Head Shooting – Airguns

[cjm1066]

There are many threads on here were the topic of head shooting deer is discussed for those who wish to review the debate.

As a boy I used airguns, my first “proper” airgun was a BSA Mercury 22”, reports suggest it generated 10/11 ft.lbs, it was certainly adequate for rats/rabbits etc and the other species I could hunt. Shot placement, I always went for a chest shot and never noticed a lack of power/penetration.

I have recently started shooting squirrel in the garden, now with a 22” PCP air rifle that generates 11.5ft (measured), what a change since I was a boy, more accurate/consistent and with a silencer no noise/recoil. The other change is the proliferation of airgun magazines, videos all recommending head shooting for humane kills.

The other change is over 40 years deer stalking were only exceptionally have I taken head shots. Lining up on the first squirrel, the new airgun “mantra” of head shooting briefly crossed my mind, sitting up the squirrels head moved, I instinctively went for a chest shot and it fell to the shot. The airgun retains the effectiveness that my boyhood memory suggests.

How many other stalkers use our deer stalking shot criteria when out with an airgun?.

 

[riflerob]

If it's rabbit for the pot, then it's headshot, to save meat spoilage

If it's rabbit for pest control, then it's body / centre of mass.

Squirrel is always pest control, so body shot

 

[mallettn]

You need to head shoot squirrels to kill them reliably in my experience if you are using a sub 12 ft lb air rifle. I generally chest shoot deer.

 

[enfieldspares]

A sub 12 ft/lbs .22 airgun pellet to a squirrel's skull will kill it "dead right there" if it (as it usually does) cracks the skull apart. It won't penetrate through and through. But dead is dead. having said that I only use shoulder shots with a "springer" as it hasn't the accuracy for an "earhole" shot as does a PCP gun.

 

[Boosh]

Always headshots on rabbit with an airgun, It's an airgun thing.
Stray from the path, and although it will result in death, it may not be when you want it to be.
Just do the right thing, were not into torment here, just getting the clean work done.

 

[Overlay]

Ive been using my PCP a hell of lot recently on rats and rabbits out to 35 yds and its deadly on head shots for all, the rifle is so consistent compared to the older ones, providing you stick to the rifles capabilities and keep to head shots, take no chances the PCP has a well earned place in the gun safe, i cant fault mine

 

[CarlW]

I take a similar view to @enfieldspares: body with springers; head with PCPs.

 

[Dan Newcombe]

I honestly think that there is too much thought out into these things

 

[colin jalland]

Squirrel .25 40+ ft lbs chest shot does the job very well

 

[StephenToast]

I honestly think that there is too much thought out into these things

I try to think as little as possible.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

I try to think as little as possible.

Personally, sometimes I sit and think. Most times I just sit