Been thinking about taking up deer hunting with an air rifle. A .50 should do it. My ranges are no more 120 yards, most shots 20 - 60. Reason for. Hearing protection (do use earmuffs in the stand) ability to hunt smaller acreage, no big booms to scare deer away, added challenge, don't foretell your hunting area to others.
So, who does or has? If so, what make and model and ammo used?
Thanks,
Sarge

A few years ago I was at a DNR training conference and one of the officers had a high caliber air rifle (a tank was used to charge it). It was still loud enough I would recommend ear protection.

Hi Sgt. While i dabble in airguns, i don't have any of the bigbores. I do have some close friends who have went down the rabbit hole with them and it can be highly addictive. As far as pcp rifles go, the bigger the caliber, the more air gets used. Some only get 3-5 good shots before power starts to drop off. Unless you have a pickle, they are quite loud and you'll need either a high pressure compressor or an scba tank to get refills. Airgunnation forum in the hunting section will give you loads of info on what you're looking for. I know guys that bring deer down at 150 yards with ease. Good luck

My nephew took 2 deer this year with a .30cal pcp.

Had a Seneca Dragon Claw .50. Took a buck with a slug and one with a bolt (air bow). Bolt was tipped with an expandable broad head which had more shock power than the slug. At 50 yards it would go through a 1/2' sheet of plywood. The slugs just punch a hole through whatever they hit. Not enough velocity for shock and bullet expansion. Could shoot 3-4 times without a lot of drop at 50 yards.

I like air guns but for your needs think an x bow will fill the needs and have better recovery and blood trails on deer. Much more quiet and less of a pain not having to refill the loud airgun. Bow seasons are generally much longer and most state's archery is aloud in gun season.

That said enjoy your journey into big bore air.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/8268944/filled-my-buck-tag#Post8268944








Here's my set up. Click on the link below for my buck I killed this year.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/8268944/filled-my-buck-tag#Post8268944

I had a regular bicycle type air pump for this Quackenbush .308 I could get 5-6 shots before it would start to drop. It was deadly on coyotes out to 100 yards.

The thought of using a bike pump to charge a gun is quite funny to me for some reason.

believe it or not Lewis and Clack used air rifles on their expedition for big game

They would demonstrate the air rifle to some of the Indians. I read that after the demonstrations some of the Indians who had plans to attack the expedition changed their plans because of the “magical rifle”.

Yes after looking at some videos. Earmuffs will remain in use. I hunt small lots. Sometimes as little as 5 acres. Deer like to hide in such thinking their safe. Also, don't like letting everyone within earshot knowing I just shot deer and next thing you have someone hunting 3 trees down.
S.C., considers air rifle to be rifles. Use only during firearms season. Not even for muzzleloading. SCDNR is arse backwards..Airbows are also considered rifles. Makes no sense.

Sarge

Cool stuff

Own RAW H 1000 X , 22 cal, excellent PCP, accurate to 100 yds. I bought mine, with another guy, who purchased the 50 cal, it's a mean machine. If you go PCP, I recommend purchasing decent compressor, they take some time to fill tank. I started with Air Venturi nomad 3 4500, works great, found used Air Venturi EVO 310, for good price bought it, takes half time to fill rifle. Use the Nomad, when plinking away from AC source, has DC/AC, capabilities, hooks to truck battery. Best part about RAW, it's American made. I shot consist shot groups, with my RAW, 50 yds holes touching, shooting off bipod and rear rest. 100 yds, the group opens up but still good group.
PS During high humidity days, I usually drain the compressor, 1 time, while filling. I noticed during filling, slower process, draining speeds up fill and better for rifle. Opening the pressure knob,and it will blow any moisture out. Moisture the number 1 killer for air rifles. Love this rifle for shooting rats around grain binds, sitting at shooting table, can work them over from 50 yds

You can buy a scuba tank to charge a PCP air rifle. If you know someone who works for a fire department, they'll probably do it for free. That's what I do. A scuba tank will recharge the PCP tank many times over and you won't need to pay a lot of money on a compressor.