Need Air Rifle Advice

self | 5/13/12 | RightOnline

[RightOnline]

Good day, fellow FReepers. I've come to the single best source of information/recommendations online....especially for advice on anything gun-related.

Short version: I'm going to purchase an air rifle (aka "pellet gun"). Darned squirrels here have simply gotten out of hand, and it's time to take 'em out. Heaven knows I've tried everything else; little vandals simply don't take a hint.

I've done a fair amount of research and, so far, I seem to have settled upon the Benjamin Marauder. Pricey, but reviews of this gun are stellar.

Here are my questions, since I've never owned an air rifle:

1. What caliber would you recommend for picking off squirrels? I've been leaning toward their .25 cal, but is that overkill for squirrel dispatching? Should I opt for the .22 instead?

2. They sell (a VERY pricey) hand pump for this gun....but what's the best way to fill one of these beasties with compressed air? Keeping a scuba tank around, by the way, won't happen....so any recommendations besides that.

3. Scopes: "Leapers" brand scopes seem to be popular with air rifle aficionados. What say you?

Also note that I don't necessarily plan on using this for "hunting" or target shooting; it will be intended almost solely for ridding my yard and immediate environs of marauding squirrelage.

Thank you in advance for your advice and recommendations!

[RightOnline]

Reaching out to FReepers for good advice on air rifles. Help me end the reign of terror of these cute-but-hugely-annoying little bushy-tailed heathens.

[chris37]

I’d recommend .177 cal, because the projectile is more accurate with increased fps.

I have two that are break barrel. Break the barrel, insert pellet, close barrel, click safety, rdy to fire.

As far as scopes don’t know, but make sure it’s an air gun scope, because they have considerable spring recoil that goes in the opposite direction of normal recoil.

Another thing that works well for squirrels are the shotgun type pellets that shoot about 5 projectiles from a smooth bore. Either way though, having had to shoot a couple pesky ones myself, they don’t die right away with any caliber or shot type. They are fiesty, and they go dying crying. Was a bit troubling.

[41Thunder]

Save yourself some money. Buy the Crosman Nitro .22 cal. It turns squirrels inside out. Took care of my critter problem in a hurry.

[martin_fierro]

Floating LOLCATS: silent and deadly.

[riverrunner]

With in 25 yards any of the calibers will work.

Buy the best air rifle scope you can afford. The best scopes may cost more then the rifle.

If you live in the country buy a 22 rim fire instead. If you need quite use CB long cartridges out of a rifle they are as quite as a air gun.

[lwd]

I wouldn’t go with the CO2 cartridge style, get one you pump. .22 will kill a squirrel. I would personally stick with the iron sites. Do you have any cats? They are pretty good at keeping squirrels away.

[PowderMonkey]

Hmm....Step One: check local regs. In most areas, an air rifle (BB gun, etc.) is classified as a firearm. Discharging one within most neighborhoods is a big no-no. Also, anything potent enough to dispatch squirrels will be loud enough to disturb the neighbors.

[Dusty Road]

One thing I might warn you about, not sure what state your in but in TX the squirrel is considered a game animal and It’s illegal to take any game animal with an air rifle. My personal favorite is the GAMO Whisper but they make other models along with Beeman. Squirrels are not a problem here in West TX but the Urasian Collard dove sure are and the Whisper works just fine, plus their good to eat!

[BikerTrash]

Get one of these!

Just jokin'...but watch the video anyway. It's amazing!

[RightOnline]

Unfortunately, I live in a subdivision, not the country....but with a very high wooden privacy fence and the back yard (the intended “killing ground”) sits in a sort of “bowl”, if you will; VERY private....but no way to use anything beyond an air rifle or slingshot.

[garykfd]

I use a single pump(spring) .177 cal with Iron sights Pretty good success rate..I think its a Daisy. Kills the little bstrds dead.. If u wanna use a scope don’t get a spring rifle it beats the hell out of scopes because the kick is in the wrong direction and for some reason it screws em up. Haven’t tried red dots but the Iron sight work great. I have pecan trees in my yard and have to kill em if I want to have any for myself. Deer corn nailed to a stationary object(saw horse) is a great bait. Pesky little rodents love and just can’t stay away

[CrazyIvan]

Take the advice given by above posters about scope selection seriously. An air rifle will kill a scope meant for a .460 Nitro.

[Cboldt]

At that price, you should consider Beeman. I have a couple of those, and old R-7 that is scary accurate, and a Walmart special that is pretty good of its own right.

You should be able to do fine with open sights, but as at least one other pointed out, if you scope it, make sure it is an air-rifle scope.

I like the spring-air system because it is easy to power, and it is consistent. For squirrel, .177 is adequate, .22 is mroe than adequate. Bigger pellets cost more, so you won't get as much target practice for a buck, with the bigger ones.

Beeman R-8 Review

In my over 50 years of shooting, only very few rifles have earned the title of "keeper". Those guns I will never sell, but pass on to the children, or grandchildren.

I'll concur with that. The Beeman R-7 that I have is a fine piece. I will not part with it.

[Georgia Girl 2]

We have a .177 Gamo Varmiter. With the gold Raptor pellets it has the power of .22. We kill squirrels with it all the time. When you hit them they drop like a rock. Personally I think we could easily kill a coyote with it. The Gamo is really awesome. Comes with scope, laser and flashlight.

[Tijeras_Slim]

http://www.airgundepot.com/rws-airguns-model-48-22-with-free-scope-mount-and-shooters-kit.html

Fixed barrel (accuracy) side cocking single shot. Extremely accurate and consistent. 3x9 airgun scope with lighted reticle. No pumps or tanks. Very durable even under heavy use. .22 or .177, probably use a .177 myself due to availability of a wider range of ammo.

[trebb]

Unfortunately, I live in a subdivision, not the country....but with a very high wooden privacy fence and the back yard (the intended “killing ground”) sits in a sort of “bowl”, if you will; VERY private....but no way to use anything beyond an air rifle or slingshot.

I prefer the type you hand pump and more pumps = more power - keeps cartridges from leaking away if you only shoot occassionaly. Understand that one with enough clout to take out a squirrel will also "bark" pretty sharply so neighbors will be aware that something is afoot.

[central_va]

I use a Mossberg .410 for squirrels and such.

[Venturer]

I would go with a 22 caliber rifle loaded with bird shot.

[markomalley]

I’ve got a Gamo Silent Cat for killing critters...1200 fps projectile speed...with a good 4X32 scope on it.

You can get one at Bass Pro Shop. (http://www.basspro.com/Gamo-Silent-Cat—177-Caliber-Scoped-Air-Rifle-Combo/product/10202698/139599)

2 suggestions (particularly if you don’t have any experience with rifles)

1) get some practice targets. Make sure the scope is sighted in properly. This is of particular importance if you are in a subdivision. Don’t want to accidentally shoot a toddler instead of a critter. Also, make really sure you have a good backstop for the targets. Such as a thick piece of sheet metal. The Gamo will do a number on any kind of plywood...even 3/4 inch...not to mention that it will knock holes in cinder blocks.

2) When you are actually using it, don’t ever, ever, ever shoot up...when you’re shooting in a subdivision. Always shoot down. The reason being is that if you shoot up (like going for a squirrel in a tree) and miss, you won’t have the slightest clue where the .177 round landed. Granted, you may have to deal with ricochets when shooting at a downward angle, but that’s not nearly as risky as the other way around.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

I prefer the type you hand pump and more pumps = more power - keeps cartridges from leaking away if you only shoot occassionaly.

Same choice I made. You only get targets on occasion and a pump is always ready - nothing to leak. I also like heavier rounds that are subsonic. That's why I got a .22 rifle. At that close range (<30 yards), iron sights ia the way to go. I'd save the money that you would spend on the scope and buy a better quality rifle.