Is .25 cal at sub 12ft/lb effective at taking down pests

[msc]

Can a .25 calibre at sub 12ft/lb take down a rabbit or similar sized vermin at 10 yards?

Bought a .25 air rifle for fun but could it do the job even better than the .22 on racoon at close range up to 5 to 15 yards maximum.

 

[dens228]

A 22 or 25 at sub 12 for rabbits, squirrels, birds is just fine.
I don't think I'd be taking raccoons with 12 fpe.
They're big and tough and even a proper head shot may not go as planned with that low of fpe. While possible, there's not a lot of margin for error.

Be ready for a bunch to come on here and preach shot placement is what matters. But remember, you don't always hit where you're aiming.

As a side note I'm retired LE and carry a .45 because I like one big hole so there's my line of thinking. LOL

 

[nervoustrig]

Perfectly good for rabbits and squirrels at short distance. To put it into perspective, a JSB 25.4gr at 12fpe equates to a muzzle velocity of 460fps. That’s a lumbering velocity by most pest control standards. For animals with tougher hide or bone, that may not be fast enough to properly penetrate. For example, a frontal brain shot on a raccoon may result in a deflection.

 

[MongooseV8]

Perfectly good for rabbits and squirrels at short distance. To put it into perspective, a JSB 25.4gr at 12fpe equates to a muzzle velocity of 460fps. That’s a lumbering velocity by most pest control standards. For animals with tougher hide or bone, that may not be fast enough to properly penetrate. For example, a frontal brain shot on a raccoon may result in a deflection.

This is my take on the topic as well. If I were limited to 12fpe I think I would prefer the velocity over caliber/weight. I think a 22 or a 20 Cal would be the better balance of bc and velocity. But if all you have is a 12fpe 25 Cal just be sure to know your limits and take conservative responsible shots only. If you really have to take out a racoon I would only take broad side shots perpendicular ~90* behind the eye to avoid glancing. Squirrels and Bunnies arent nearly as tough but you should still take care when hunting them. Ime a Rabbit/Hare can be pretty tough, but I dont know what kind of pests you have in your part of the world.

 

[elh0102]

Assuming a constant of 12 fpe, I think the caliber makes no practical difference. Generally, I prefer a .177 at that power level, but again, at 15 yards it makes no difference, IMO.

 

[HogKiller]

A 22 or 25 at sub 12 for rabbits, squirrels, birds is just fine.
I don't think I'd be taking raccoons with 12 fpe.
They're big and tough and even a proper head shot may not go as planned with that low of fpe. While possible, there's not a lot of margin for error.

Be ready for a bunch to come on here and preach shot placement is what matters. But remember, you don't always hit where you're aiming.

As a side note I'm retired LE and carry a .45 because I like one big hole so there's my line of thinking. LOL

Small holes with a hell of a lot of velocity work well too but... our friend is in a country where butter knives have to be registered, almost like Calif. Personally I wouldn't go after a raccoon with a 12fpe gun, after I've seen what it takes to nail Ground Squirrels

 

[Justaguy]

At that distance... can't you just hit it with a shovel? Just kidding.. sorta

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

12 fpe at the muzzle in 25 cal is just cruel and unethical on raccoons. I've had trouble killing them with a head shot at 35 fpe in 25 at 25 yards.

 

[dens228]

Small holes with a hell of a lot of velocity work well too but... our friend is in a country where butter knives have to be registered, almost like Calif. Personally I wouldn't go after a raccoon with a 12fpe gun, after I've seen what it takes to nail Ground Squirrels

I wouldn't be trying to take out raccoons with sub 12 fpe with any sized pellet hole.......lol

 

[Airgun-Revisions]

I produce a .25 barn gun specifically for pigeons and the like inside. Puts all energy into the bird with minimal velocity pass through. No roof holes unless you miss lol.
This has been tested and proven, and at 160+ Tuned shots how can ya go wrong.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TRASH PANDAS AND GROUNDHOGS THATS FOR SURE. https://www.airgunrevisions.com/product/the-shawty-b/

 

[Squack]

To put things in perspective, RWS made a .25 cal Model 48 and 52. These were very short lived because they were grossly underpowered compared to the .22 as a garden gun.

 

[HogKiller]

I wouldn't be trying to take out raccoons with sub 12 fpe with any sized pellet hole.......lol

Actually I wasn't talking about a pellet gun, you'd mentioned your 45, I wouldn't want to be in the way of a 17HMR. I have a heck of a time with the Ground Squirrels in my area, they wear body armor. I can imagine a darn Raccoon and a air gun.

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

Actually I wasn't talking about a pellet gun, you'd mentioned your 45, I wouldn't want to be in the way of a 17HMR. I have a heck of a time with the Ground Squirrels in my area, they wear body armor. I can imagine a darn Raccoon and a air gun.

Are these the ones you're talking about?

 

[Dairyboy]

I produce a .25 barn gun specifically for pigeons and the like inside. Puts all energy into the bird with minimal velocity pass through. No roof holes unless you miss lol.
This has been tested and proven, and at 160+ Tuned shots how can ya go wrong.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TRASH PANDAS AND GROUNDHOGS THATS FOR SURE. https://www.airgunrevisions.com/product/the-shawty-b/

That looks great! Is the shroud functional at that length?

 

[Airgun-Revisions]

That looks great! Is the shroud functional at that length?

Yes but also comes with 1/2-20 adapter

 

[HogKiller]

Are these the ones you're talking about?

View attachment 468483

Pretty darn close. 53 yards, 33.9gr at 905fps muzzle and a solid body hit and they get back into their burrows.

 

[dens228]

Actually I wasn't talking about a pellet gun, you'd mentioned your 45, I wouldn't want to be in the way of a 17HMR. I have a heck of a time with the Ground Squirrels in my area, they wear body armor. I can imagine a darn Raccoon and a air gun.

I hear you. I hunt squirrels at my neighbors. If I'm out there alone or with him the squirrels drop like rocks, if his wife is out there they flop around for what seems like an eternity.

 

[Scouty]

Can a .25 calibre at sub 12ft/lb take down a rabbit or similar sized vermin at 10 yards?

Bought a .25 air rifle for fun but could it do the job even better than the .22 on racoon at close range up to 5 to 15 yards maximum.

My close range rabbit rifle is a Leshiy Classic shooting .25 Polymags at around 460 FPS. I really like it.

Biggest advantage is that I have basically eliminated pass throughs.

It is also quieter although impact is subjectively louder.

The trajectory has not been a problem at all and actually has some advantages for the close distances I shoot.

I would not use this Leshiy on a Racoon, however. I had a neighbor use my similar powered P-Rod to dispatch a Marmot in a live trap but even at five yards I would not use either my Leshiy or my P-Rod on a Racoon/Marmot sized animal.

 

[Ballisticboy]

We haven't got any racoons in the UK.

.25 12FPE rifles are used by a lot of people for rats and pigeons indoors where pass through is a big problem.

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

We haven't got any racoons in the UK.

.25 12FPE rifles are used by a lot of people for rats and pigeons indoors where pass through is a big problem.

That's what I thought went OP mentioned them.