Pneumatic pump-action shotgun based on a bicycle pump

When compared to firearms, pneumatics have a number of advantages. One of the main things is the opportunity for novice hunters to train by shooting at small game and larger animals using large-caliber rifles.

• Is it possible to go hunting in the Russian Federation with an air gun?
• Pros and cons of pneumatics for hunting
• How to choose pneumatics for hunting
• Caliber selection
• Bullet selection
• Features of hunting with air guns
• Duck hunting with air guns
• Hiking hazel grouse with an air gun
• Pheasant hunting with air guns
• Hunting crows with air guns
• Ferret hunting with an air rifle
• Hunting for a groundhog with a pneumatic gun
• What to hunt beavers with
• How to hunt wild boar
• Hunting for muskrat with pneumatic guns
• Hunting rats with pneumatic guns

Is it possible to go hunting in the Russian Federation with an air gun?

Some novice hunters think that purchasing pneumatics for hunting is prohibited by law in the Russian Federation; this is a lie. In the hunting grounds you can shoot predators and crows. The law regulates only the method of their extermination. After purchasing an air rifle, you must obtain a license. If the power of a weapon is more than 25 joules, the hunter does not have the right to use it to kill an animal. This information can be found in Article 13 of the Weapons Law.

Other pneumatics with less power are used without permission, but such rifles are rarely purchased for hunting purposes. But, in any case, a person will have to get a hunting license. The most purchased variety of this weapon is any model with a power of 7 joules and a caliber of 4.5 mm. Such rifles can be purchased at any gun store without breaking the law.

In recent years, large-caliber pneumatics have begun to gain popularity in Russia, which hunters use for hunting wild boar, hare or beaver. Speaking of rifles with low power characteristics, they are suitable for killing birds such as pheasant, duck, partridge or hazel grouse. But, it is worth considering that for shooting to be effective it is necessary to get as close to the target as possible. If the distance exceeds 50 meters, this will negatively affect the characteristics of the shot.

Powerful air gun

Pneumatics with high energy allow you to hunt both wild boars and small animals, such as a hare or a beaver. It is not recommended to use them for shooting birds, be it a crow, pheasant, duck or smaller ones such as partridge or hazel grouse, since the killing force will crush the carcass. Bullets for such rifles weigh up to 32 grams and, when fired, reach a speed of 200 m/s. The muzzle energy produced by such pneumatics reaches 650 joules.

Air rifle Sam Yang Big Bore 909

The most popular manufacturers of high-powered rifles are:

• South Korean;
• "Dragon Career Slayer"
• American.

They allow you to hunt not only ducks, partridges or hares, but also animals such as wolves, elk or deer. However, it is quite difficult to find rifles from these manufacturers in our country.

Hatsan

In Russia and the CIS countries, the sales leader is a magnum class pneumatic called “Hatsan 125”. It also has the status of the most powerful rifle on our market. It appeared in 2006 and quickly gained popularity due to a number of advantages. The rifle is a spring-piston type, cocking is carried out by breaking the barrel.

Air rifle Hatsan 125

Main characteristics of Hatsan 125 pneumatics:

• caliber 4.5 mm;
• length 125.5 cm;
• bullet exit speed from the barrel is 380 m/s;
• trunk length 51 cm;
• weight 3.6 kg;

When purchasing, you can choose the modification, material and color. True, for the legal use of such a rifle a mandatory permit is required. Therefore, before shooting hares or crows, you will have to obtain a license to use weapons.

Pros and cons of pneumatics for hunting

The main advantages of air guns when hunting game are:

• no need to obtain permits;
• hunting with an air rifle will cost much less, so it will almost always be profitable;
• hunting with air guns requires the ability to shoot accurately and be diligent, which trains a person’s skills as a professional hunter;
• You can purchase a silencer for an air gun, which will make it almost silent;
• Shooting from an air gun does not harm the environment.

Before you give preference to hunting with an air gun, you should pay attention not only to its advantages, but also to its disadvantages. For example, if a novice hunter chooses a pneumatic rifle with a spring-piston system, which is suitable for shooting small game, the rifle will have to be reloaded manually after each shot.

Another disadvantage is that it is not so easy for the shooter to select suitable bullets. Experienced hunters are confident that 80%-90% of bullets produced are not suitable for killing small game, so ammunition will have to be ordered online if the shooter wants to make the most of his hunt.

What does the legislation say about hunting with air guns?

There is an opinion that it is impossible to engage in this type of activity in Russia with pneumatics. This is an incorrect statement. There is even a separate article allowing the shooting of crows or stray dogs with pneumatic weapons. Hunting with an air rifle is permitted on the territory of the Russian Federation if you have a hunter's license, as well as a weapons permit.

However, it is worth mentioning that you do not need a permit for pneumatic weapons whose power is below 7.5 Joules, but you will not be able to hunt with such a tool. But from 7.5 Joules to 25 Joules a weapons permit is already required. In addition to these regulations, there is also a rule that hunting with air guns is prohibited at a distance closer than 200 m to the nearest populated area.

How to choose pneumatics for hunting

Compared to previous decades, modern rifles have improved performance and higher power while being lighter. Before you start choosing a specific model, you should decide on the type of gun:

• multi-compression pneumatics. Suitable for both professionals and beginners. Under the barrel of the gun there is a pump and a reservoir used to pump air. To do this you will need a hand pump. At the moment of firing, air is released from the reservoir and creates pressure on the projectile. The advantage of this weapon is its low price, no need to change the spring, autonomy and low recoil;
• spring-piston system. A spring pushes the piston, which provokes pressure in the compressor and a shot occurs. These rifles are purchased for shooting small game because they are not difficult to use and inexpensive. Regarding the shortcomings, the shooter will have to periodically change the spring. A shot from such a rifle is loud enough that it can scare away game;
• gas-cylinder pneumatic or CO This weapon is suitable for hunting birds and small animals, such as beavers, muskrats or hares. A bullet in a rifle accelerates under the influence of carbon dioxide. It is located in a special cylinder under pressure from 50 to 70 bar. The advantage of this weapon is the ability to fire a series of automatic shots. But, some hunters have noticed that CO2 does not tolerate temperature changes well, which can affect the characteristics of the shot;
• pre-pumped guns. This weapon is considered one of the best options for hunting without a license. In other words, it is called pneumatic. Each model contains a reservoir with a pump. The pressure in the rifle is 200-zoo bar. Speaking of advantages, this is the highest power when compared with other systems and almost silent shots. Multi-shot models allow you to fire from 20 to 100 shots without reloading.

When choosing a rifle for hunting, you should decide on a budget, and only then start choosing a system. In addition, in a gun store it is advisable to tell the seller what game you are purchasing the rifle for hunting, he will help you choose the best option. If your budget is unlimited, it is better to give preference to one of the models with pre-pumping. They are the most powerful and have high shot accuracy.

Dragon Career Slayer

This rifle is made in South Korea. It is distinguished by its versatility and shot power. This model is positioned as a hunting pneumatic. It is purchased for hunting small game, but the manufacturer assures that it is suitable for slaughtering even large animals such as elk or bear.

Characteristics:

• rifle length - 105 centimeters;
• barrel length - 53 centimeters;
• muzzle energy – 350 J;
• stock type - Monte Carlo;
• stock material – laminate;
• optical sight – Leapers 3-12x44;
• initial bullet speed – 170 meters per second;
• bullet weight – from 15 to 22 grams.

This model is a modified version of the Career Dragon rifle, which first appeared on the market in 2004. In the updated rifle, the trigger mechanism was changed to a lever mechanism. Two tanks were combined into one, which reduced weight and made the weapon more convenient and ergonomic. For the convenience of equipment for the bullet entry, an expansion was made relative to the diameter of the barrel. After the first 10 shots, you can notice a large air consumption. The bullet speed during subsequent shots will decrease by 5-8 meters per second.

PCP-pneumatics

PCP pneumatics have gained great popularity among game hunters due to their reliability, shot accuracy and power. For power supply, air is used, which is compressed under pressure up to 3000 PSI. Another plus of this weapon is the almost complete absence of recoil and noiselessness. Compared to gas cylinder and multi-compress systems, PCP pneumatics have a more durable and capacious compression chamber, which is designed for high pressure.

Despite the large number of advantages, the system has its disadvantages. The PCP gun is susceptible to low temperatures, and a shot can only be fired after pre-pumping the air. To do this you will have to use a special pump or cylinders. Therefore, these rifles are considered difficult to maintain. A high pressure pump is used to fill the compression chamber.

When choosing PCP pneumatics, you should pay attention to the ammunition charge (from 1 to 10). The more cartridges, the more comfortable it is to hunt, since the weapon will not have to be constantly reloaded. Also, do not forget that the inflation volume of a rifle chamber is limited. Speaking about specific brands, professionals advise giving preference to Hatsan shotguns.

Sam Yang Big Bore 909S

Sam Yang Big Bore 909S is a rifle from a South Korean brand. The model was developed for deer hunting. Model type – PCP. The bullet is sent into the barrel through a special hole located in the receiver. To do this, the shooter moves the lining on the barrel. The shutter is installed separately and is of a longitudinally sliding type. There is a thread near the muzzle cut to install the moderator.

The weight of one bullet is 12 grams. Shot power 270 joules. The bullet flies out of the muzzle at a speed of 204 meters per second, which is quite enough for hunting large animals. If lighter bullets are used for shooting, for example, 11 grams, the ejection speed will be 214 meters per second. The accuracy of shooting will also please you; at a distance of 60 meters, the spread will be no more than 8 centimeters.

AirForce Condor

The AirForce Condor is another popular rifle with a PCP system. Most often used for sport shooting and hunting. Specifications:

• barrel - rifled, replaceable;
• barrel length - 610 millimeters;
• shooting mode – single;
• ammunition - lead bullets weighing from 14 to 18 grams;
• shutter - bolted, sliding;
• fuse – automatic;
• rail for optics – yes;
• weight – 2.96 kilograms;
• caliber – 4.5 with the possibility of increasing to 6.35 mm;
• cylinder volume 500 ml.

The rifle consists of 2 pipes with different diameters, an aluminum frame into which the cylinder is screwed, a pistol grip, a trigger mechanism, a bracket for optics and a plastic forend. One of the main advantages of the rifle is the possibility of modernization. The hunter will be able to install any additions to it and increase its power. In its original form, the rifle is produced without a stock. The top bracket is a seat for an optical sight; it can be of any type. There is virtually no recoil when firing.

Brands of hunting pneumatics of various calibers

When choosing which pneumatic to buy for hunting, you should pay attention to their main characteristics and brands:

1. Due to their high wear resistance, models from Spanish and German manufacturers are most in demand;
2. Compression (Figure 2) and spring-piston guns function well in the cold season, which is very important in our climate;
3. Compression ones are an order of magnitude more expensive and are in great demand, due to the possibility of single and multiple pumping of the air cylinder of a weapon;
4. Cheap options with a spring-piston system have a significant drawback in the form of the need for manual reloading and allow hunting only at close range.

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Figure 2. Compression air rifles

The main calibers of pneumatics we use for hunting are:

1. 177 - 4.5 mm - children's, bullet weight up to 1 gram;
2. 22 - 5.5 mm or 5.6 mm - papal, weight up to 2.5 grams;
3. 25 - 6.35 mm - old-fashioned, maximum weight up to 5 grams.

Larger calibers of pneumatics for hunting are less commonly used:

• 30 - 9 mm - a maximum bullet weight of 10 grams is allowed;
• 50 - 12.7 mm - the projectile weighs around 25 grams.

The main difficulty in their use is that it is extremely difficult to obtain permission for them, even in countries such as the UK and the USA.

Powerful pneumatics for hunting:

1. Allows you to shoot both large game and small and medium-sized animals;
2. It is inappropriate for shooting any species of birds - their carcasses will be torn apart by lethal force;
3. Bullets for fittings weigh up to 32 grams and, when fired, develop a speed of 200 ms;
4. The muzzle energy produced by these pneumatic guns reaches 650 joules;
5. For the slaughter of small animals and wild boars, preference is given to bullets of 11-13mm;
6. Such weapons in our country require permission by law.

Figure 3. Airforce Condor – PCP (top) and Sam Yang Big Bore 909s (bottom)

Popular powerful pneumatics (Figure 3):

1. The brainchild of the South Korean company Sam Yang Big Bore 909s;
2. Models of American origin AirForce Guns;
3. Designed for professionals - “Pre-Charge Pneumatics” or PCP.

As a rule, pneumatics for hunting without a license have low power characteristics. Those who prefer license-free fittings of 5.5 and 6.35 mm calibers should focus on models with pre-pumping (PCP) of domestic production. Foreign samples of the corresponding calibers require permission.

Pneumatics for hunting with a caliber of 6.35 mm have a number of disadvantages:

1. With it they hunt large birds, marmot, beaver and small boars at medium distances;
2. You should only shoot from it if you have a good silencer, in order to avoid concussion;
3. It has high air consumption and low accuracy statistics;
4. It is extremely difficult to understand which manufacturer’s bullet will fly out of the barrel and in which direction;

However, we have a fairly good assortment of pneumatics for hunting with a caliber of 6.35 mm:

1. Foreign models HATSAN, FX ROYAL-500 and EVANIX, Wolf, Extreme, Condor;
2. Rifles of any domestic brands, with the exception of those produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant - they have nothing to do with 25 caliber.

4.5 mm

Successful hunting with 4.5 mm pneumatics greatly depends not only on the brand and characteristics of the barrel used, but also on the quality of the bullets used. Weapons for the 177 caliber are considered the most common in the world, so finding a suitable rifle for fishing on the open market is not difficult.

Figure 4. 4.5 mm pneumatic options

Hunting with 4.5 mm pneumatics for small game is possible thanks to the following indicators:

1. The muzzle energy of representatives of this class ranges from 5 to 40 J;
2. But it is limited by the legislation of the Russian Federation to a permissible maximum of 25 J;
3. A standard bullet weighs about 0.5g, which provides a flight range of about 20 m;
4. Hunting shells are a little heavier, so they fly at a distance of 50-60m.

5.5 mm

Why the best pneumatic gun for hunting is 5.5 20 gauge:

1. The initial speed of a bullet fired from the nozzle reaches a speed of 270 ms;
2. The muzzle energy of such pneumatic guns (Figure 5) is in the range of 7-65 J, the weight of a hunting bullet is 1-1.3 g.

Figure 5. Example of 5.55 mm pneumatics

The best pneumatics for hunting 5.5 are represented by the following brands:

1. Weihrauch HW is a German high-quality rifle with excellent build quality and components, and does not have open sights;
2. Steyr 110 is a model from an Austrian manufacturer, each hunter can draw his own conclusions about it, but it is not inferior in quality to the German;
3. CZ-200T (S) - Czech version of the pneumatic gun from the company Ceska Zbrojovka, compact with high accuracy of fire, but a small air reservoir, single-shot as standard, the additional drum magazine module is expensive;
4. Hooligun is a Russian single-shot rifle produced by the Kalibr company.

Serial production of rifles of this caliber is established all over the world.

Foreign pneumatics for hunting 9 mm, used by Russian hunters:

1. Rifles from the Korean company EVANIX are most widespread (Figure 6);
2. Cheap versions of the BLIZZARD S-10 are available with a biathlon platoon;
3. The new JKHAN AIRRIFLE with walnut stock is made of high quality metal;
4. VINDY CITY are considered the best, they have a large volume of air in reserve and a comfortable pistol grip.

Figure 6. Regular EVANIX and VINDY CITY (bottom)

Domestic 9 mm pneumatics for hunting are not inferior in lethality to their foreign counterparts, although they cannot boast of a wide range.

1. The huntsman with a wooden stock is considered the most powerful and beautiful;
2. The very strong and short LUPARA, with a length of only 70 cm, is equipped with an electronic hammer and a large air tank.

Caliber selection

The energy of the shot determines the size of the game that the shooter can hunt, the effectiveness and range of fire. The most common caliber is 4.5 mm with a power of 5 to 40 J. Speaking about legal prohibitions, it all depends on the weight of the bullets used and the design of the weapon. A standard 4.5 mm bullet weighs up to 0.5 grams. The manufacturer indicates the take-off speed based on this weight. For hunting, it is recommended to load the gun with heavier bullets, and the distance to the target should not exceed 50-60 meters.

The second most popular caliber is 5.5 millimeters. The energy of the rifle must be at least 7 J. For hunting small game, bullets weighing 1.3 are suitable. The shot will be effective at a distance to the target of up to 120 meters.

The largest caliber for serial pneumatics is 6.3 millimeters. The effective firing range is 100-120 meters. The energy should reach 110 J. But when a hunter is going to purchase bullets of this caliber, it is quite difficult to get them for accurate shooting. This caliber is sufficient for hunting a wolf, fox or other animal of the same weight. If a hunter has purchased a pneumatic gun that shoots 9 mm caliber bullets, he can hunt animals weighing up to 90 kilograms.

Weapon world map

Hunting with air rifles is allowed in almost all countries of the world. The homeland of most manufacturers of powerful pneumatics is the UK, while the largest market for such products is in the USA.

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It is worth paying attention to the best-selling rifles (Figure 8):

1. British Air-Arms S410 - it attracts with its low cost and pleasant appearance, but does not exclude breakdowns of the air tank, which cannot withstand a pressure of 300 atm. and higher;
2. Another Briton, Theoben, is distinguished by its technically competent assembly, but its high price and eerie visual appearance scare off potential buyers;
3. Koreans Shinshung - they make many modifications on one base, they have versions with a bolt action, Henry bracket, interchangeable tanks, calibers from 4.5 to 9 mm.

There is an opinion among people that in our country, hunting with air guns and the law are incompatible concepts. In fact, it is allowed to kill crows and predators on hunting grounds without special permission. You can see this for yourself by watching the video hunting with pneumatics 2020 in Russia.

The most popular type of pneumatic rifle is a small 4.5 mm caliber rifle with a power of 7.5 J. It can be easily purchased in any country and used for shooting birds and small game. The only requirement for it is to fire at the closest possible distance, no more than 50 m.



Hunting with air rifles, gun laws are different in every country in the world. In some states of America and Canada, most hunting rifles are available for sale, while in our country only certain bullets and calibers are allowed.

Figure 8. Air-Arms S410 (top) and Shinshung (bottom)

Bullet selection

Good ammunition is the key to successful shooting. Bullets affect shooting accuracy, so their choice should be approached responsibly. Bullets come in several forms:

• with a flat head;
• balls;
• with a recess in the head part;
• caps;
• with a hemispherical head;
• with a conical head.

For target shooting and hunting, it is recommended to use only high-quality ammunition from popular brands. Until recently, only lead bullets could be found on the market, but recently polymer or combined ammunition made of lead and plastic has appeared on sale. Such bullets are fired by the Spanish. The technology used made it possible to achieve greater shot power and increase the take-off speed by 25%.

Another manufacturer worth paying attention to is Gamo Rocket. It fires ammunition made from a combination of steel and lead. The steel ball is installed in the front of the lead bullet. This increases penetrating power several times, which is very important when hunting small game.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many even experienced hunters still prefer to hunt with firearms.

But, for example, duck hunting with pneumatics has its advantages:

1. You do not need a permit to use air guns when hunting ducks.
2. The cost of ammunition for air rifles is much lower than for firearms.
3. If you purchase a silencer, this will make the weapon completely silent. And this is the main rule when hunting.
4. The percentage of hunting success will directly depend not so much on the performance of the weapon, but on the skill of the hunter himself.
5. The use of pneumatic weapons does not harm the environment, like a lead bullet from a firearm.
6. When using air guns, the excitement of hunting is completely preserved.

Of the negative aspects of such a hunt, one can only indirectly highlight that pneumatic guns have a shorter range and it will be more difficult to hit, since when fired from such a weapon, only one bullet flies out, unlike shot from a firearm, for example.

Features of hunting with air guns

For a successful hunt, the shooter must choose the right rifle and bullets. For example, if a person is going to hunt a duck, 5.5 mm bullets are suitable for this. The initial speed must be at least 280 meters per second. Also, do not forget about purchasing an optical sight, especially if the shooter has not yet gained experience. The effectiveness of shooting depends on the distance to the target. The closer you are to it, the greater the chances of defeat. Additionally, you can use stuffed animals and decoys to attract game.

Pneumatic hunting tactics

Before going hunting, the shooter should be patient. Often you have to search and wait for a long time for game. If we are talking about duck hunting, you can buy rubber ducks and plant them along the edges of canals and rivers. Next you need to wait until the game reacts to the bait. Sometimes it’s more effective to just walk around the banks. Also, do not forget that you should go to a specific animal at a certain time of the year. They go hunting for ducks in the spring, at which time the mating season begins.

How to aim correctly

To learn how to aim correctly, the shooter must first decide which eye is dominant. This will help you shoot accurately and not experience discomfort while waiting for the shot. This will also help determine the side from which the hunter will hold the gun. Particular attention should be paid to breathing technique. Here you should adhere to the following rules:

• before aiming you need to relax and breathe freely;
• to get used to the technique, you should regularly train without weapons;
• Before shooting, you should take a deep breath and exhale halfway. You should pull the trigger while holding your breath.

After mastering this technique, you should continue training to learn how to shoot from a kneeling, sitting and lying position.

How to properly aim at a flying bird

To hit a bird that is in flight, two types of shooting are used, at a glance, and with preliminary aiming. The professionalism of a hunter can be determined by his ability to shoot offhand. This means that the shooter follows the flight of the game without controlling the aiming line.

If the shooter is hunting in an open area, shooting with preliminary aiming or with eyeliner will be more effective. This method is often recommended to shooters who have not yet had time to hone their skills.

The essence of the method is that the hunter presses the gun to his shoulder and begins to overtake the flying bird with the barrel, leading the rifle and setting the required lead. The shot is fired without stopping the movement.

Increased hunting efficiency

The first thing every hunter must do when going after game is to find its habitat. This will help you choose the optimal place for an ambush from where you can fire. It is important that the chosen location is in the direction of the wind relative to the target. If the shooter is going to hunt from a boat, it needs to be driven with reeds for stability. In addition, a place for hunting can be arranged by making a shelter on the shore in advance, which will merge with the environment. If you take these rules into account, the amount of production will increase significantly.

Features of hunting with pneumatics: what to choose and who you can hunt

Hunting wild animals is one of the activities that has existed for thousands of years, almost since the advent of humanity itself. To this day, hunting remains effective for obtaining valuable animal skins or meat. Briefly speaking about hunting time, it is autumn. In the spring and summer, hunters prepare equipment, and in the fall they hunt with pneumatics for blackbirds, for example. However, some people are now misled into thinking that hunting is a very expensive activity that requires the purchase of firearms, ammunition, etc. Nowadays, hunting with air rifles is quite common.

Why with pneumatics and not firearms? Because pneumatics will cost much less than firearms and their ammunition. In recent years, hunting crows with air guns has become increasingly common. These animals are very smart, and therefore a hunter with many trophies of these birds is considered successful and knowledgeable in his business. In addition to ravens, pheasants are considered very valuable. Pheasant hunting with pneumatics is considered a highlight of this activity.

Duck hunting with air guns

Most shooters, after purchasing an air gun, want to hunt ducks. Game is bred almost everywhere, including in residential areas, but shooting is allowed only outside the city. Duck is a massive game, so for shooting you should give preference to pneumatics with the following characteristics:

• power - from 3 J. The installed spring must be reinforced;
• caliber – 5.5 mm;
• shot range - from 25 meters;
• barrel type is at the discretion of the hunter.

When purchasing a rifle that meets these requirements, professionals recommend giving preference to manufacturers such as Khatsan or Crosman.

Hiking hazel grouse with an air gun

The hazel grouse is usually considered a bird of noble blood, but at the same time, it is quite timid. For effective hunting, it is recommended to use a decoy. Pneumatics with the following characteristics are suitable directly for shooting:

• bullets – from 4.5 mm;
• shot range – up to 50 meters;
• gun power – up to 16 J;
• barrel type – rifled is recommended.

To shoot this game, experienced hunters advise purchasing a Diana-54 air gun. But it will cost quite a lot, about 54,000 rubles.

What bullets should you choose for loading air guns?

Experienced hunters recommend using so-called sports bullets, which have a flat tip, for the activity in question. What is their advantage? They don't ricochet off the water. But they are designed for pneumatics with low power. In addition, in flight they quickly lose their destructive power and speed. To choose the right bullets for a specific type of air gun, you need to watch a video on this issue. There, experienced specialists and hunters will help you understand the choice of bullets for the most popular pneumatic models. This will help make your duck hunting most effective.

Pheasant hunting with air guns

Without experience, hunting a pheasant is quite difficult, although it is no less common than a duck. Game lives in the thickets near the shore. For shooting, it is recommended to purchase pneumatics with the following characteristics:

• caliber – more than 5.5 mm;
• no more than 20 meters to the target;
• gun power – from 16 joules.

A hunting rifle for pheasant hunting can be purchased for about 35,000-40,000 rubles. Experienced hunters often use the Lobaev sniper rifle, since for effective shooting you will need a good scope.

Hunting crows with air guns

The most popular rifle used by Russian hunters for shooting crows is the Edgan Matador 5.5.

Its price ranges from 55,000 to 60,000 rubles. This gun has good accuracy and is capable of killing a crow even from the top of a tall tree. It is not recommended to use Drozd pneumatics, as they are too smart.

Since the crow's bones are tubular, the hunter does not need to use a large caliber. The most important thing in this case is the accuracy of the shot. Pneumatics with the following technical data are suitable for hunting:

• bullets – 4.5 mm;
• rifle power – minimal;
• rifled barrel;
• no more than 8 meters to the target.

You don't need a license to go crow hunting. The only thing that the shooter must take into account is that shooting can only be done in places remote from residential areas.

Ferret hunting with an air rifle

The forest polecat is an animal from the mustelidae family. It is hunted mainly for its fur. For a successful hunt, the shooter must find the ferret's hole. After this, you need to set up an ambush and wait for him to appear. Recommended characteristics for the gun:

• caliber – 5.5 mm;
• power – from 16 J;
• barrel type - not important;
• firing range - from 15 m.

Experienced shooters hunt this forest animal, since the ferret is quite mobile and difficult to hit. In addition, you need to spend time learning to determine its habitat.

Hunting for a groundhog with a pneumatic gun

To hunt a groundhog with air guns, the shooter will have to obtain permission. Moreover, almost any air rifle that is permitted in Russia fits within the required framework. The marmot's physique resembles a beaver, so experienced hunters advise using powerful pneumatics:

• caliber – 5.5 mm or more;
• firing range - from 40 meters;
• power – from 16 J;
• scope – optics recommended.

Among the suitable pneumatic models for hunting marmots are the Vayrauch-97 or the Turkish Hatsan 150.

Division by internal diameter of the trunk

Nowadays it is not a problem to buy pneumatics in an online store. We have already described the lengths to which sellers go in order to sell their goods. Therefore, do not be surprised if in the catalog you come across pneumatics with a caliber that, in theory, should be prohibited from free sale, but the commentary states that a license is not required.

This means that, according to the passport, the muzzle energy of such a specimen does not exceed 3 J. All pneumatics for hunting, which can be purchased without a license, are divided into groups by caliber.

• The most common caliber is 4.5 mm. If no design changes have been made to the weapon, then such models have a maximum energy of 7.5 J. With such weapons you can only hunt small rodents.
• The 5.5 mm caliber already makes it possible to increase destructive power and aimed firing range. Pneumatic weapons are quite suitable for hunting due to their high accuracy. The lack of recoil has a positive effect on the accuracy of the shot. Shotguns with a caliber of 5.5 mm are used in hunting hare or field game. Please note that weapons with legal characteristics, for which all permits have been issued, cannot be used for hunting.
• Rifles with a caliber of 6.35 mm are capable of killing an average animal. No wonder this caliber is called “fox”.
• 9mm rifles are used in hunting large or ungulate game.

What to hunt beavers with

The beaver is a fairly large animal with a thick skin and a reserve of subcutaneous fat. It won't be possible to penetrate it with a small caliber. To hunt this animal, hunters recommend using the “papal” caliber (5.5 mm). Regarding weapons, Vintorez or something similar to it would be convenient and effective. To shoot a beaver, you need to aim for the sternum. For hunting, it is recommended to purchase pneumatics with the following technical indicators:

• bullet caliber – at least 5.5 mm;
• firing range – up to 80 meters;
• rifled barrel;
• power – from 16 joules.

If the budget for purchasing an air rifle is not limited, it is better to buy something powerful and get as close to the beaver as possible to shoot. Headshots will be the most effective way to hit your target.

How to hunt wild boar

For wild boar hunting, it is better to buy a powerful rifle with a 9 mm caliber. This will be quite enough to catch a medium or small wild boar. In this case, the type of bullet must correspond to the desired prey. But, according to the new rules, even if you have a licensed hunting pneumatic, the extraction of this sight in a regular hunting ground is not provided.

Most likely, the only non-poaching way to get a trophy with an air rifle is a trip to private land. For shooting, it is better to buy a PCP rifle with 9 mm caliber bullets. You need to hit the weak points of the beast, namely the heart, neck or head.

Hunting for muskrat with pneumatic guns

For every muskrat hunting trip to be successful, the shooter will have to train a lot. First you need to study the area and routes of the muskrat. If there are many animals in the area, hunting will not be difficult. Shooting can be done from the water or from the shore. The best time for hunting is morning. The hunter must also remember that muskrats see quite poorly, but hear well. Therefore, you should be as quiet as possible while hunting.

For shooting, it is recommended to use pneumatics with the following characteristics:

• caliber – not less than 5.5 mm;
• firing range – up to 50 meters;
• barrel type - rifled;
• power – 16 J.

If a muskrat is swimming, only an experienced shooter can hit it. In addition, there is a high risk of damaging the skin in the most visible place. Therefore, hunters prefer to shoot the animal while feeding.

Hunting with 4.5 mm air rifle

If you are really interested, read and write below!

WOLF [VT]

Alex_T

Alex.A

Alex.A and his “Career” 9 mm.

You can also shoot 5.5 caliber heavy bullets. Due to their smaller caliber, they have greater penetration. Anyone who has picked up a pneumatic gun, especially a powerful one, needs to understand one thing. What you have in your hands is not a child’s fart (as 99% of firearms believe), but a serious hunting weapon - very accurate, allowing you to kill game at a considerable distance not by the number of hits, but by quality, i.e. shoot only at the killing spots (head, heart, spine ). And remember that when shooting at close range (there have been and will be such cases, when zeroing at 50 meters at 0 at 6-7 meters the bullet will hit 3-5 cm lower. Be sure to shoot at such a distance so that you don’t regret it later about a missed opportunity!

And it is necessary to observe all the same safety rules as when handling firearms.
In general, it turned out that hunting with air guns is a fascinating activity. The animals and you have equal chances. Although, come on, without any competition, the smoothbore rules! PS I am not a GURU and everything that is written is my experience and my view on hunting with air rifles. May differ from other views. This is why this topic was created to exchange experiences and knowledge. Everything that is described and written concerns mostly forest areas. In fact, it is not suitable for steppes, mountains, and deserts. Different conditions, different distances, different hunting. Here they describe the capabilities of small-caliber weapons. Who is interested in reading and comparing, go here: https://forum.guns.ru/forummessage/2/396550.html Opportunities of 22 Lr for hunting
https://forum.guns.ru/forummessage/2/535389.html
If there is what to say, show, ask - write, post, argue.
Just on topic. Now a few words on the topic. I had many screws in different calibers. And now it is available at 5.5., 6.35., 9., 12.7. I have no experience of hunting with 9 and 12.7, so I can’t say anything about them. I advise others to do the same - DO NOT WRITE GUESSES IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A CALIBER AND HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN USING IT.

Now at 4.5., 5.5 and 6.35.

The hunt was successful, but they had gone through .45 and .50 and larger calibers a long time ago and their experience is not comparable to ours. I think what we are discussing can be easily traced from the gallery and weapons photographed next to the trophies; for those who understand and know the models, it will immediately become clear what caliber was used in this or that hunt. I will definitely try to check what the 12.7 is capable of, although there are a lot of photos with this weapon that can be assessed anyway. And it is from these assessments that I will proceed when choosing the first trophies.

Hunting rats with pneumatic guns

As in the situation with crows, shooting rats is not prohibited in Russia. They are not hunted for food or skins. Shooters do this to kill pests. Rodents often prevent people from living peacefully in private sectors, holiday villages, and sometimes in the city. But shooting in a residential area is prohibited. To shoot rats, it is recommended to purchase an air gun with the following characteristics:

• caliber – 4.5 mm;
• power – from 3 joules;
• shot range - from 1-3 meters;

The Edgan Matador rifle is best suited for rodent hunting. If your budget is limited, you can purchase a more budget option. With an accurate shot, this will not affect the effectiveness of the hunt.