Appropriate Ranges, Calibers & power levels for hunting larger game with Air rifles

[High Pressure]

When it comes to Hunting with Air rifles, everyone has there own opinion as to what is proper for larger game.

What are your thoughts ...???

One thing I believe we all can agree on is proper shot placement is key you can have all the power in the world but if you miss your mark it's not going to make much difference. So please share your thoughts on Caliber, power levels and ranges you believe are proper.

Lets say for hunting white tail deer

 

[Ezana4CE]

I abide by the state regs that I’m hunting in. Plain and simple.

 

[FL22]

I agree 100% with @Ezana4CE .

I’ve noticed that there has been an improvement in the recognition, permitted use and wording of Airgun laws for hunting here in Florida.

 

[PapaT]

What would I do for hunting whitetail? Follow local law like @Ezana4CE said. But... local laws aren't always made with usage in mind. Arkansas for instance, home of the Daisy, Gamo USA, Umarex USA, and Hatsan USA offices, wrote their airgun hunting requirements at a time when those power limits could not be reached. Today it is possible, allowing for airgun usage in AR.

The question asked though, was thoughts on proper. Laws not withstanding, my personal belief for whitetail would be .357 and 200 fpe bare minimum. For the great north, where the deer are built bigger, I'd probably want 250-300 minimum fpe. Of course, my solution was to leave no doubts and I bought 457 Texan LSS CF.

Just this old Papa's thoughts.

 

[Woogie_man]

Locally up here you are able to use an airgun for white tail deer.

Precharged pneumatic air guns, charged from an external high compression source such as an air compressor, air tank or an external hand pump are legal for deer but must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at least .35 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second.

So I would go with at least this, but would probably push for something like a Zeus or something. Pushing some larger hollow points from Mr.Hollowpoint and I would be good. Would look at ranges no more than 100 yards or so.

 

[jlowe]

I'm still waiting for TN to allow .30cal for small game. Not sure why but they go .25cal and below for small game and .35cal and above for larger game with air guns. I don't really need a .30cal, but I would have to buy one if they changed the rules. There are plenty of places that I could take a Whitetail Deer here in TN with a .357. I've just never had the motivation to get a large caliber airgun for some reason.

 

[MAUMAU]

I have a AirForce Texan LSS CF like @PapaT mentioned above in .457.

It is the minimum I would use for Feral Hogs, especially in a single shot rifle.