Big Bore Air Rifles:Your New Deer Gun

I’m guessing, like many of you reading this, that you might have grown up with a BB gun or pellet rifle. These types of firearms were part of the learning process as we advanced through the levels of firearm safety education. For example, when my father thought I was ready to advance to the next stage, the firearm changed. I went to a .410 shotgun, then to a 20 gauge, then into rifles.

- Jason Houser

For years, all I used to hunt deer in Illinois was the Mossberg 500 20 gauge my father bought me for Christmas when I was 12 years old. In other parts of the country where rifles are legal to hunt with, I took advantage of using a firearm that had the capability of shooting longer distances.

I continued this progression through the age of 47, then came full circle, ditching the shotguns and rifles, to go back to my roots. Yep, a pellet rifle.

Now, this is not your run of the mill .177 caliber air rifle receiving its power from a little CO2 tank. I’m talking about big bore air rifles capable of taking down even dangerous game in Africa.

Increasing numbers of states are allowing the use of big bore air guns for big game hunting. Expect restrictions as far as the size of the round that can be fired. Many states require you to shoot a minimum .30 caliber round, along with a set minimum slug weight, and a certain amount of foot pounds of energy delivered.

Once I decided that I wanted to get my feet wet in the world of big bore air rifle hunting, I began researching these firearms and the regulations associated with them. There are many quality air rifles on the market intended for big game hunting, and that can make the decision process tougher than I thought it would be.

I eventually settled on the Western Big Bore Bushbuck in .45 caliber.

When my rifle arrived, I was impressed with what I saw. The craftsmanship seemed flawless, and the design was not that of a youth pellet rifle. Had I not known, I would have mistaken this for a regular deer rifle.