Air Gun Home :: View topic - Big Bore gun for longer range pest control!

airtanker · Member

I am looking for something more powerful to take out larger game. I have some pesky deer on my little 5 acres and racoons regularly working their way through.

Anyway I talked to Dennis and am considering getting on "the list" in 6 months for a .308 but wanted to be sure I am not overlooking other guns.

Evanix ar6 looks interesting but I don't think it would have the power I need for a deer.

Other Korean guns could be ok but I have not looked into them seriously. Anyone have experience with these?

Who else makes big bore air riffles?

Thanks,
mat

radar · Silver Status Member

The Korean big bores are generally well regarded...Other than that, you are looking at custom small production companies like Quakenbush, who last I checked, were so behind in orders that they weren't taking anymore. (I believe it was them.)

I have a Sam Yang 909S in .45 cal. that I couldn't be more happy with, though I have less than 50 rounds through it so far. I have not read of many problems with these on the many forums I'm on...just the occasional air leak like just about all PCPs. They are relatively easy to repair, as well.
It is very loud, as these all are. Case in point is this video I made a few weeks ago. Turn up the volume and you can hear the rolling echo though the valley behind my house. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDYK7jgNsRM

cheers,
Rob

garththomas · Veteran Member

Do you think that 45 could take out a deer.

toadmyster223 · Senior Member

It legal to do that? You got a big ranch or something? I'm not against it at all, I just want to know how to get away with it (:

airtanker · Member

Slavia · Moderator

radar · Silver Status Member

SMP · Silver Status Member

Pretty interesting video.

Not to hack on the guy but that shot looked to be 4 inches too far aft...he almost gut shot him.

Not exactly what I would consider an awesome 20yd shot.

airtanker · Member

Definitely a check your local regs issue on the hunting.

Is the muzzle on your 909 threaded for a muzzle break?

Obviously just starting my homework. Looks like the Korean guns are about the only ones readily available as a production gun. Everything else I am seeing is a collector piece or a "custom" gun.

radar · Silver Status Member

radar · Silver Status Member

They are a pretty nice gun, in my opinion.

airtanker · Member

That settles it then. Tuned 909s should be a great gun to buy. Does anyone ever shoot it on low power? Might be great for close shots on coons.

Now to get cracking on thinning out the non keeper closet queens in my collection and make room/ funds available!

Then I need to go ahead and get that silencer permit and then find someone to make me one of those.

Never mind that I am eyeball deep in a complete house remodel with my family cramped in an apartment while it drags on. Sigh if I am lucky I will be hunting that monster buck that popped through during the rut NEXT fall at this rate.

For a tune on a 909s I found this guy:

http://www.bgmfairguns.com/index.html

Looks like he does some good work. I like that he keeps the stock hammer spring and makes improvements with polishing and porting. Any other options out there?

Also what ammo would be best for deer and where to get it? Thinking a hollow point or ballistic tip would be preferable.

Would love to go with something like the evanix ar6 if it was available in larger caliber. If I were just shooting racoons and smaller game I think that might be the gun I would go with.

radar · Silver Status Member

On mine, there is so little difference in low and high power that I usually don't bother. Yours might be different. I get my ammo at Pyramyd Air because they have a good selection of Air Venturi bullets designed for airguns. I use 180 grain lead round nose. I have not shot a deer with it yet, but also have no idea how a HP would perform either.

I would like to see a hollowpoint shot into gelatin or something similar to see if it opens up, and if it does, if the penetration would still be adequate. I figure launching only about 250 fpe muzzle energy at a deer, I need some potential for bone breaking and angled shot penetration and that the .45 would make a big enough hole to do the job humanely as a handgun. I do not want a 1 inch hole that only goes 6 inches deep. But I'm guessing here.

cheers,
Rob

toadmyster223 · Senior Member

I'd try to focus on a head or very high spine shot, I would not try for a vitals-shot with a .357 magnum, and I wouldn't do it with anything slower. If I were hunting with a handgun I'd want either at least a .44 Mag, but would prefer something towards the .480 Ruger. Shooting a pellet half as fast as a .357 mag...I just wouldn't trust it. If you didn't hit the heart almost square-on, it might not stop beating right away, and your deer is gonna run further than you might like it to. I'm thinking it would not expand enough, and not actually hit the heart with all the energy. I'd feel more confident in a humane kill aiming at the top of the back of the head. I just hate to see animals suffer more than necessary. However, like Radar said: if you could shoot it into some jelly and really look at it, you may see results that invalidate my argument.

(Pssst...I'm secretly a powder-burner first)

However, .50 cal muzzleloaders, and 12 gauge slug guns, are these days capable of accurate and trustworthy shooting out to at least 150 yards. If I were you, I'd look at some dedicated 20 gauge slug guns, since they're legal. Not something I think you'd misname a "cannon" but still good deer medicine.

airtanker · Member