Squirrels at 40 yds.

[snakebite4767]

Howdy folks... I have a question for you experienced Air Rifle Hunters.  Just what would you consider to be the minimum FPE needed to effectively hunt Ground Squirrels at 40 yds. Yes... I do understand that shot placement is very important, but just wondering if my 14 FPE at the muzzle has enough power left at 40 yds to be effective on Ground Squirrels.

Thanks;
Snakebite

[Geoff]

i am going to guess yes from looking at chargun and plugging in numbers to get to 14FPE.

you might take a look at that free program to see where power drops off on you

[ogre8472]

Yep. You already said shot placement. But 12-15fpe will do just fine. I've taken hundreds of ground squirrels with my 13fpe marauder pistol out past 50 yards. Are you using a .22 or .177?

[snakebite4767]

I'm using a 22 cal. WOW.... doing the Ground Squirrels at 50 with your Air Hand gun... that's pretty impressive... I can do it with my Python or my Redhawk, but doubt I could do it with a Air Pistol.

Snakebite

[ogre8472]

A .22 is a better choice IMHO. There are folks that can do that with a .177.
It's boils down to knowing yourself and your tools. With time and plenty of practice.

[snakebite4767]

I'm sure that most things can be done with the .177, but it seems to me that in order to get enough "Knock-Down" power, you would have to get a Magnum speed gun, and they seem to be harder to shoot... especially, Off-Hand. I considered a .25 cal, but changed my mind... pellets are not easy to find.

Snakebite

[tracker12]

What pellest would you recommmend for this application?

[Bullit]

A good Dome pellet will be your most accurate, and will hunt well.

[lillysdad621]

snake bite... try this...
http://varmintair.typepad.com/varmintairs_blog/fwb-300s-sporter/

This website will show you that all you need is accuracy to hunt ground squirrels at 40+ yards. This guy is my hero. I actually tried this set up and i get grey squirrels at 40 yards with my own FWB 300s. mind you, even tuned mine shoots 8.44 gr pellets at 650 fps. But it is stoooopid accurate. So yeah, 15 fpe is plenty as long as you hit where it counts.

[drewciferpike]

snake bite... try this...
http://varmintair.typepad.com/varmintairs_blog/fwb-300s-sporter/

This website will show you that all you need is accuracy to hunt ground squirrels at 40+ yards. This guy is my hero. I actually tried this set up and i get grey squirrels at 40 yards with my own FWB 300s. mind you, even tuned mine shoots 8.44 gr pellets at 650 fps. But it is stoooopid accurate. So yeah, 15 fpe is plenty as long as you hit where it counts.

^This...

Those Brits have been slaying bunnies and squirrels at 12fpe, so I know you'll be fine.

[OleTomCat]

I'm sure that most things can be done with the .177, but it seems to me that in order to get enough "Knock-Down" power, you would have to get a Magnum speed gun, and they seem to be harder to shoot... especially, Off-Hand. I considered a .25 cal, but changed my mind... pellets are not easy to find.

Snakebite

Actually when you are using head shots as your primary means to dispatch these critters the .177 is better because it is more accurate and has better penetration....

It takes like 20% more power for a .22 to penetrate the skull than a .177...

[palonej]

Hey Snake!!! No prob at all!! Like someone stated earlier.....know your equip so you have confidence in placement!! I've taken many with my TX and got my first with my 98, just posted pics, at 50 yards. I always use domes also.

[limbshaker]

Im gonna tell you, "No it wont work. It won't cut it."

.....just so you will go out and prove me wrong and you will post your success pics! 

Just teasin, bud.  I think you will be fine. I've killed tree squirrels at 35 or 40 with a ruger airhawk with a chopped barrel in .22 putting out 12fpe. Get your holdover figured out and you will have plenty of thump left at that range. 

[palonej]

Hey Shaker!!! I like the reverse psychology thing!!! Very imaginative!!!