Quietest Option for Hunting Small Rodents

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powderhound

Member
Jul 8, 2016
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Utah
I'm looking for an air gun for taking small rodents (mostly mice, possibly rats) at close ranges (under 50 feet most likely). I need enough power and accuracy to get the job done, but I also need it to be quiet. Very quiet, as in not recognizable as a shot from 40-50 feet away, preferably less.

I have some neighbors that are not the most rational people, including an old lady who retrofitted her attic for raccoons and feeds them cat food to supplement their diet of other people's pet chickens. She would make a lot of trouble if she knew I was killing the cute little fury woodland critters that carry plague and Hantavirus around here. If there is something powerful enough to take a raccoon that is still incredibly quiet that's great, but right now I'm more worried about the mice that are getting out of hand and seem to be too smart for traps. The raccoons here have a very high incidence of rabies, and I have been woken up by more than one trying to get into my chicken coop, but so far the coop is winning so the raccoons are priority #2.

I was looking at the Crosman CCNP2SX Crusher, but I've never shot a break barrel and a store clerk said they are loud. He recommended a Crosman 1911BB, but I remember the Crosman pistols being pretty weak and inaccurate when I was a kid. I would like to keep the cost down, but I don't know what to expect from a $30 pistol.
 
Use a 5 gallon bucket trap for mice. Place a rod across the top as an axle with a tin can or bottle on it so it can turn freely. Coat with peanut butter. Fill bucket 1/3 to 1/2 with water and prop a board "ramp" on one side. Mice problem solved. For rats and coons you would do best with a .22 caliber pellet gun with a moderator IMHO. A Benjamin Pump 392 could do what you are looking for without a moderator if not pumped to max but you are looking at about $200 unless you find it on sale. Personally I use PCP air rifles for everything from Coyotes to rats now but the initial cost to outfit yourself is much higher (close to $400 for a Benjamin Maximus Entry level kit) than spring or pump guns. 

Thurmond
 
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Getting real quiet aint cheap. All the Walmart etc break barrels aren't super quiet.....and it sounds like you want super quiet. Super quiet would be a pcp with a real moderator. How much are you looking to spend? That could help guide suggestions. Getting real quiet with power for a racoon is elite airgun status and aint cheap. Pcp airguns have other stuff you have to purchase to go along with them. If only for mice and rats there might be something fairly inexpensive to fit the bill but it would have to be a low powered .177 springer/gas ram preferably an underlever design for greater accuracy. A TX200 is fairly quiet but also north of 600 bucks. Its still not super quiet tho due to the compression stroke of the piston. The problem here is the "super quiet" need your needing. Not hearing a shot from 40 to 50 feet is expensive quiet.
 
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That Benjamin 392 looks like an awesome gun. I feel like the pump action could really be of benefit in regards to shooting distance, target size, and noise. I did some searching for parts, and realized that with access to a 3D ABS printer I could really make some cool accessories for it. I was hoping to keep things a bit cheaper than that, but I might splurge and make it a toy and raccoon potter too. I don't know why I didn't already think of using a 3D printer to modify an air gun. I already have an extra scope I could use. I'm reading up on power modifications for it right now.


I've had one of those 5 gallon buckets in my backyard for a few days now, and since putting it there I've managed to club two mice on the ground in broad daylight but haven't found a single mouse in the trap. I don't know if they are just smarter than me or if I'm doing it wrong. I used a 5 gallon home depot bucket, bailing wire, a diet pepsi can, peanut butter, and two ramps. I even sprinkled chicken feed on it last night because I know they will eat it. I saw one peeking at it around dusk, but it decided against it and ran off.
 
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Both my .22 equiped with Huggets allow me to hear the paper getting ripped with holes. I vote a PCP with a quality moderator. Since you're not doing sanctioned target class .22 is great option. Wide weight pellet choices and shapes/types.

I take out opposums head shots who have the thickest skull of an animal their size. Lead costs more for less count per tin in the .25cal or higher club.
 
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Well my setup is not cheap but very quiet for pesting...

I have been very happy with my mutant standard .22 cal, it is the quietest airgun i have ever shot. Currently setup for about 30fpe and unrecognizable past 25 feet and that is in stock configuration. I bet if you needed quieter, a neil clague or donnyd ldc would help, but not sure how much since i have been happy with my setup.
 
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Two things about the bucket. 

Placement should be in a corner or along a wall where mice run not out in the open.

Other easier food sources will have to be eliminated or restricted for the mice to look elsewhere.
If this is not possible then place the bucket next to the other food source/s.

For a low budget the 392 is probably your best bet. You might however look at Crosman for a CO2 gun.

http://www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles/heritage-2260 You can easily 3D print a silencer for this one and later on
it can be modified to use a paintball style CO2 Tank or a lot of other modifications.

Remember also if you buy from Crosman to use code AGNATION for 20% off their price.

Thurmond
 
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My Ruger Blackhawk Elite 177 from WalMart is pretty darn quiet compared to the Nitro pistons from Crosman. You DEFINITELY do NOT want to break it in at your noise sensitive location as its loud until all the oils burn out of it. I use 7.4 Gr pellets, but I assume it would be even more quiet with a 10 GR pellet. 

I feel your pain, my neighbors are loony bins, and I think their gene pool is shallow.
 
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No breakbarrel shooting over 7fpe is going to be quiet. Maybe in relative terms, but not by any absolute standard. Pull the trigger on any Walmark breakbarrel and your neighbors will get an earfull.

For distances of 50 feet, you could get the job done accurately and very quietly with a Daisy 953 in .177. 

My experience with the Benjamin 392 and 397 is that they are very loud. Maybe less so on fewer pumps, but still not a stealth airgun. If you go that route, get a TKO for sure.

As said, to get real quiet is often expensive. 

Good luck.

R
 
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