Looking into a raccoon shorter range airgun

If you're shooting them in your garage, I wouldn't want too high a powered gun. You shoot a trash panda in the head from 10 yards with a 55fpe gun and the possibility of a pass through becomes very high. I've shot dozens with a 20fpe .22 NP2. (i kept it next to our upstairs bedroom window) Granted most were from above and none over 25 yards, but they were all one and done. I've also taken at least a dozen with a 15fpe .22. Again, nothing past 25 yards. From my personal experience, I wouldn't want to shoot anything inside my garage with a high powered airgun. 

27lb 'r

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If you go for a headshot inside the garage you're going to end up with a bloody mess. They will do the death dance for up to a minute with blood spilling out of their head, mouth and nose. If you don't go for a headshot they're going to run off up to 20 yards. I would bait them at a safe area outside and use what you have.

Good warning. Last time this guy was in the garage he walked out when I opened the door, then walked back in and ate more cat food. He got kinda close,, maybe 5 ft from me. If I catch him again when I have an appropriate close range gun, I can get him before he gets back in the garage. He kinda walked back in quite cautiously, it would give me time. 

Also I feel like the pellet could go through and cause damage to my crap, like a water heater, compressor, fridge, car, or freezer. 

I'm confident with my aim, but seems risky in the garage. Oh well, if I'm dumb and do it, I do have a pressure washer....

Aaaannnnnnddddddd I went with kral empire xs.
 
Your biggest issue with the Dreamline for close shooting is the height of the scope above the bore. Mount a laser low to the bore and parallel to it. A laser works well for too close for the scope shooting.

FWIW In 25 caliber, a 33 grain dome moving at 500 fps will easily penetrate a raccoon skull at the ranges you're talking about.

ETA - I posted without reading pg 2. The Kral Empire XS is a looker. Nice buy.
 
Your biggest issue with the Dreamline for close shooting is the height of the scope above the bore. Mount a laser low to the bore and parallel to it. A laser works well for too close for the scope shooting.

FWIW In 25 caliber, a 33 grain dome moving at 500 fps will easily penetrate a raccoon skull at the ranges you're talking about.

ETA - I posted without reading pg 2. The Kral Empire XS is a looker. Nice buy.

Laser isn't a bad idea, it's the size of the dreamline with the longer 700mm barrel with a shogun moderator that makes this bullpup long and not easily maneuverable. I kinda wanted a second maneuverable option. Laser will go on the empire!
 
High scope mounts are problematic for shooting raccoons/possums at your feet out to seven(ish) yards. There is enough rise between those distances to cause severe shot placement issues and close range rodeos. A parallel laser is a great addition for close range work.

I have a couple of these units. They've been dependable but alignment adjustments are very sensitive. The magnetized charger is a nice touch.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F8J2LTT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


 
High scope mounts are problematic for shooting raccoons/possums at your feet out to seven(ish) yards. There is enough rise between those distances to cause severe shot placement issues and close range rodeos. A parallel laser is a great addition for close range work.

I have a couple of these units. They've been dependable but alignment adjustments are very sensitive. The magnetized charger is a nice touch.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F8J2LTT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


I have something similar in my Amazon cart as we speak! I also wanted something so I can deal with pest at close quarters. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. I'm going to put it on my Bulldogs front lower pic rail, just in front of the Bipod, and sight it in for 15 feet.
 
High scope mounts are problematic for shooting raccoons/possums at your feet out to seven(ish) yards. There is enough rise between those distances to cause severe shot placement issues and close range rodeos. A parallel laser is a great addition for close range work.

I have a couple of these units. They've been dependable but alignment adjustments are very sensitive. The magnetized charger is a nice touch.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F8J2LTT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


I have something similar in my Amazon cart as we speak! I also wanted something so I can deal with pest at close quarters. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. I'm going to put it on my Bulldogs front lower pic rail, just in front of the Bipod, and sight it in for 15 feet.

I just pulled a feyachi laser off a shotty I'm not using to see if it works on the FX and possibly the Kral. It's hard to adjust. Needs a tiny Allen key
 
High scope mounts are problematic for shooting raccoons/possums at your feet out to seven(ish) yards. There is enough rise between those distances to cause severe shot placement issues and close range rodeos. A parallel laser is a great addition for close range work.

I have a couple of these units. They've been dependable but alignment adjustments are very sensitive. The magnetized charger is a nice touch.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F8J2LTT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


You ever seen a raccoon react to the laser dot? Like chase it
 
@Ss No. But it doesn't spend much time on the ground in front of them.

@estarkey7 Get it as close to the centerline of the bore and adjust to parallel or nearly parallel. Sighting in for exceedingly close range makes the dot have the same issues as a high scope mount. I'd rather have it mounted on the side.

On the FX Mav, I have it on the left rail an inch from centerline. The pellet from 0-25 is never more than an inch to the right of the green dot.
 
If they're within 25 yards focus on the shot. I think your current gun is fine. I've done great with a 22. If you can achieve 35 ft lbs at close range and make an accurate shot in the right place, they'll drop. I firmly believe most of close range coon success is about shot placement and suggest 35ft lbs in that scenario as a minimum. I know it can be done with less.. 
 
If they're within 25 yards focus on the shot. I think your current gun is fine. I've done great with a 22. If you can achieve 35 ft lbs at close range and make an accurate shot in the right place, they'll drop. I firmly believe most of close range coon success is about shot placement and suggest 35ft lbs in that scenario as a minimum. I know it can be done with less..

The gun could do it, but it would need a different scope. It's got a day night scope 5-20x. So if it's within 25 yards it's tough, within 15 impossible. Additionally, it's heavy at 11lbs+, it's kinda a sniper setup.

I got a Kral Empire XS, came in today. It's short, light, packs enough punch to KO a raccoon. I'll put a lil RDS on it and maybe a laser too. Idk. Probably just a rds, unless even that has issues within 20 yards. So far this lil gun is fun, liking it a lot






 
FWIW- Since you're shooting in the garage, a 33 grain pellet will brain a raccoon at 500 fps. I wouldn't take body shots anywhere that they can get into/behind your stuff.

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Yup. 

I'll kinda be shooting from the garage. The van isn't always there. I'm banking on not going far. If he does scamper off if I didn't get good shot placement, I'm thinking he wont come closer. They can be unpredictable, who knows
 
I try to live capture raccoons and move them further out into the country but smarter ones are not that easy. In the past I used a 10/22 with Stingers, but getting a few too many houses near by and the noise makes the neighbors get a bit nervous (as it probably should). I found the Leshiy 2 in .30 at 160 BAR is just as effective. Semiauto is a must in my case and range is seldom over 25 yards.

Relocating makes smart, trap shy raccoons. Once a raccoon is caught in a cage, he will never go into another. Relocating problem animals is putting a curse on your neighbors. It's illegal in most places due to spreading disease of which raccoons have many. Locally as high as 70% carry distemper and most carry raccoon roundworm. That roundworm has killed kids in this state.