Help me decide

[rusty-c]

Looks like I'm going to enter the world of Airforce air guns and would like some suggestions on the what and where of these air guns.

Plinking to ferrel pests would be the primary uses. I've been using a .177 Feinwerkbau sporter 124 for the last 20 years and it just doesn't pack enough of a punch.

 

[ChaoSS]

What kinds of pests? Starlings and rats are going to be different than coyotes and bobcats, and there's a lot of room in the middle.

 

[rusty-c]

Cats, possum

 

[ChaoSS]

I'm using an umarex octane that is certainly up to that task, in .22, but a lot of the crosman/benjamin offerings that claim 1200 for in .177 should be up to the task. If you don't want a break barrel a Benjamin 392 might do you well, or a Benjamin discovery if you wanted to spend a little more for an entry level pcp. Do you have any concerns about the noise levels?

 

[fpgt72]

Opossums are pretty tough critters. Make sure you get enough to put the animal down in a humane manner.

 

[KansasPaul]

I have to agree with the last post. I use .410 on opossums, about the only humane way to dispose of them.

 

[rusty-c]

It's generally the AR or 10/22 which is certainly humane but a bit to much pop for the neighbors. Thought a Condor SS in .22 or .25 might do the trick and that's where I'm leaning but thought there might be some other options available that the members could suggest.

 

[MedWheeler]

^^ A .22 short or CB-cap fired from a rifle is a lot quieter than is a .22LR. Would that still be too much for where you live?

 

[ChaoSS]

If you want a condorSS, by all means, go for it.

There are plenty of other rifles that will do the trick for less money, however. Like I said, my Umarex Octane is plenty of gun for the job. It is one of the more powerful break barrels available. In the PCP world, a Discovery with a TKO muzzlebrake or a Marauder, should both be quieter than the Condor, and less money, and certainly be powerful enough to do the job. The Condor has the benefit of being more versatile, however, if you ever want to go hunt something bigger, say, coyote, some modifications to the valve and the barrel and you have a close range coyote killer.

:edit:

The CondorSS will also be harder to pump up with a hand pump. Don't know what you are looking to spend here, if you were looking at getting a CF tank for it or what your plan was, but remember to take all costs into account. Air supply and scopes need to be taken into account.