I really need help selecting an Air Rifle for Squirrels.

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daredwit

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I have a squirrel problem and need an air rifle for pest control. I have never owned one and don't know the first thing about them. I would like one with a scope, a wood stock and one of the muzzle quieting devices since I have neighbors and would like it as quiet as possible. I have a budget of about $200-$225. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
 
Air rifles come in three basic flavors; the kind you pump up, the kind powdered by little C02 cartridges, and the most common kind, where the barrel is used as a lever to cock a spring.

The spring-powered guns tend to be hold-sensitive; this means that the point of aim will shift if the gun is held differently. This can be frustrating if you don't shoot the gun often.

Benjamin makes a nice pump gun, and there are a variety of choices that use C02. I'd suggest a .22 or even a .25 instead of a .177 for hunting. I have one of the Benjamins with an aftermarket peep site that I am very happy with.

My favorite airgun shop is here:

http://www.pyramydair.com/
 
I know its a bit outside your stated budget but you will be buying a better air rifle than some of the cheaper big box store type guns. The RWS 34 is a solid adult air rifle and will last decades and can be rebuilt by a good air gun smith. The .177 with proper pellets will humanely dispatch tree rats. It is grooved for a scope if you wish to add one later,or a set of peep sights from Williams make good improvements over the factory sights.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Diana_RWS_34_Breakbarrel_Rifle_T06_Trigger/402
 
I feel the gamos give you the best selection and value. there are many in your price range and my friends have them and they have great stocks and are accurate. remember though some of them need over 1000 pellets before they settle down some need even more. so don't give up on it
 
The pump up Crossman and such are almost as loud as a .22 rifle.

I'd go with a spring-cocker for that very reason.
In .22 cal pellet size.

They will knock a squirrel out of his shorts at typical back yard ranges.

rc
 
Dispite the nay sayers my FWB124 in 4.5mm .177 took out tree rats around the house with shoulder hits just fine. Hit hits naturally worked best as they do with a .22 LR as well, but shoulder hits produced no run off tree rats.

perhaps the high velocity of the FWB compared to some other air rifles, like the pump jobs makes the difference.

I currently need to rebuild that puppy though as apparently that 1980 pistol seal is shot........still.

-kBob
 
Silencers for air rifles are regulated by the Feds just like any other silencer. $200 tax, some paperwork, a wait, then the cost of the silencer.

The CO2 guns aren't very loud. At least mine isn't. I'd say quieter than my springers or my pre-charge pneumatic (PCP: a fancier type of pump-up) guns.
 
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Silencers for air rifles are regulated by the Feds just like any other silencer. $200 tax, some paperwork, a wait, then the cost of the silencer.
Not exactly.

The silencing devices that come factory-attached to some air guns (like the Gamos) are NOT regulated as NFA Title II devices. If you were to remove one, and create the possibility of using it on a firearm, you'd be in real dangerous ground, but these (http://gamowhisper.com/) don't require any federal paperwork or background checking. In fact, unless you live in REALLY restrictive states, you can click over to Cabela's and have one shipped right to your door.
 
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I would like one with a scope, a wood stock and one of the muzzle quieting devices since I have neighbors and would like it as quiet as possible. I have a budget of about $200-$225.
It lacks the silencer but otherwise this matches your list for only a few dollars more. IMO most of the noise from a spring-piston air rifle comes from the piston and spring, so the silencer doesn't make it that much quieter.

Beeman Mach 12.5 Air Rifle, RS3 Trigger
 
I have a .22 springer, a Beeman. It's nice, wood stock and pretty, but every bit as loud as a .22LR. I would consider a real .22 and shoot those low noise rounds. Probably get twice the energy out of that round over a pellet gun too.
 
Sam, thanks for the correction. Silencers are almost standard on adult air guns in England. Their national government WANTS you to use one. No paperwork. Dozens of makes and models to choose from. But none of those silencer designs are imported to the US, far as I know.

Did a Google Search and found this:

http://www.pyramydair.com/article/Airgun_silencers_What_s_the_big_deal_August_2006/32

Sounds like silencers for air guns is sort of like muzzle breaks on ARs back during the old Assault Rifle Ban. You could have one, but it has to be permanently attached (welded or soldered) to the barrel. Though for air guns it's still a gray area since there's really no federal code written specific to air guns, one way or the other.

A couple of blogs I looked said the Gamo Whisper was not offered for sale in the State of Michigan (OP's home State) due to that State's heartburn with the concept of a silenced anything. Maybe true, maybe not. But I read it on the internet!
 
kBob,I agree totally. The FWB 124 is a great vintage air rifle,I love mine and will not sell it,ever. At close range,under 20 yards,a wad cutter pellet is deadly on small game with head shots. I found the Beeman Silver Jet,while good on head shots,would penetrate thru and thru,body shots, and not have the same shock effect. Now we have a lot more pellet choices by far.

The old FWB124 gave up the ghost(30 years) and I too had to rebuild mine, James Maccari parts revived the old springer and its better than ever.

http://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/page/page/251327.htm
 
.22 rifle instead

If you already own a .22 rifle,you can save a LOT of loot picking up CCI C.B. caps [ I prefer the 'long' cased ones ].
They are at least as quiet as my Gamo 'supressed' model and have a great deal more hitting power as the bullet is twice the weight.
But if you want or really need a air rifle,the Gamo is pretty silent and HARD hitting.
 
The RWS 34 break gun is great but if a serious problem, going to PCP in .22 cal gives the velocity (rabbit/squirrel and some have used them on groundhogs) and fast follow-up shots with no recoil (scope damage with break guns) and if sleeved, little noise. They are accurate out past 75 yards.
 
In my opinion, do your homework. If the rifle/ammo selection doesn't generate at least 12 ft lb of energy or more it is not a responsible choice. While a very acurate shot with a lesser combo will dispatch a squirrel, lesser shots aren't in the realm of humane. There are lots of good choices out there. Keep in mind that springers can take some work to find the right hold for consistant accuracy due to spring bounce. Good luck. Airguns open up a whole new world to the shooter!
 
I'm still using my .20 Sheridan Blue Streak. I'm not sure about the quality or how durable it is, 'cause I've only had it for going on 46 years now...
 
I have a Rws 45. I had since 1980.its not loud,900fps, 177. BSA 4 power scope, air rifle scope, you have to use a air rifle scope, or you,ll break the scope on a spring powered air rifle, some air rifles are realy loud, like a 22.
 
Gamo Bone Collector Whisper. Very powerful and accurate. It doesn't have a wooden stock but it's right in your price range and IMO is quieter than my old pump action Crossman when using lead pellets. With the scarcity of 22 ammo it a good alternative practice rifle. I've never had any sort of problem with it.
 
Gamo Bone Collector Whisper. Very powerful and accurate. It doesn't have a wooden stock but it's right in your price range of $200. I actually paid $188and IMO is quieter than my old pump action Crossman when using lead pellets. With the scarcity of 22 ammo it a good alternative practice rifle. I've never had any sort of problem with it.
 
If you are worried about the noise level you need to consider the velocity of the pellet. A silencer will help reduce the noise but if your pellet is over the sspeed of sound you'll have a supersonic "crack" noise regardless and it will still sound like a rifle.

Speed of sound decreases with increasing altitude, but at sea level 1200fps =1.07Mach, 1100fps = 0.98Mach, and 1000fps = 0.89Mach. If you shoot a pellet at 1100fps or faster you have high odds of gettting a supersonic crack regardless of suppressor usage or not. 1000fps (0.89 Mach) is in the transonic region right on the edge of going supersonic, but should stay subsonic for most altitudes... I'd haveto go look at my reference tables to doublecheck which altitudes.... 1000fps sounds like a pneumatic nailgun, whereas faster speed pellets sound like a 22lr rifle.
 
How far away are the tree rats?

And noise reduction on air rifles ARE NOT regulated by the feds like firearms are.

If you don't shoot it a great deal a springer will cause you frustration. You will have to get use to (in most cases) an "artillery hold" http://www.pyramydair.com/article/The_artillery_hold_June_2009/63

That will give you the best results.

With your stated use I would suggest one of the QB series of air rifles. You will push the pellet at around 800fps and it is very accurate. The rifles are some of the greatest shooting rifles out there, are of great value and build quality....my two bits.

I would also say that air rifles are a little like .22....some like different kinds of pellets...you may have to try a few to see what pellet your rifle likes best.
 
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