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Depends on the size of the varmint, skill level with a break barrel, and budget for a rifle.

I abide by ethical kills and so my margin of error is low. If I shoot it, it has to die on my property. To target shoot and plink at 50 yards is fun with a break barrel. To take a life, not worth it for me. Break barrels require a good hold.
 
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Short answer: yes that should work.

Long answer: it all depends on shot placement more than anything. The cheap break battles sold at the big box store are not known for accuracy. Also don’t believe the velocities on the box. A well placed shot from a mid powered springer will take out a squirrel better than a high velocity pellet that can’t hit the squirrel in the best location. Yes, it depends on where in the head you hit them. Typically the more it costs, the better the rifle. The weihrachs are great guns. But with a springer, some can be very hold sensitive. Read a bunch of the old threads on here about the artillery hold.

Practice and have fun.
 
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Hi, welcome to AGN. I myself think that 50yds is on the long side for an ethical shot with a springer.,even a Weirauch. I'd keep it within 35yds if I could. Maye that Hatsan 30 or 35 cal springer could do it but like what others have stated,they can be hard to shoot consistantly accurate and the more powerful they are the harder it is to shoot accurately. A pcp can shoot that far,and accuratly enuff. Even a low dollar one. You'll have to include purchasing a (high compression) air pump or a (high pressure) air compressor. Also you should try an assortment of pellets to find which is the most accurate. ( H&N and JSB pellets are your best & quickest bets ). Once your in the game,your gonna have a good time. I have a Hatsan Flashpup,wood stock 22cal scoped with Hawke 2-7X32, that shines at 50yds and I wouldn't hesitate to take a 50yd head shot. It'll shoot further but the accuracy falls off after 50yds. good luck,
 
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HeyU said:
Hi, welcome to AGN. I myself think that 50yds is on the long side for an ethical shot with a springer.,even a Weirauch. I'd keep it within 35yds if I could. Maye that Hatsan 30 or 35 cal springer could do it but like what others have stated,they can be hard to shoot consistantly accurate and the more powerful they are the harder it is to shoot accurately. A pcp can shoot that far,and accuratly enuff. Even a low dollar one. You'll have to include purchasing a (high compression) air pump or a (high pressure) air compressor. Also you should try an assortment of pellets to find which is the most accurate. ( H&N and JSB pellets are your best & quickest bets ). Once your in the game,your gonna have a good time. I have a Hatsan Flashpup,wood stock 22cal scoped with Hawke 2-7X32, that shines at 50yds and I wouldn't hesitate to take a 50yd head shot. It'll shoot further but the accuracy falls off after 50yds. good luck,
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Hundred percent agree with the 35 yard limit. 90% of my pesting shots are 25 yards or less.
 
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rcs9250 said:
Hundred percent agree with the 35 yard limit. 90% of my pesting shots are 25 yards or less.
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All,

I think the reality is my shots will be 25 yards or less. I don't want to injure a varmint, I want to cleanly kill it. If I play squirrel sniper, I may even have success in the 10 yard range.

I have been looking at the PCP guns and associated charging tanks. NICE but $$$ !

If I stay within the 25 yard limit, will a break-barrel suffice? Scoped?
 
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djglover7 said:
All,

I think the reality is my shots will be 25 yards or less. I don't want to injure a varmint, I want to cleanly kill it. If I play squirrel sniper, I may even have success in the 10 yard range.

I have been looking at the PCP guns and associated charging tanks. NICE but $$$ !

If I stay within the 25 yard limit, will a break-barrel suffice? Scoped?
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I’m interested too. I’ve watched quite a few british videos of squirrel hunting with .177’s at 12FPE with lots of DRT kills.
Of course shot placement is key and they were normally shooting from a blind, pretty sure within 25 yards.
I have not used mine for hunting yet as it does not have a threaded muzzle for a moderator.
 
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rcs9250 said:
I’m interested too. I’ve watched quite a few british videos of squirrel hunting with .177’s at 12FPE with lots of DRT kills.
Of course shot placement is key and they were normally shooting from a blind, pretty sure within 25 yards.
I have not used mine for hunting yet as it does not have a threaded muzzle for a moderator.
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What is "12FPE" ?
 
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djglover7 said:
What is "12FPE" ?
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FPE = Foot Pounds Energy
FAC = Fire Arms Certificate

In England and other European countries they are restricted to 12FPE, which by U.S. standards is a pea shooter. But they do some amazing stuff at that energy.
If they want higher FPE they must apply for a FAC which is similar to the red tape we go through for suppressors and full auto firearms. The FAC comes with a specific set of restrictions, of which I do not have knowledge of.

Edit: FPE is the measure of impact (punch) that your projectile impacts with.
 
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Break barrels. Buy once cry once. Weihrauch HW50 S in .177 cal ($335) or Wehrauch HW 95 or a Beeman R9 in 22cal ($470) with a Hawke AMX 2-7x32 scope ($210). BKL scope rings ($50). That's the Krale store listings. You'd be surprised at how zippy and hard hitting that HW50 is, around 800 feet per second, and it's a lite, 7lbs? and slim, solid little air rifle. They r very accurate,great triggers. can be hold sensitive, but once you figure it out it can put a (gun rested) 10 shot group at 25yds well under a dime. I have both and shoot them all the time when the weather is nice. I got a few targets around somewhere to back up the claim, I just can never remember how to upload. good luck
 
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HeyU said:
Break barrels. Buy once cry once. Weihrauch HW50 S in .177 cal ($335) or Wehrauch HW 95 or a Beeman R9 in 22cal ($470) with a Hawke AMX 2-7x32 scope ($210). BKL scope rings ($50). That's the Krale store listings. You'd be surprised at how zippy and hard hitting that HW50 is, around 800 feet per second, and it's a lite, 7lbs? and slim, solid little air rifle. They r very accurate,great triggers. can be hold sensitive, but once you figure it out it can put a (gun rested) 10 shot group at 25yds well under a dime. I have both and shoot them all the time when the weather is nice. I got a few targets around somewhere to back up the claim, I just can never remember how to upload. good luck
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Thank you. I will start looking at them,
 
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