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sticman77

sticman77

Member
Jul 31, 2019
660
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ID, United States
hello, i've spent the last year or so trying to find an airgun that i can take backpacking for grouse and squirrels, but also can take predator hunting. i think ive spent too much money trying to stretch the 22/25 figuring out the ultimate utilitarian platform, and am going with one for backpacking smallgame, and one for predators/large game.

that being said, i am still looking for light, and short with a big bore. is the general opinion than an airforce carbine .457 CF is going to get me the best combo of weight, length, and power?

apologies in advance for my ignorance on this subject!
 
also can take predator hunting
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What predator are you gunning for..?
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I would want to be able to go from Coyotes, Wolves, and eventually a small muley (non-predator)
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The Texan's are everyone's go-to rifle now it seems, so you are on the right track. There are only a few makers of big bore air rifles out now that fits in the big bore, larger game category, pushing enough energy to do the job. But few of these are able to push more than a couple of good high power shots. Because of the Texan's popularity there's a lot of upgraded parts available to customize the thing to your liking, both in power as well as the build platform.
 
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The Texan's are everyone's go-to rifle now it seems, so you are on the right track. There are only a few makers of big bore air rifles out now that fits in the big bore, larger game category, pushing enough energy to do the job. But few of these are able to push more than a couple of good high power shots. Because of the Texan's popularity there's a lot of upgraded parts available to customize the thing to your liking, both in power as well as the build platform.
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i dont think its going to get lighter than 6 lbs from what i've seen also. thanks for the input. i am moving towards airforce in smaller caliber also, so the texan makes the most sense
 
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also can take predator hunting
Click to expand...

What predator are you gunning for..?
Click to expand...

I would want to be able to go from Coyotes, Wolves, and eventually a small muley (non-predator)
Click to expand...


Ok, reason I ask, is just got back from a elk hunting trip where we got surprised by a good sized bear checking what was left from a recent field dressing maybe 150 yards away from us. Made us think twice about our surroundings, we checked our side arms. After seeing the size of that bear, was rethinking my choice of 10mm glock for my side arm and understanding why my hunting buddies laughed at it compared to their hand cannons... Predators in north America might not be lions but are no joke

I've never hunted wolfs myself, seen/observed a few at a distance, and heard lots of first hand hunting cabin 'stories'. Not sure where you're hunting wolves but they can be 150-200lbs strong and quite smart, not scared of you if you surprise or hurt them and very vicious. One of the only animals that can put cause and effect together. They mostly hang in large packs that frequently split up and circle behind their prey. Normally humans aren't considered wolf prey. But If you shoot one at close range I've heard other nearby wolfs can figure out the bang came from you, and they know you caused their fellow pack member to go down bleeding out jumping/crawling in pain. Have been told it could go 2 ways. Either they run off never to be seen again, or if you happened onto their lair with pups young wolfs and they feel threatened, they will defend the pack by charging you or stalking you. Also, mostly where there are wolves there are bears, maybe big gnarly bears...

Been a hunter all my life, love air guns, have a closet full of them, been shooting them all my life in one form or another... but

single shot air rifles have there place, imo its not for big toothy packs of wolves or bears. Hogs or deer, no problem...

Please bring on your wolf hunts a multi shot powder burner, as having a wounded wolf and/or pack members charging you before you could reload your single shot AF might be more than you bargained for...

jmo
 
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Please bring on your wolf hunts a multi shot powder burner, as having a wounded wolf and/or pack members charging you before you could reload your single shot AF might be more than you bargained for...

jmo
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these are all great points, but i am highlighting one that kind of illustrates them all. there are no shortage of multishot bp's with the people i head out with, so we would be covered. but it's always a good reminder to be cognizant of your environment and what you are getting yourself into.

I'm in idaho, so we have at all, including lions. well a version of them. the ones we have could still tear me apart easily, so definitely something to take seriously.
 
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Click to expand...

Please bring on your wolf hunts a multi shot powder burner, as having a wounded wolf and/or pack members charging you before you could reload your single shot AF might be more than you bargained for...

jmo
Click to expand...

these are all great points, but i am highlighting one that kind of illustrates them all. there are no shortage of multishot bp's with the people i head out with, so we would be covered. but it's always a good reminder to be cognizant of your environment and what you are getting yourself into.

I'm in idaho, so we have at all, including lions. well a version of them. the ones we have could still tear me apart easily, so definitely something to take seriously.
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Just got back from Wyoming, right next door to you. Been through Idaho,. That whole area, is Gods country, even the politics are good, as long as you can keep out the cali exodus lol. Awesome place you're lucky to live there.
 
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