Shoot More......and Save Gas!

While the family was away this week, I lived the carefree life of the bachelor. And I noticed a few things that made me go "hmm?"

First off, I don't have to go anywhere to entertain myself! I didn't need to spend one drop of gas this week for entertainment if I chose not to. I have a good supply of pellets on hand, several airguns, CO2 and HPA in tanks.....all I need to enjoy many hours of shooting without burning a drop of gas!

Secondly, many of the targets in my yard hold still longer while the kids are away. Without the onslaught of children charging out of the house, varmints and pests hold still longer, giving me a much better chance of connecting with them than when the tornado of youthful exuberance descends upon them and spooks them.

Thirdly, while perusing the web, I began to notice that if I have to take my minivan on a 30-mile round trip to pick up pellets, CO2, or a new gun....I might be better off letting UPS and the Postal Service burn their gas delivering the products to me. Depending on where you are and how far you have to go for your supplies, ordering online makes a lot of sense. And I'm dead sure the selection is better online than it is in a brick and mortar store!

I also managed to purchase my yearly hunting and fishing license online this year. Just a few minutes, enter my debit card #, and a license prints out from my printer in a very friendly fashion! How convenient is that?!

With the free time on my hands this week, I managed to browse around and noticed that Compasseco is having some closeout sales on certain items. For instance, if you are a bigbore shooter who has a .45 caliber airgun, there is a closeout sale on 180 grain pellets for the .45 going on right now this week. Drop in their closeout section and take advantage of Compasseco's effort to clear more space in the warehouse for newer items!

I also ran across some great posts on how other airgunners spent their weekends, and did they have some beautiful scenery to enjoy! Take a look at these posts on the hunting forum that I run:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/414006/message/1213542095/Hunting%2CCamping+and+Airrifles%21+Pics+-+slightly+graphic

http://www.network54.com/Forum/414006/message/1213504606/Another+airgun+adventure+%28pics+and+vids...enjoy%29

It's great to see other airgunners getting out and enjoying the great outdoors, enjoying their sport, and having a great time with other shooters. So stock up on the items you need to enjoy some time shooting, and let us know how you spend your shooting time!

Airgun Hunting Ethics

Airgun Hunting Ethics

Airgun hunting is enjoying a renaissance of sorts, rebounding from centuries of obscurity due to the onslaught of first, the blackpowder rifle, and then the modern rifle using smokeless powder. However, as many hunting enthusiasts are learning, there is a lot to be said for hunting with an airgun.

Hunting with airguns isn’t new by any means. It was simply so expensive that only the wealthy, such as royalty, were able to afford the practice. But society has changed, and many more people now have access to airguns that are fit for taking game. With that increased access to airguns comes a need to develop a mindset when hunting that governs your actions as to what airgun is appropriate for the game animal you intend to shoot. And we’ll call that mindset the “ethics of airgun hunting.”

Now before I get started, you need to understand that here in America, with firearms readily available, airguns are often overlooked as a viable hunting tool. In fact, when you talk to hunters, they will often be somewhat skeptical about using an airgun. And if you are hunting large game, then you will really get some strange looks as well as inquiries into your mental health! Suffice it to say that firearm hunters are more or less in love with power, and airgun hunters are more inclined towards finesse.

A short list of considerations with respect to the use of an airgun for hunting would be; the accuracy of the gun in question as well as the shooter’s personal ability, the power level generated by the gun, and the anatomy of the animal being hunted. The combination of these three primary factors, as well as other peripheral issues, will help determine how best to accomplish our hunt.

The primary concern of an airgun hunter should be the accuracy of their rifle. Airgun hunting is an exercise in accuracy, and if your gun won’t put the pellet where you intend it to go every time, then you need to stop hunting right then and there until you have a gun that can consistently place a pellet on target. Notice I said you need to get an airgun that will do this…..but don’t forget the human term in this equation either. Once you have an accurate airgun, YOU, the hunter, need to gain the necessary skills to operate the airgun at the required level of proficiency. Many times, the unsuccessful hunter’s frustration is erroneously directed at the airgun, when in fact it is the shooter that is the cause of the problem.

Once you’ve solved the challenge of shooting accurately, take a look at your desired prey and the power level of the airgun you have chosen to use. If you are using a .177 caliber spring-piston airgun, such as a Diana 34 or similar gun, taking small game such as rabbits, squirrels, and small birds shouldn’t be an issue. You have the power on-tap to do the job efficiently. However, animals the size of a raccoon need to be accorded more respect. Can you kill a raccoon with a .177 springer? Sure, but you are much more likely to wound it needlessly than if you used a more appropriate airgun.

In a previous article I used a graph provided by Dr. Robert Beeman on the power levels suggested for certain size animals. Here is the link again for that graph:

http://www.beemans.net/field%20use.htm

Read the entire article and note the emphasis on the power level needed at the POI (point of impact), not at the muzzle. And a second emphasis I would point out is the reference to the size of the kill zone on the animal you intend to shoot. As you can see from the article, Dr. Beeman shows a preference for the .20 and .25 caliber. However, in today’s market there is a more extensive selection offered in .177 and .22. If I had to have just one, I’d go with a .22, which allows a larger range of prey animals to be taken.

Along with aiming for the kill zone, it behooves the airgun hunter to have a good understanding of the anatomy of the animal you are shooting at. No matter the size of the kill zone, it is the path the projectile takes to get to the kill zone that is important. With smaller prey like rabbits and squirrels, the path to the kill zone is of lesser importance since they are soft-bodied prey. But when you take on larger animals, you must consider the anatomy of the animal concerned.

For instance, when I hunt feral hogs, I always try to avoid shooting the animal in the heart/lung area due to the natural shield of muscle that hogs possess. A head shot is much more desirable, and a profile head shot directly to the temple is more desirable than a head-on shot in my opinion. And the airgun I use for such hunting? Nothing less than a .30 caliber giving me well over 100 fpe, with 150 fpe and higher the better option. This is a personal opinion, for I know some fellow airgun hunters who can kill a pig with less power from their airgun. But for me, I’m going to stick with the above numbers I mentioned to give me an edge.

Now let’s scale back the size of our animal to an animal you are more likely to come into contact with….the raccoon. The average hunter needs 18-20 fpe minimum to effectively take on a raccoon. Yes, I know, there are many who have killed them with less, but I’m talking to the average hunter like myself who invariably makes a bad shot from time to time, and when that happens, we need a little more “oomph” behind the pellet to still make our shot effective. Is a head-on shot a good idea? I have spoken to firearm hunters who shoot coons between the eyes with a .22 rimfire, only to have the bullet ricochet off the skull. Behind the ear is a much better place to direct your shot, and with the lower levels of power available in airguns, I hesitate to recommend a head-on shot on a raccoon unless you are using one of the bigbores. Again, it is the path that the projectile has to take to get to the kill zone that is the issue here.

One of the peripheral issues I alluded to in an earlier paragraph would be the issue of what range should you be shooting at. The airgun hunter, by necessity, must close the range to his prey in order to make an effective shot. Remember, the skirted pellet loses velocity much faster than the firearm bullet, and the amount of energy arriving on target needs to be considered. The stalking skills of the airgun hunter play a much larger role than that of a firearm hunter as airgun hunting is a close-up affair by comparison. Where I will sometimes take a shot at a deer 200+ yards off with a firearm, all the deer I’ve killed with my airgun were 50 yards away or closer. Likewise, while on safari in South Africa with my airgun, closing within range was the greatest challenge we faced every day. It is very much like bow hunting in regards to the ranges with which I am comfortable, and a good stalk or stand position is of major importance.

So, hunting with an airgun requires an accurate combination of gun and shooter, an airgun of appropriate power for the intended game, and knowledge of your quarry’s anatomy in order to make the best shot possible. Much of this information is acquired through experience, while some of it can be obtained by reading and corresponding with other hunters. A good place to start is with pest control on undesirable avian species, followed by the pursuit of small game during the legal hunting season. As the hunter’s experience and familiarity with his/her airgun increases, there are additional challenges that come with the pursuit of big game with airguns.

In the modern era, some will question why airguns should be allowed for hunting. But if you will take the airgun seriously as a hunting weapon, you will find it up to the challenge. In any form of hunting, be it firearm, bow, or airgun, the hunter’s proficiency is what is in question rather than the weapon used. I grew up hunting squirrels with a shotgun and .22 rimfire rifle, and one shot kills were common, though not automatic. Likewise, with an airgun, I experience one shot kills, occasionally having to use further shots to finish off the prey. What I am finding, though, is that I am more careful using an airgun, and more particular of the kind of shot I desire in order to make that one shot kill. The by-product of this attitude, this emphasis on the ethics of using an airgun, is that my one shot kill ratio is going up since I often pass on shots that I would have taken had I used a shotgun or other firearm.

Airgun hunting is a thrilling challenge that is well worth the effort if you love hunting, for there is always something in season for the airgun hunter, allowing you to hunt year-round. And if you will take into consideration the ethics involved in using an airgun for hunting, your enjoyment of the sport will be assured.

If you'd like to read stories of airgun hunts, I would encourage you to drop by my hunting forum at:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/414006/

And also visit the website of Jim Chapman:

http://www.americanairgunhunter.com

You will find several hunting stories from individuals who have been there and done that, so to speak. Enjoy your airgunning!

Gamo Whisper

Gamo's Whisper will help you avoid the unwanted attention of disturbed neighbors with a sound reduction of up to 52%, as stated in the item description from the manufacturer. The sound reduction isn't very noticeable to the shooter because the mechanical action of the firing is still prevalent since it is right next to your ear. But downrange and to the side, the dampening effect of the permanently attached moderator is apparent.



The Gamo Whisper comes with an ambidextrous, synthetic stock that is comfortable, and great at reducing the weight of the gun. The barrel is enclosed in a polymer substance, so you lose that metallic clank when you bump against something. The safety is located inside the trigger guard, as is common on many airguns these days. The trigger guard is plastic, but the trigger and safety are made of metal.

The scope and rings that come with the gun work very well. It's interesting that there is a rail that attaches to the grooves already cut into the gun. Then the scope mount, a one-piece unit from Gamo, attaches to that rail. But it works, and works well. You get 3 allen wrenches included with the scope to make sure you can tighten everything down well.



I tested the Gamo Whisper over my chronograph, and noted that the advertised velocity is right on par with the results I achieved. PBA ammo from Gamo does go almost 1200 fps. A five shot string averaged 1156.8 fps, so close to 1200 that you could round up without feeling guilty about your claim!



I tested 7 different kinds of pellets in the Whisper. Below is a list with the average velocity of a five shot string:

PBA - 1156.8

Gamo Match - 927.2

RWS Meisterkugeln - 878.8

RWS Superdome - 876.6

RWS Super Hollow Point - 967.2

Gamo Hunters - 927.2

Chinese Domes - 844.4



The best accuracy at 20 yards was achieved with the Gamo Match pellets. They gave me sub 1" patterns from a new gun with only about 200 warm up shots through it. As the gun wears in, I'm sure the patterns will tighten up as well. Other pellets ranged from almost as good to dismal patterns of 1.5 inches at 20 yards. The gun is an excellent candidate for pest control and small game hunting. The Gamo Whisper comes with a Gamo 3x9 AO scope that is clear and quite useful. I had no problem getting on target, and one juvenile starling in my neighborhood will no longer pester my bluebirds and woodpeckers!



For the price of $224.95 at the time of this review, you get a gun that is quieter, easy to carry, plenty accurate for pest control, and easy to cock. The price is a bargain these days as the dollar loses value against European currency, so give the Gamo Whisper a chance in your arsenal. And instead of getting attention, avoid it with the Whisper!

Airgun Pistols - Some Choices to Use

I almost always use a rifle when hunting, but from time to time I pack a pistol instead. In the world of airgun pistols, there are a few candidates that stand out from the crowd in terms of being useful to the airgun hunter. The other pistols aren't bad, but they lack the punch needed for taking game. So here is a brief list of my candidates for your hunting arsenal.

Crosman 1377 - A venerable design that has been taking game for quite a few years. Unfortunately, the 1322, it's .22 caliber sibling, is no longer available. However, you can convert a 1377 to a 1322 if you like with a few parts. This gun has the advantage of being adjustable in power by varying the amount of air you put in the gun. Another advantage is that it is less susceptible to cold weather side effects that you get from CO2-powered guns since it uses air.

Crosman 2240 - A great little bolt-action pistol that runs on CO2. Accurate, compact, and infinitely customizable with lots of aftermarket parts. Velocity of the .22 projectile is adequate for squirrel and rabbit sized game at reasonable distances, and you get a decent shot count from each CO2 cartridge/powerlet.

Crosman 2300 Series - An upgrade to the 2240 platform, this gun features a great rear sight and semi-custom front sight, as well as a metal breech that lets you mount additional sighting options. The trigger is better on this gun than the stock 2240 as well. However, I believe it is only available in .177.

Benjamin Sheridan Pneumatic - A pump-up airgun similar in function to the Crosman 1377. This gun lends itself less to modification, yet in stock form is quite capable of taking the size-appropriate game of your choice when you do your part and put the pellet on target.

Benjamin CO2 pistol - Similar in function to the Crosman 2240, this gun also does a good job on small game. I prefer the sight system on the 2240, but the Benjamin sighting system is quite adequate for the hunter if not the target shooter.

RWS 5G - This spring-piston pistol is powerful and accurate. Self-contained, all you need is a pocket full of pellets and you are set for the day in the field pursuing your intended game. There's no nonsense about this pistol!

Now, are there other pistol offerings out there that will help you with pest control? Certainly, you can use whatever pistol you have that will hit the target with adequate force. However, if you intend to actively pursue small game, and not just pop the occasional pest, then I believe these candidates are your best options. And airgun pistol hunting is among the most challenging of the shooting sports. You really have to work at it when using an air pistol, so get the right gun for the job before heading out into the field!

The New Benjamin Super Streak

The new Benjamin Super Streak is the first springer to bear the name "superstreak" since the inception of the company, to my knowledge. Upon being acquired by Crosman, some changes have occurred, and the use of the name that generations have used to refer to a pump-up pneumatic now has a springer to its name.

The gun in question is one of the better-made offerings from China. And it is a whopper of a gun! Fully 50" in length, this is not a gun for the small shooter, or for the shooter who has a limited reach. When I'm sitting down in a chair, it is almost impossible to reach the end of the barrel if I have the butt of the gun resting on my thigh. So cocking it takes some getting used to, and you have to really reach out there to slap the end of the barrel! The long barrel does keep the cocking effort from being prohibitively irksome, but it still takes a good tug to cock this large springer.



Out of the box, I immediately noticed the truly ambidextrous thumbhole stock. What a nice touch, good for left or right hand shooters. And there is some attractive patterning on the stock to firm up your grip.




Each Super Streak comes with a 4-16x40mm CenterPoint precision scope. This Adventure Class scope has adjustable objective, zero locking/resetting windage and elevation dials and a red/green illuminated Mil-Dot reticle. Included are flip open lens covers. The scope comes mounted, though it needs firming up by positioning exactly where you want it, and securing the scope rings and mount in place. The CenterPoint scope is nice, bright, and easy to adjust. The adjustable turrets have a handy locking ring that allows you to secure your scope adjustments in place without having to worry about scope knob covers. I found this a useful feature, and hope other makers adopt such a system.



The Super Streak I tested was in .22 caliber, and I used the following pellets for testing: Crosman Premiers, JSB Exacts, RWS Superdomes, RWS Super H-Points, and Gamo Hunters. Of the pellets listed, I managed my best groups with the Gamo Hunters, which were sent downrange at an average velocity of 850 fps over a 5-shot group. Depending on the pellet used, you will get anywhere from 21 fpe to 26 fpe, dependent of course on the weight of the pellet.



Here is the pattern I achieved from the Gamo Hunters. Note that this gun is brand new, out of the box, with about 200 warm up shots in it. Over time, groups normally will tighten as the gun wears in, and the shooter become more accustomed to it.



The trigger and safety switch are metal, located inside the plastic trigger guard. The safety is positioned just ahead of the trigger, common in many airguns. Easily reached with the trigger finger, it held firm in either position, and required a purposeful movement to engage or disengage the safety.



If you prefer open-sight shooting, the rear sight is of good quality, easily adjustable, and the front sight sports a globed front pin.





This gun will suit the large-framed individual who enjoys hunting. It has the power for raccoon-sized animals and down, and comes with all you need to get out into the field after a few test shots and sighting in. And the price? Currently selling for $299.95, it is easily acquired. So give this new Benjamin some consideration when thinking of a hunting air gun.

NRA Convention in Louisville, KY - May 16-18

The NRA is holding its yearly convention in Louisville, KY this year. This is great for me as I live about 35-40 miles from there. Compasseco will have a booth there this year, and I will be joining them with some displays of my African airgun safari, and a custom .50 caliber muzzleloading airgun. If you get the chance, I hope you'll stop by and say "hi" if you attend the show.

The NRA is, and always has been, at the forefront of protecting your shooting heritage and right to bear arms. Many folks erroneously think that airguns won't be targeted by the anti-gunners, but they are dead wrong. Anti-gunners are in the business of trying to control people's lives to the point that they want to determine what you can and can't buy, purchase, or own. The fact that guns are already one of the most regulated items in the history of man doesn't seem to make any sense to them. So protecting your gun rights, as guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment, is a serious matter. Your airguns will be on the list right after guns if they get their way, so if you aren't already a member of the NRA, do something good for your shooting pleasure and join today.

I hope to see you at the convention. And if I get some good pics, I'll come back and post them for all to see.

Lead Ban in California.....How it Affects Airguns

Recently, efforts to help the California Condor have brought about the banning of lead projectiles from firearms in certain parts of California. This ban is proposed to take effect on July 1, 2008. However, many airgunners have erroneously assumed that their pellet guns will no longer be useful for taking varmints and small game inside the zone.

Here is a link to the PDF file that addresses the issue:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/docs/LeadInformation.pdf

If you'll take a look on page three, you will see that airguns are exempt from this ban as they are not considered firearms by the laws of California. The PDF file referenced specifically states that airguns and their projectiles are exempt from this ban. This is good news for those of you who use airguns in the area affected by this ban. However, I would caution you to carry a copy of the PDF file (print it out for yourself) so that any over-zealous official who may jump to a conclusion not specified by this new law can be corrected before costly fines and court procedures come about.

For many hunters, this law will adversely affect their sport and enjoyment of the outdoors. However, if you hunt with an airgun, you still have the ability to get out and enjoy some prime ground squirrel hunting this summer without fear of the lead ban affecting you. But as mentioned, carry the information detailed in the above link in case you are stopped by a game warden or other law enforcement official and questioned about the use of your lead pellets. Fore-warned is fore-armed!