N/A Recommendations for small/light pest gun?

This is my favorite by far chipmunk and short range pester although it will reach out there. It's flattoped and tricked out but i only pump 8-10 times and i have taken squirrels with it at 20ish yards. .177 but it shoots heavies well. But for small stuff flat nose pellets let you know when you make a good hit with the thwock.

You might consider an HW97 or 77. The under levers are a little easier to cock, are deadly accurate, and likely produce more power than does your HW30. If you would find one of these in .20, it would be a perfect solution. Otherwise, I would choose one in .22.

bucketboy said:

As said, you already have the ideal sub6fpe springer in .177 but if you a desperate to spend some money I would look at getting an Airarms s200, or a bsa ultra, these are fantastic little guns that are simple accurate and easy to work on. The benefits of a pcp are it’s easy to adjust the power up or down, when fitted with a moderator they are very quiet and most have the option of a multi shot magazine.
For mice, rats, squirrels, pigeons and rabbits you don’t “need” anything bigger than a .177 unless you want something different.

Because you are not shooting at high power shot count will be high so you only need a hand pump, particularly on a smaller pcp.

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Great PCP for small pests and silent with a simple slip on moderator!


Only reason to buy a new rifle is if you want a PCP. The HW30 is the perfect springer for the task.

jbuchse17 said:

I have been doing pest control (i.e., rats, mice) in the garden. I have been using my favorite rifle, a HW30S, but it is in .177. It works, and I prefer .177 for plinking and target shooting, but I'm thinking I might need a .22 (unless someone can dissuade me).

Some of my priorities:

1. small/light/easy to handle (sub-6lb in weight)
2. quiet/backyard friendly
3. Accurate or offer quick follow-ups.

I can't claim to be a great shot, but I can usually hit the pests in low light/nighttime. It needs to be effective at short distances (most of my shots are within 15 feet, though capabilities at further ranges will be nice). I prefer traditional airguns, I am aware of PCPs and their advantages, just not ready to dive into the whole setup. I can't think of anything at the moment that is well-powered that is not (1) PCP, (2) slow at pumping, (3) loud, (4) heavy or difficult to cock.

Are there guns that you all would recommend? Can't promise I'll be purchasing, just considering my options at this time. Thanks!

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Im also in the market for a short, lightweight, powerful, traditional rifle and if $999 is in your budget, I stronly suggest the new FX DRS.
At under 40" long, and very lightweight, its about the only option with that type of energy, without spending almost twice the money ...OR... entering the bull pup style which Im personally not a fan of, although many others love the bull pup types.
Never mind! I just realized your NOT looking for a PCP.
My mistake, and carry on!

XS60C or a cr600w will do the trick.

Like many others said "You already have the right gun HW30 .177 . What i will add is buy some flat nose wadcutters ! the flat nose just Whacks them silly . the flat nose transfers the energy like a brick wall hitting hard .

What beerthief said, also the super h points smack pretty good.

jbuchse17 said:

I have been doing pest control (i.e., rats, mice) in the garden. I have been using my favorite rifle, a HW30S, but it is in .177. It works, and I prefer .177 for plinking and target shooting, but I'm thinking I might need a .22 (unless someone can dissuade me).

Some of my priorities:

1. small/light/easy to handle (sub-6lb in weight)
2. quiet/backyard friendly
3. Accurate or offer quick follow-ups.

I can't claim to be a great shot, but I can usually hit the pests in low light/nighttime. It needs to be effective at short distances (most of my shots are within 15 feet, though capabilities at further ranges will be nice). I prefer traditional airguns, I am aware of PCPs and their advantages, just not ready to dive into the whole setup. I can't think of anything at the moment that is well-powered that is not (1) PCP, (2) slow at pumping, (3) loud, (4) heavy or difficult to cock.

Are there guns that you all would recommend? Can't promise I'll be purchasing, just considering my options at this time. Thanks!

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BRK atomic or commander x .177

Perfect rifle already. Try some bird seed to give them a reason to sit still.

Have you tried a red headlamp? Would free up your hands.

Try these. They live up to their name. Sparrows "pop" when hit with these pellets.

The 30 in 177 sounds perfect. When you experiment with ammo you may find nirvana. There are so many good pellets out there. I used a Diana, maybe in a model 35, in 177 with Meisterkugeln. A wonderful smack comes from a good hit. I can sometimes get the school girl giggles from a solid hit. Grackles, certain Hosp types, all of them crowd the other birds from the feeder. Squirrels too. Try those flat points. I can hear that pop even with my abused ears. Be well, don't go to the dark side with Diana chasers or bandits, B.

Hammerli 850 magnum, but it is a bolt action CO2 gun. Needs an adapter for extra mod and CO2 Tube so you can use the 12g cartridges. But a very accurate gun up to 30 yards. 22 cal generates about 11-12 foot pounds energy at the muzzle.

.22 is nice, if you can get away with it (noise/neighbors, local laws, etc)

I actually found this thread because i'm in the same boat, but found out that anything over .18 cal is not legal ... and is also considered a firearm here

so I have to find a new .177 to pest with. I'll be going PCP.

jbuchse17 said:

I have been doing pest control (i.e., rats, mice) in the garden. I have been using my favorite rifle, a HW30S, but it is in .177. It works, and I prefer .177 for plinking and target shooting, but I'm thinking I might need a .22 (unless someone can dissuade me).

Some of my priorities:

1. small/light/easy to handle (sub-6lb in weight)
2. quiet/backyard friendly
3. Accurate or offer quick follow-ups.

I can't claim to be a great shot, but I can usually hit the pests in low light/nighttime. It needs to be effective at short distances (most of my shots are within 15 feet, though capabilities at further ranges will be nice). I prefer traditional airguns, I am aware of PCPs and their advantages, just not ready to dive into the whole setup. I can't think of anything at the moment that is well-powered that is not (1) PCP, (2) slow at pumping, (3) loud, (4) heavy or difficult to cock.

Are there guns that you all would recommend? Can't promise I'll be purchasing, just considering my options at this time. Thanks!

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I can highly recommend the Crosman C362 .22 caliber variable pumper. At just a smidgeon over one hundred bucks, it's about the hardest hitting, super handy (fairly light but sturdy little carbine) and most accurate airgun going in that price range. Inside twenty yards, a 362 definitely is capable of one-shot pest kills. As long as your aim is true (same sights as those on the nearly ubiquitous Crosman 13xx and other air pistols, allowing you the choice of notch or peep rear sight), pests and small game, if you happen to enjoy squirrel, rabbit and such, really don't stand a chance.

For a bit more than twice the price of the Crosman 362, you wouldn't go wrong with one of the very nice Seneca Dragonfly Mk2 air rifles, both of which (.17 and .22 caliber) are right good-looking, wood stocked and very capable air rifles -- I have both and get exceptional ten yard accuracy with just their pretty nice open sights, and the .22 version is a bit more powerful than a 362, ALTHOUGH, the Crosman 362 requires only eight pumps for full pest pounding power, while the Dragonfly Mk2 can need FIFTEEN; not exactly conducive to quick follow-on shots (if that's a solid requirement). If you're dead set on .177 caliber, there are many other quite nice and inexpensive multi-pump airguns available as well. I overwhelmingly prefer a variable pumper for sending pests packing, since there's nothing needed but the rifle and a pellet when one of the unwanted, gnarly nuisances makes a surprise appearance. When you hear the shriek of your spousal unit, jump up, open the closet and grab your rifle (and a tin of pellets), open the breech, load a round, safe it, pump it up as you approach your firing position and next thing you know, Bob's your uncle (or something like that)! ;-)

Other potential benefits of multi-pumpers? They're typically less costly than the other types, they're good any time and anywhere they're needed (as long as it's legal to use one, of course), so it doesn't matter what the temperature is. There's no recoil whatsoever, so there's no need to have mastered an unusual, unnatural (to me) hold to compensate for the jiggling and kick of a spring or gas piston break barrel. There's no need for any gas cartridges, compressors, or hand pumps, the latter of which requiring possibly hundreds of pretty tough pumps, etcetera. None of that. Just grab up the air rifle and a tin of pellets, put in your choice of the number of pumps you'll need (my 362 pumps up very easily, with even the last pump being much easier than the considerable effort required for the single pump in my break barrel airguns). Nothing wrong with any of the other airgun types of course, I just have a preference for the simple utility of a good variable pumper. Even much cheaper variable pumpers, along the lines of a Daisy 880, Daisy 901, Crosman 1000 Legacy, or slightly better Crosman 2100b Classic should be up to the short range, one-shot takedowns you figure you'll be seeing. Naturally, the break-barrel, CO2 and PCP air rifles have advantages over multi-pump pneumatics, but for me, they're just not as handy when you need something lickety splitly. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll be happy with your new airgun (or airguns!), so let me wish you the best of luck with your endeavor! Let us know how it all works out, if you have the time and energy.

rangur1 said:

Hammerli 850 magnum, but it is a bolt action CO2 gun. Needs an adapter for extra mod and CO2 Tube so you can use the 12g cartridges. But a very accurate gun up to 30 yards. 22 cal generates about 11-12 foot pounds energy at the muzzle.

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I've had an Umarex 850 magnum for about a year and a half now and have to say, that bad boy is one honey of an air rifle! It's a fantastically accurate and incredibly fun indoor target shooter at ten yards, but it also has the power to pulverize any pesky pest with the unmitigated temerity to show up out front or in the back yard every now and then! ;-) I went ahead and bought the 12g cartridge adapter with my initial purchase online at Midway, along with a few extra 'magazines,' all of which were right around a hefty 30 bucks each, if I recall correctly, but I was lucky enough to get the rifle itself for a super affordable, just over one-hundred-and-eighty dollar price tag, back when I (ahem) pulled the trigger on the purchase. Free shipping too, so that was a pretty good day of online shopping! ;-) The adapter is a necessity for me; I really like having the option of using a single 12g CO2 cartridge (well, one full and one empty) when time is short or I need only twenty five shots or so. If I have a bit more time and want more shots, then two full capsules are called for (that second cartridge can be finnicky about being pricked), but when it's maximum shooting pleasure for which I'm shooting (an entire session of target practice or a nice, leisurely day of hunting (when I still could)), then it was time for the 88g cannister, with enough CO2 for right about two hundred plus shots!

All together, I have five very nice CO2 air rifles in my collection, along with a Crosman 2240 pistol in carbine configuration, all of which could be called on for small-game and pests if absolutely necessary, but I use them for ten yard indoor target shooting almost exclusively, when I'm feeling a little gassy. Hyuck, hyuck. My 850 magnum is about the highest quality and most powerful CO2 rifle I have, but I also really enjoy my slightly older, Sheridan-made 2260MB (now only made by Crosman) CO2 rifle, equipped with very well-designed open sights that I absolutely love, as they allow me to shoot the thing with incredible accuracy! Actually, when it comes right down to it, all of my CO2 rifles are highly accurate, including even my somewhat dated, slightly less super-accurate, but extremely fun-to-shoot Crosman 1077W semi-automatic. Also, although it's my newest and so far, least-used CO2 airgun, my super-affordable (just over sixty bucks from someone at Amazon.com a couple of years back) Beeman QB78s is a very, very nice rifle!

I also have a few gas piston air rifles and one or two springer pistols, and the rifles in particular are more than powerful enough for pests and small game, but excepting my quite cool, new-tech-equipped Omnia ZRS from Spanish company Norica, I just don't dig all that weird (to me) movement and kick that comes with a break barrel, and I don't want to even -think- about the PCP side of our hobby, although the type certainly would be up to the job. I mean, suppose I tried one and absolutely LOVED it? Scary thought. Nope, my wife and I need to keep some kind of retired life lid on my airgun hobby spending, and PCP seems like it can get real expensive real quick, so thanks but no thanks. Now, if we were flush with jack and I was healthier and still able to enjoy getting out to hunt in the wide wild world, I might feel differently about the type, but being a bit too gimped up now as I'm approaching my dotage (ha ha, I hope!), I guess I should count myself lucky (yes, that's the way to look at it!) that I don't have the need.

Yep, all of the nearly thirty air rifles and pistols now in my collection are pretty danged sweet shooters in their own unique ways. Still, when it comes to the CO2 and spring/gas piston models I have, I just don't believe they'd be quite as handy and all-around-utilitarian for a situation like that described by the OP, especially when most of my collection is comprised of my overwhelmingly favorite airgun type, the variable pumper air rifle (a number of pump pistols are in there too, of course <grin>), nearly all of which are capable of handling the job, in .22 or .177 caliber. Hmm... So many choices, so little time...

So... I recommend a good variable pumper: preferably one in .22 caliber, such as the Crosman C362 or C2023 (the 100th anniversary version of the 362, now only $300, instead of the $400 price I paid), or the excellent .22 Seneca Dragonfly Mk2, also available in .177 caliber (I have both). Then again, there's nothing wrong with the smallest caliber airguns now available if you prefer, particularly for target shooting (very affordable!). For this situation, I'd suggest perhaps a .177 Winchester 1977XS (excellent accuracy!), or it's little cousin, the Daisy 880 (or the internally identical Daisy 901) would be great choices. More great choices would be the synthetic stocked Legacy 1000 or slightly better (in my opinion) 2100b Classic air rifles, both from Crosman! But wait... there's more: yet another Crosman option would be the roll-your-own Custom Shop at their crosman.com website, where you can design your own variable pump .17 or .22 caliber carbine and equip it with ALL the bells and whistles, for a super reasonable total cost of about two hundred and twenty bucks, delivered! Now that's a great deal, and while I haven't had the need yet to test drive it for the purpose, I have no doubt my own .177 caliber, all-black, super sweet little carbine built from the basic vanilla 1300kt air pistol would make an EXCELLENT tool for eliminating pests at the range and under the circumstances described. Oh, Wait! I forgot to mention you also get to have your very own, personally custom-designed Crosman carbine inscribed on the right side with the name or text of your choice, in one of three fonts you pick -- at no extra charge! I named mine Evie, a nickname for my incredible wife of nearly forty years that had me design and order one as a gift for my last birthday (what a gal!). ;-) I chose to go with a Williams notch (not peeper) rear sight for mine that helps me get fantastic accuracy with almost too much fun, and I love it so much I'm thinking seriously of building myself another, even groovier little carbine in .22 caliber, before prices go through the roof like everything else!

Well, that's my two cents worth. Good luck, everyone!