Hunting Season is Here!
This past Saturday marked the opening day of squirrel season here in Kentucky. I took one of my air guns out into the woods for a trial run as it has so far been untested on live game. The gun in question is a custom-built gun that is derived from the TF-78, a fine and accurate CO2 gun. However, this particular gun has been converted into a PCP, with a high-pressure reservoir added to accommodate the 3000 psi I wanted as a power source. With this conversion, (safely done by a good machinist) I derive over 4 times the power available from the CO2 version. It pushes heavy Kodiak pellets at a rate that results in 32 fpe.
The barrel on this gun is the original Chinese barrel, which is a testament to the accuracy the Chinese are building into this model of air gun. As you can see from the pictures below, I had no problem connecting with the quarry I was pursuing. Head and neck shots on the two squirrels you see were easily achieved once I settled myself down from the "first shot of the season" jitters that seem to plague me every year.
The groundhog, which is big game for small-caliber airguns, was an added bonus. The landowner had asked me to get rid of it at every opportunity as it was digging up under the woodpile and edge of the barn.
A word of caution to air gun hunters. Each year brings changes and new rules to the existing game laws, and it is your responsibility to check and see if you are hunting with a legal weapon. For instance, this year Kentucky passed a law forbidding the use of .177 caliber air guns for small game hunting. I am asking for a review of this law, but for the 2007-2008 hunting season, it is a done deal. Thankfully, I have several .22 caliber air guns to choose from, but I was sorely disappointed that I couldn't use my Beeman R-9 and R-7 this season. So glance through your state's game laws and ensure you are okay.
Now if you are looking for an early-season squirrel rifle that is recoiless and very accurate, I couldn't mention a better gun to you than the TF-78 in .22 caliber. Even on CO2, there is plenty of power for small game such as squirrels and rabbits. And if you are interested in a PCP conversion, I can steer you towards a good machinist who will turn an already great gun into a real powerhouse. And he will do it safely, which is of utmost importance when dealing with high pressure air guns.
Enjoy this hunting season and let us know how you are doing with some of the fine products you get from Compasseco.
The barrel on this gun is the original Chinese barrel, which is a testament to the accuracy the Chinese are building into this model of air gun. As you can see from the pictures below, I had no problem connecting with the quarry I was pursuing. Head and neck shots on the two squirrels you see were easily achieved once I settled myself down from the "first shot of the season" jitters that seem to plague me every year.
The groundhog, which is big game for small-caliber airguns, was an added bonus. The landowner had asked me to get rid of it at every opportunity as it was digging up under the woodpile and edge of the barn.
A word of caution to air gun hunters. Each year brings changes and new rules to the existing game laws, and it is your responsibility to check and see if you are hunting with a legal weapon. For instance, this year Kentucky passed a law forbidding the use of .177 caliber air guns for small game hunting. I am asking for a review of this law, but for the 2007-2008 hunting season, it is a done deal. Thankfully, I have several .22 caliber air guns to choose from, but I was sorely disappointed that I couldn't use my Beeman R-9 and R-7 this season. So glance through your state's game laws and ensure you are okay.
Now if you are looking for an early-season squirrel rifle that is recoiless and very accurate, I couldn't mention a better gun to you than the TF-78 in .22 caliber. Even on CO2, there is plenty of power for small game such as squirrels and rabbits. And if you are interested in a PCP conversion, I can steer you towards a good machinist who will turn an already great gun into a real powerhouse. And he will do it safely, which is of utmost importance when dealing with high pressure air guns.
Enjoy this hunting season and let us know how you are doing with some of the fine products you get from Compasseco.
posted by Randy Mitchell at
5:35 PM
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2 Comments
