Whyare the crows living yet the rabbits are dying???

[robbobsam]

I took my new Daystate Airwolf out last night lamping. Its a .177 and I use Bisley Magnums. My gun is at 11.8ft/lb when I use them. (10.6 grains).

 

My gun was awesome, I hit 2 x rabbits, both at over 40yds and killed them both outright first shot. Then early this morning I got up to kill as many crows as I could at my local farm to help the farmer out.

 

I set up a hide in my car in the yard and threw a camo net over it and sat and waited. I even put a target up and zero'd the gun to ensure the killing zone was set just perfect for my gun.

 

The first crow came, 25yds away. I know I hit it as feathers flew off it and it flew away. Then a second and third. I was stunned. they were at the very same range as the target and my gun was putting pellet on pellet. Then a magpie came, I hit it in the head and it died instant. Great!!

 

Then another crow came and I am certain I hit it and that one flew away.

 

What is happening and why are these birds not dying ?

[lowlander]

when ive been shooting crows with my air rifle ive found that they are alot stronger than both rabbits and magpies, where were you aiming at them? because ive noticed that if you dont hit them in the exact right place (just behind the eye) they can fly off and die later

 

lowlander

[Wesman]

32g of number 6 up their bum mate. But if I had a nice rifle like that I'd use it all the time too

[vampire]

Magpies are only small birds with thin skulls,rabbits only have fur to act as armour,the crow how ever is protected by strong feathers and a thick skull,dont understand it though the gun is up to it and pellets are not bad,used to use these with good results on pigeon,177 is the best calibre for crows,has a lot more penatration than .22,have you tried rws superfields,i have found these to be superior to bisley,just,more accurate and good kill rate.

Where abouts were you putting the pellet,and would it have been better a further range,rather than 25 yrds dont think pellet would be at its peak velocity yet,but not sure on that one.

[George1990]

I found they never come down with the shotgun either... or is that because I can't hit em

 

Both them and magpies I've found to be hardy birds, but the chances are is that they will die very shortly after. Very dignified birds

 

Shot a couple of crows which have looked to be clean misses, but then found them later on. Also, shot one that was sitting in a tree at no more than 15 yards with the shot gun. It opened it's wings (so I thought how could I miss that!) flew at me then just went thump into the snow. Very odd

 

I'm sure you are getting them though as long as not shooting them in the wing where the feathers are thick.

[terrier]

Like vampire said, use another pellet. Rws superfield -superdomes Jsb Exact or even Jsb Express.

The 10.3 Grain of the Bisley mag, knocked that rabbits down, but you need a pellet that is more penetrating, through the armour of the beast

[Ozzy Fudd]

I found they never come down with the shotgun either... or is that because I can't hit em

 

they drop right down if you hit them at 7 yards with full choke of 32g 5's

 

crows are tough though, no doubting it, tougher than magpies and rabbits imo

[night owl]

try using logon penatrater pellets mate 16.5 grains they knock the **** out of them at 35 yards and they do what they say they do i use them through my bsa tactical

[Colster]

Given that the bird is a lot lighter than a rabbit, maybe it's just rolling with the punches so to speak. I find it can be difficult bringing down pigeons with head shots as their neck can flex a lot so the pellet can just skip off the skull.

 

I got a crow the other day with 30g 6's, that came down with a thump.

[SSS]

Last one I shot with the .22lr came to an abrupt end!

I know what you mean though, they do take some killing with an air rifle

[bearhire]

i get that problem with the air rifle sometimes too even though its zeroed perfect and im knocking pigeons down no problem. tough things crows! tend not to bother unless there close like 20 - 25 yards, get the longer ones with the 410 or 12 bore.

[Pigeon_snIPer]

Go for wing shots or upper body shots. Nothing can beat a head / Neck shot but if you cant get that then the wing or a shot in the back or clean chest shot will do it.

/s/

[Clubshot]

Logun Pentrator / Exterminators

 

Are hard Pellets and Bullet design - will go through Crows

 

Some softer pellets will flatten on hitting a crow - reason the often fly off

 

Check your pellets on soft wood

 

To see if the burrow and kill or sit on surface

 

BOB/R

[tango]

Logun Pentrator / Exterminators

 

Are hard Pellets and Bullet design - will go through Crows

 

Some softer pellets will flatten on hitting a crow - reason the often fly off

 

Check your pellets on soft wood

 

To see if the burrow and kill or sit on surface

 

BOB/R

 

good advice