Raccoon Pellet Choice/Tune (vs plinking)

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Jalan

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May 8, 2025
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I'm dealing with a raccoon problem at my chicken coop. Knock wood they've left the chicks alone (coop is pretty secure) and are going in the run, eating the feed, etc. It's a drive thru all night long.
I've got 2 so far. I'm new to all this so...
I have an Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup(2) 25 cal. Right now just the factory tune. Reg about 2800. I currently have the JSB Exact 25 gr. I'm set up about 40 yards in a perfect angle position.
The first I got nervous and only got a body shot. But, I got another in him and he dragged away. No way he made it.
I then put a bait board with smeared PB and marshmallows. The next was in position long enough that I hit the base of the head. Thrashing but I quickly got another. When I approached he was still alive. Point blank ended it.
I'm sure the combo of this distance, 25 grain, tune just isn't quite enough for these dense monsters.
I guess I'm searching for the best of both worlds. Maybe a heavier hybrid type pellet? If I did that would a hammer spring adjustment be needed?
I did get a cheap Chrono that guys here recommended but I haven't tinkered with it yet. I do allot of plinking so I'd hate to really jack it up. That said, this problem comes first. Last think we need is then getting in the coop.
At this point, I'm open to any advice. The distance is pretty much fixed. Any closer would require a steep change in angle.
Right now, I'm going to keep putting the food, try to nail down their time table now that I've taken out the big ones that come first. I have cams all around for this.
Much Appreciated....
 
Bander124 said:
A .25 with a .25g pellet should be fine. Ive dropped them with .22, .177 but my primary gun is a .30 shooting a 54.5 gr at 600 seems fine. They are tuff though.
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Very tough. They are related to bears.

But I try to use a .30, AEA Terminator, or my cranked up Condor .25.

Haven't seen one in a year.
 
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Ratzy said:
Very tough. They are related to bears.

But I try to use a .30, AEA Terminator, or my cranked up Condor .25.

Haven't seen one in a year.
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Haven't seen? This is what I'm wondering. If I get the rest of them, will I be ok at least till the next breeding cycle?

They are so comfortable here right now. The first 2 were always here early, 10 pm. Now they're gone, the cam saw nothing till nearly 1:30 am when the next showed up. I can't be sure but I think there's a mother/cub and one other loner.

We really are terrified what these things could do to the chickens. We've heard a million horror stories. I have no love lost for these monsters. I'm hopeful to end it at least for a while.

Traps are mostly impossible because the cats will end up there. Also, what fun would that be 😆
 
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Jalan said:
Haven't seen? This is what I'm wondering. If I get the rest of them, will I be ok at least till the next breeding cycle?

They are so comfortable here right now. The first 2 were always here early, 10 pm. Now they're gone, the cam saw nothing till nearly 1:30 am when the next showed up. I can't be sure but I think there's a mother/cub and one other loner.

We really are terrified what these things could do to the chickens. We've heard a million horror stories. I have no love lost for these monsters. I'm hopeful to end it at least for a while.

Traps are mostly impossible because the cats will end up there. Also, what fun would that be 😆
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They have hands. They open the latches on the coops. They grab a chicken or two.
 
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Ratzy said:
They have hands. They open the latches on the coops. They grab a chicken or two.
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Oh believe me we're highly aware. The coop was built with all this in mind. Pretty much complete heavy gauge hardware cloth, door latches have special clips and reversed carabiners. I'm not saying impossible but...
That said, at least so far they haven't gotten curious about them. I'll continue to put the food till I can get them all.
 
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Jalan said:
Oh believe me we're highly aware. The coop was built with all this in mind. Pretty much complete heavy gauge hardware cloth, door latches have special clips and reversed carabiners. I'm not saying impossible but...
That said, at least so far they haven't gotten curious about them. I'll continue to put the food till I can get them all.
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Spring clips defeat them.
Multiple latches work.

Our assumption for the lack of raccoons is we got the moms and the cubs didnt survive
 
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All good advice on the caliber & power you have. Maybe a crank up a bit on the hammer spring at current reg setting will get a little more "juice" , but the 25 gr should do the trick w/ head shots . AND , expect gymnastics w/ any caliber head shots on raccoon ! Followup shots usually don't have much effect w/ the flops & flips. 33gr.s pellets or slugs may do better on side shoulder shots w/ additional speed. Good luck & shoot straight!
 
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qball said:
While there is not such thing as over kill to make them deader but honestly super high power is not safe. I’ve taken them out with 16 grain pellets at 800fps, obviously right between the eyes but a 13 grain 177 pellet at 700fps would do just fine.
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It is night, they are moving.
.177 is far to easy for them to walk away from. I'd rather know they are not getting up than hope I place a shot perfectly.
 
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You’re fine. Because with any airgun .30 and under, it’s all about shot placement. Like qball eluded to, you aren’t going to make them deader with a 33.95gr pellet because they require the exact same shot placement. You’re familiar with the gun and the 25gr and that’s a fantastic plinking pellet also. Stick with it. Raccoons are super tough. No shame in follow up shots. We’re not counting.
 
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Ratzy said:
It is night, they are moving.
.177 is far to easy for them to walk away from. I'd rather know they are not getting up than hope I place a shot perfectly.
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Then why not 50 cal if you are shooting at their general direction?

It’s not hard to have them not move, bait and or handcuff traps. These little heavy 177 lead sleeping pills penetrate a lot more than you think, test it on 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood and see. Or 12.5 grain NSA slugs at 800fps or more are straight up ice picks/armor piercing, they should paint the tips green!.😂
 
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My experience with coons and a .25 is avoided big bones! A round pointed is your best choice because fancy barely expanding costs too much in penetration.
I shot one in the neck at a distance of 25 yards (50 fpe) with a predator which didn't break bone leaving it to dance across the yard with a cut throat.
I've tried all the flavors at close range with no exits except round points and no excessive damage to speak of.
 
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qball said:
Then why not 50 cal if you are shooting at their general direction?

It’s not hard to have them not move, bait and or handcuff traps. These little heavy 177 lead sleeping pills penetrate a lot more than you think, test it on 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood and see. Or 12.5 grain NSA slugs at 800fps or more are straight up ice picks/armor piercing, they should paint the tips green!.😂
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Because 50 cal will go through them.

I never said anything about penetration. My point was you are much more likely to require a follow-up shot with a raccoon if to use a .177.

I've hit a moving raccoon with a 31gr .25 and shot placement was off just a little. It was gone in a heartbeat. It didnt make it far but it did run. Same shot with a .177? How far would it have made it?
 
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I use a 22 caliber, 25 grain, round nose diabolo at 30 yards so I think your equipment is fine. The key (and fun) is in shot placement so wait for that perfect opportunity. Make sure to aim a bit low if head-on as I’ve seen subsonic 40 grain rimfire skip over the top of the skull. Their head from straight-on is raked more than the windshield of a Lamborghini!

Got one once that ran 30 feet and dropped. Didn’t find it for three days & then only by smell. No raccoons for two years after that so leave the carcass for a while and the others will get the message.
 
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