Rifle recommendation

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alnt

Member
Aug 12, 2020
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IL
Hi all,

I've been looking up reviews all over, and there is just too much information for me to process. So I thought I would ask the experts for help.

I'm looking for a .177 air rifle primarily for pest control (mainly squirrels, possibly crows or smaller birds). Most of my shots will be under 30 yds as I live in town, which also means I need to be as quiet as possible.

I'm trying to stay under ~$200, and I'm not too particular about new or used guns. However, I live in IL so shipping is fairly restrictive and I imagine new is easier for me to buy locally.

Thank you for any help!
 
I would recommend increasing the budget to at least $350-$400 for something 177 thats really quiet that will be able to accurately and humanely dispatch a crow at 30 yards. They are tough birds! At least a 177 Benjamin Maximus only 2000psi to fill with a TKO pretty quiet and Chinese cheapie pump and good filter and still need a decent scope and mounts.
 
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As an IL resident, AFAIK, the gun laws consider anything over .18 a firearm and has to be shipped to an FFL license holder. Not really a deal except for the FFL holder's fee. However, anything over .18 can be shipped directly as long as it's not over 700 FPS. So you can buy a .177 that discharges at the speed of light, no problem, or a Benjamin 392 .22 that rates 700 FPS. So that's what I did. As far as recommendations, others are far more informed than I. But I like my RWS 3400 .177 and the Benjy. 
 
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From what I read here I thought a rifle that shoots a round under 0.18 was not considered a firearm in IL, but the 700 FPS threshold you mentioned was the same as in that article. I did see some info on the Benjamin 392 and 397, and they seem like an option though I didn't see much about their noise level. How loud is your 392? I have a relative with a Ruger Blackhawk Elite and that is probably too loud from my neighborhood.
 
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From what I read here I thought a rifle that shoots a round under 0.18 was not considered a firearm in IL, but the 700 FPS threshold you mentioned was the same as in that article. I did see some info on the Benjamin 392 and 397, and they seem like an option though I didn't see much about their noise level. How loud is your 392? I have a relative with a Ruger Blackhawk Elite and that is probably too loud from my neighborhood.
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Well, it snaps pretty good, and if I was trying to down a crow or something any real distance away, I'd use 10 pumps. There are other rifles with built-in silencers (moderators) that may be better for you. In-town shooting not very feasible, anyway. Someone will call on you unless they are sympathetic with your cause. I'm only a paper puncher.

Note the OR:

"expels a single globular projectile not exceeding .18 inch in diameter or which has a maximum muzzle velocity of less than 700 feet per second "
 
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You've got lots of chioces. I recommend something that pushes pellets in the 700fps range. With the shake up with Diana and Walther, a lot of the best choices are off the market. buying used may be a good option. Some people refuse to buy new preferring a used, tuned, and proven airgun.

You may get a lot of guys recommending Weihrauchs and while they are good air guns, the safeties are not easily resettable. So keep that in mind if its important to you. It was to me and I didn't realize it till after I made the purchase. I recommend putting together a list of features you want such as stock material wood or synthetic, thumbhole or sporter, threaded muzzle or permanently attached sound moderator. Stuff like that. 

I"m brain dead right now from being over worked at work.

Crows are smart birds. You might not have to actually shoot them directly to make them go away and not come back. 
 
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In Illinois it is illegal to shoot crows with an airgun of any caliber. They can only be taken by shotgun when in season.

As for shooting squirrels and pest birds in your yard, you don't need anything over 12 fpe.

Yo is correct, those 392/397s are not backyard friendly.

My backyard is 150 feet deep from the house, 50 yards, and I have taken 100s of squirrels and rabbits with my 10 fpe 2260 and 5 fpe 2400KT. CO2 guns are very easy to suppress and in the cold months I shoot from inside the house.
 
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Gamo Varmint .177 break-barrel. Can be had online for under $100 new, with a cheap scope. Will kill any small critter just fine to 30-yards I'm sure.
#AD https://amzn.to/2DO9WKP

And you only need the gun and the ammo. No carrying around 20 more pounds of supplies.

This is only 30-feet, I don't seem to have more target pics and it's long gone. Upgraded to the Silent Cat after this one, and it's even quieter. (and only about $60 more than a Varmint.)

1597278189_14593688685f3487ed48f3d4.60708132.jpg




Sounds more like a nail-gun than a "real" one. :)



Me, I wouldn't put hundred$ of dollar$ into a urban squirrel plinker.
 
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Go to FlyingDragons.com. Buy the XS-25sfb break-barrel thumb-hole stock 177 or 22 cal rifle for $85.(It's an RWS or Diana 34 Clone) Add $100 for the Mike Mellick full tune.(It's worth It).(It's mostly the trigger work that make it so shootable). At the same time order some pellets,(JSB & H&N Sample packs. The pellets are important. The rifle may be more accurate with a certain brand or weight of pellet. The sample packs will help u determine this. I have the 22cal version and I am very pleased with it. Quality rings and scope r the next improvement. Figure close to another $200. BKL RINGS and a Hawke AirMax 2-7 X 32 scope is what I strongly recommend. Save u money in the long run.
 
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Go to FlyingDragons.com. Buy the XS-25sfb break-barrel thumb-hole stock 177 or 22 cal rifle for $85.(It's an RWS or Diana 34 Clone) Add $100 for the Mike Mellick full tune.(It's worth It).(It's mostly the trigger work that make it so shootable). At the same time order some pellets,(JSB & H&N Sample packs. The pellets are important. The rifle may be more accurate with a certain brand or weight of pellet. The sample packs will help u determine this. I have the 22cal version and I am very pleased with it. Quality rings and scope r the next improvement. Figure close to another $200. BKL RINGS and a Hawke AirMax 2-7 X 32 scope is what I strongly recommend. Save u money in the long run.
Click to expand...

Those skeletonized stocks just look like broken to me.

http://flyingdragonairrifles.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=67
 
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Go to FlyingDragons.com. Buy the XS-25sfb break-barrel thumb-hole stock 177 or 22 cal rifle for $85.(It's an RWS or Diana 34 Clone) Add $100 for the Mike Mellick full tune.(It's worth It).(It's mostly the trigger work that make it so shootable). At the same time order some pellets,(JSB & H&N Sample packs. The pellets are important. The rifle may be more accurate with a certain brand or weight of pellet. The sample packs will help u determine this. I have the 22cal version and I am very pleased with it. Quality rings and scope r the next improvement. Figure close to another $200. BKL RINGS and a Hawke AirMax 2-7 X 32 scope is what I strongly recommend. Save u money in the long run.
Click to expand...

I just did exactly this. Picked up a tuned one that should be here by Saturday. Figured I'd give it a try.
 
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Go to FlyingDragons.com. Buy the XS-25sfb break-barrel thumb-hole stock 177 or 22 cal rifle for $85.(It's an RWS or Diana 34 Clone) Add $100 for the Mike Mellick full tune.(It's worth It).(It's mostly the trigger work that make it so shootable). At the same time order some pellets,(JSB & H&N Sample packs. The pellets are important. The rifle may be more accurate with a certain brand or weight of pellet. The sample packs will help u determine this. I have the 22cal version and I am very pleased with it. Quality rings and scope r the next improvement. Figure close to another $200. BKL RINGS and a Hawke AirMax 2-7 X 32 scope is what I strongly recommend. Save u money in the long run.
Click to expand...

Those skeletonized stocks just look like broken to me.

http://flyingdragonairrifles.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=67
Click to expand...

I'm not a big fan of that stock either, but figured I'd give this one a try. I know it wont live up to the other guns I have, but heard so many good things...we will see.
 
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Go to FlyingDragons.com. Buy the XS-25sfb break-barrel thumb-hole stock 177 or 22 cal rifle for $85.(It's an RWS or Diana 34 Clone) Add $100 for the Mike Mellick full tune.(It's worth It).(It's mostly the trigger work that make it so shootable). At the same time order some pellets,(JSB & H&N Sample packs. The pellets are important. The rifle may be more accurate with a certain brand or weight of pellet. The sample packs will help u determine this. I have the 22cal version and I am very pleased with it. Quality rings and scope r the next improvement. Figure close to another $200. BKL RINGS and a Hawke AirMax 2-7 X 32 scope is what I strongly recommend. Save u money in the long run.
Click to expand...

What kind of accuracy are you getting at say, 20 to 25 yards?
 
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