brain to kill it.

.I was not happy with it for squirrels....

I am considering the crosman 1322 to use eventually on squirrels ( I have to see if I legally can in NY first I don't know if it has the power to be used legally to hunt with). The 1322 was discontinued , but brought back. I could use the .38c, but would prefer a pump pistol..

If any of you have hunted with air pistols , I was wondering what do you think about it

[apoallo]

.

I bought the 1377 a few years ago and mainly used it on frogs upstate ny, also some wasps.. It's really accurate, and when I put on the rifle stock I shoot even better...I did kill one gray squirrel with it , but it took a shot thru the brain to kill it.

.I was not happy with it for squirrels....

Most small game ( squirrels rabbits birds etcc) hunted with air rifles are shot in the head. Its the quickest kill shot there is for them. Their heart is so small that a heart shot is really hard. head shots offer a bigger target and a quicker kill I think most here will agree with me, thou I am no expert. if the 1377 is working for you then stick with that. a few weeks ago I shot a grey squirrel with a beeman break barrel .20 cal shoots at around 1000 FPS and I shot that squirrel in the head. It still flopped around for a good 20 seconds. Dont be worried about them flopping around after the shot, they are already dead and the flopping , or twitching is just their nerves. Deer twitch after shot sometimes as well. good luck!!

[Elmo]

To legally hunt with an airgun it has to produce a minimum of 600 fps of velocity with a pellet at least .17 in caliber.

I know you can hunt with an air rifle that meets these minimum requirements but I'm not completely positive you can use an air pistol.

Regardless, the 1322 doesn't meet the minimum 600 fps requirement.

[greybeard]

Thanx Elmo.. You're right about the 1322 it doesn't meet the legal requirements..I just looked it up..

I just ASSUMED that an air pistol, if powerful enough, could be used. I guess I better check that out before I go any further.

[shawnhu]

To legally hunt with an airgun it has to produce a minimum of 600 fps of velocity with a pellet at least .17 in caliber.

I know you can hunt with an air rifle that meets these minimum requirements but I'm not completely positive you can use an air pistol.

Regardless, the 1322 doesn't meet the minimum 600 fps requirement.

I'll have to agree with Elmo here, the 1322 will not meet the 600 fps requirement as a DEC hunting implement, regardless to the fact that it has more killing power than that of the little brother, 1377.

With that, there is a new pistol that Crosman has that can, it's the Benjamin Marauder Pistol, PCP. That bad boy should have enough power to dispatch any small game, including coyotes. Problem is, it's pricey and requires an air source such as a pump or HPA air tank.

If air pistols is legal, I would stick with the 1377, pumped 10 times and find the best pellet for it in terms of going after squirrels.

I shoot explosively JSB 8.44 grain lead pellets in my springer, and a lighter 7.4-7.9 grain in my pumps. I prefer a more hollowpoint pellet for the pumps, as I'm most likely closer range with the pump.

Graybeard, if you need to check the speed, I have a chrony that you can use.

[waltny]

One can mod a 1377(and 1322) to the point that it can take squirrels and the like. Problem for me was the neccessity to pump it up to 30 times to reach that level.

There are 3 other options which bring their own issues to the table(need for HPA).

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Evanix_Hunting_Master_AR6/961

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_Marauder_Woods_Walker_Air_Pistol/2722

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/AirForce_TalonP_Precharged_Pneumatic_Pistol/2400

[shawnhu]

Let's not forget the new Marauder pistol.

[greybeard]

Shawnhu.. Thank you for the offer...but I think if I go I'll use my air rifle it's 800 fps and has done a good job..

I used to use the Crosman 99, lever action, and it did a good job, but it doesn't meet the requirements in NYS...

[shawnhu]

Shawnhu.. Thank you for the offer...but I think if I go I'll use my air rifle it's 800 fps and has done a good job..

I used to use the Crosman 99, lever action, and it did a good job, but it doesn't meet the requirements in NYS...

If you ever decide to go, be sure to send me an invite!

[greybeard]

Shawn.. IF I ever do go would be my pleasure