Ethical pesting

[Dr. Kralenstein]

I've shot raccoons with headshots at 25 yards with a 45 fpe .25cal shooting H&N Grizzlies, and it was exactly as you said, it was a one and done, no exit wound. But I've taken a bodyshot with the Hornets at the same distance, and they just ran off. At the end of the day, I believe in testing the ammo to see what it will do, with the rifle you plan to shoot it from and for the type of game you plan of taking.

As contrary as this may seem, there is a big difference in penetration due to ammo designs. An ammo with immediate expansion will make a larger wound channel, but it may be too shallow to get to the vitals. Another ammo may have a similar amount of expansion, but it may expand more slowly, allowing deeper penetration and adequate terminal penetration depth. Some ammo may not expand one bit, nevertheless it assures deep penetration to get to the vitals from any angle, including the Texas Heart Shot. As you familiarize yourself with your ammo you will learn where it's limitations are. I am a big fan of FX Hybrid Slugs, but as much as I love them, I don't think they are a good .30cal round in a 100fpe airgun taking a Texas Heart Shot because this is what I pulled from ballistics gel at 8 inches:

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The ammo failed to remain in tact, and I'm certain penetration would have been even less if it hit the skeletal system upon entry. This is where I need ammo like the ARG, NSA, Javelin or JSB Knockouts as they would expand, but never separate from itself as it traverses the game. But you know where this ammo excels at, when you want to ensure you don't have excessive over-penetration, like shooting at a farm permission, or in residential areas.

There is so much to learn, and with the great amount of ammo and airguns we have at our selection, all I can say, it's a great time to be an airgunner!

I have used the 25 cal fx hybrids on squirrels with vital shots at 40 fpe. No pass thru on a 40 yard shot. Last time he chewed on the fiber optic cables! Have a video on here of that shot with my akela.

 

[N2 Shooter]

Like I said fellas, this is fact finding. I usually go 40 FPE with 25 cal PCP at close range- with no BS. But my friend knows diddly-poo. So I’m asking. Now after the hornets, my second choice would have been 14.3-14.6g pellets as to the velocity increasing penetration.

Velocity does not increase penetration at the same energy level. Mass, the main component in momentum, may increases penetration if energy delivered is the same. Velocity, with all things being equal, will increase expansion on hollow point ammo, and would then reduce penetration. This isn't an issue with the Hornets, but something to consider as you examine other ammo types available.

Take a look at this video I made some time ago. We can see that ammo that is heavier shooting from the same gun, penetrates deeper than similar ammo of the same design that is traveling faster. A 110gr slug zipped completely through Ballistics Gel at 860fps while the 79gr slug at 930fps stopped an inch shy of exiting the block. We may not have as conclusive results at the .25cal/40fpe level as the ammo weights differences are not as pronounced. The only way to know is, you guessed it, to test the ammo!

 

[N2 Shooter]

I have used the 25 cal fx hybrids on squirrels with vital shots at 40 fpe. No pass thru on a 40 yard shot. Last time he chewed on the fiber optic cables! Have a video on here of that shot with my akela.

I fondly remember that video!

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

I fondly remember that video!

The look on that poor bastards face!

 

[Vetmx]

I’ve taken a couple with a 177 TX200HC. Ethically? When you are underpowered, which is in a lot of cases with backyard airguns shooting larger critters with an incredible will to live, ethical lies in the shooter’s abilities and patience to make the proper shot. If the shot isn’t perfect and you squeeze one off anyway, that’s not ethical no matter what gun you’re using. That’s just trying to get lucky at the animal’s expense.

 

[ChuckHunter]

16fpe with a JSB 13.7 .20 cal at 28 yards rested! Accuracy trump's pellet design in this case! Right between the ear and eye and lights out! Think someone already said it the temple is the thin spot on the scull and works every time.