tried predator polys at 25 cal at 34 FPE and they just bounced off a trash pandas head. needless to say i am really steamed! was not sure about them with raccoon head shots and i was right, wont make that mistake again! sucks though.
predator polymags 25 cal and trash panda headshots
- Thread starter rangur1
- Start date
What's the shot perpendicular to the skull, or a head-on shot at an angle like 45 degrees? Also I presume the fpe was at the muzzle what was the distance of the shot, because the energy falls off drastically if distance is over 50 yards and significantly at 30.
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Rangur1, could you provide more info on your unfortunate incident. Distance, angle, shot placement . I'm sure the experts will chime in to ahead light in subject. Will be watching this one.
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Here is the anatomy of your target. From the looks of your name, and your picture, you have shot a few raccoons.
It is much easier to access the brain from the side, I won’t take a frontal shot to the head on a raccoon anymore, after watching high powered pellets bounce off.
mike
It is much easier to access the brain from the side, I won’t take a frontal shot to the head on a raccoon anymore, after watching high powered pellets bounce off.
mike
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Frontal shots can work fine but their nose has pointed down such that the pellet impact near perpendicular to the skull. Just took one down at 22 yards with 25 JSP Kings 900 at the muzzle. The shot placement was a little bit off, I was aiming between the the eyes and inch above. However the shot went an inch above the eyes but went 1" to the right of center. The coon dropped like a rock but surprisingly was doing the death dance for nearly 50 seconds. I have had shots bounce off going for frontal shots as well. However I improved my lighting system such that and I can tell the orientation of their heads and sometimes you get a good angle.
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Shoot taken with FX Wildcat mk1 .25 caliber, JSB 25.4 gr.-----> 44 fpe at muzzle. Distance 30 yards. Entry hole right-of-center just above right eye. DRT!
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sorry folks , was still pissed when i wrote OP. i shot at the little panda from short range about 15 yds , the angle was good enough frontal shot , that i did many times before with 34g and 24g jsb domes at about 20 to 25 FPE . this time it was a polymag at 34 FPE and it ran away. i took my time , i know i did not miss . it was 3/4" above the top of eyes with it facing me. i have serious doubts about penatration with the poly's. i was already a little leary about them. they are meant for body shots. that's all i have right now. thanks.
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Thanks for the update. I have some polymags too and was thinking of trying them, but now I won't. The polymags seem good only for soft tissue limits there use to smaller critters. It would be likely a double lung shot to a coon will have it walking off before termination.
I read a article that stated that momentum is what you want for penetration even at a lower FPE level (assuming the cross section and lead hardness is =). If that is true a heavier pellets like some JSB heavies or H&N Barracudas should more likely penetrate the skull than the lighter polymags or kings.
I read a article that stated that momentum is what you want for penetration even at a lower FPE level (assuming the cross section and lead hardness is =). If that is true a heavier pellets like some JSB heavies or H&N Barracudas should more likely penetrate the skull than the lighter polymags or kings.
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Blackice - AGREED! 34g jsb domes at 25 fpe was no problem. from now on thats what i will use. or slugs when i get them eventually , LOL!
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It’s been my experience in a lot of years coon hunting calling during the day and spotlighting at night I would not use anything less than a 25 caliber regardless of shot placement and distance... Coons are tough animals... pound for pound one of the toughest on the planet. Size is also dependent on this as well. These two monsters I would never have taken with a 25 at 40 even with a head shot.... my 30 caliber impact maybe.... as it stands these were both taken at 50 yards with a 17HMR... calling during the day after a night of trapping when the traps are empty but there are signs around the traps also works wonders....
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I've taken a 26 pounder at 23 yards using Marauder with 0.25 jsb Kings at 850 at the muzzle. Headshot it dropped like a rock and did the death dance. I also believe I had a few shots that bounced off the skull. I believe that's because of an angled hitting the skull instead of perpendicular. So not only does location matter so does the angle of attack. Of course if you use a 12 gauge slug neither one matters as long as you hit it somewhere other than the tail or legs.
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You want better penetration?
Try the JSB Metalmags
[Ups, you're shooting .25, I don't think JSB is making this in other than .177 and .22.]
or the H&N Hornets
https://www.pyramydair.com/images/PY-P-1378_HN-Hornet-Pellets-25_1494958706.jpg
However, if you get up in range, the above will loose energy as their BC isn't that great. Then you'd be better off with some domed pellet with a high BC that is hard lead -- like the H&N Baracuda. The JSB are more on the soft side.
Cool hunting
-- where I live we don't have those kind of critters.
Matthias
Try the JSB Metalmags
[Ups, you're shooting .25, I don't think JSB is making this in other than .177 and .22.]
or the H&N Hornets
https://www.pyramydair.com/images/PY-P-1378_HN-Hornet-Pellets-25_1494958706.jpg
However, if you get up in range, the above will loose energy as their BC isn't that great. Then you'd be better off with some domed pellet with a high BC that is hard lead -- like the H&N Baracuda. The JSB are more on the soft side.
Cool hunting
-- where I live we don't have those kind of critters.Matthias
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well , an update. i was working doubles last 4 days so sorry for delay. i chronied my gun and i thought it was set at 34 FPE , but , it was actually set at 24 FPE. sooooo let's review
1- wrong pellet for use - check
2- gun underpowered for task - check
3- failure to check that system was at optimum performance - check
4- having arrogance to believe everything was in order , and needed no checking - check
result - raccoon runs away with a headache , instead of a dirt nap! - CHECK! - LOL!
thanks for the listen as i vented guys , now after i kick myself for this i will set things in order and be prepared next time.
1- wrong pellet for use - check
2- gun underpowered for task - check
3- failure to check that system was at optimum performance - check
4- having arrogance to believe everything was in order , and needed no checking - check
result - raccoon runs away with a headache , instead of a dirt nap! - CHECK! - LOL!
thanks for the listen as i vented guys , now after i kick myself for this i will set things in order and be prepared next time.
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Well, I'm glad you found a good and simple solution to your bandit problem! 
Wish shooting problems could be always solved that easy...!
Matthias
Wish shooting problems could be always solved that easy...!
Matthias
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Polymags are basically a hollow point pellet with the polytip for better b.c. that might also help with expansion. You want penetration so first use dome pellets with harder lead composition and or heavier in weight to get that penetration. All the tests I have done with polymags put them at the top of the list for expansion. That expansion will result in them flattening out or glancing off hard skulls like raccoons and groundhogs. Bill
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