Been lurking around and see a lot of threads similar to mine but I have some specifics.... Like many others I am looking to pick off some house sparrows around my purple martin colony. Each year I start trapping before the martins arrive and then transition to the shot gun. Early on I can walk out and get close enough to shoot them as they fly away from my martin houses. By this time of year they have wised up and if I am anywhere in my yard they take off so I contend with several of them that are super skittish.
My martin housing is about 35 yards from my house where I could set up in a window. There are some perches around and a couple small bushes they use so my range would be 30-40 yards. I am seeking an air rifle that will shoot sparrows at that range. About 10 years ago when I moved to this house not knowing any better I bought a gun off the shelf from Wal Mart (I think it was a Gamo) or something like that, around 120.00 including a scope. I tried all different types of pellets and could never get it to group well enough to hit sparrows at that distance. I have hunted/shot weapons for 35 years but just couldn't get accurate with it.
I would like to keep my budget around $200-$300 (lowers is obviously fine) and would be fine buying used. Not picky about what type or brand it is. Just something that will take out the sparrows at that distance. Would love to hear your thoughts and if anyone has anything for sale I would be interested as well.
My martin housing is about 35 yards from my house where I could set up in a window. There are some perches around and a couple small bushes they use so my range would be 30-40 yards. I am seeking an air rifle that will shoot sparrows at that range. About 10 years ago when I moved to this house not knowing any better I bought a gun off the shelf from Wal Mart (I think it was a Gamo) or something like that, around 120.00 including a scope. I tried all different types of pellets and could never get it to group well enough to hit sparrows at that distance. I have hunted/shot weapons for 35 years but just couldn't get accurate with it.
I would like to keep my budget around $200-$300 (lowers is obviously fine) and would be fine buying used. Not picky about what type or brand it is. Just something that will take out the sparrows at that distance. Would love to hear your thoughts and if anyone has anything for sale I would be interested as well.