Raccoons and Opossums

[rodwha]

So I’ve been drawn to a .22 cal springer for a while now. It would mostly be used for fun in the back yard just keeping the skills going, but would otherwise make sure I had squirrels and rabbits in a sack. With that said I’ve figured I’d want it to be at least capable of dispatching something like a raccoon within 7 yds. I’ve seen it stated I’d need 25 ft/lbs for raccoons and I’ve seen interesting rifles stating only 22 ft/lbs and was wondering about people’s experiences where the energy figures were close but just a bit under like this. I’d be braining them at that distance. I don’t want to be inhumane at all though.

Now if raccoon from out away from town (away from trash) tasted good I might be more inclined to get a more powerful springer able to plug him at 25 yds, but I’m not sure about them, opossums, or foxes and other similar sized critters. Having a more powerful air gun is nice though…

 

[Roverguy]

Hard to say. There are some pretty fat raccoons that I'm not sure a 22 Springer would take care of without a head shot. At 7 yards,that should be possible. iOn the move? Less so. Opossum are a bit more slightly built, but also, while fairly unpleasant looking, they eat ticks, prey on rattlesnakes and vipers, and have extremely low prevalence of rabies. Vile looking perhaps, but beneficial. Foxes are too large for a 22 springer.

I don't have any experience with larger calibers in springers, don't even know if they are made in .25 cal. I think a powerful 22 would do most of what you need but that foxes are a bridge too far.

 

[Dibbs]

My experience on air guns is the specs are, or at least were, to some extent, wishful thinking, on behalf of the manufacturers. I'd use specs only as a source of comparison, and trust range and field tests far more.

Raccoon is very gamey tasting, and a little greasy, but not bad. Possums are scavengers, worse than buzzards. Wouldn't cook one on a bet.

 

[OrangeCat]

In my experience with .22 lr raccoons will drop with pretty much any reasonable hit but a follow up might be necessary to speed the process along. They are destructive and bold enough that I don't waste too much time trying to persuade them to move along.

Opossums (which I only kill if they don't take the hint after a few evictions they are dumb and spooky looking if you aren't used to them but beneficial little critters if you can get along) I have knocked down checked for a hit and blood and in the time it took to get a shovel they have managed to wander off never to be seen again. Felt bad letting them go wounded and haven't had problems with the other ones so I let them be.

Armadillos take a couple of shots but aren't necessarily that difficult to take care of head or lungs and I haven't had problems just be ready with a follow up before they get too far away. I don't really try and kill them either unless I fall in one of their holes.

All of this is short range in the dark with .22 lr pistols and none exceptionally clean kills the racoons went down the easiest, but I wouldn't be tempted to go any lower power unless I absolutely had to. Also getting a good shot off in the dark is a little tricky unless you consider your setup carefully. Once the flashlight starts loosing battery I'm out until I can replace it and a decent red dot works wonders.

Just my limited experience and I really try and live and let live but sometimes an animal becomes an issue and you can only chase them back to the woods so many times.

 

[nettlle]

A 22 short rifle is something to consider. The springs don't weaken in a 22 caliber round. If the springer has velocity more than the speed of sound it will crack just as loud as a 22 caliber.