ctruth (Login ctruth) from IP address 76.171.207.79
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I’m new. Hi. I don’t mean to speak blasphemy in here, but has anyone considered using 22 caliber CB ammo to eradicate pests in an urban type environment? I have a new air rifle on order, but the only air guns I presently possess are two old broken pistols, a Sheridan co2 and a busted Powerline pump.
I’m speaking specifically about killing possums, those hard to kill, mutant rats on steroids. I made a post a week or so ago about a possum I had in my garage and how difficult it was to dispatch the critter. Unfortunately, I unwittingly used some foul language in the post and it kinda “disappeared”.
Basically I was using a Mark I with 22LR and although the two body shots worked, three frontal “mercy” headshots ricocheted. I have “hind sighted” the reason for those ricochets and determined that in my inexperience, I was shooting from a bad angle at a slanted object. I have since gotten advice from an “old” timer that’s been hunting some thirty years. He said that unless you have something “really powerful” a shot to the front of a possums head “will likely just bounce off”. So now I only feel half stupid.
I’m interested in humanely and quietly killing possums from about 25 yards in my backyard. I read somewhere (maybe here) that since 22CB’s are subsonic (800-850 fps or so), they can really be quiet. I’ve ordered some Aguila SSS Sniper Subsonic and CCI 22 CB LR just to test and see how well they suppress the noise. I don’t expect much since my Ruger is a ported automatic with only a seven inch barrel. I will most likely wind up using the air rifle I ordered to dispatch the possums.
My question is: Does anyone have any experience using noise suppressing or 22 CB ammunition, as opposed to, or in collaboration with an air rifle (for example, in a pistol), for hunting?
a firearm most of the time is unlawful unless you are a certain didstance from a house, dwelling or road.
I can't see .22LR bullets bouncing off a possom's head unless you were shooting at an extreme angle, even at 850fps. I don't have any experience with subsonic 22 rimfire though.
I 've shot possoms and large groundhogs with .22LR right between the eyes but velocity was 1,150 and sometimes 1,250fps so there were no issues there. I had no problems taking them quickly with a single shot. The best shot placement at the head is when they are broadside. You want to aim between the eye and ear or around that area.
Many possoms have been taken with Magnum air rifles. So if firing a .22 is illegal in your town/city, and airguns are allowed, get yourself a Magnum .22 air rifle. Do you own any Diana rifles? A 48/52/350/460 in .22 cal. will take care of possoms with no problems. Just make sure you hit them in the head or at least neck to try to sever and artery or spine but head shots work really well with airguns. Don't try body shots. Even if he 's facing away you can still get the back of their head. A 20+ foot-pound (FPE) Magnum air rife can take down pretty any small game a .22LR can, but at shorter distances.
Diana 350 Mag .22
Hammerli 850 .22
A few Crosman CO2 & Pump .177
I had a Benjamin Super Streak .22 a week or so ago. I was really excited about the gun. My first break barrel rifle. Then disappointment set in when I was unable to group in the center of a target at 25 yards. Gun kept grouping several inches low and to the left. This even with the elevation and windage set all the way “up” and “right” minus a few clicks. It was suggested that I put some 35mm film under the rear ring of the sight mount to “shim” the sight. Two films was the recommended max. I even tried four films under. The gun was still shooting an inch low. Don’t get me wrong..I loved the rifle…but a “pretty” gun that isn’t accurate….is useless. Then again, I asked myself why I should have to do “shims” or ultimately probably wind up investing $$ in an adjustable mount, for a “Combo” gun that was so far off center right out of the box? Didn’t make sense to me, so I returned the rifle.
Now I have a RWS 350 .22 “Combo” on order from PA. I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this one.
But it occurred to me that I might possibly be able to eliminate possums with the hardware I already have
(.22 Ruger Mark I), if I could find some ammo that was quiet enough to not disturb the neighbors.
I can’t purchase a silencer (noise suppressor) in CA + they are quite expensive.
Thus my request for advice from anyone having experience with CB 22’s.
Thanks for your expertise comments on possum killin’.
ct,
I had to go to the shop to look up the chrony figures (it's 18 degrees in there!) but tests from a few years ago using an elderly Remington with a 24" barrel yielded (in round #s) 691fps & 32 fpe from the CCI CB caps. To MY ear they sounded as loud as the Remingon SubSonic long rifle hollowpoints that I have found both extremely accurate and very deadly on game up to Coyotes.
It would take a very 'serious' airgun to equal the CBs but for the noise level (and a PCP generating that power level would be almost equally noisy without suppression) my choice would be the SubSonics in a social stuation that would allow their use. Your mileage may vary. HTH, Tom @ Buzzard Bluff
Forgot.
In my experience Possums can be almost impossible to put down permanently at times. I've had 2 bad experience in that regard, both with 12-14fpe guns at close range with well-placed shots.
In one case I had just arrived at my favorite fishing hole and while I was getting my gear together a lady waiting on her husband came up to me and said "There's a possum there (pointing) that's 'acting funny', have you got a gun with you"? Since we'd had several recent instance of rabid wildlife being reported in the area by credible sources and a Possum wonderng around in a crowded human enironment seemingly a bit unsteady on his feet I assessed her "acting funny" as credible and withdrew my BSA SuperSport. A .22 caliber Premier down his ear canal (from past experience I knew better than to try to penetrate the skull) seemed to solve the problem and I proceeded to catching a few trout for dinner. When I got out of the water the same lady came up and notified me that the Possum had revived and was once more wondering about. What! Sure enough---a bit unsteadier on his feet to be sure but seemingly unaware of his previous 'death'. Another 14.3 gr. Premier down the opposite ear canal from a slightly different angle concluded the problem.
The other incident was so bloody, brutal and unsatisfactory that I won't even relate it. Suffice it to say that it closely parallelled your own experience but with a less satisfactory conclusion.
From those expeiences and a several others with Possums I have subsequently tried to avoid having to kill them unless I get one that simply can't take a few strong hints concerning the garbage cans. I even tolerate them eating the cats' food on the deck. If I do have to remove one in the future I have decided to shoot them, whether with airgun or rimfire, ONLY from the rear into the juncture of spinal column and skull. I've bought down some ridiculously large animals with low-energy weapons over the years using that technique and I think it's a better solution on Possums than trying to pinpoint such a tiny brain thru such a thick skull. Or so current reasoning goes. Tom
As I stated I am not a hunter. Far from it. I have no idea what species of possum is here in southern Ca.
All I know is that God has chosen to put creatures here that have no “respect” (fear) of humans, that are extremely difficult to kill, that have 1” claws and teeth, and that appear to have less common sense than cockroaches. Add to those “attributes” fleas and possible communicable diseases, and that be critters I don’t want to share my little environment with. I like the idea of being able to leave my garage door open without fear of invasion by such a creature.
The rear of my home is under construction so my security lights have been removed. In darkness I can’t see if the nocturnal critters are still roaming. I kind of suspect that someone “down the way” has beat me to the slaughter. I sometimes think I hear plinks, thunks and baps that are too light for construction hammer work. And once a small baby possum wandered out back with some sort of wound to the neck (feral cat, I don’t think so-a cat would have finished the job), feeble and weak, I just placed him in a plastic bag and put a tight knot in it, so the poor little critter could spend his last hour or so playing possum.
I could be wrong, but the herd seems to be thinning. That’s OK with me. I would desire not to ever see another possum. That would be great! And Thanks to the neighbor.
That would also mean that I just bought a really, really expensive and powerful plinking gun.
Thanks for the info. As stated I have ordered the Aguila SSS Sniper Subsonic and CCI 22 CB LR
for testing in my Ruger pistol. That 24” barrel of yours is certainly going to make a difference. “Your milage may vary”. But now you have given me another round to test (Remington Subsonic). Your chrony of 691fps & 32 fpe from the CCI CB caps, will probably be less in the Ruger too. I can’t wait to see if these things are “acceptable” in noise suppression.
Ctruth,,yhea 22 CB,s are fun stuff! Ive been shooting them for years. When shot from my longer brl. rifles,, they are as quiet as my mag. springers. Few "ticks" under 700 fps w/ 28 gr. bullet they pack QUITE a punch. However, you may be dissapointed shooting them from any pistol,,Ive tried several, They are LOUD! Velocity also drops off considerably. Maybe a T.C. Contender w/a LONG 22brl.??LOL.!! Tim.
I assume you are talking about CCI ammo. At http://www.midwayusa.com both the lr and shorts are 29gr not 28. And yes, in my limited research I recall reading that the length of the barrel is extremely important in noise suppression, something to do with dissipating the gasses.
If noise is an issue but you still need lethality to a critter the size of a opossum I would suggest cb shorts at the ranges you are suggesting and wishing as little noise as possible they would work fine. However... they do not have enough charge to work the slide in any semi-automatic .22 caliber guns (I use a revolver and a bolt action rifle) they are virtually silent certainly no louder then a magnum springer airgun.
Thanks. Heck if I can get the noise suppression I want with shorts….that’s doable. I can just load one at a time. Beats buying more hardware. Besides, when I test the longs I ordered, I have serious doubts that they will be able to eject from my Mark I. I’ll test the longs and then if not satisfied I’ll try some shorts.
Ctruth,, Sorry I did not finish my post to you,,(cut short by my "nosey" neighbor!As Jer in Va. said,,I agree,, they will not cycle the action of any simi auto,s desighned for long rifles,,it is a single hand load deal. CCI? Im not sure,,I cant find mine now, but they come in the hard plastic slide top package. 28/29gr.? Idont remember,,think you are right,,I must be thinking of Eun Jing 22 pells,,think they are 28. My tests thru the years: VERY quiet w/ long brls.,,LOUD w/ short brls.,,W/ a big drop in ft.lbs..I have not re read your post,,,seems to me a 350M. would be PERFECT for you?? Pretty quiet w/ enough power to dispatch even med. sized game! Tim.
I don't think you made the wrong decision in ordering a Diana 350 to dispatch the invading possoms. I did exactly the same but to get rid of almost equally big groundhogs.
The 350 especially in .22cal will work fine on the possom, just don't try any gut shots. Aim for the ear or if you 're close go for a shot between the eyes. The 350 will smash its skull and penetrate deep. Mine can shoot a Crosman Premier domed (CP) right through 1" of plywood at 8yds. Neck shots are also good, ie: behind the ear or the base of the head/skull.
If you get rid of a few of them and never see them again, the 350 would have paid for itself in knowing those ugly pesty oversized rats won't be bothering you again. It's also good knowing you have the right tool to dispatch any other invading species in the future including 30lb racoons. Just make sure you practice and get good at shooting whatever gun you use. The 350 requires a loose hold especially at the forearm and also at the pistol grip area but less than forearm.
The scope will not be mounted on the rifle when it arrives. I highly recommend you do NOT mount the scope (or mount) until you have shot at least several hundred shots through the 350 to break-in a little (at least 2-3 tins) or you risk having the mount creep on you or damaging the scope and not holding its zero or A/O not working properly. My 350 chewed up mount & scope and spit them out.. The 350 needs to be broken in and tamed a little before you mount anything on it.
Just practice at 10yds at first on open sights and when you get good at that, go to 15yds, and then 20. Print out targets from the web that have 3/4-1" bullseyes that are clearly visible. You will probably have to put the rear sight all the way down since you 'll practicing up close at first, but chances are you 'll be shooting that possom at close range anyway, not 30yds out, even though if you sight in your 350 at 15yds, the POI will still be within an inch at 35yds. The best penetrating pellet that hits very hard is the Crosman Premier 14.3gr. Get yourself a box of these pellets. They come in a cardboard box. They are made of a harder lead alloy than any other pellet and hit very hard. Another pretty good pellet that the 350 likes is the JSB Exact Jumbo 15.8gr. These are all premium pellets, do not try any cheap pellets on the possoms. They won't work as well.. besides, the possoms deserve better
I got the 350 a few days ago. I like it better than the SS I returned.
Fact is, I AM shooting with iron sights. The Centerpoint Scope had a sliver of metal in the battery compartment which damaged the red/green circuitry. So I returned it for a cross shipment of a new scope.
I can still use the iron sights with the scope mount on the gun.
The most accurate of my small assortment of pellets is the Kodiak Extra Heavy (21.10gr) at about 15 yards. I will use this tin (200) for break in. I read somewhere that it’s not a good idea to use such a heavy pellet on a regular basis. But 200 or so should be ok for this purpose.
I found the Predators (18.08gr) and Crow Magnums (18.20) were also fairly good. The Crosman Premier Domed (14.3gr) were the least accurate (maybe because I tried them first), and they have a fit problem. They tend to fall out of the breech unless I hold the barrel downward while cocking. Since I have a whole box of ‘em, I guess I’ll use them for break- in fodder.
Once this gun smooth’s out I want to find a good, accurate pellet that is no more than 16gr.
It appears my shooting style/rifle prefers heavier pellets for now, so I am ordering:
Your JSB Exact Jumbo’s (15.8)
Beeman Silver Arrow (17.10
Beeman Silver Sting (15.74)
Gamo Huntere (15.3)
Perhaps one of these will prove to be the “magic missile”.
Yeah, “Betsy” kicks up and twists right with a light hold. But I am already shooting groups of 1” at about 15 yards with a few fliers. This with iron sights, my vision not what it used to be, and also with a gusty kinda breeze blowing.
This brings to mind another complaint. These iron sights SUCK!!! My old Marine Corps M1 from 1957 had better sights than these, way better!
(maybe that’s why they lost?)
For the consumer bucks invested, you’d think Diana could spring for some nice modern fiber optic sights on this rifle. No point investing in them now. With my vision, I’m going to need my scope when it comes back.
as well as accuarcy with your pellets. I too have a .22 cal M350 which is very accurate with Beeman FTS and JSB's. Since your going for possum which can be difficult to bring down I would go for a hard, deep penetrating pellet like Crosman or Benjamin Diablos' (also made by Crosman) or the Beeman Kodiak. Crosman pellets are harder than most and usually give the most penetration and least expansion. Gamo, RWS, JSB's and most H&N (Beeman) are softer lead. Soft lead pellets deforming on impact could be part of the reason you've had more difficulty dispatching the possum. I liken it to using a solid bullet on Afican game. You need power and caliber, but also a bullet(pellet) that is solid enough that it mashes deep through hide, bone and muscle. I use Duct seal to test penetration and expansion. Wood to me is no good. Wet newspaper are a good medium, but messy and time consuming to prepare. Here ia a link to a site where they tested airgun pellets in ballistic gelatin. I was suprised by the level of penetration they're capable of. Not even close a .22 LR but suprising to me.
Wow! Thanks for the WEALTH of information, man!
I don’t have a chrony, but these tests were far more effective for impact data.
And I’m noting that most of the fps speeds were moderate.
The assortment of pellets I have for my new 350 are:
Kodiak Extra Heavy (21.10gr
Predators (18.08gr)
Crow Magnums (18.20)
Crosman Premier Domed (14.3gr)
As you say, my (primitive) Pine wood block test showed Kodiak Extra Heavy to be the deepest penetrating (about ½” at approx. 15 yards, with a NEW UNTUNED rifle.). This bears out with the gelatin tests of the above pellets (Predators were not in the charts).
How about those .22 JSB Express’. Hmmmmm. Look out Terminator!
You should post this link in the main forum with a proper heading for everyone. In case it’s missed in this thread.
Thank you and Harry S for all the info. This is very timely as I’m about to purchase another 4 tin set of pellets for testing.
