'Nother BB Gun Question

[donsgal]

I have been reading the posts about BB guns and Pellet Guns and now *I* have a question...

I love to go "plinking" with my .22 single-shot rifle but as we all know, even at $1.99 a box, ammo gets expensive over time. I thought it might be neat to get a BB or Pellet gun for my plinking adventure.

Here is the question....

I am a really good shot. I like to challenge myself by shooting teeny targets from real far away. (I have never actually measured it but I am guessing 200 - 250 feet). Of course,a .22 single-shot rifle has no problem with this- but I am wondering if a BB gun or Pellet gun will have the "OOMPH" I need to hit things that far away. Also, since the velocity will not be anywhere the same - what about aiming? Will it be the same or is there going to be a huge drop?

I would like to shoot something that is non-lethal, just in case a squirrel or bunny or deer would be in the way (I shoot in an area where there is a wooded drop-off behind the target), but I don't want to spring for a BB Gun if it isn't going to do what I want it to do.

Thanks to all who reply.

Donsgal

Yes, there is a big drop.

So use a much smaller target a lot closer to do essentially the same thing.

As a part of teaching my oldest daughter to shoot and enjoy shooting we often sit in a couple of lawn chairs out by the hen yard in the evening when we let the hens out to forage. She shoots a Daisy Buck and I have a Red Ryder. We shoot at old bean cans or soda cans gradually moving them further out as our ability to hit them improves. I like the BB guns because they are quiet and I don't have to be concerned about backstops.

.....Alan.

[dheat]

donsgal,

I just purchased an air rifle for the purpose of improving my marksmanship in general with application to my .30 caliber rifle in particular. My goal is to score as a rifleman on the AQT (Army Qualifying Target). In order to do so, I must shoot at least 4 MOA (minutes of angle). As long as what I'm shooting is capable of 4 MOA or better, it doesn't matter what I shoot.

In addition to less expensive ammo, an air rifle allows me to shoot in my backyard (I live in the city, so I can't shoot my .30 caliber there). This saves me additional money as I don't have to pay range fees or dues to shoot. It also saves me money in terms of gas required to get to the range. Since I don't have to travel to the range, another advantage is that I save time. For me, all of this adds up to one thing: the ability to practice more often and, hopefully, achieve my goal more quickly.

Since my goal is to shoot 4 MOA, I adjust my targets to accommodate 1) the target distance and the range of my air rifle. 4 MOA at 25 yds is a 1-inch target; at 100 yds, 4 inches; at 200 yds, 8 inches, etc. I shoot my air rifle at 25 ft. Therefore, my target becomes 1/3 of an inch.

I don't hit the bullseye very often yet, but I am improving. My plan is to become proficient with consistently hitting the bull with my air rifle. Then move up to the .22 at the range and accomplish the same. Then qualify on the .30. That's the most economical and effective plan I could think of.

HTH,

Doug

[dheat]

P.S.

I purchased an IZH-61 from Pyramyd Air. I can recommend both the IZH-61 for target practice and Pyramyd Air.

Doug

[diamondtim]

Donsgal:

Some of the better pump or break-action pellet rifles will approach .22 velocities. Your going to be looking at a Benjamin/Sheridan or one of the Beeman models or a European brand. Check out what the fps is for some of them. And you can fit them with a scope or improved (windage/elevation or target peep) sights

Hope that helps.

[Kenneth in NC]

You can buy a lot of 22's for the price of a Benjamin

I buy the Remington 550 pack at Wal-Mart for $9.98 ($10.68 with tax) that equates to 0.97 cents a box of 50. Sometimes Federals are even cheaper.

Kenneth