Short Version:
What's my best option in a .22 break-barrel for around $250 to dispatch a fox and/or coons?
Longer Version:
My first post here and relatively new to this scene so looking for some advice. As a kid I grew up shooting pellet guns like most boys but haven't had one in quite some time. Recently, my wife purchased for our daughter a small dog - very small (a Chihuahua) which will only get to around 4 lbs. We have a mid-sized fox lurking around our home. This is probably due to the fact that it already got one of my daughters bunnies when she had it outside with her. This bunny was the size of this dog, lol.
So, I recently started researching break-barrel air rifles that would be capable of 'dispatching' the problem (as well as my over abundance of squirrels and coons). I wasn't looking to spend a lot of money (my wife just did that on this dog...), like around $150 - $200. I quickly found myself looking at Gamos since they do a great job at marketing and flaunting FPS. I also looked at Crosman NPs, Hasan 125s, etc. I was close to pulling the trigger on a Whisper Raptor ($150) but did more research and second guessed the decision because of mixed reviews on the quality. I also looked at the Gamo Magnum for around $250 which seemed to be a bit nicer but still a Gamo.
If I was willing to push my budget up to that amount - $250 - $300 (with scope), what's my best option for a rifle that can do the job (fox, coons, squirrels). I see people here speak highly of the German rifles but I'm not sure they are in my budget, especially considering I want to be able to humanely get the job done (the German rifles get well outside my budget when I start looking at power). BUT I do also realize that if I can't hit the target it's all for not. I would estimate needing to shoot around 30 - 40 yards max to eliminate the problem.
I do also see myself just having fun with it and am willing to put time in getting comfortable with it and performing pellet testing...
Thanks in advance for any help/opinions.
What's my best option in a .22 break-barrel for around $250 to dispatch a fox and/or coons?
Longer Version:
My first post here and relatively new to this scene so looking for some advice. As a kid I grew up shooting pellet guns like most boys but haven't had one in quite some time. Recently, my wife purchased for our daughter a small dog - very small (a Chihuahua) which will only get to around 4 lbs. We have a mid-sized fox lurking around our home. This is probably due to the fact that it already got one of my daughters bunnies when she had it outside with her. This bunny was the size of this dog, lol.
So, I recently started researching break-barrel air rifles that would be capable of 'dispatching' the problem (as well as my over abundance of squirrels and coons). I wasn't looking to spend a lot of money (my wife just did that on this dog...), like around $150 - $200. I quickly found myself looking at Gamos since they do a great job at marketing and flaunting FPS. I also looked at Crosman NPs, Hasan 125s, etc. I was close to pulling the trigger on a Whisper Raptor ($150) but did more research and second guessed the decision because of mixed reviews on the quality. I also looked at the Gamo Magnum for around $250 which seemed to be a bit nicer but still a Gamo.
If I was willing to push my budget up to that amount - $250 - $300 (with scope), what's my best option for a rifle that can do the job (fox, coons, squirrels). I see people here speak highly of the German rifles but I'm not sure they are in my budget, especially considering I want to be able to humanely get the job done (the German rifles get well outside my budget when I start looking at power). BUT I do also realize that if I can't hit the target it's all for not. I would estimate needing to shoot around 30 - 40 yards max to eliminate the problem.
I do also see myself just having fun with it and am willing to put time in getting comfortable with it and performing pellet testing...
Thanks in advance for any help/opinions.
