Interesting challenge...

[Arzrover]

A friend posed the question ... "What airgun can I get to get rid of a couple of rock squirrels ?"
Now rock squirrels are notoriously tough and the dig like gophers on steroids and can destroy a lot of stuff by undermining, chewing it up, or eating it.
So having killed hundreds of these buggers over the years, I know what the challenges are. The problem is that she needs something easy to shoot, like a pcp, but I don't see her as accumulating and learning all the things involved in pcp ownership and shooting. So to me, traps or a CO2 rifle seem best as spring piston, pumpers, and pcp involve too much in peripherals and/or practice/knowledge to be practical plus there's the weight.
To that problem, I know my Sheridan F model could be pretty good with a red dot and there have been others like the Sharp UD2 that are simple to use and powerful but what is there CURRENTLY available? I went to the Crosman and Umarex sites because they HAVE had models in the past that might be practical , but current stuff is garbage ...
Any ideas for a simple to use, powerful enough (12ish ft lb) that doesn't require the learning time and weight of a springer or the support equipment of the pcp? The range is 30 yards and under and the cost isn't a huge concern, just ease of use, simplicity, enough accuracy, and weight...
Bob

 

[Treefrog]

Amazon.com : beeman qb78

One will need a little clean up, but should do the job just fine. I'd go with 22 caliber. An o-ring instead of the restricted transfer-port seal will bump up the power a bit.

Cheers,

J~

 

[Vana2]

IMHO, the easiest solution would be to trap them.

 

[6gun]

A friend posed the question ... "What airgun can I get to get rid of a couple of rock squirrels ?"
Now rock squirrels are notoriously tough and the dig like gophers on steroids and can destroy a lot of stuff by undermining, chewing it up, or eating it.
So having killed hundreds of these buggers over the years, I know what the challenges are. The problem is that she needs something easy to shoot, like a pcp, but I don't see her as accumulating and learning all the things involved in pcp ownership and shooting. So to me, traps or a CO2 rifle seem best as spring piston, pumpers, and pcp involve too much in peripherals and/or practice/knowledge to be practical plus there's the weight.
To that problem, I know my Sheridan F model could be pretty good with a red dot and there have been others like the Sharp UD2 that are simple to use and powerful but what is there CURRENTLY available? I went to the Crosman and Umarex sites because they HAVE had models in the past that might be practical , but current stuff is garbage ...
Any ideas for a simple to use, powerful enough (12ish ft lb) that doesn't require the learning time and weight of a springer or the support equipment of the pcp? The range is 30 yards and under and the cost isn't a huge concern, just ease of use, simplicity, enough accuracy, and weight...
Bob

A hand pump and a basic pcp with a small air tube would be my recommendation. No real learning curve if you zero it for her and say pump to this number and shoot it down to this number. I'd probably turn somebody to whatever the most similar thing to the benjamin discovery is being made still.

Or poison.

I absorbed your parameters, but from experience with new shooters wanting to pest, I've had the best luck with "here borrow this home built crosman based pcp gun, call me when you need ammo or air" springers pumps and co2 was always too much for them. So I come over with an scba and fill it and check the zero if they've got ammo still.

I head shot them with a 177 pcp to great effect off my friends patio. The guns I loan out get 40+ shots on a fill. All 15-18 fpe 22s. I range find where they want to shoot and then zero the gun just for that purpose.

 

[Arzrover]

A hand pump and a basic pcp with a small air tube would be my recommendation. No real learning curve if you zero it for her and say pump to this number and shoot it down to this number. I'd probably turn somebody to whatever the most similar thing to the benjamin discovery is being made still.

Or poison.

I absorbed your parameters, but from experience with new shooters wanting to pest, I've had the best luck with "here borrow this home built crosman based pcp gun, call me when you need ammo or air" springers pumps and co2 was always too much for them. So I come over with an scba and fill it and check the zero if they've got ammo still.

I head shot them with a 177 pcp to great effect off my friends patio. The guns I loan out get 40+ shots on a fill. All 15-18 fpe 22s. I range find where they want to shoot and then zero the gun just for that purpose.

I had considered loaning and the Disco suggestion is a good one. She is well enough off that I kind of thought she might want her own, especially with grandchildren. She's strong enough to be able to pump but I'm just not sure about the willingness to learn about pcp's and watch over it if someone else were to want to use it. The risk is quite high if topping from a bottle but should be fine if willing to pump.
No poison though ... she has a couple of dogs and there are lots of raptors, fox, javelina, etc that could be affected.
I had loaned and later sold a Crosman 114 to another friend but time between uses and it being a bulk fill created some problems. I do have another nice 114 but the bulk fill thing is complicated compared to popping in a CO2 cartridge.
I understand we can run a Disco on CO2... wonder what kind of power it would make...
Good, thoughtful suggestions ...
Bob

 

[6gun]

I had considered loaning and the Disco suggestion is a good one. She is well enough off that I kind of thought she might want her own, especially with grandchildren. She's strong enough to be able to pump but I'm just not sure about the willingness to learn about pcp's and watch over it if someone else were to want to use it. The risk is quite high if topping from a bottle but should be fine if willing to pump.
No poison though ... she has a couple of dogs and there are lots of raptors, fox, javelina, etc that could be affected.
I had loaned and later sold a Crosman 114 to another friend but time between uses and it being a bulk fill created some problems. I do have another nice 114 but the bulk fill thing is complicated compared to popping in a CO2 cartridge.
I understand we can run a Disco on CO2... wonder what kind of power it would make...
Good, thoughtful suggestions ...
Bob

That is a big risk, and regulators for this aren't cheap. I wouldn't want granny hand pumping either, auto stops on chinese compressors aren't to be trusted at the same time. This is a pickle, my co2 stuff always left me wanting more velocity for the trajectory.

The best thing I did thus far is set up a 2240 with a 16 inch barrel and a tko ldc and set a paintball tank up for 1k output instead of 850 on the gun. So the foster on the tank takes 45oo fills or she can come to you for fills or tank swaps. The gun is single shot which isn't conducive to older dexterity sometimes. Part of me wants to say she needs a semi auto 22lr.

Pic has an air switch and vent, 16 fpe 22 and you can switch paintball tanks, run co2 or air but air is slightly higher performing. This is loaner 1. Loaner 2 is similar but more conventional same power level and it's regulated.

 

[RickH]

Is she willing to learn to shoot well? Is she willing to put some effort into maintenance and filling an air tank with a hand pump? I have a Maximus that is light weight and hand pumps easily and is goo for maybe 25-40 shots between fills. I have a 2078A that uses one or two 12mg co2 cartridges and can give about 50 shots close to full power. Quite a bit heavier but needs less support gear. Finally I have a Gauntlet 2 in .25 that requires mote work to pump manually and I mean a LOT more work or use a compressor. Either way she’s going to have to put in some time and work. If a few rock squirrels are the problem and her location allows it safely I would recommend a bolt action .17hmr or a 10/22.

Rick H.

 

[kayaker]

5 gallon bucket full of water and a havahart trap----------- drown them------------- if she can shoot them she can drown them

 

[boscoebrea]

get a RWS 850,it is the best thing ,ok then the CO2 rifle,a trap is a better solution,or isn't it?....

 

[Arzrover]

She can shoot but I don't know how well and need further conversations to see how she looks at the problem. I have suggested a 22 pb with CB caps or shorts. There are neighbors and pb's are illegal within town limits so there's that . She lives next to and has property down to a river so really only a neighbor on one side. Noise could be a concern... don't know ...

I thought about an 850... quite decent rifles, but no longer made afik.
II had a Maximus and would sell her my Disco before pushing toward that.

6Gun, I like your builds but not sure about the robustness for novices and still have the air source issue.

I was more hoping someone would come up with something current that I haven't thought of. Finding an F model Sheridan still sounds like the most perfect option ... I'm just not ready to sell mine, or even loan it. A Tau 7 with a rifle stock add on could be pretty sweet too... I think my 22 Tau is right at 10 ft lb and has been good on tree rats and very accurate .

I will check out the 2078 as well...

So thanks all for the thoughts. I will chat more with her about it in a week when she returns from an adventure ...
Bob

 

[Mr.Brocock]

Sounds to me like you have a new place to pest. Bring a spare rifle when you go for her....

 

[Arzrover]

Sounds to me like you have a new place to pest. Bring a spare rifle when you go for her....

Probably not but it's a good thought

 

[Berserkeley Mike]

"ease of use, simplicity, enough accuracy, and weight" might not rule out a spring piston breakbarrel, something not overpowered for caliber (probably .22). Break barrel, put in pellet, close barrel and shoot; doesn't get simpler than that. I have a Diana two-fifty that is easier to cock than most, under 7 pounds with a peep, 8 with a simple 4x32 scope and accurate enough. The 260 is the plastic version of the wood 250. The Crosman Shockwave also boasts a similar light weight and is not too powerful for the caliber, but I've never shot one.

The Airventuri Dragonfly Mk2 might fit the bill too, I have a Mark 1 and it is light and accurate, but the pumping gets old. The Mark 2 is supposed to be a lot easier to pump. But it says they are out of them at Pyramyd until October.

 

[Arzrover]

"ease of use, simplicity, enough accuracy, and weight" might not rule out a spring piston breakbarrel, something not overpowered for caliber (probably .22). Break barrel, put in pellet, close barrel and shoot; doesn't get simpler than that. I have a Diana two-fifty that is easier to cock than most, under 7 pounds with a peep, 8 with a simple 4x32 scope and accurate enough. The 260 is the plastic version of the wood 250. The Crosman Shockwave also boasts a similar light weight and is not too powerful for the caliber, but I've never shot one.

The Airventuri Dragonfly Mk2 might fit the bill too, I have a Mark 1 and it is light and accurate, but the pumping gets old. The Mark 2 is supposed to be a lot easier to pump. But it says they are out of them at Pyramyd until October.

It's the learning and practice cycle on a springer for consistent accuracy that I'm not sure of... especially on one potent enough for rock squirrels... An HW30 or equivalent is quite marginal in my opinion . I know they'll take one cleanly with a perfect shot but more would be badly wounded than not in my estimation ... above an HW30, they get heavy and tougher to be consistent with.

Dragonfly might be a viable option if they're still available ... better than a Sheridan or Benji pump in terms of effort... also, those have poor design for scope mounting.
Just my thinking here...
Bob