Headshots are good.. but for a springer.

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ForestPete

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Jun 25, 2015
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Hi I've heard peoples opinions about headshots and heart shots, wondering if one or the other is better for humane reasons.. I understand that the anti's want a clean kill to minimize animal suffering, but I own a springer and I've gotten pretty use to them (Beeman RS2 .22) and as you know it springers are hard to get a 3/8 to a 1/4 inch margin from anything over 25 yards... I was wondering if there are any springers that would be a good step up from what I have now, even if I need to get a PCP. I have a $2800 budget for the upgrade, and my neighborhood has no restrictions on air rifles since its not owned by a town or bound to the township, very nice when 4th of July comes up :)

Back to the point at hand, my Beeman does the job for anything that lands on my garden fence but higher it gets difficult. Any and all suggestions are helpful thank you.

Pete


MOD EDIT: MOVED DISCUSSION TO THE HUNTING FORUM
 
Accuracy is my one and true goal right now, I have no problem with power since .22 nails anything pretty hard. From one of my earlier threads some people gave me a few ideas on some PCP and springs but didn't give me a general idea for one that would work at 50 yards (I have 8 acres of land and a lot of tall maples). I'm not to knowledgeable about scopes so that would be another thing I would need to ask, I've used them and started learning about the mil dot.

I'm glad too hear that my budget meets the standard for a good rifle and accessories.
 
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I concur with skygear, if fast accuracy is your main goal a pcp, tank(scba preferable to a scuba) and good scope are the way to go.

I read your other post and I think you can be very accurate with a quality springer and good scope as well. 

Of course if you want to use your rifle for field target, hunting, and want to take small game at 60-70yds or less a .177 pcp is your best bet. Just remember you have to have a place to fill your tank near by(either near your home on your commute to/from work) or get yourself a hand pump. 
 
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I was writing my response as you posted yours. My Air Arms S500 Extra Fac is a great rifle out and beyond 50yds. It's the .177 single shot model, though if you hunt mostly I would recommend the S510 because it comes with a magazine. Today I shot a .347 center to center group at 50yds. The cost is around $1050. A couple more very nice pcp's are the BSA R10, and HM100. A good air tank(75 cubic foot or more) and fill assembly will be around $6-800. I would spend the rest on the best glass you can find. Sightron make a very good scope in the $1000 range, of course if you shop around and ask others advice you could find other options for a similar price. I put together this list thinking of your needs to shoot game and field target.
 
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Well John you might've been the push I needed to make up my mind, I would like to get a PCP and I have no problem with spending the money on it and the equipment needed. I have a question I have a compressor that I got to fill Co2 tanks if I converted that to fill a PCP would that work? (I'm very good at tinkering) I know as much about PCP's as what I learned from watching Ted and a few other great people on the web and I would hate to try something a really mess something up. 

From what I got out of investigating the BSA R10 and the S500 Extra are my two choices since both support what I want. The HM100 is way to picky with the pellets apparently, and where I live we have limited makes of pellets.
 
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Matt that is true ordering from online would be the best bet, but the necessity of needing it for the rabbits that keep terrorizing my garden and dog is at a high right now (I'm against poison since I have children and a pet). The muli shot would be Extremely nice since I get about 5 rabbits at once going to town on my cabbage, and after looking at the S510 and reading the specs its as good or maybe better than the BSA. (but that's my own opinion)
 
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John
Thank you for verifying that the compressor is a no go, and to follow up with that question. Do you know how much it would cost to get a compressor since the closest location to me that can fill that is 3 hours? I think I am going to go with the S510 for the reason you just said, it has very nice clean follow up shots. The only thing is I heard that the S510 ran hot coming out of the box any suggestions?
 
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If you buy the extra fac version there is a power adjuster wheel on the side that allows you to increase or decrease the speed of the pellet you shoot. You will need a chronograph to determine how fast, or slow the rifle is shooting a given type/weight of pellet.

You can use a shoebox compressor, also there are a few hand pumps out there that won't break the bank(hill, air venturi, benjamin), or you could go with the Omega compressor that will fill guns, tanks and such but can cost from 1200-1800 depending on what model and who you buy it from. 

So you see how things can add up quickly when you get into pcp's now. Perhaps a less expensive scope such as an Aeon, or Hawke(I have both and are nice for the money) instead of the expensive sightron can help things out. Also if you get a compressor then you won't need a large(expensive) tank because you can refill any time you like.

Anyways get some sleep, think about it some more and don't rush into buying anything. I would suggest before making any purchase to email Boomer at BAGA and see if he can get some guys and their pcp's and accessories together for you to check out then go from there.
 
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I appreciate the explanation on the difference and the costs of being a owner of a PCP rifle, and I've been looking into Hawke scopes with the mil dot sight. From the looks of the FX rifles and the other top brand rifles out there it does look like it gets pricey, but from my look on things nothing fun comes cheap.

I appreciate all the help you've given me the past day I believe, and I'm a father I just woke up with my children. When I was messaging earlier this morning that was diaper time and trying to fall back asleep. Haha joys of being a young parent but I love every minute of it, you have a good night/morning John I'll look into the purchases when I finish my range.
 
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I am going to jump in here, as I don't concur with the .177 cal being the best choice for your described activities. Great suggestions on the guns & manufacturers but in reality, as it relates to accuracy and your goals, you will seldom experience those perfect windless days. You may already realize that wind is the bitch, when in comes to hunting and field target shooting. I would recommend the .22 and even the .25 cal in your local and environment. For me, I would take a .25 that shoots .75" groups @ 50, over a .177 that shoots .375" groups @ 50 for real world conditions...especially at the ranges these PCPs are capable of. The beauty thing is, ForestPeteSakes, with your budget you can get a .25 that shoots the elusive .5", 5 shot @ 50 yards, and have the best of both aspects.
 
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"huntjunky"I am going to jump in here, as I don't concur with the .177 cal being the best choice for your described activities. Great suggestions on the guns & manufacturers but in reality, as it relates to accuracy and your goals, you will seldom experience those perfect windless days. You may already realize that wind is the bitch, when in comes to hunting and field target shooting. I would recommend the .22 and even the .25 cal in your local and environment. For me, I would take a .25 that shoots .75" groups @ 50, over a .177 that shoots .375" groups @ 50 for real world conditions...especially at the ranges these PCPs are capable of. The beauty thing is, ForestPeteSakes, with your budget you can get a .25 that shoots the elusive .5", 5 shot @ 50 yards, and have the best of both aspects.
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While a .22 and .25 make hunting easier, he has also stated a desire to shoot FT, which .177 is the best round for. If he gets good at shooting FT then wind won't be a problem shooting 50-60 yards in hunting situations. 

We should all strive for the best shooting we can do and if you can only get .75 inch groups with a .25 at 50yds you need to work on your form, your gun or both to tighten them up.
 
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FX Bobcat MKII: $1800
Hawke 6-24 mildot scope: :$500
Scope rings: $50
Hill Genneration 4 hand pump: $270

$2620 + pellets....JSB and H&N all the way.

That's what I am using now.....the hand pump is great. Yeah, a compressor is in my future but for 30-40 pumps a night and that many shots or more the next day, it is a great setup. Here's the Omega compressor I am going to get eventually.....but seriously, the hand pump works fine for the money! $1395 for the Omega and it is supposed to be awesome, quiet and does not require a booster compressor.

http://www.precisionairgunsandsupplies.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=392

I spent all weekend blasting rodents. 20-80 yards. Several 70+ yard head shots on chipmunks. Easy peasy....this is an awesome rig. I am 150% glad I went from .177 to .25. The power of impact on the target and ability to buck the wind is amazing. Skip the .177 and .22........go .25 and you will never look back.

 
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Huntjunky
You do make a good point the wind does affect the .177 more than any other due to the weight of the pellet. I do prefer the .22 over the .177 any day since I can't seem to get a good grouping with the .177 and I know that I have more than enough money to get myself something that far exceeds my expectation, that's why I'm not buying the FX Bobcat right now. It's too deadly accurate that I would get bored with it too fast I like a challenge, start small than go big. 

I do appreciate a shortcut too beam shooting squirrels
 
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