You say "initial purchase" implying that you may be tempted to buy more airguns (that is normal/typical for people who frequent this site ). Right now you are looking for a pesting rifle, do you enjoy shooting, could airguns become a hobby for you?
If you were shooting at 15-25 yards I'd suggest a good break-barrel springer (Weihrauch or AirArms) and a scope.
For pesting sparrows at 35 yards I think that a PCP (either .177 or preferably .22 caliber) would be a better choice. Most decent PCPs will shoot dime-sized groups at that distance and many new or used are available at a reasonable price.
I pest with a .22 as the energy transfer is better and the pest is less likely to run/fly away. The .177 trends to shoot-through carrying most of its energy with it.
Unfortunately a PCP will require a High Pressure Air (HPA) source, either a tank (to be filled at a dive shop), a hand pump (which can be strenuous) or a small HPA compressor. Note that used SCUBA tanks can often be had at a reasonable price.
I don't recommend multi-pump guns as they take too long to load when pesting. (Said by a guy that hunted with a Crosman 101 for years.)
Co2 guns are a possibility, think they have the range. Personally, I don't use them as here in Canada, extremes in temperatures make them inconsistent to shoot.
So if this is your initial purchase (and you may be following the rest of us down the airgun rabbit hole) I'd suggest that you buy the best quality that you can afford, $300 might not get you where you need to be.
Cheers!
If you were shooting at 15-25 yards I'd suggest a good break-barrel springer (Weihrauch or AirArms) and a scope.
For pesting sparrows at 35 yards I think that a PCP (either .177 or preferably .22 caliber) would be a better choice. Most decent PCPs will shoot dime-sized groups at that distance and many new or used are available at a reasonable price.
I pest with a .22 as the energy transfer is better and the pest is less likely to run/fly away. The .177 trends to shoot-through carrying most of its energy with it.
Unfortunately a PCP will require a High Pressure Air (HPA) source, either a tank (to be filled at a dive shop), a hand pump (which can be strenuous) or a small HPA compressor. Note that used SCUBA tanks can often be had at a reasonable price.
I don't recommend multi-pump guns as they take too long to load when pesting. (Said by a guy that hunted with a Crosman 101 for years.)
Co2 guns are a possibility, think they have the range. Personally, I don't use them as here in Canada, extremes in temperatures make them inconsistent to shoot.
So if this is your initial purchase (and you may be following the rest of us down the airgun rabbit hole) I'd suggest that you buy the best quality that you can afford, $300 might not get you where you need to be.
Cheers!
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