In MO, we have restrictions on whitetail for .40 or above. I use a .45.The newer .357's coming out - like the flex - put out the same fpe as my .45, but generally with a significantly smaller wound channel - you may get some usable expansion on a soft hollowpoint...
Quote from: wimpanzee on October 05, 2015, 10:05:02 AMIn MO, we have restrictions on whitetail for .40 or above. I use a .45.The newer .357's coming out - like the flex - put out the same fpe as my .45, but generally with a significantly smaller wound channel - you may get some usable expansion on a soft hollowpoint...In MI the lower limit is .357 IIRC. The expansion will depend on velocity...which for reasonable weight projectiles dictates muzzle energy. This will require a good power plant, capable or velocity over 900 FPS...preferably 950+. Double weight in grains gives FPE at 950 fps. HP design will also play a part of course...Not going to go into minimum FPE required, a skilled, practiced and disciplined shooter can make better shot placement decisions and likely get away with significantly less... That said, a 70 FPE, .25 cal is about appropriate for squirrels IMO. Larger stuff requires more care and shot discipline.cheers,Douglas
Shooting a deer in the face with a pellet gun is an excellent way to insure it will starve to death.... Headshots do not mean any shot to the head, but a shot which penetrates the skull and directly into the brain.... The best (maybe the only) way to do that with a .25 cal airgun shooting pellets is a straight side shot, between the eye and ear.... and far enough back to miss the base of the antler, if any.... If the deer had it's head down grazing, then a frontal shot, centered, above the eyes would also work.... While it is possible to take game with an underpowered gun, it should only be done at close range, by an excellent shot, who has intimate knowledge of the anatomy of the skull of the intended target....Bob
As a budget gun, the SamYang .45 shooting the 155gr EPP/UG is a solid Deer Hunter.Hatsans .30 and .357 ?....no thanks