Why cant i get a kill?

Question

i just bought an awsome rifle its a Daisy 1938 Red Ryder and when i go hunting i hit a squirrel but they always just run away i AM hitting them but they dont even seem injured what is going on here?!

Answer 1

umm a couple of questions about this before i answer..

Where are you hitting the squirrel and are they on the ground running or in a tree?

Answer 2

Mexy-

I would suggest that if you are in the market for an Air Rifle, that you indeed get one.

For my squirrels and pidgeons I have:

Benjamin Sheridan .177 Cal Pellet Rifle.  

These are a pump type, they send the Pellets out about 950 Feet Per Second.  

These are not designed for BB's and will ruin the barrel if you shoot them through it.  Its designed for pellets only.

There are several others Gamo makes several very nice Pellet Rifles in .177 Cal.

For larger game I switch to my Ruger 10/22.  You might check these out, too.  They are very reasonable, but I would recommend against shooting it in your yard, if this is where the problem is.

Benjamin Sheridan also makes a .20 Caliber and a .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle, I have one of each also.  Though the .177 sees the most work.

Lastly, I have had very poor luck with BB's in general.  Normally when I need to get the job done, I use Pellets.  They are more accurate, and hit much harder than BB's.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Because its not even close to being strong enough. i have a powerline 880 that shoots 750 fps and it barely kills squirrles. your red ryder you would be lucky if you even got 250 fps. you wont even kills birds so you should get something stronger if you want to take small game

Answer 4

the red ryders 290 fps in a 5 grain ball does not penetrate enough to kill anything or carries the energy to kill anything for example the muzzle energy of a red eyder is .93 pounds and the minimum to kill a squirrel inhumanely by spazzing out and twitching is 2 ft lbs but if you want to make clean kills on squirrels you need at least 4 ft lbs of energy

Answer 5

>>Why can't I get a kill - I just bought a Daisy Red Ryder - I hit a squirrel but they always just run away**<<

**Are you swinging the rifle with both hands? Yes, I'm kidding, I certainly hope you are also.

Daisy Red Ryder - MV=280fps

280fps - 5.1gr BB = 0.89fpe

The only "hunting" you can do with a Daisy Red Ryder is a backyard safari(bug busting)

IMO, it takes around 6.0fpe "at impact" for a clean, humane kill on small game(rabbit, squirrel) and that's with proper shot placement and good hunting pellets.

575fps - 8.2gr pellet = 6.02fpe

Daisy Red Ryder - specs

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/daisy-red-ry...

Answer 6

Red Ryders are not powerful enough to kill them they where not made to do so.You will have to buy a stronger bb gun one that shoots around 600-1200 Fps or buy a  cheap 22LR.

Answer 7

First off, the BB gun probably isn't even legal for taking any game animal, not enough power to make a clean and merciful kill.

Second, in most States squirrels are treated as game animals, make sure you're in season and have a valid license.

Answer 8

It is not powerful enough to do the job, need something stronger or get a good 22.

Answer 9

Is that really you Ralphie???

Answer 10

How fast does it shoot and where did you hit them?

i have a been model 1040 series and i have killed about 5 squirels and about 3 have gotten away. Only one has dropped in it tracks because i hit it in the ear and made his brain pop. usually it runs and then i find it about 20 yards from where it has been shot.

Try aiming either in the ear, but not the head because they have a thick skull, either in the ear or just below the ear it will kill it, or aim just behind the front arm.

Answer 11

Red Ryders are not anywhere near strong enough for squirrel

I shot a pigeon in the head with mine and merely stunned it for a few seconds

Answer 12

you'll shoot your eye out.

Answer 13

not enough power in your gun for hunting squirrels. at best, you have a sparrow gun, or maybe mice. muzzle velocity with your ammo (BBs) is only 250-350fps. you need 400-500 fps minimum to assure a kill on a squirrel. BBs are very light compared to pellets. pellets hit much harder on flesh than BBs but the velocity is still the key.

use your gun for fun, and find a good pellet rifle, either pump or spring air if you plan to hunt game.