Squirrel gun recommendations

[CCHASTAIN]

I squirrel hunt with dogs and it's really more about the dogs than the squirrels . I occasionally shoot one out to reward the dog and I want to try an airgun . Like the HW97K and the TX 200 so would like to hear pros and cons on these and any other suggestions . As for now I don't want to go the PCP route . 

Thanks Chris

 

[Mg616]

97 or 200 would be fine. HW50 or R9 also worth considering; lighter and plenty of power, accuracy up to 40 yards.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I squirrel hunt with dogs and it's really more about the dogs than the squirrels . I occasionally shoot one out to reward the dog and I want to try an airgun . Like the HW97K and the TX 200 so would like to hear pros and cons on these and any other suggestions . As for now I don't want to go the PCP route . 

Thanks Chris

Similar questions have been asked before. Maybe check out the “Hunting” and “Springers, Pumpers, & CO2 Replicas” forums and search those rifles for detailed reviews and posts. A number of members hunt squirrels with springers/break barrels. 


Here are a few examples of the types of posts I’m referring to: https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/a-good-afternoon-hunt-with-the-springer/

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/what-springer-to-buy/

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/air-gun-reccomendations/


There are more if you take a little time to look for them. I went to Google and typed “squirrel hunting springers site:airgunnation.com” Good luck to you in your search. 

 

[doubloon]

97 or 200 would be fine. HW50 or R9 also worth considering; lighter and plenty of power, accuracy up to 40 yards.

Agreed. I have an R9, it's a great gun.

Pros and cons are really more biases and preferences when you get into this class of airgun.

I tried PCP, awesome power and no "hold sensitivity" but ultimately I'm not disciplined enough to fill the bottles and a springer fits my grab and go lifestyle.

 

[elh0102]

I have an HW97, great rifle, but maybe a bit heavy for a lot of walking.

 

[maxtrouble]

I recommend a HW95. Light, powerful and extremely accurate out of the box. An Optisan CP 3-12X32 with BKL rings for optics. 1/2 inch groups under 50 yards all day long. An heirloom weapon.

https://www.weihrauch-sport.de/luftgewehre/hw-95-standard

 

[bdzjlz]

I have all of the guns mentioned. For the description you have given, a Beeman R9 or HW95 tuned with a Vortek HO kit in either .20 or .22 would be my choice. Deadly accurate and much lighter than a TX200 or HW97 plus much easier to load in the field.

 

[Mycapt65]

I use a 177 Hw50 and keep all my shots inside of 40 yards. It's a great little gun. Light, agile, points and shoulders well. I also have a 20 caliber R9 and R1, 177 Hw95, 97, and 2 30s. IMO the R1 and 97 are way too heavy for me to lug around in the field. My R9 & Hw95 are essentially the same gun in 20 and 177. Those can be nice squirrel guns too. At roughly 16 & 15 fpe respectively they have a little more power than the 12 fpe Hw50.



Somehow I always grab the Hw50 because it's lighter, handles great and has sufficient power for the distances I'm comfortable shooting. Fwiw, I had a nice Hw50 in 22 but I kept the 177 because holdover is easier for me to calculate. As pointed out there's a million threads on this out there with a million preferences and suggestions. This is just what I like and why. YMMV

 

[cgriff20]

TX200 is a sweet shooter, but I wouldn't want to walk very far with it. Its the heaviest gun I own. Don't care for my hw95 at all. Its not accurate and it has a horrible cocking stroke. Maybe a hw97 as long as it isn't too heavy for you. 

 

[mister704]

I recommend a HW95. Light, powerful and extremely accurate out of the box. An Optisan CP 3-12X32 with BKL rings for optics. 1/2 inch groups under 50 yards all day long. An heirloom weapon.

https://www.weihrauch-sport.de/luftgewehre/hw-95-standard

Appreciate this recommendation!

 

[Flintsack]

Everyone’s, “lighter” response made me laugh.

if you can shoot open sites, for what you’re describing, an HW 35 in 22 caliber would just be absolutely excellent. And lighter than all of the above. Plus they come with walnuts stocks.

Otherwise the recommendation above that you liked is excellent.

mike

 

[Cannonball]

All these recommendations are good. You can go wrong with Weihrauch or Air Arms, both make excellent springers.

 

[AirShot]

Just dont understand all the complaints about weight, get a sling, many styles to choose from including a front carry so it us ready in an instant. I carry both my R1 and my TX200 in the woods for hours at a time, I have arthritus and have some difficulty walking and I am 72 yrs old....2 or 3 lbs extra weight for a better shooting and handling rifle and scope combo ??? I dont get it !!