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| Projected trajectory of a Gamo Red Fire launched at 1000 fps courtesy of ShootersCalculators.com Ballistic coefficients from HERE |
I bought a "springer" many years ago and after finding it impossible to sight it, promptly forgot it. It was the one gun I did not take boating on that event-filled, three hour tour.
Consequently, I still have it.
I read an article that suggested that some pellet guns were sensitive to the pellets. I decided I needed a quiet way to spank Red Squirrels, chipmunks and other small varmints.
Yes. Different pellets made a difference. The gun loves 7.8 grain, Gamo Red Fire pellets. They are clearly a larger diameter than the ones I used before. I have to PUSH the pellets into the chamber.
Do any of you use them for pest control? If so, what range do you zero your gun for. It looks like a 35 yard zero will give me a respectable +/- half-inch mid-range but I would like to hear what others are doing.
Also, can you make any recommendations for cleaning and maintenance gear?
As a side note: The weapon is very sensitive to how it is held. The pellet leaves the barrel so slowly that the stock recoil changes the attitude of the barrel before the pellet leaves. The stock recoil varies by how tightly I grip the stock and how firmly I have it in the pocket of my shoulder etc.
The trigger pull is extremely long (but smooth) and I have to work at getting my hold consistent and my follow-through. This just might make me a better shooter.
Spring guns are inherently less accurate than pneumatic guns. A lot of parts are still moving and clanking around as the pellet travels down the bore. Still great fun and deadly as sin when you get them (and you) dialed in. Shoot shoot,shoot your group will shrink. I still shoot my 22 cal. Crosman 140 that I bought in the early '60s.
ReplyDeleteMy dad put a Williams 5D sight on it when I was a boy. I sight in @ about '50.
ReplyDelete"Gateway to airguns" big airgun forum lots of info
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you get usable results at 35 yards; I rarely get them beyond 35 feet...
ReplyDeleteIf I decided to hunt the little bastards around here I'd hardly ever need to go beyond 20 feet until they smartened up. Live trapping seems a better use of my time, and I've gotten soft hearted in my old age. I have popped a couple with my RWS .177 springer, and the job got done.
Deletehttps://www.pyramydair.com/blog/author/b-b-pelletier/
ReplyDeleteHi Joe, yes been playing with air rifles my whole life and todays quality air rifles are amazing. As flying monkeys said the GTA website has a world of experience and knowledge with good links as well.
ReplyDeleteMy "springers" all group less than 1/2" at 25 yds and are a great introduction to gkids and ggkids.
Enjoy and fill your freezer with squirrels.
Look up the air rifle term "Artillery Grip". Because of the heavy spring letting loose, the entire firearm recoils back, then forward due to stopping. To get the best accuracy, the rifle should be held loosely so that it CONSISTENTLY does this all the time. Supporting weight of forearm, very light grip on shooting hand and pull of trigger will get this done. But it does require some practice.
ReplyDeleteSpringers are generally very accurate, especially when scoped.
Good luck.
Not an answer you're looking for, especially in time of limited ammo availability but Aguila made .22LR 20 grain called Colibri, no gunpowder, lead bullet. Rabbit at 40 feet, dead with head shot. I pass gas louder than this stuff.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I've used Colibri, or Super Colibri the newer version, it is quieter than most pellet gun and more accurate.
DeleteI've also used rat shot cartridges and they aren't much louder.
When I lived inside the city limits I set up a bb trap target and practiced in my back yard. The elements of accuracy are the same for a bb gun as they are for a large bore rifle. Sight picture, breathing, squeeze the trigger etc. It will help your marksmanship.
ReplyDeletePull!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcnOfru5ftY
Joe it might be worthwhile doing a bit on air-powered weapons. These have come a very long way.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.airgundepot.com/
I'd say, your choice was once Crosman or Benjamin. Now these guys have 4 pages of just .22 cal pellets. I saw a cool UT thing about a chick on Florida payed to snuff iguanas in the parks and ball fields. She was using a very high end precharge gun.
DeleteThese precharge guns now are so high performance, even in the larger calibers, that you have to consider that your discharge is possibly going to be loud because of the supersonic 'crack'.
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