In search of .177 for pesting?

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drsquall

drsquall

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Jul 22, 2022
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Hello everyone,
Since I got the squirrel gun figured out, I need your help with another choice. My wife here in last year has gotten into chickens out here at our house. We have 40 some chickens now and they are let out during the day to roam about. She feeds them food in the yard front and back. Since then the starlings and sparrows are everywhere. They are crapping on the equipment and vehicles outside around the barn. I’m fed up and need to start shooting them. My .25s are too much for that and too expensive as far as pellets go for birds. So I am looking for a.177 for this job. I am fine with a good quality springer or a high shot count pcp. Really don’t need high power that’s why a Springer would work just fine. I have a compressor now so I can fill with it. Shots distance is from 20yds to 50 usually. Now they do have a tendency to hang out on our pasture where they can be 100 to 200 yds. I don’t care as long as they stay out of my yards. What do you guys think?
 
There was a .177 Veteran Standard in the classifieds in the last few days. For primarily 20-50 yards on starlings and sparrows it'd be perfect. Set it for about 900fps with 10.34s and it'll zap em like lightning. Should get about 120-140 shots per fill at that power level too. And it'll maintain it's point of impact with the scope forever, so no frustration from needing to zero every time you touch it.

I don't know the guy selling it, I just own a couple Vets myself and think it'd be perfect for your intended use.
 
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Because you have a compressor I would go with a PCP. It’s going to be much easier to kill them out to 60 yards. Pretty much any reasonably powerful PCP 15-20 ft pnds should be fine. A little extra power is not going to hurt in your scenario.

I would have fun with the shopping process, and pick one you like. Used is always a great way to start.

Mike
 
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Not sure about your budget, but I'm loving my new .177 Stoeger Bullshark. It's shooting 10.3 gr JSB Knockouts at 975 fps with 2 turns on the hammer spring. Accuracy has been great out to 50 yards and expansion is fantastic at 25 yards. I haven't tested for expansion any further than that. I get mine from Trenier Airguns and they are as cheap as a lot of name brand pellets.
 
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While I love my Springers, the power and reload time make PCP’s significantly more effective when pesting.

If I was shooting a .177 PCP capable of big power I would definitely be searching for a good hollow point slug such as the JSB 10.03 or 13.43 grain KO.

Out of my 13 fpe springer they did significantly more damage on pests compared to what pellets would do. They will also retain energy/buck the wind a lot better past 50 meters.
 
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peaceful_ruler said:
While I love my Springers, the power and reload time make PCP’s significantly more effective when pesting.

If I was shooting a .177 PCP capable of big power I would definitely be searching for a good hollow point slug such as the JSB 10.03 or 13.43 grain KO.

Out of my 13 fpe springer they did significantly more damage on pests compared to what pellets would do. They will also retain energy/buck the wind a lot better past 50 meters.
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I agree with you but I will not get more than 1 or 2 shots per opportunity. They fly as soon as i shoot most of the time. So a springer is not really at a disadvantage in this situation. I have interest in daystate huntsman regulated in 177 in a lefty and a HW97 or HW95 some type HW.

Thanks
Jon
 
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Most any quality PCP will do the job. I like my Huntsman Revere, Veteran, and HW100, but I'm not sure how much shot count you need, as these are all cylinder guns. My HW100 has a generous shot count, but it's tuned down to 11.5 fpe, a bit low for 60 yard shooting. I own three bottle guns that would definitely satisfy your needs, a RAW HM1000, FX Royale 400, and a Red Wolf. The Royale is the least expensive, and is a simple, reliable, and accurate rifle. Since FX is pushing their newer products, it's hard to find a Royale. I have a HW97, it's a great rifle, but I would not be confident with it at the distance you need.
 
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Good luck getting the numbers down. I have 4 hens and the amount of pest birds I gained via forced adoption is absurd. They never stop coming. Now I notice everytime I see a bird feeder ifs filled with sparrows. Little bastards have forced out most of the song birds around here.

If it's just a pesting rig and you're going to leave it at the ready most likely, I'd get something not too expensive since you'll be knocking it over occasionally when you go to reach for it in excitement when you walk by a window and see the little bastards outside!
 
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elh0102 said:
Most any quality PCP will do the job. I like my Huntsman Revere, Veteran, and HW100, but I'm not sure how much shot count you need, as these are all cylinder guns. My HW100 has a generous shot count, but it's tu ned down to 11.5 fpe, a bit low for 60 yard shooting. I own three bottle guns that would definitely satisfy your needs, a RAW HM1000, FX Royale 400, and a Red Wolf. The Royale is the least expensive, and is a simple, reliable, and accurate rifle. Since FX is pushing their newer products, it's hard to find a Royale. I have a HW97, it's a great rifle, but I would not be confident with it at the distance you need.
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40 to 50 shot count is plenty. I honestly don't want a long or real heavy gun. If I was getting something like that it would be the RAW. This not an ambush type hunt, more of act of opportunity. Looking out window seeing some birds sneaking open door and popping one or walking around outside with gun on sling doing stuff and one lands near by. So gun will be on person or in corner by door.

Thanks
Jon
 
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Boostcreep said:
Good luck getting the numbers down. I have 4 hens and the amount of pest birds I gained via forced adoption is absurd. They never stop coming. Now I notice everytime I see a bird feeder ifs filled with sparrows. Little bastards have forced out most of the song birds around here.

If it's just a pesting rig and you're going to leave it at the ready most likely, I'd get something not too expensive since you'll be knocking it over occasionally when you go to reach for it in excitement when you walk by a window and see the little bastards outside!
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All of what you said is spot on around here. My biggest challenge last few days is getting the door open to set up for the shot. I need to get my 3 in 1 oil and oil the hinges up. LOL


Thanks
Jon
 
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Boostcreep said:
Heck, a $200 stormrider sounds about perfect. Light weight, small, powerful. Could tune it down just a smidge and increase the shot count from 20 up to 30s or so.
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Thats still better than my 25cal marauder which is at the front door. I can get 2 full mags before I need to fill again. So 16 shots. I am shooting the jsb heavies and it just hammers them but I have almost went through a tin in a week.
 
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drsquall said:
Thats still better than my 25cal marauder which is at the front door. I can get 2 full mags before I need to fill again. So 16 shots. I am shooting the jsb heavies and it just hammers them but I have almost went through a tin in a week.
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So true. Had a 25 Mrod very briefly and didn't like much about it. Sad because I loved my discos. If you can find one of those for a good price, you can make a 177 get a solid 50 shots in the 14 fpe range. Single shot though.

If you're not against a Kral, an np03 would be a good option. 14 shot mags, and plenty of power and shots. They're a bit heavy though, but they shoot cheap crosman hollows very well.
 
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Boostcreep said:
So true. Had a 25 Mrod very briefly and didn't like much about it. Sad because I loved my discos. If you can find one of those for a good price, you can make a 177 get a solid 50 shots in the 14 fpe range. Single shot though.

If you're not against a Kral, an np03 would be a good option. 14 shot mags, and plenty of power and shots. They're a bit heavy though, but they shoot cheap crosman hollows very well.
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I'm not against anything as long as its lefty friendly. I don't know what edition my marauder is but its a synthetic stock and I haven't done anything but shoot it since I traded for it years ago. It loves the heavies but did pick some lighter hades to try out. Sometimes it harder to load the pellet than other times.
 
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drsquall said:
I'm not against anything as long as its lefty friendly. I don't know what edition my marauder is but its a synthetic stock and I haven't done anything but shoot it since I traded for it years ago. It loves the heavies but did pick some lighter hades to try out. Sometimes it harder to load the pellet than other times.
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Yep, theyre known for that AND I didn't like the rear cocking bolt.

The Krals are all righty setup except the np01 and np02 I believe, which are the pistol platforms BUT can be modded to a carbine or rifle. Tube and barrel swap. At that point and price, unless you want to tinker, just find something else.

Hell, it's almost easier to learn to shoot righty than it is to find a good lefty gun!
 
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beerthief said:
I might suggest sticking with the marauder but in .177 your familiar with it , they are tough gun , lefty friendly not much money , shoot Crossman's .
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The only other thing I dislike about the marauder is the bolt or cocking it more specifically. It is not an easy motion and takes a good pull to get it cocked back. I have a cricket 2 tactical with the side lever and its butter smooth. I am open to anything that's not really big or heavy.

Thanks
Jon
 
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