heavy wad cutter pellets needed

[oldsparky]

I am looking for heavy wad cutter profile .177 pellets. The heaviest I find are 9 grains. Any heavier? I am shooting pigeons in my barn with the pp700 @ 600 fps with 10.3 JSB heavy around 10 - 15 yards. I hit them center chest and they fly off and die. I figure with the flat points I may get more energy transfer.



thanks, Jim 

 

[TNT19]

Have you looked at the polymags by chance?

 

[stinkajames]

Best thing you can do is aim little higher in the neck area or wait for side or rear shots. The crop on a pigeon is like a bullet proof vest full of grain. Honestly, centre chest is the worst place to hit them if using low powered guns. 

James. 

 

[Glem.Chally]

Jsb ultra-shock heavy are amazing in .22 i think they make .177 also.

 

[oldsparky]

I do like the looks of those ultra shock. That should be all the energy transfer you can get. I will have to try some out.

I realize a higher shot may be better I just don't want to poke hole in the roof. A center hit with my regal puts them down but velocity is much higher. I sure like shooting the pistol. Its so easy to grab. 



thanks

 

[stinkajames]

My apologies mate,

Your original question didn't mention worrying about holes in the roof, only pigeons flying away before dying. Good luck. 

 

[Babaganoush]

At 15 yards something like HN Crow Magnums would probally be one of the best pellets for max energy dump and least chance of pass through. Im guessing the JSB Heavies are penciling right through and hitting the roof?

 

[oldsparky]

Well I ordered the HN Crows and the JSB Ultra Shock. Good ol Amazon they will be here tomorrow.

 

[nervoustrig]

I do some pesting with a couple of detuned PCPs running in the ballpark of 500 - 600 fps. For this purpose, a wadcutter simply cannot be beat. As long as you don’t have to penetrate tough bone, a wadcutter is incredibly effective.

At these velocities, a hollowpoint does not expand. A wadcutter is already expanded

I presume the 9gr wadcutter you referred to is the RWS Supermag. If so, I just want to say it is the most accurate wadcutter I have found, and the only one that maintains sufficient accuracy for small game and pests out past 30 yards reliably. For example, last weekend I took a 12fpe rifle out on a brief gray squirrel hunt and promptly went 3 for 3 at distances of 35, 22, and 38 yards. That sort of performance with wadcutters is something I’m still trying to get accustomed to. I mean I’ve spent a good bit of time punching paper with them to build confidence but I was still shaking my head in disbelief as I was walking back out of the woods.

With pigeons and the like, I think the usual problem is the way that large mass of flight muscles presents a deceiving invitation for a center mass shot. Put the pellet a bit higher, just under the spine and it will pierce the vital organs and drop them straight down.

 

[Motorhead]

JSB makes the ULTRASHOCK ... 10.3 grains of Flat face hollow point'ish bliss !!





https://www.pyramydair.com/images/PY-P-1329_JSB-Ultra-Shock-177_1525793431.jpg

 

[JW652]

 +1 on the Super Mag. They are my go to pellet for testing a new .177 at 25 yds and carry nicely to about 40. CO2 guns - both rifle and pistol - absolutely love them. They seem almost magic at treetop distance. Have headshot squirrels with a .22 RF, only to have them drop to the ground and run for a hole. But I have never lost one that was headshot with a 9gr. Super Mag.

True story: About an hour ago I was talking to a friend who went squirrel hunting today. His partner was using a 3 1/2", 12 ga load. He peppered a squirrel with three shots and it didn't drop. My friend was using a stock Disco with 2 1/2X short scope and .177 Supermags. His squirrel dropped with a single shot.

Give them a chance in the woods. You may be surprised.

 

[Bander124]

Anyone else try popping out the tip of polymags? Ive shot ball of clay it turned it into a ring. Tip spot turned into hole made a halo of death was neat results but havnt shot a critter this way 

 

[oldsparky]

I got my pellets today. I made sure I was sighted in with the Ultrashock. from JSB. They group good, I only shot out to 20 yards with the pistol. No Pigeons to try them out on. but I shot my plate round and they smack the plates hard enough to move a 3/8" x 8" hanging plate. I will let you know when I shoot a bird. I also got the HN crow pellets but will only try one at a time. unless I sight the HN pellets in on my 1701

 

[JungleShooter]

Subscribed! This is a great discussion.
Tell me more about pitfalls with reliable killing pest pigeons, plz!

 

[Red-Feathers]

I would try the Predator Pollymags at 10 to 15 yds. Not a wad cutter, but might be worth a try.

 

[Revoman]

For the most part the vitals are lower than you would think. I have gutted many dove, similar to pigeons, and the lungs are right along the backbone about mid back (the best shot is from the back as there is less 'meat' there). The heart is just in front of the lungs, protected by the rib cage, but again lower in the body than you would suspect.

Here's a link that has a 3D look at the anatomy....https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/pigeon-anatomy-skeleton-3d-lwo/737535

There are about 18 slides to review, but should aid in your shot placement. I rarely shoot at the large breast, usually just below where it is thinner and closer to the heart and lungs.

mike