Week in review: how many FPE for gophers?

[vigilandy]

Ok, gopher shooters-- what's your weapon of choice?  I'm trying to settle on a gopher getter.  My FDPCP is overpowered and my Daisy 853 is underpowered.   

The last week while I was putting in a couple garden plants, I saw this guy poke his head out maybe 15 ft away.  I went and got my "at ready" FDPCP off the shelf, and walked back.  The FDPCP is sporting a Barska 4-12x side focus that is surprisingly light.   It's set up to shoot 825-800-825 with 18.13gr JSB for 5 shots from a 1400 PSI fill.  That's what the gauge says anyway... I sure some pressure is lost on venting. 

One shot at about 27FPE planted this guy on the spot.


A day or two later, the same thing happened... 



So I started thinking this is getting out of control... and I had better pay more attention to these pests.  I've started spending some time in the yard just listening for the "crunch, crunch" sounds of feeding or the sight of plants being pulled underground.   I also put a BSA 4x AO scope on my Daisy 853 for close quarters work.  It shoots 7.3gr AA pellets very accurately at a little under 450FPS for about 3FPE.  The FDPCP is sighted for longer range and close in shots (10-15ft) require a lot of holdover. 

In one morning, I got four shots, three hits, one confirmed kill with the 853.  And the confirmed kill was this itty bitty gopher.


After the last hit without recovering a body, I switched back to FDPCP.   The next day, I nailed this guy: 


One of the benefits of so much power at close range is that it didn't matter that I hit the dirt below the POA.  The heavy pellet smashed through the top of the tunnel and killed this big guy with a body shot. 

Close in shots are tough... these two starlings at 30 and 40 yards were easier.  Just put the crosshairs on them, account for a tiny breeze and ka-pow!  Well, not that easy.    I overcompensated for, and just winged (literally) the one on the right. 



Fingers crossed that next week is just as productive.... 

[dk1677]

Nice shooting! You cant have too much gun

[AHMSA]

Nice shooting.

[Bwalton]

Nice shooting, just happens  I have a gopher video mixed in with my gs hunt from yesterday.

[Motorhead]

Andy,
Lol ... small targets that pop up and down in there hole like toast in a toaster are tough quarry !!
Good shooting right there.

[vigilandy]

Thanks guys.  You know it did remind me of an adult "wack a mole"  game... 

Jason,  if you're reading this- I'm not neglecting the QB79,  it's just temporarily out of commission with what I think is a blown valve seal.

[454 Big Block Chevy]

over penetration is only a real issue with possible collaterall damage.  ricochets are very dangerous.  onlyi you can determine what is right for you.

All in All, i say lots of HP and blow them up.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  I don't know what other toys you have in the chest but perhaps a nice P-Rod carbine tuned to 18 or 20 fpe

[Tater]

Or maybe just de-tune the FDPCP a bit. Adding a few extra shots is the bonus.


ETA: Oh yeah, a red dot too.   

[vigilandy]

I hate to mess with the FDPCP because it's currently my go to gun for starlings.  If I detune it or re-zero the scope for up close shooting,  I'll end up missing more long range shots.  I'm not anywhere near as good a shot as Baxter.  Change up the gear or shooting conditions and it takes me a while to adjust.  This is why I tend to set up guns for specific purposes. 

Thanks to you guys though I dug through the "guns I don't shoot"  cabinet.  The first gun that came to mind was a 1322 with a 12" barrel and shoulder stock.  I knew I had a steel breech in the parts bin too.  Then I saw the Crosman 1100 and instantly regretted not having it resealed already!  Would have been perfect for such close range shooting.  Next was the XS12 I'd picked up while in one of my annual bounts of delusion when I think I can shoot iron sights.  Tried it out and as I figured,  I still can't hit the side of a barn.  A reparallaxed old Tasco 4x32mm scope "fixed" the  problem.  3/4" groups at 20ft aren't anything to be proud of...  But it's good enough for gophers since my shots have been at 15ft or less.   Daisy wadcutters at 8 fpe should have plenty of punch.

@ tater -  I tried a red dot on the XS12 and it was okay.  I just don't like having to turn it on before shooting.  The other option is to leave it on while I'm working in the garden,  but that's going to drain the battery. 

[BenjiHunter]

Great shooting, Andy!!

[Veprjack]

Warning - Noob giving advice!

1) Some red dots don't have to use a battery for a dot to appear - not sure of cost.
2) Any way to attach a laser to one of your less powerful guns? Can get quick acquisition and should be very accurate under 50'.  Can use pressure button to activate and save battery.
3) I know you don't want to mess with current scope settings but if you got high mounts, you might be able to use the iron sights "underneath"?  You claim you can't hit anything with irons, but if you practice, 20' shouldn't be unattainable.

Just thinking out loud based on experience with PB shooting. Good luck and congrats on your shooting so far!

[daytime dave]

Nice shooting.  I agree, the 853 probably isn't  enough against those gophers.