Starling/pigeon rifle/ Hatsan 1000x?

Hello all, newb here. Grew up shooting Daisy 10-pumpers and graduated to rimfires and later centerfires. I now have a need for an "adult" air rifle. Due to urbanization and the spread of a nearby highway I'm needing something to pluck pigeons and starlings off the barns and silos. I was reading the $200 rifle thread and it got sent me to a Hatsan at midway. I'm liking the reviews of it on the website but not sure what caliber to choose. I am ready to take the plunge on the 1000x but not sure if a .22 or the .177 would be better. The ranges for this shooting might get past 30 yards but not much past that. Any thoughts and suggestions?
 
Do yourself a favor and add $54.99 to your budget and get one of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/RWS-Model-34-P-.177-Air-Gun-Synthetic-Stock-Black/44680696. It's in a different class than the Crosman "Nitro Piston" and Hatsan guns that populate the "Refurbished Airguns" page on many websites. Down the road, drop in an ARH or Vortek tune kit and you will be amazed at how accurate a piston gun can be. The pigeons will fear you.
 
"laalex" Do yourself a favor and add $54.99 to your budget and get one of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/RWS-Model-34-P-.177-Air-Gun-Synthetic-Stock-Black/44680696. It's in a different class than the Crosman "Nitro Piston" and Hatsan guns that populate the "Refurbished Airguns" page on many websites. Down the road, drop in an ARH or Vortek tune kit and you will be amazed at how accurate a piston gun can be. The pigeons will fear you.
Follow this advice and you'll have a much higher quality gun that should last decades.

R
 
I own the Hatsan Striker 1000x .22 with Hammers 3-9x32AO scope. I've got some 95 shots through it so far, since getting hip surgery 6 or 7 weeks ago. The Hammers scope has a standard mildot reticle that's vey clear, and the Hammers scope will outlast the Optima. Generally, .22cal pellets carry more FPE to POI than .177, even thought it's faster. .177's are lighter and more dependent on speed that power carried over from weight. The 1000x is also good out to at least 50-60 yards.
 
I have hunted/pested birds with both calibers. The 177 is the winner for me. Instant death! The 22 seems like the birds bounce off the pellet. Also you get better range with the 177. After awhile and not a very long while the pigeons will get wise to you. So you may need to shoot from further than 30yards . you should be able to take pigeon at 60-80yrdz with a 1000fps 177 and that Hammers 3-9x32AO is a great scope choice.