Air gun Addiction

[RoadBlocker]

Back in 2001 a raccoon family moved in to my garage when I left the door open one night. They were raising hell with damage, chewing wood, tearing out insulation. And they wouldn't leave. I called an animal removal company. They wanted $150 per animal removed or exterminated. A mamma and four adolescents. Wow. Somebody suggested shoot'em with a pellet gun. I was gunless at the time. A horrible condition to be in. I went pellet gun shopping. A whole world of shooting I didn't know existed. I didn't want too cheap, but some of the guns can get spendy. I bought a Beeman springer. Cocking the barrel can make you grunt. For each shot. So I'm standing on an 8' ladder trying to nail a coon in the rafters. It's dark up there. Trying to catch a shine off their beedy eyes. Ping and miss every time. Tire of the single shot. Go buy a Gamo CO2 repeater. Thought I was going shoot my eye out with a ricochet. I need something more accurate. Bought a Webly & Scott Hurricane single shot spring air. Target grade competition pistol. But before I tried to shoot them and maybe have to tear out a smelly carcass inside the garage walls, I googled the situation. The answer? Noise and bright light. Set up trouble lights and stereo blasting and garage door open. About midnight mamma coon creeps out, stands by the open door till 4 babies waddle out. I didn't wanted to shoot at them and scare them back in. They just crept away. I ran over and slammed the door shut. So now I'm up three pellet guns, but I live in city limits, ordinance does''t even allow a BB gun. A proper shooting range is needed to realize the potential of a good airgun. And as long as you're going to a range you have to have a .22 Henry for variety. And the progression of the gun addiction gets worse. A sad way to go. Or not.

[JEBar]

interesting .... thanks for relating a good story

[RetiredSeabee]

Great story, reminds me of a friend on another forum who bought a Ruger 22/45 and snake shot to take out a raccoon in his attic. He got the Raccoon but also stepped through the ceiling.

So have you learned how to shoot the springer with success? I don't own one yet but have learned from some very good shooters who do that they require an artillery hold to be consistent.
Do you still have the Webley? And if so how well does it shoot for you?

[RoadBlocker]

Shooting a springer is unusual, kinda like reverse kick back. You need a firm grip to avoid barrel jump before the pellet exits. The high velocities they can produce can approach Rimfire decibel. The Webly & Scott is a hefty well made barrel cocking gun, with thumb rest grips, rear extension for scope. Needs same firm grip. Got into a whole selection of the different pellet nose shapes, grains, seating depth in the chamber. It can be accurate out to 25 yards in the right conditions. And if you forget to load a pellet and shoot, it"ll crack like a .22.

[Travlin]

Great story. I have a Sheridan Blue streak .20 cal. with a factory installed Williams Foolproof site. I used to shoot at a candle flame in the backyard using just three pumps.

[daytime dave]

It's too bad you can't shoot in the back yard there. How about the garage?

That was an interesting story too. You usually get what you pay for in air guns.

[Sir Henry]

Sounds like a Chevy Chase movie.

[Sir Henry]

Great story. I have a Sheridan Blue streak .20 cal. with a factory installed Williams Foolproof site. I used to shoot at a candle flame in the backyard using just three pumps.

That is a nice rifle. I know a gal that has several.

[daytime dave]

I think I know her too.

Do you think she would want to spend any time here?

[Henry88]

Shooting a springer is unusual, kinda like reverse kick back. You need a firm grip to avoid barrel jump before the pellet exits. The high velocities they can produce can approach Rimfire decibel. The Webly & Scott is a hefty well made barrel cocking gun, with thumb rest grips, rear extension for scope. Needs same firm grip. Got into a whole selection of the different pellet nose shapes, grains, seating depth in the chamber. It can be accurate out to 25 yards in the right conditions. And if you forget to load a pellet and shoot, it"ll crack like a .22.

Interesting............

I take the opposite approach. I restrict the springer rifle as little as possible; just enough to pull the trigger. Each time I shoot, I also follow the EXACT same procedure. I think this was the basis of the "artillery" grip. But I see plenty of people that also take the firm approach..............

Your mileage may vary.