Gun suggestions?

63fire · Oct 17, 2015

Hi Airgun nation,
I have been Internet researching air guns all day and am more confused now than when I started.
I grew up with my Daisy lever action, moved on to a Crossman 880 then a Hornet break-barrel.
I have lots of experience with shotguns and powder rifles.
I now find I have the need for an air gun that can reach out 150 yards to discourage the birds that
use by moored boat as their kitchen and bathroom. It doesn't need to be lethal at that distance but
enough to make the birds move along. I can lob a 177 with my springer to the boat but it gets there
with the authority of a raindrop after I aim fifty feet over.
So--- I'm hoping for advise on what would best suit my needs.
I would like to keep it under 1K and already have scuba tanks and access to a compressor.
In a perfect world quieter would be better than louder.
Any suggestion will be appreciated.
Thanx,
CB

ezerhoden14 · Oct 17, 2015

I'd say a marauder .25 cal would be perfect for just hitting something with some authority to scare off birds. you could mount a 8" steel plate as your target. would make a nice loud ding! you can get them used for around $350-400 or PA has bundles with scopes for around $600

The .25 is said to have a better barrel then to .177 or .22

TonyT · Oct 17, 2015

Faced with the problem of Canada geese pooping on my aluminum dock I have resorted to "pinging" the dock using a 25 cal Marauder and JB 25.4 gr pellets. The end of the dock is 140 yards from the house. At that distance I can hit one of the two inch upright posts ca one third of the time. When a pellet lands on the dock surface the resulting ping causes the geese to vamoose and they usually stay away for a month or so.

63fire · Oct 18, 2015

Thanx Tony and Ezerhoden14,
I like the suggestion of a Marauder. In looking into the Marauder I ran across the Armada which is supposedly based on the Marauder. I have to admit the looks kinda hooked me. As I tried to justify the much higher price tag the only functional difference I could find was more versatility in the stock and a picatiny rail that i don't really need. Am I missing something? It just seems like a big difference in price just for the stock and a rail. Ezerhoden, great idea putting up a metal plate. Less chance of putting a hole in the boat.

ztirffritz · Oct 18, 2015

As far as I know those are the only differences.

30cal · Oct 18, 2015

The Armada is the "tacticool" version of the Marauder. But it does have a nautical sounding name? Ya know with the boat/dock theme. Could be a justification for spending more on toys. ;-)

ezerhoden14 · Oct 18, 2015

do the make the Armada in .25 now? I though the Armada was only .22.

30cal · Oct 18, 2015

Just looked it up on PA site and they do list a .25 as well as .22 :http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_Armada_Air_Rifle/3708/7130

ezerhoden14 · Oct 19, 2015

Nice!! I was afraid of getting one when they were only released as a .22 ya know that whole barrel thing. It's a nice looking rifle

FukoChan · Oct 19, 2015

While spending 600$ on the marauder, i'd suggest investing extra money in a very good scope. As 150 yards is pretty far for most people(me).

63fire · Oct 20, 2015

Thanx for the input everyone.
I'm looking right now at a giant cormorant sneering at me while pooping on my outboard, that says it's time for a decision.
I'm going to go with function over form an get the Marauder .25, spend the extra money on a quality scope and start welding up the metal plate idea.
My last request (yeah right) would be some suggestions on a list of specific ammos to start with and a decent chrono.
Time for me to start reading up on the tuning process.

Gundog · Oct 20, 2015

Shooting the airgun is more fun but you could just mount a remote sound making device like a driveway alarm system for a lot less. Buy an airgun for the fun of shooting and not be tied to 150 yard accuracy.

ztirffritz · Oct 20, 2015

Practice shooting it somewhere safe before you start aiming at the boat. It might take a while but I imagine a .25cal hole in your hull would sink the boat eventually.

russinbaja · Oct 20, 2015

There is a forum specifically for the Marauder. Here's their 25 cal thread:
http://www.marauderairrifle.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=24

63fire · Oct 30, 2015

Gun dawg, I agree with your thoughts but it is just an old open skiff I use for crabbing. I'm afraid the lifespan of anything electronic would be days in the saltwater environment without protection. I'm trying to keep it a real basic boat.

Zephyr · Oct 30, 2015

Beat me to it ztirffritz.

Vealboss · Oct 30, 2015

Shot my Marauder today for the first time. At 15 yards my first 5 shot group could be covered by a penny. Mine seems to like the JSB exact kings 25.39gr. I love this gun! How do you attach pics to this thing?
Jeff

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Gun suggestions?

63fire

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ezerhoden14

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TonyT

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ztirffritz

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30cal

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