I am new here guys need some help I am wanting to take care of some pest in the backyard, squirrels, so I am trying to do some research. I stumbled onto Ted's youtube channel and wow there are so many choices for a simple pellet gun. In short last week I was at Dick's sporting goods saw a Gamo Accu Whisper I think it is also called a Rocket I purchased it but soon as I got it home I realized it was way too loud sounded more like I was shooting 22LR than pellets. (It went back to Dick's) So I have a few restrictions like low noise and I am thinking about using only .177 pellets because I have other homes close by. Also this will be something that might sit for a week then get used 10 times and then sit again. I am looking for a good rifle I could use for a long time I am the kind of guy that could get into this sport real easy but I am not looking for a FX Impact at this time. Thanks in advance and if there is a thread like this out there please just direct me to it. Mike
Another New Guy.....
- Thread starter KiaTia
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That gamo would have quieted down after some use......maybe 500 pellets or so. New springers diesel from the compression until they burn off the excess lube from the factory and settle in.
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What kind of budget are you talking about? That will help everyone know which way to point you. And welcome!
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OK right now I am using a vintage 70's Crossman 760 pump but it is not very accurate and 10 pumps gets old.. My first thought was to buy a HW95 but I need much more research..
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HW 95 is a great choice, it may be all you'll ever need. As far as simple and accurate it's pretty close to perfection IMO. It does take practice to shoot accurately but if that's the only gun you shoot and shoot it a lot, you'll be amazed at what's possible. PCP guns are more forgiving (easier to shoot) as well more complicated and expensive requiring a fill set up. If there are any airgunners in your area see if you can get together and shoot different types of guns, it's a rich and confusing world to shop and some experience will help you decide what's best for you. My .02- steer clear of big box budget springers that shoot 1200 fps.
Good luck and have fun!
John
Good luck and have fun!
John
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The HW95 or Beeman R9 (almost the same rifle) either of those would be GREAT. Enough power for squirrels, but not so much that they're hard to cock or are overly hold-sensitive.
Might be a little loud though. That's the tricky thing. Are you looking for quiet enough not to ANNOY your neighbors, (assuming cool neighbors or a rural home) or quiet enough so they won't even know you're shooting and call the cops on you? Some folks just can't get over the idea that you're shooting in your backyard, and their windows, pets or children may be in danger. Others will be like: "Oh, you can kill squirrels? Good, because I've got pesky ones too.."
If it's the first, the R9/HW95 would probably be OK. If it's the second, probably not. In that case, you may want to get a Benjamin Marauder, which is just a bit more, but has a properly quiet moderator. With that one, you pump it up to 2500 psi, (a lot of effort, that first time) after which you get 30 good shots down to 2000 psi, and re-pump it up to 2500 psi. (not bad to pump from 2000 to 2500) The Marauder (and any pre-charged pneumatic [PCP] airgun) is easier to shoot accurately than a spring piston air rifle, and it makes a lot less noise than a springer with equivalent power. Head shots on squirrels at 15 yards can be taken, even if you're standing and shooting offhand. If they're further out, the gun makes enough power (18 foot-lbs) to take body shots. (upper chest only)
One word of caution for backyard hunting: be mindful of your backstop or lack thereof. Squrrels in a tree at a low angle to you will be mostly off-limits, because if you miss, the pellet will go hundreds of yards downrange, with lethal energy. (even .177) If he's against a tree trunk or at a really high angle, you're generally OK. Some people will set up a squirrel feeding station near a good backstop, just to avoid this scenario. All you need is a pile of walnuts in front of a piece of plywood.
Here's my .177 Marauder; it will shot sub-1" groups at 50 yards all day long:
Here's a pellet I recovered from a squirrel I shot through the head yesterday. It entered his left cheek, went through the head and shoulder. It was just below his skin on the exit side when I skinned him.
Might be a little loud though. That's the tricky thing. Are you looking for quiet enough not to ANNOY your neighbors, (assuming cool neighbors or a rural home) or quiet enough so they won't even know you're shooting and call the cops on you? Some folks just can't get over the idea that you're shooting in your backyard, and their windows, pets or children may be in danger. Others will be like: "Oh, you can kill squirrels? Good, because I've got pesky ones too.."
If it's the first, the R9/HW95 would probably be OK. If it's the second, probably not. In that case, you may want to get a Benjamin Marauder, which is just a bit more, but has a properly quiet moderator. With that one, you pump it up to 2500 psi, (a lot of effort, that first time) after which you get 30 good shots down to 2000 psi, and re-pump it up to 2500 psi. (not bad to pump from 2000 to 2500) The Marauder (and any pre-charged pneumatic [PCP] airgun) is easier to shoot accurately than a spring piston air rifle, and it makes a lot less noise than a springer with equivalent power. Head shots on squirrels at 15 yards can be taken, even if you're standing and shooting offhand. If they're further out, the gun makes enough power (18 foot-lbs) to take body shots. (upper chest only)
One word of caution for backyard hunting: be mindful of your backstop or lack thereof. Squrrels in a tree at a low angle to you will be mostly off-limits, because if you miss, the pellet will go hundreds of yards downrange, with lethal energy. (even .177) If he's against a tree trunk or at a really high angle, you're generally OK. Some people will set up a squirrel feeding station near a good backstop, just to avoid this scenario. All you need is a pile of walnuts in front of a piece of plywood.
Here's my .177 Marauder; it will shot sub-1" groups at 50 yards all day long:
Here's a pellet I recovered from a squirrel I shot through the head yesterday. It entered his left cheek, went through the head and shoulder. It was just below his skin on the exit side when I skinned him.
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Springers are Loud,
The Air Rifles is started with were
1) BSA METEOR .22 VERY LITTLE SOUND, VERY ACCURATE,LESS RECOIL.
2) DIANA 45, VERY ACCURATE,HIGH NOISE,HEAVY RIFLE,LOTS OF RECOIL.
3)WALTHER DOMINATOR 1250 PCP,
NO RECOIL,ACCURATE,BUT NEEDS ALOT OF CARE.
The Air Rifles is started with were
1) BSA METEOR .22 VERY LITTLE SOUND, VERY ACCURATE,LESS RECOIL.
2) DIANA 45, VERY ACCURATE,HIGH NOISE,HEAVY RIFLE,LOTS OF RECOIL.
3)WALTHER DOMINATOR 1250 PCP,
NO RECOIL,ACCURATE,BUT NEEDS ALOT OF CARE.
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From what I've seen pf PCP's so far, they're good, but expensive around here. So I ordered the Winchester 1400CS springer to replace my worn Crosman 760 from decades ago. From what I've read so far, pellet choice can also dictate noise levels. So does barrel length, so far as firearms go. For example, my Mohawk 10c carbine semi-auto 22 with 18" barrel cracks like a 30-06 in ravines. But my antique Remington long-barreled semi-auto makes a more normal 22 sound. The 760, at 10 pumps, had a loud crack to it. I'm hoping the 1400CS can be tuned a bit with pellet choice myself?...
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Maurder 25 cal is a good inexpensive PCP. Plus there are ALOT of used PCP's for sale here all the time from quality people.
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The Marauder is a great suggestion, even the new Maximus is a good choice too, just keep in mind if you don't want to use an air pump its gonna get expensive, a CF tank will run you about $600-$800 new, you can find a used one for a lot less on the classifieds, just make sure the tank's life span hasn't expired yet, the carbon fiber life span is 15 years since manufactured date and it has to hydrotested every 5 years. you also need to find a air source like a paint ball store or scuba shop to get it filled or put more money and get a air compressor, it gets expensive but once you get all that you are good to go!!!!
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THIS
I wish I had known how much more convenient PCP was. When I got back into the hobby as an adult I kept telling myself "You won't mind pumping". And I don't so much, but the convenience of PCP and ease of a follow-up shot when needed have made it invaluable.
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