Which Airgun to Wound?

[Mikul]

I'm trying to discourage some squirrels and moles that are wandering the property. Mostly, I want them to move on, but not necessarily to the next life. There are deer that fall into this same catagory.

Is there a good air rifle that will allow me to accomplish this. Even some of the low-powered (~600fps) .177 caliber rifles have reports about killing rats and oppossum. Does a change in pellets allow me to select lethality (eg flat points vs. conical).

I have been considering several models:
RWS Model 94 ($174): a bit expensive for the task, but RWS makes fine guns. Overpowered?

Slavia 631 Model 77 Deluxe ($90): good price, good looks, but not made in the USA and perhaps over-powered for my use

Benjamin Sheridan Silver Streak ($140): a bit expensive for a brass barrel, but has a pump action for power selection. I would expect bore erosion with a brass barrel.

Other suggestions are welcome.

 

[TrapperReady]

I've got a buddy with a squirrel problem in his backyard. His solution is two-fold. First, he distracts and irritates them by bouncing BBs off their backs. The weapon of choice is a Daisy Red Ryder (which can be had for under $30). It makes very little noise, but it will get the squirrels attention. If the animal is too stupid to move on to the neighbors bird feeders, then he just lets his lab out into the backyard.

Personally, I like squirrels more than birds.

 

[Rupestris]

I use an airsoft to spook the squirrels. 6mm plastic BB gets 'em moving pretty quick without harm. I picked up a 1911 model single shot for $19.95.

You can get a cheap Chinese break action single shot pelet gun (.177) for under $30 that shoots right around 400FPS.

As for the deer... not a clue Maybe a paintball gun (if legal of course)

 

[Mikul]

The deer aren't a problem currently, but I know they will be when I plant my buffet, er, I mean garden.

 

[P95Carry]

I think the ''wound'' aspect is a tad tricky .. in as much as I'd be out to either ''dissuade'' with no harm ...... or, ''eliminate'' ..... in between I think a wounding is not sportsmanlike .... the animal may disappear but only to suffer a drawn out demise due to a suppurating wound.

BB's that all but bounce off (sting!!) seem best way .. otherwise I'd go other extreme and get a (quoted) 1,000 fps pellet rifle, and use pellets like Beeman Silver jets.. which would take em out!

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I've seen one of the exhibition shooters on American Shooter who shot a balloon (I think that was the target) at 75 yards with a Red Rider out of the box. Pretty cool. Not being an exhibition shooter, the sights on the Red Rider might be less than optimal if you really want to get controlled and non-lethal shots.

A nifty alternative would be to get one of the pump guns and only pump once or twice. For example, the Daisy Powerline series, 880 (unrifled) or 881 (rifled) will work really well. Plus, they will take a scope (or at least they used to). You could put on an el cheapo $8 Wal-Mart scope, sight it in for the number of pumps you feel will handle the task, and you should be able to be very proficient in hitting what you want to hit. Even without the scope, the sights are adjustable.

 

[Mikul]

My "wound" designation is a bit dodgy. I apologize, but I mean simply to hurt the creature enough to pursuade him to not return. My parents have whacked squirrels with 400fps BB guns only to have them return 5 minutes later. Their 500fps pellet gun is a lot more effective, but it's only accurate within 30 feet or so.

I think the pump guns are the way to go. I've heard lots of good things about the Benjamin Sheridan and will look into that a bit more. A cheap little scope would be a nice addition.

 

[Penforhire]

I know you're looking for longer range but my Beeman P3 .177 pistol is rated at something like 2.4 Ft-Lb muzzle energy and off-hand I can get less than a 2" spread at 10M. But if the Airsofts won't discourage 'em then why would anything else, short of injury?

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Ditto the Benjamin Sheridan. Mine is a .20 cal Blue Streak. Three pumps will handle the squirrel problem without hurting him much as long as you hit him in the tail or rump or just plink something close to him, less than three and you risk having the pellet jam in the barrel. Six to eight pumps (maximum pressure) with a head shot will easily kill a raccoon or groundhog within 15 yards. Gotta hit em in the head though.

The brass barrel by the way is not a problem at all. I have shot zillions of pellets through mine and it is still very accurate within it's range.

I love my Blue Streak regarding it's hitting power and accuracy, but that pumping is a bit of a pain. No such thing as a quick follow up shot! Ha!

 

[Al Thompson]

I use a Red Rider with great success. Shot's aren't over 20 yards though.

Red pepper in your bird feeder works quite well too, but the BB gun is way more fun.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

paintballs make the deer more colorful

 

[Sunray]

"... Does a change in pellets allow me to select lethalit(sic)..." No. Get some blood meal and spread it around. That'll keep the tree rats away. Wild animals that are wounded in any way, die. Slowly and painfully. Or they becomeeasy prey for the wild animals that feed on them. And in the case of a tree rat that's almost everything.

 

[13.45]

as a non-lethal alternative to metallic pellets, you might try felt cleaning pellets. when fired from a high-powered airgun, these will sting without causing permanent injury. they also work great for their intended purpose... soak the first with CLP, fire it, then fire two dry ones for a quick barrel cleaning