.177 Pellet gun for practice and squirrels
- Thread starter jcjacobvt
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Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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On what budget?
Funderb
Member
go to wal mart and buy the one that is about $100, its actually an impressive air rifle.
Mike U.
Member
In the lower end, my Gamo Shadow 1000 gets a hearty thumbs up.
I say "lower end" because air rifles get real expensive real fast depending on your wants or needs. I've seen air rifles that cost more than an AR or upper end AK-47.
I bought my Gamo at Wallyworld for $124.95 three years ago. It spits pellets out at around 1000 FPS and the lighter alloy type pellets at speeds of up to 1250 FPS.
The sound it makes with those pellets is just like a .22LR round going off. It's LOUD! And it does this with near pin-point accuracy. I've nailed over 60 tree rats this year alone and about 1/3 of them were taken with the Gamo. Most were DRT (dead right there) with the Gamo. They are serious varmints that just love living and playing and tearing up my attic so it's a kill-on-sight proposition here.
I say "lower end" because air rifles get real expensive real fast depending on your wants or needs. I've seen air rifles that cost more than an AR or upper end AK-47.
I bought my Gamo at Wallyworld for $124.95 three years ago. It spits pellets out at around 1000 FPS and the lighter alloy type pellets at speeds of up to 1250 FPS.
The sound it makes with those pellets is just like a .22LR round going off. It's LOUD! And it does this with near pin-point accuracy. I've nailed over 60 tree rats this year alone and about 1/3 of them were taken with the Gamo. Most were DRT (dead right there) with the Gamo. They are serious varmints that just love living and playing and tearing up my attic so it's a kill-on-sight proposition here.
KBintheSLC
Member
I picked up a Crosman 2100 Classic a while back... only $60 and does over 700fps and has a rifled barrel. I use it to dispose of unwanted garbage pigeons. I use Gamo Rocket pellets for reliable 1-shot kills. It is very accurate, and I have no problems making kills on those fat, overfed pigeons out to about 25-30 yards.
If you have over $100 you can dump on one, you can get a Gamo rifle at over 1000fps. For me, the 2100 does the job well enough.
If you have over $100 you can dump on one, you can get a Gamo rifle at over 1000fps. For me, the 2100 does the job well enough.
Make sure that you get a break barrel airgun. I bought one that needs 10 pumps to shoot around 700 fps. It cost around $40 and it's accurate (I've hit quarter-sized targets from standing on occasion) but pumping it after every shot really does take away the fun pretty quickly.
tacweapon
Member
I have a IZH-Baikal IZH 61 and it is super accurate and powerful enough to make a kill as long as you use decent pellets and aim your shot
Funderb
Member
oh the ten pumps aren't so bad. Friends and I had at one point gotten the reloading process down to a fine art, and followups were fairly quick!
that said, break barrels are worlds better and faster once you get the hang of sticking the pellet in that tiny little hole.
100 bucks at walmart for a really nice one. 1000 fps and break action.
that said, break barrels are worlds better and faster once you get the hang of sticking the pellet in that tiny little hole.
100 bucks at walmart for a really nice one. 1000 fps and break action.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
I had a Crosman pump-up and it was a royal PITA to pump it up, and noisy to boot, with the pump handle clacking against the underside of the barrel with every stroke. I gave it to a friend and he's been successful at desquirreling his garden, and has been thanked by the neighbors. His yard is now sort of a squirrel sink. The more he kills there, the less in the neighborhood in general.
I've got an ancient Feinwerkbau break-pumper which is real good, but the sproing of the piston is fairly loud. Fortunately, nobody recognizes the sound as being from an air rifle.
Not that I've ever killed anything with it, though... <hak-kaff! ahem!> Sorry, had to clear my throat there.
I've got an ancient Feinwerkbau break-pumper which is real good, but the sproing of the piston is fairly loud. Fortunately, nobody recognizes the sound as being from an air rifle.
Not that I've ever killed anything with it, though... <hak-kaff! ahem!> Sorry, had to clear my throat there.
yhtomit
Member
I'm going to offer a contrary point of view compared to 230RN's: my Crosman 1377 (I actually have two of them, but only one used so far) is crazy accurate at the short ranges I shoot it, and praised by others who use it for purposes that sound like yours, unless your "yard" is the Grand Canyon. Pump it once for indoor plinking (taking precautions as apprpriate, of course), up to 10 times for distance.
Anecdote: My first two shots, which were casually braced on a shaky ping-pong table, were within an inch of each other at about 35 feet. For some people, that would represent a failure as a result of which they must commit seppuku; for me, it was gratifying and proof that the gun is more accurate than me. Further shooting confirms this obvious conclusion.
I do wish it also shot BBs, but that's OK -- pellets are cheap at least. Perhaps the best $50 (each) I've ever spent on gun-related stuff.
timothy
Anecdote: My first two shots, which were casually braced on a shaky ping-pong table, were within an inch of each other at about 35 feet. For some people, that would represent a failure as a result of which they must commit seppuku; for me, it was gratifying and proof that the gun is more accurate than me. Further shooting confirms this obvious conclusion.
I do wish it also shot BBs, but that's OK -- pellets are cheap at least. Perhaps the best $50 (each) I've ever spent on gun-related stuff.
timothy
Gunnutz13
Member
My .177
After considering some of the best names in the air gun business, to include Walther, RWS, Crossman, Beeman, etc...I chose the Gamo Whisper. One of the critical reasons for this choice was the supressor that cuts ambient sound up to 52% from other models...as I am in a semi-rural area with neighbors that I didn't want to alarm. And, no pumpin' or CO2 catridges to buy. Just check out these specs...
Specs:
-Velocity: 1200 feet per second (fps) with PBA, 1000 fps with Lead
-3x9 power scope included
-Single Shot
-Break Barrel: Single Cocking System, Spring piston
-Automatic Cocking Safety system
-Manual Trigger safety
-Barrel: Fluted Polymer Bull barrel
-Non-removable noise dampener (with up to 52% reduction)
-Cocking Effort: 30 lbs
-Trigger: Second Stage adjustable
-$279 +s/h at the GAMO USA website...but I've seen them cheaper in Sportman's guide since.
I've been dropping grey squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, crows, pigeons and doves with ease. And the additional "trigger time" has made my centerfire shooting all the better. Nuff said...
After considering some of the best names in the air gun business, to include Walther, RWS, Crossman, Beeman, etc...I chose the Gamo Whisper. One of the critical reasons for this choice was the supressor that cuts ambient sound up to 52% from other models...as I am in a semi-rural area with neighbors that I didn't want to alarm. And, no pumpin' or CO2 catridges to buy. Just check out these specs...
Specs:
-Velocity: 1200 feet per second (fps) with PBA, 1000 fps with Lead
-3x9 power scope included
-Single Shot
-Break Barrel: Single Cocking System, Spring piston
-Automatic Cocking Safety system
-Manual Trigger safety
-Barrel: Fluted Polymer Bull barrel
-Non-removable noise dampener (with up to 52% reduction)
-Cocking Effort: 30 lbs
-Trigger: Second Stage adjustable
-$279 +s/h at the GAMO USA website...but I've seen them cheaper in Sportman's guide since.
I've been dropping grey squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, crows, pigeons and doves with ease. And the additional "trigger time" has made my centerfire shooting all the better. Nuff said...
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Just like to add something in for all of you air rifle owners, are ANY of them quiet? I've been shopping as well, and that 'Whisper' ad seems to good to be true. Any you've seen that seem quieter than most?
^^ Cross posted! So Gunnutz13, would you say it really is quieter?
^^ Cross posted! So Gunnutz13, would you say it really is quieter?
Gunnutz13
Member
Oh yea...
Yes...as a few friends have other brands that I've shot...the Walther and the Beeman.
I find no need whatsoever for ear plugs...and I'm very careful of my hearing, as I use Surefire SONIC DEFENDERS everytime I shoot rim or centerfire weapons.
Check both the websites...Gamo and the Guide... for videos on this product.
I highly recommend the Whisper...
Yes...as a few friends have other brands that I've shot...the Walther and the Beeman.
I find no need whatsoever for ear plugs...and I'm very careful of my hearing, as I use Surefire SONIC DEFENDERS everytime I shoot rim or centerfire weapons.
Check both the websites...Gamo and the Guide... for videos on this product.
I highly recommend the Whisper...
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tribbles
Member
The Crosman 1377 I had when I was a teenager shot BB's. There was a small magnet at the front of the bolt that held the BB in place. Good for plinking, but not powerful enough to kill a squirrel with. It would sure get his attention, though!
gentleman987
Member
I have gamo that i got at a pawn shop for 55 buck the stock was banged up and the front site was gone but its a great shooter would suggest any gamo. I also bought a lower end beeman from BPS for $150 the one were you can change the barrels it is a piece of crap the trigger has a 10 LB or more pull and the gorups are horrible. What i am hoping to get is the crossman discovery its a low priced good quality pcp
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/benjamin-discovery-air-rifle.shtml
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/benjamin-discovery-air-rifle.shtml
280shooter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2008
- Messages
- 707
RWS
i have a rws #45 i bought that in 1980,, still does over 900 fps,,
worth every penny i paid
i have a rws #45 i bought that in 1980,, still does over 900 fps,,
worth every penny i paid
Airguns are like everything else. A $100 gun generally does not compare well with a $400 gun. For $100 I would either go with a Gamo, a Benjamin or a Chinese gun. The Chinese guns are potentially the best values, but they sometimes need a little massaging to get the best out of them. The Gamo is a decent enough gun for the money, but the firing behavior and trigger leave something to be desired. There are aftermarket trigger and tune kits available for them though. You do get decent power and accuracy in a light easy to cock package with one though. A Benjamin makes a good hunting gun and a lousy plinker. They're much noisier and somewhat less powerful than most of their springer competition, but they make up for that with a generally better trigger, much better firing behavior and usually better accuracy. The problem is that they're just too slow for plinking or target practice.
Now if you want to move up a little, you can get an RWS 34 for a little over $200 or a Beeman R9 for around $400. There is a difference and these guns will outperform their cheaper counterparts. There are also a number of more expensive Chinese guns. These are mostly copies of European guns. They aren't made to quite the same standards, but some people are able to polish, tweak and refine them until they come very close at about 1/3 the price.
If you really want to off the deep end, you can get into PCP's, (pre-charged pneumatics). The cheapest of these start around $400 and they go up to over $2000 and then you've got to get a scuba tank or a pump so you can charge them, but if you're really after performance, this is where it's at. My AirArms S410E shoots 16 grain .22 pellets at 980 fps and will hit aspirin tablets every time at 50 yards and it does this almost silently. With a full charge, the hammer is noisier than the report.
Now if you want to move up a little, you can get an RWS 34 for a little over $200 or a Beeman R9 for around $400. There is a difference and these guns will outperform their cheaper counterparts. There are also a number of more expensive Chinese guns. These are mostly copies of European guns. They aren't made to quite the same standards, but some people are able to polish, tweak and refine them until they come very close at about 1/3 the price.
If you really want to off the deep end, you can get into PCP's, (pre-charged pneumatics). The cheapest of these start around $400 and they go up to over $2000 and then you've got to get a scuba tank or a pump so you can charge them, but if you're really after performance, this is where it's at. My AirArms S410E shoots 16 grain .22 pellets at 980 fps and will hit aspirin tablets every time at 50 yards and it does this almost silently. With a full charge, the hammer is noisier than the report.
cliffy
member
I chose a RWS Diana 350 Magnum in .177 Caliber
Yes, $315 is a bite to start with, but what a potent, accurate beast! A Bushnell 3-12x40mm Banner scope adds $110 to the package. This is a man-sized rifle, and the cocking-effort requires a man. To prevent a supersonic CRACK, I use Beeman 8.8 grain Crow Magnum hollowpoint pellets. At forty yards, these are accurate squirrel-busters. My basement practice rifle is a scoped Gamo 440 Hunter with half the power of my precision Diana. I use light Beeman Silver Bear hollowpoints in it. For outdoor practice, I favor Beeman Field Special 8.9 grain pellets. Both rifles have recoil pads, but the recoil is not severe though more than a .22 Rimfire's kick. cliffy
Yes, $315 is a bite to start with, but what a potent, accurate beast! A Bushnell 3-12x40mm Banner scope adds $110 to the package. This is a man-sized rifle, and the cocking-effort requires a man. To prevent a supersonic CRACK, I use Beeman 8.8 grain Crow Magnum hollowpoint pellets. At forty yards, these are accurate squirrel-busters. My basement practice rifle is a scoped Gamo 440 Hunter with half the power of my precision Diana. I use light Beeman Silver Bear hollowpoints in it. For outdoor practice, I favor Beeman Field Special 8.9 grain pellets. Both rifles have recoil pads, but the recoil is not severe though more than a .22 Rimfire's kick. cliffy
rangerruck
Member
most springers are loud, and provide quite a bit of recoil(for an airrifle). anything in beeman, benjamin, crossman, gamo, or chinese, would be fine. Now then, if you can swing 300 bucks, the best thing since sliced bread has come out.
it is a benjamin pcp that uses either co2, or comes with a pump. a pcp airgun is not only quiet, but recoil... it just doesn't happen because of the pcp design.
Normally in the past, you could not get into a pcp rifle for less than 500, so these are a real break through.
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/
http://www.compasseco.com/
it is a benjamin pcp that uses either co2, or comes with a pump. a pcp airgun is not only quiet, but recoil... it just doesn't happen because of the pcp design.
Normally in the past, you could not get into a pcp rifle for less than 500, so these are a real break through.
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/
http://www.compasseco.com/
MIL-DOT
member
I agree with the above statements, "...get a break-barrel airgun", "get something larger than .177", "get something from RWS,Beeman".
A while back, I ordered a RWS Diana Panther .22, and before it even arrived, sold it to my brother and ordered a Beeman R9 Goldfinger .20. The RWS came first, and had I known what a nice, solid, quality rifle this was, I probably would have never upgraded. ( though the R9 is super-sweet,with a better trigger.)
But you're right considering one for practice, mine's been my favorite gun this whole past year, they're accurate, economical,tons of fun, and I can shoot any time at a target I've set across a pond that we and other houses here back up against, without anyone freaking out and calling the cops.
Here's a link to the RWS from a very popular airgun dealer ( same place I ordered our RWS.).
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-34-panther-air-rifle.shtml
And here's a link to the R9 from Straightshooters, another (even better) operation, and where I got mine.http://straightshooters.com/beeman/r9.html
A while back, I ordered a RWS Diana Panther .22, and before it even arrived, sold it to my brother and ordered a Beeman R9 Goldfinger .20. The RWS came first, and had I known what a nice, solid, quality rifle this was, I probably would have never upgraded. ( though the R9 is super-sweet,with a better trigger.)
But you're right considering one for practice, mine's been my favorite gun this whole past year, they're accurate, economical,tons of fun, and I can shoot any time at a target I've set across a pond that we and other houses here back up against, without anyone freaking out and calling the cops.
Here's a link to the RWS from a very popular airgun dealer ( same place I ordered our RWS.).
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-34-panther-air-rifle.shtml
And here's a link to the R9 from Straightshooters, another (even better) operation, and where I got mine.http://straightshooters.com/beeman/r9.html
Gunnutz13
Member
Bigger than .177...
As a sidenote...GAMO also offers the Whisper series in .22 caliber ( pellet ) for about $25-30 extra...
Specs:
-Caliber: .22
-Velocity: 950 feet per second (fps) with PBA, 750 fps with Lead
-Max. Energy: 24 Joules
-Single Shot
-Break Barrel: Single Cocking System, Spring piston
-Automatic Cocking Safety system
-Manual Trigger safety
-Barrel: Fluted Polymer Bull barrel
-Non-removable noise dampener (with up to 52% reduction)
-Cocking Effort: 30 lbs
-Trigger: Second Stage adjustable
As a sidenote...GAMO also offers the Whisper series in .22 caliber ( pellet ) for about $25-30 extra...
Specs:
-Caliber: .22
-Velocity: 950 feet per second (fps) with PBA, 750 fps with Lead
-Max. Energy: 24 Joules
-Single Shot
-Break Barrel: Single Cocking System, Spring piston
-Automatic Cocking Safety system
-Manual Trigger safety
-Barrel: Fluted Polymer Bull barrel
-Non-removable noise dampener (with up to 52% reduction)
-Cocking Effort: 30 lbs
-Trigger: Second Stage adjustable
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