Urban Varmint Disposal

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Just like many of you all, we have a nice garden. Our home is on the outskirts of a small city (25K or so), which is on the outskirts of a bigger city (200K or so). We have all sorts of critters here... racoons, possums, rabbits, skunks, etc.? Can someone recommend an air rifle or pellet rifle--something quieter and safer than a rimfire? I know nothing about these rifles. We have neighbors, but they're not too close. I just don't want to alarm anyone.

Thanks!

 

[ugaarguy]

Not my area of expertise, but I've moved this to Air Guns where you should get some good recommendations.

 

[mdauben]

First I would say, check your local ordinances and game laws. Some municipalities equate air guns right alongside regular firearms in their prohibitions against discharging within city limits. Likewise, many states consider things like rabbits and even raccoons as game animals and make no provisions for taking them as pests.

That said, for your usage I would probably look for an at least moderately powerful .22 pellet gun. The more common .177 guns might not do for larger critters like big possums or raccoons. Air guns are a whole world to explore, but unless you have an interest in them beyond just a tool to take out pests, I'd recommend looking at a spring-piston rifle from Gamo or Ruger. You should be able to find such guns at Walmart or many sporting goods stores for reasonable prices of $100-200, often as packages with inexpensive scopes included. (Many high end air rifles can cost over $1000, which I assume is more than you would want to spend!)

Hope that helps?

 

[gspn]

Here's a quick and dirty overview:

http://www.crosman.com/croswords/?p=2636

 

[zxcvbob]

I have a RWS model 34 and it does a good job on rabbits; but I probably should have bought it in .22 caliber instead of .177 to get cleaner kills. (I hate shooting something and having it do a backflip and run off to die under a neighbor's porch) It does a lot better now that I switched to premium hollow-point pellets (like Beeman Crow Magnums, so some kind of Gamo HP's that I don't recall the name)

Shooting air guns in the city used to be illegal here, until the mayor was overrun with rabbits like the rest of us. Executive order that it's okay to use air guns in the city to dispatch small pests.

 

[Chevota]

I'd go with a Benjamin with a nitro and shroud like the Trail or Trail XL, maybe even the new Trail NP2. They're very quiet but your neighbors will certainly hear it anyway. When I shoot rats at night I use Aguila Colibri 22LR ammo because it's quieter than any of my airguns and won't wake neighbors at 2am. They're also less powerful so I think opossum etc should be brain shots only, body shots would just be cruel. Killins' one thing, letting a critter suffer is just wrong imo.
Also, the Marauder is/can be extremely quiet, but a lot of $ and a pita to fill.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Gammo has some which are very quiet.

 

[Capt Nemo]

I deal with a no discharge whatsoever ordinance, but the Gamo Whisper does a pretty good job on the muskrats. Hard to hit them when they're floating on the waves!

 

[medalguy]

If you can find .22 CB rounds they are very quiet too.

 

[1SOW]

I've had a squirrel problem, with garden, pear and Loquat trees.

A simple inexpensive pump-up Daisy 901 with iron sights has scored 113 squirrels in 3 years. The last two were just a few days ago.

Virtually all were one-shot drops, most were one-shot kills. The iron sights stink but can be tweeked to hit 3/4" x 3/4" steel targets reliably at 15 yrds.

A decent hollowpoint pellet is working out to 20 yards max.. My chrono shows about 700 FPF

It doesn't make much noise when fired. Close neighbors don't know I'm shooting.

 

[rodinal220]

RWS 48/52 in .22 works well. .177 can get the job done on possums,coons too at close range and proper shot placement and pellet selection. I like the RWS 34 in .177 as a good solid quality starter springer. I'm a spring gun guy.

To avoid detection in an urban environment,shoot just like a trained sniper would. Stay deep back in a room,use a backdrop that you and your gun platform blend in with. Shoot through a small loop hole(cracked door or window 1"-2"). This will also mask the sound of your air rifle.

Be absolutely certain of where and what your shot background is and your weapons range. Never take a shot you cannot make.

Absolutely know that your equipment is 100% and everything is dialed in.

 

[craftsman]

You have not mentioned what your budget limitations (if any) are. I like the .22 cal. Benjamin Marauder. It comes with a 10-shot magazine, shoots at (max) 1K fps muzzle velocity. I picked up the hand pump, 3 extra magazines - so about 30 rounds before I need to pump it up again. Sadly, it is pricey ($520 +$200 for the pump).

I also have a Beeman RS-2 dual caliber (.177 & .22) break barrel. Single shot - with case, rings, and scope) for @ $ 150. Rated at 830 fps in the .22 cal. Both are about 85 dB ... fairly quiet.

 

[Scooter22]

Walmart has the Beeman RS-2 (1073). Great guns for the price. They will take care of your problem queitly. My son and I both have one. Mine is set up with the 177 and his .22. We switch as needed. Don't use the super light pellets. They will sonic crack like a .22LR and they allow the piston to slam hard agains the breech. We use the Crosman Destroyers and Premier Pointed and HP.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Beeman-Grizzly-X2-DC-.177-Air-Rifle-Combo-with-Case/27944713

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I use CB caps and they kill everything I shot so far. But I shoot back from windows with a 2 inch opening and I had no knocks at the door or phone calls.