How Far Will an Air Rifle Kill? Better Question - Should You Take the Shot?

[UpNorthAirGunner]

WARNING! Graphic Mathematical and Scientific Facts are shown in this video. If you don't believe in Math and Science, please don't watch. Watch here:

After receiving a few comments and private messages from subscribers about my 350 yard golf ball shot and follow up comments about how that video proves big game hunting IS POSSIBLE at long ranges beyond 150 yards with an air rifle, I wanted to clarify my position on this topic. Is a big bore air rifle lethal at these yardages? Yes. Should you be taking shots at big game at these yardages? In my opinion - NO! Watch this video to find out why.

 

[GLPalinkas]

Very well done and very informative. I'm not a big bore enthusiast but interesting material. Thanks for contributing. 

 

[Alan]

The part of the video showing the deer ducking an arrow is probably the biggest reason of all. All of us have had game duck pellets because they either heard them or saw them coming. Thanks for the update.

 

[crittahitta]

Very nice video. I wonder how 128 grains will do against a deer at 100-150 yards? Sounds a little light. What FPE will that bullet hit the deer with at 100 and 150 yards? Im not judging you, just wondering. I know you hunt under 60 yards mostly, but just for others reading this. The best bullet is always the one that hits its target accurately. My next airgun will probably be the Texan. I was going back and forth between the 357 and the 45. Where I hunt deer the longest shot is usually around 60 yards but I think I would like more FPE and have the extra wiggle room.

Oh and nice shooting with the golfball. Enjoyed that one too. When you get your deer please start a new thread with pics of the deer, damage and recovered bullet if it stays inside. That would help me and others make a decision. Thanks

 

[UpNorthAirGunner]

"crittahitta"Very nice video. I wonder how 128 grains will do against a deer at 100-150 yards? Sounds a little light. What FPE will that bullet hit the deer with at 100 and 150 yards? Im not judging you, just wondering. I know you hunt under 60 yards mostly, but just for others reading this. The best bullet is always the one that hits its target accurately. My next airgun will probably be the Texan. I was going back and forth between the 357 and the 45. Where I hunt deer the longest shot is usually around 60 yards but I think I would like more FPE and have the extra wiggle room.

Oh and nice shooting with the golfball. Enjoyed that one too. When you get your deer please start a new thread with pics of the deer, damage and recovered bullet if it stays inside. That would help me and others make a decision. Thanks

That is a really good clarifying question. So at 100 yards the Aeromagnum 128 Hollowpoints are still carrying 203 FPE and at 150 yards it is at 183 FPE. At 50 yards which is more then likely the yardage I will be shooting it is carrying 226 FPE. So what I love about the Texan .357 is that I get a flatter trajectory at higher FPS with the Aeromagnum 128 grs (which also have MASSIVE expansion) than lets say as compared to a Sam Yang .45 that is a bigger round - but the FPE is around the same. See specs: http://www.airgundepot.com/samyang-909-rifle.html It is always a trade off - but I like the .357 option so I can dial it down and hunt smaller and medium game as well. It also has been fun putting FX No Limits adjustable rings on this thing to take some of these crazy Long Ranger golf ball shots. I get more shots per fill vs. the 45 so all - in - all, I am super happy with my purchase! Fingers crossed on the deer this year - will keep you all posted!

 

[crittahitta]

Thanks Lead Cup. I think that FPE is reasonable. I know people will say different. Like you I would keep it under 75 yards. Now the decision will be harder. But I have time to decide as NY won't allow it yet. YET!!

 

[Hajimoto]

Nice video and film your first deer kill with the new big bore and be sure do the same scream of elation that was howled during the 350-yard shot

 

[UpNorthAirGunner]

You got it Haji! I've am going out this week to set up my blind. We have an early 2 day anterless deer hunt Sept. 16-17. It will be my first deer hunt with the AirForce Texan - wish me luck! I may even do a video about my preparation showing how I range the distances and shooting lanes where I hunt and prep my Texan for the hunt. I am switching scopes to a 3-9x50 vs. the 6-24x50 I used for the Long Ranger shot. I need that extra field of view. I feel like Air Rifle deer hunting feels more like archery / crossbow. I want to get them in close and hope to take a shot no longer than 50 yards - need a good camouflaged location. #AirGunForrestNinja 

 

[crittahitta]

Paint softball sized rocks and put them out at different ranges from your blind. Yellow=30 red=40 blue=50 or something like that. This way as soon as the deer walks up you know exactly where to aim. Works great for early bow season. I paint rocks or put a color on a tree to match my sight pins on my bow.

 

[Guest]

I figured about the same with my Benjamin Trail NPXL725 .25cal. 20-30 yards withy 23.16gr H&N hornets for good penetration on a 100lb pig, on average. Now small game with the Hatsan Striker 1000x .22, well, 14.5-14.66gr out to about 60yds max. The Winchester 1400cs in .177 has the power to knock down a turkey with 10.34gr out to maybe 50 yards or so. But Like most, I'd prefer my shots to be closer in to retain more power. For all of'em, though, I think mildot scopes help a lot.