Pcp for coons, again.

So I have been talked out of every gun I have considered so far. Those being the FX crown, FX wildcat, FX dream state, and several others. The only one I have not been totally convinced to not buy is the EDgun. But I have been told that I should really only consider a 30 cal. by I believe a couple very knowing guys. Problem is it don’t look as though they are offered any more in 30 cal ( r5 does not seem to be on EDgun web sight for purchase) and if they were ( are) they are a single shot. I would much rather have a magazine fed rifle, with the forward cocking lever. ( I know plastic bearing on the cocking lever, plastic trigger, and magazine) So I was thinking if I really need the 30 cal fpe, could I get some where near that fpe in a R5M 25 cal. Long version by shooting slugs instead of pellets ? And I know, guys kill them all the time with .177 12 fpe all the time. I have one of those, they are not that good at it. Neighbor has a 22 cal springer, it ain’t much better. I need dead right now, even on a marginal shot, that I can get a follow up on ( one reason I want a reaper, and another is because some times they come 4-6 at a time) And yes I know a firearm would be best, that ain’t an option. I’ve been trapping them, it’s slows them down, but they get wise to the trap. Thanks I am about ready to give up, let the coons win and buy a damn fly rod ( or two or three) with the money one of these things cost. And I am not wanting something that requires a lot of maintenance or known problems ( reasons I have been talked out of all the others) thanks. I like reading all about what you guys are doing with these rifles, and if I don’t buy one, I will still be here to read and watch you guys. I didn’t realize “ pellet” guns have come so far, yet they do seem to have a lot of issues. Thanks again.
 
Coon are salty critters they are tough are hard to kill . I have made marginal a shot with a 357 lever action that took a follow up shot so I don’t put a lot of faith in the .30 being a lot better than the .25. It’s all about shot placement. If you take any shot other than frontal head shot they usually travel a little ways before they expire. A .25 cal works pretty well that’s what I use with 25.4s at about 925. This is coming from much experience as I have taken well over 200 in the past 2 years. With 22 shot in the last two hunts 17 were recovered within 50 yards most all these are shot right behind the front leg above the centerline of body. An Edgun should suit you fine in 25 caliber. And they are good guns. I think if you research the Taipan you will not find any negative about them either. As far as the FX I will stay out of that I will say I don’t own one and probably won’t. The Cricket is another great gun Charlie At Georgia Airguns can fix you up on that. I used one for a long time. Then we converted a p12 to a .25 cal as it get hauled and shuffled around. And the single shot works good when you are operating of of feel alone at night.Hope this helps.
 
I own all guns mentioned , edgun , fx , taipan and cricket , all are capeable of hunting raccoons , I own 22 cal 25 can and 257 cal and 30 cal , I use ,22 and 30 caliber for coyotes , both work well with slugs , However the 30 can hit alot harder if you ever want to go for larger game , AS for Taipan veteran I am getting 52fpe by replacing hammer spring and adjusting regulator up and it shoots MP slugs 1 moa so another good option , as for optics , I use NV and thermals and I love thermals better

LOU
 
Years ago dealing with an infestation I killed over 200 out my window at 51 yds over a period of 4 years with a .22 pcp. Only 1 failure, when a pellet skipped off the forehead. I used JSB 18 gr at 900 fps (about 32fpe). These days I would recommend .22 Baracuda 21 gr as they are slightly more pointed and harder lead. Pinpoint shot placement is key, brain shot and they drop on the spot, or broadside heart/lungs and they ran 10-20 feet.
 
Copy from your previous post..

(As far as accurate shots, these will be “ treed” by my dog and when iam talking treed it may be on the shelf in my garage, on my roof)

Ghost, i don't know how familiar you are with pcp's, you mention springers. Theyre really darn near twice the power in the same caliber. A 25 will be more than enough. And, for where your talking about shooting them , Id still prefer 22. A 30 cal is going to be pushing 80 ft lbs. Very close to a 22 rimfire. No way on earth i would shoot at or in my garage with a room on the other side of the wall. A pass through is almost a certainty. As has been mentioned many times shot placement is paramount. And if you don't have that shot, dont take it.
 
The target 🎯 area under the bonnet. 

I personally would go with the 25. As the other gentleman said, pick one you like. It will shoot flatter, have less recoil, and Much less energy. It sounds like you’re going to be close to your target

1569211275_19044709025d88438b79aac7.21276214_B2F00FC6-EFB9-40BD-B545-1C6E830433F7.jpeg
1569211276_6935875385d88438c62c358.86047039_A2D47CCF-4B52-4FD2-BC71-B7B2D1764725.jpeg

 
I used my .22 NOVA Liberty w/H&N Hornet and a shot to the temple at 25 yards with nary a problem.

The Hornet made a complete pass through the head so power was not a problem.

1569238241_13991074535d88ace1d4b702.89668654_H&N Hornet.jpg


Created: 07/24/19 02:19 PM
Description: Liberty2 H&N Hornet 16.2 grain
Notes 1: 2800 - 2500 start & end psi
Notes 2: 2800 psi With new Valve by Duy
Distance to Chrono(FT): 1.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 16.00
Temp: 78 °F
BP: 1013.00 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 983 34.34 15.73 
9 993 35.04 15.89 
8 996 35.25 15.94 
7 1006 35.96 16.10 
6 1007 36.03 16.11 
5 997 35.32 15.95 
4 995 35.18 15.92 
3 996 35.25 15.94 
2 988 34.69 15.81 
1 962 32.88 15.39 
Average: 992.3 FPS
SD: 12.8 FPS
Min: 962 FPS
Max: 1007 FPS
Spread: 45 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 992 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00
 
I only shoot the EDgun Matador R5M in 0.25 cal for raccoons and it’s perfect for taking them humanely in one shot. 

I own the R5 .30 cal and while I did use it for taking raccoons as well, I don’t like fumbling with a pellet in the dark using single shot since the raccoons come out at night on my property

Here are one of my videos doing just that. 

https://youtu.be/pu5pNOjN5-U

Here’s another video, this time with my Kalibrgun Cricket in .25 cal

https://youtu.be/OryNRu3LR_Q

As you can see .25 is more than enough. 

Here’s me taking out a raccoon with the R5 .30 cal

https://youtu.be/o065wHzFpo8
 
Ghost...you don't need a .30 caliber pcp to hunt racoons. However, Mule Deer, Dire Wolves, Walking Dead, Kraken, and possibly the occasional headshot on a charging 500 lb feral Boar...then perhaps a .30 might be in order.

However, there is no North American pest that needs anything larger than a well tuned .25 caliber. Today's .25 caliber pcp airguns can take out just about anything you need to get rid of within 100 yards. Beyond that range, why not humanely use a powder burner, or just trap the varmints, then walk over and pop them up close.

I've never needed more than 30 FPE to stop any reasonable sized game with a well placed shot within 25-75 yards. Most recreational backyard "pesters" don't shoot beyond 50 yards anyway, and a .22 pcp can easily drop game at that distance...some "Springers" excepted, as well as 12 FPE limitations.

Personally, I favor a .25 caliber...not too big, not too small. Dial the power up or down as you choose. Large assortment of pellets available as well. It's a good caliber for feral hogs too, with a decent headshot.

These are simply MY thoughts. Others think differently...that's fine! This is a hobby, and everyone needs to have fun in their own way.



Best of luck in your choice (you'll never own just one anyway!!!)

Kindly 'Ol Uncle Hoot 
 
Its all about shot placement. If you shoot a coon in the ass with a 600 ft-lb 50 cal, it will walk away but will die a horrible death. If shot properly in the head, you can get away with a .22 @ 30 ft-lbs like how I did with this coon:

1569261982_803033795d89099e5f67e2.47055166_KIMG0721.jpg


Got this one at 20 yards right behind the eye. If I had a choice of grabbing a .22 or .25 pellet gun to hunt with, I would choose a .25 as an all around gun. 
 
I’ve had plenty of luck (~35 kills this year) using a Wildcat 0.30; I can almost always get them in one shot. Admittedly, I was not as effective using a Wildcat 0.25 Compact...

A buddy of mine was complaining about a raccoon problem but didn’t want to spend the dough for an FX, so I suggested a Hatsan BT65 in 30 cal. It’s a lot heavier than a WC but, for less than $600, it’ll get the job done. If you just need to post-up at your house, I would think it’s a good option.