dB volume suggestion

[JKaplanwit]

Thanks to the guy down the street letting his rabbits loose a few years ago, I've been getting a ton of them in my yard this year. They eat my garden then leave "treats" that my dog likes to snack on (SO gross).

My problem is that live in a very tight neighborhood and I see them out when I get home from work around 11pm, so it's very quiet out. I shot at one the other night with my FX Crown in .22, and it was far too loud, even with the DonnyFL attached. The sound echoed between the houses. Probably not as bad as I fear, but far more than I was comfortable with. I just don't want to alarm the neighbors at 11pm and have them look outside as a guy walks around with a rifle. Being considerate of them is far more important than the damn rabbits.

So could anyone suggest a break barrel that they know is quieter than my Crown? I'd like a .177. Keep it around $400 or so. Only looking at 20yds, tops, so iron sights are fine.

Thanks.

 

[mmahoney]

I don't think you'll find a break barrel quieter than a PCP. I think you are better off dialing the power back on your Crown until the sound is acceptable.

 

[Michigander]

Yes, with my .22 Streamline on Low and with only the factory shroud I get around 520 fps and 10 FPE. The sound level is no more than you would experience from a match springer shooting 600 fps. So tuning your Crown all the way down and sighting it in for the lower power level should be sufficient for what you are trying to do.

 

[Greenarrow]

Not sure how far down you can turn the power down on your Crown. I have 3 settings on my Streamline. Low power is 11 fpe which is a 18 grain pellet traveling about 520 fps. All I hear is the hammer hitting the valve and the pellet hitting the target at that level. I have the SUMO mounted on mine. I'm guessing that if you could turn yours down that quiet that the pellet hitting the rabbit will be louder than the gun. 11 fpe at the muzzle and only 20 yards is plenty with a head shot. An illuminated reticle is a HUGE help hunting at night. I have taken a few rabbits here in my own yard and I would say the illumination is a must if in low light. Use a red light if you need to light up the rabbits. White lights seems to spook them. It's funny because I come home around midnight and I see them in my yard when I turn into the driveway and the headlights hit their eyes. They don't seem to be bothered by that light but when I tried lighting them up with a flashlight to shoot them they dash off. Ha ha! I think they know.

 

[JKaplanwit]

Ok then. I had no idea springers were louder. I'm glad I asked. Thanks. 

Guess I'll have to find a new toy to focus on!

 

[nervoustrig]

Yeah if you’re looking for an excuse to get a new toy, get another PCP and down tune it to something in the ballpark of 8fpe in .177 or 12fpe in .22. A lightweight hammer (MDS nylon or PEEK) is a nice addition to get valve dwell down to a minimum. With a decent pickle on the end, it will sound like dropping a pencil on the floor.

CO2 is very much an option as well. For example, I have a SPA CR600W (Diana Trailscout is very similar) that is running at 6fpe for 50 shots on a cartridge. I took one of the little garden raiders at 30 yards to the brain and it was instant lights out. Cottontails are very fragile creatures, which is unfortunate for them because they are so delicious.

 

[Ranchibi]

Why not add another DonnyFL...this time a Ronin? I have a Tatsu, Sumo and a Ronin...the Ronin made my AF Escape .25 backyard friendly, sounded like a .22 lr without it!

 

[JKaplanwit]

I have a Kral NP03 on its way, but it's a .25. I had it in my hands but had to send it back for work. I didn't get a chance to fire it, but it was very comfortable for me. I was thinking of getting a .177 as well. Perfect price point and I'd like the compact/bullpup size. 

 

[Yo]

Rabbits require very little energy to kill them. Have you tried using lighter pellets such as the 15.9JSB or Air Arms and backing down the power to shoot 550-600fps? Should be preeeety quiet and enough to do the job in your yard and the pellet smack is the loudest sound your neighbors are gonna hear. YO!

 

[elh0102]

The quietest full power rifle I have is a Taipan Veteran. It has an effective moderator, and I added Donny Sumo. Additionally, it is very adjustable for power with the spring adjuster. I've read of folks turning it down under 500 fps. I can't imagine anyone hearing anything, even on full power. Probably more than you want to spend for this purpose only, but maybe something to consider next time you are in the market for a general purpose rifle. Oh, and as for your dogs eating the rabbit poop, it won't hurt them, same with deer droppings, as both are vegetarians, strange but true. 

 

[Arzrover]

I've shot a few with an FWB 80 match pistol .... one shot behind the eye or between the eyes .... drt. Doesn't get much quieter than that. Furthest was just under 20 yds. 

Not steady enough to do that now though. Falcon FN12 or AA S200, either being 22 cal, are probably my quietest with a ldc, now. Both are close to 12 ft lb.

Bob