Anyone using a 177 pellet rifle on crows? I've shot three so far and two flew off, third one got up after being knocked down. Shots are 20-25 yds with a 1,000 fps Gamo, target pellet (flat nose).

Should I try the heavier pellet? The pointed Crossman Premier pellet groups poorly out of my gun.

I've never shot a crow with a pellet gun but, if I were trying it, I would probably go with a heavier pellet. Crow feathers, especially those on the wings, are very tough and I suspect they would provide a degree of protection from a pellet; try for a chest or head shot.

I've shot a few crows with .177. Head shots only, dump the flat points and get dome (round nose) pellets. Pointed pellets seldom are accurate. A Gamo won't handle heavy pellets you need compressed air for that. A lot of birds, not just big ones will absorb a body shot and fly away, and crows do have a lot of feathers over the vitals. Good hunting.

Take a look at my post on 10 and 13 grain pellets on chickens.

I cant imagine a crow would be any tougher than a 4-5 pound rooster.

Almost all of my body shots have been sideways through the wing. The 10 grain domed Kodiaks make a pretty good sized hole through the wing, almost caliber size, and throw alot of downy feathers around from underneath the wing.

The pointed 13 grain Predator is very accurate in my RWS 34. It does not make a noticible hole in the wing, so must take awhile to expand.

It is somewhat more effective than the domed 10 grain. And both are better than the WC target weight bullets.

I would try the domed 10.2 grain for a start. I gave a handful of these to the guys at the local landfill, who had been using target WC's and they saw a big difference on hens. A hen will go down within 20 feet or so, and be obviously hard hit. Dont require wringing their necks.

The roosters are something else. Very tough birds. Last one I shot with a 13 grain pointed was 16 yards away, and he ran 50 feet and piled up. But he was obviously hard hit. They kind of lay flat and then run. This went through wing and entered body in front of rear leg. Just about dead by the time I reloaded and found him.

I think the 10 grain domed will work for you.

Andy

I shot a few crows with a rimfire rifle and from what I've seen they are pretty tough birds.....can't advise about your pellets but cheering you on....dead crows are good crows!

Many of them ; AirArms TX200 / Up too 30-55 Yd W/Exact Diabolo 7.8Gr. I believe that's the weight Blue writing white tin ,I've also used RWS Super Points 8.2Gr. . They don't fly any more !, the longer the distance the more precise your shot must be .
An of course Head Shots are Deadly and easily done with an AirArms one of the most accurate Air Rifles I own and have ever owned !.

I regularly kill ground squirrels off a rock wall 50-65 Yd. even if I fail a Head Shot those Diabolo's still have sufficient Ftlb left to kill them . Furry tailed rodents bastards undermine nearly everything if left unchecked !!!!!!!!!.

Found a pellet that works, the Gamo round nose (looks like a BB in the tip )