Hard headed coons

[Crabbypatties]

I have been seeing raccoon’s in the early mornings around 6:30-7:00 heading back to their homes. I have been stalking them in my upstairs window to have an elevated view of my backyard and neighbors yard. Well this morning I managed to shoot both raccoons in the head and that did absolutely nothing! The shoots were about 30yds away center of head. I know I nailed the first one pretty good but it managed to scurry off. I waited a few minutes and I saw the one I just shot and it was unfazed and made it back to its sewer hole. A few minutes later I saw the other coon trying to get back home and I shot it also in the head and it ran off as wellWTF! The weapon of choice is a .22 m3 using hades at about 900 fps which is plenty to take out the coons. I think it’s time to ditch the 22 barrel for a 25 I didn’t like those coons running off not one bit!!

 

[Hard2hurt223]

Maybe try using slugs instead

 

[Vetmx]

You just didn’t hit them right. The margin for error on a raccoon with any caliber pellet gun is very small. Your choice to suddenly shoot from an elevated position changed things. To shut off a raccoon, you are essentially shooting for an area maybe the size of a ping pong ball. If the raccoon is moving, now you’re really gambling. You have enough gun, just have to work on the hunting skills. Animals are three dimensional unpredictable targets.

 

[Hard2hurt223]

I wouldn't get to discouraged I have shot coons in the vitals with a 25 cal 75 fpe with NSA 38.5 and I have also shot them with my bulldog 357 with jsb Hades at 150 fpe and they always run off

 

[beerthief]

I would guess @ that angle the pellet slid along the bone , not entering the scull ?

 

[Crabbypatties]

Maybe try using slugs instead

Im only a pellet shooter

 

[Vetmx]

I’ve been slightly off with a 32gr slug going 1,040fps and the raccoon took it and ran off. They’re no joke.

 

[Vetmx]

Hades would not be my choice for raccoons but properly placed squarely to the side of the head should still get the job done. I would avoid angles. With a .22, I would use a MRD or something from the H&N lineup that’s above 18 grains. A Baracuda Match is 21gr and will get the job done even at weird angles. A FX will shoot them.

 

[Hard2hurt223]

Im only a pellet shooter

Hey no reason not to try slugs I was an only pellet shooter till I tried slugs

 

[Crabbypatties]

You just didn’t hit them right. The margin for error on a raccoon with any caliber pellet gun is very small. Your choice to suddenly shoot from an elevated position changed things. To shut off a raccoon, you are essentially shooting for an area maybe the size of a ping pong ball. If the raccoon is moving, now you’re really gambling. You have enough gun, just have to work on the hunting skills. Animals are three dimensional unpredictable targets.

I’ve been slightly off with a 32gr slug going 1,040fps and the raccoon took it and ran off. They’re no joke.

Yeah they are tough as hell for sure

 

[Crabbypatties]

Hey no reason not to try slugs I was an only pellet shooter till I tried slugs

I do not have any safe area I could shoot slugs plus slugs take all the fun out of airguns

 

[Sqwirl57]

Pellets work fine but the Hollywood "shoot em between the eyes" bit ain't. That is part of the skull is usually hardened and is at a steep angle so it can just ricochet off. Side of the head between the eye and ear is always your best bet. Through the ear works great too.

 

[Crabbypatties]

Hades would not be my choice for raccoons but properly placed squarely to the side of the head should still get the job done. I would avoid angles. With a .22, I would use a MRD or something from the H&N lineup that’s above 18 grains. A Baracuda Match is 21gr and will get the job done even at weird angles. A FX will shoot them.

Sadly I ran out of the MRDs yesterday and not due for delivery until tomorrow

 

[Crabbypatties]

Pellets work fine but the Hollywood "shoot em between the eyes" bit ain't. That is part of the skull is usually hardened and is at a steep angle so it can just ricochet off. Side of the head between the eye and ear is always your best bet. Through the ear works great too.

It was a frontal top of the head shot. The coon stood up after the shot i just knew it was about to tumble over

 

[Crabbypatties]

I would guess @ that angle the pellet slid along the bone , not entering the scull ?

That’s what I’m thinking as well dang it. I’ve been waiting for awhile to catch those trash bandits and I let my chance ricochet away

 

[nervoustrig]

My thoughts align pretty well to those of Vetmx. Years ago, I removed dozens from my property with a .22cal PCP running at only 25fpe using JSB 18.1gr. So under 800fps at the muzzle, and only about 650fps on impact at the 45 yard distance most were shot. Placement into the brain was the key. Somehow I never experienced the deflection issue others have had, despite many of the shots being a forehead placement after doing a lip squeek to get them to hold still for a moment. All that is just to say you have more than enough gun to get the job done.

 

[Sqwirl57]

My thoughts align pretty well to those of Vetmx. Years ago, I removed dozens from my property with a .22cal PCP running at only 25fpe using JSB 18.1gr. So under 800fps at the muzzle, and only about 650fps on impact at the 45 yard distance most were shot. Placement into the brain was the key. Somehow I never experienced the deflection issue others have had, despite many of the shots being a forehead placement after doing a lip squeek to get them to hold still for a moment. All that is just to say you have more than enough gun to get the job done.

Probably a minimum power criteria that 25fpe meets. My experience with them shaking it off was closer to the 17fpe range. My .25 at 47fpe worked fine for front facing shots.

 

[JimD]

I've only shot one coon and it was only about 8 lbs, so a young one. It was so close I had trouble seeing it well in my scope. First shot was into the body and that caused it sit down and hiss. Second shot was between the eyes and that caused it to flop over. My dog picked it up and shook it. When she put it down, it still seemed to be breathing and I put one into it's throat. Blood spurted out a few times so I know it's heart was still working when the last shot hit it. That may have been just the brain stem functioning, I'm pretty sure I saw brain matter come out the hole between the eyes.

I was using my P35-22 which shoots H&N Baracuda Match 21 grain about 835 fps - so about 32 ft lbs. If I see another one my tendency is to say I should use my 25 grain P35 but it shoots a lighter pellet at about the same fpe so it penetrates less. Still better for a body shot but the 22 is probably better for a brain shot.

I agree with the "between eye and ear" input and would take that if I could get it. From a steep downward angle, you might be better to try for a spine shot, possibly right behind the skull. If you miss the spine a shot through the neck will kill but not real quickly. You could move further back so a miss goes through at least one lung. If you hit the spine it won't go anywhere but would probably need a finisher.

If a pellet or slug expands it penetrates less. I don't think you want less with a coon. I would find a simple domed pellet your gun likes and use that. A 33.95 grain 25 caliber should work better for body or brain shots.

 

[qball]

Just use handcuff traps and you can take as many follow up shots as you want.

No issues with .22 hades dropping the coon at lowly 800FPS. 177 pellets actually penetrate better, 13 grain pellet at 700-800FPS is like an ice pick.

 

[rangur1]

Im only a pellet shooter

Try a standard pellet. Penetration is better than hades, the hades is designed to crumple a bit on impact acting like the crumple zone on a car and absorbing key power and avoiding penetrating the skull. A 16g FX/ JSB at that velocity should yield improved penetration and “dirt naps” for your shooting pleasure.