After work pigeon shoot.

[DougT]

Today after work my bud, WadeS, his brother Glen and I got together and went pigeon hunting (not really hunting, more like shooting).  I found two grain bins along the highway with lots of pigeons in/on them.  I asked permission and the landowner was eager to let us shoot.  Glen just bought a Nitro XL, is still learning how to shoot it and hasn't really greased anything yet so it was our mission to get him a legit kill.  We built a makeshift hide out of oil drums, old tires and plywood.  It was a decent hide but the pigeons would circle and land into the wind ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BINS!!!!  We moved locations a few times and alternated shots, most of the ranges being 25-30 yards.  Either a hit or miss was your shot and you waited until the other two had shot until it was your turn again.  Wade and I really wanted to see the XL's 950fps pellets whack a pigeon at about 25 yards but it never happened; Glen missed about 12-15 shots.   I shot 7 and Wade got 4.  Some of them dropped inside the bins, some flew off and crash-landed in the brush/fields, and a few slid off the roof and we retrieved them.  11 in total.

I received my 22ci 3000# tank and 1600# regulator today for my 850 Mag.  I hope to have it up and running this weekend.  That should really be bad for the pigeons and squirrels.

[shadow]

That's a great way to end a day of work Doug great shooting and pic. Ed

[dk1677]

Again Nice shooting!

[airiscool]

Great to get in some critter control. I wish the Pigeons that hang out on the other side of town would come over here !!!!!

Too bad the XL hasn't shown it's stuff yet. Takes time to figure what it likes - then he'll have a real power house hunter. Speaking of which, what type of hold was he using with the XL ?

Paul.

[longislandhunter]

Great pic and great hunt, enjoyed both

Wish I had a grain bin full of pigeons to shoot  

Jeff

[Wade.S]

Paul, Glenn was using the artillery hold. We shot the gun before we went out and were able to get decent groups. What I believe the problem is that the trigger blows, and the pigeons either just drop into the grain bin without landing or just stop on top for a second before flying in. This only left a second or so for us to get off a shot and with a 15 pound trigger pull it was quite difficult with maintaining a good site picture. I think we are going to take the trigger apart and see if we can lighten things up and smooth out any burrs and lube it and see what happens. Worst case it does not work as planned and my brother will order one of the tuna triggers.

[longislandhunter]

I just installed the GRT trigger in my .22 XL and all I can say is O.M.G.  !!    Like night and day  

Jeff

[DougT]

You are right, the trigger is a real problem, but Glen wasn't using the artillery hold.  Just holding the gun in front of the trigger guard doesn't do it.  It's a combo of many things: gun resting on top of an open palm, light trigger-hand grip, loosely shouldered stock, etc.  I've been frustrated for a couple years now on these high powered springers and think I've nearly got it figured out.  Hold technique and consistency are critical.

Predators would be interesting to see on a pigeon at this speed.

[airiscool]

I thought the artillery hold would work for the Trail XL too.

I even tried variations of the artillery hold - gripped, then open palm, then on finger tips, then just resting the stock in front of the trigger guard on a shooting bag. None of them worked as well as holding the forestock right where Crosman put the checkering. That, and pulling the butt into my shoulder like I was shooting a high power centerfire made an incredable differance.

If I move my front hand forward, or rearward off the checkering the groups open up. Also, if I don't keep some back pressure on the pistol grip to pull the butt into my shoulder, the groups open up.

A few days ago I added the leather cheek pad because the high rings make for a very poor, inconsistant  checkweld. That helped some too, but this gun likes being held like a high powered powder burner.

Paul.

[Furseeker]

Nice shooting guys. Pigeons are a lot more fun then your run of the mill Starling.

[Wade.S]

Thanks for the info Paul. I will have my brother try your hold technique.

[Gene_SC]

Doug, you and your friend look mighty happy.. Good shootin..

[gamo2hammerli]

Great shooting.  You guys....at least 2 of you....put the hurting on those pigeons.  Glen will get his chance when he`s more familiar with his rig.

[only1harry]

Nice pest hunt and pic Doug!  

Lets us know how the tank & regulator work out with your 850 please.

[jake]

nice shooting!