help with selecting the right gun

I have the same issue as you. I use the .25 Umarex Gauntlet. It has yet to fail me. I can shoot pecans out of trees with it at 60yds, it's taken 3 coons, 2 oppossums, and a skunk (along with several squirrels and birds). I'll be taking a coyote with it this weekend hopefully. Get the gauntlet. It won't fail you!

I recommend doing the $$ math before jumping into PCPs. If you aren't taking a lot of shots, a hand pump will work for you, but it's just one more expense to keep in mind. There are plenty of break barrels that could meet your needs (maybe not the coyote), and the expense is the gun and pellets only. And if you do get into PCPs, please keep in mind the addiction of the sport that so many of us suffer from now. You'll suddenly end up with 4 or 5. 

This would be the ticket. Turn power down when not needed and a ton when needed for the tough raccoons. Small tank hand pump friendly. Yep, very accurate also.

Hi Tony, welcome to the best place on the net for Airguns We can help you, and we will be glad to. There are hundreds if not thousands of years of Airgun experience shared by the members of AGN. When it comes down to "will this gun work" - there are many options and a range of answers. FWIW there is no "best" answer, only better than average or not so good.

To begin, there are a few kinds of airguns...

CO2 - uses cartridges of CO2, but at a low pressure - less than 1800 psi 

Piston powered guns - with spring or nitrogen filled struts to push the piston (Break open or underlever to cock) - most are single shot, some are magazine fed

Pump guns - single pellet and single or multiple pumps to charge the shot

Pre Charged Pneumatics (PCP) - has an on board pressure vessel - can be single shot or magazine fed. Will need a source of High Pressure Air - generally a SCBA tank or similar - and that will need a method of filling. Either a dive shop, fire department or a compressor of your own. Gun fill pressures will be around 2000-3500 psi.

Airguns can use silencers and not get tangled with the Alphabet org - local and state laws are your responsibility to understand. These are also known as moderators or lead dust collectors.

Caliber is important - but too much gun can lead to problems with over penetration. You don't need to shoot a .50 cal airgun to take out mice and rabbits. A .30 or a .25 gun will easily take a coyote with good shot placement. The larger the pellet or slug, the more the cost.

Airguns take a little getting used to if you already shoot powder burning guns. The shot cycle is different and the ballistics are a lot different. Pellets do not do very well at speeds over 1000 FPS - no matter what the advertisements will tell you. That brings up Ballistic Coefficient - but that will be for another discussion.

I suggest you take a look at the HUTNING sub-forum and soak up some information from there. 

My advice is a .25 caliber sounds the best fit for what you need to dispatch your quarry. But the .25 does carry sways further so if your close to neighbors be careful which direction you are shooting.

what is your price range?

Tony, Tony, Tony. 

THE ONLY solution is to shoot many different types of guns so you get a "feel" for what YOU like. Now, the best way to accomplish this is to invite trusted forum members to your 4 acres and host a fun shoot. We are a lovable group that would enjoy helping another member selecting their first rifle and help spend their cash. I for one would lend you any of my rifles to try. I'll even take a few shots at those vermin to show the accuracy of my rifles. I know what you're thinking, "this guy is so gracious". Yes I am. Humble too. Okay, that's enough, you can praise me later.



In all seriousness, there are many us of here that would be happy to let you shoot our rifles for a day. It's not easy putting out cash for something you haven't had your hands on.



EDIT: forgot the word "cash". gave the last sentence a whole different meaning!

Tony:



I am privileged to own many air rifles, and while what you suggest will certainly do the job, as others have mentioned, keep in mind the investment you will need to make in accessories for air supply.

I have killed all of the vermin you indicate, and inside of 40 to 50 yards, I would have no hesitation to take, and would expect a kill shot, with one of my very good spring rifles. In particular, you might want to look at the RWS Diana 56 Target Hunter. Though admittedly my rifle has been custom tuned, it shoots the AA Diablo Field Heavy 18.0 grain pellet at 20+ fl lb of energy, equivalent to many pcps, with no tank required. I recently shot a measured sub 3/4" at 70 yards with this rifle.

The Weihrauch HW77K would be another excellent choice. Airguns of Airizona has a sale on a beautiful special edition 77K for $499. Super accurate and built with the quality to last a lifetime.

Good luck.

I recommend doing the $$ math before jumping into PCPs. If you aren't taking a lot of shots, a hand pump will work for you, but it's just one more expense to keep in mind. There are plenty of break barrels that could meet your needs (maybe not the coyote), and the expense is the gun and pellets only. And if you do get into PCPs, please keep in mind the addiction of the sport that so many of us suffer from now. You'll suddenly end up with 4 or 5.

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Actually I have seen coyote taken with a springer at closer ranges .177 at that, clean shot behind the ear and d r t. Personally I prefer PCPs but they are a bigger investment.

I second that Diana 56 is a super gun.

SPRING GUN I own 4 really fine PCP’s and all the “stuff” that go with them. For what you want to do the spring gun’s are the way to go.

I like the HW 97 guns but there are lots of others. 

PCP’s are fine but you REALLY have to be a gun guy to justify.

Are you looking for a tool or a hobby. Hobby? Go PCP but make certain your wallet is stuffed 

I see you are from NC ask if someone near you can help.

One of our professional tuners builds custom Gauntlet rifles to your specifications and he has full factory support. Just tell him what you want to do with it and he will will setup a .25 with increased regulator pressure and hammer tuning to match specific ammo. You basically need to shoot the .25 at an energy level above 50 ft-lbs for those big critters. This is more than double the 19 ft-lbs Gamo springer puts out. I assume you know you will need a high pressure air source, even if that's a 4500 psi hand pump.

https://hajimotoproductions.com/

Hatsan Flash in .25, however a .22 would be fine, you can shoot with slugs if you want more impact, however accuracy trumps power any day, people have taken raccoons with .177, however these are well placed shots...I would definitely look at a PCP to do the job...There are a lot out there...

I've killed raccoons, possums, many squirrels and a crow with my SPAM16. I shoot slugs from mine now but right out of the box it will kill any of the mentioned varmints with JSB18.13's. These guns are extremely accurate IMO. I nailed a 20lb+ raccoon on January 31st(last day of the season) out on state land here in Michigan.

Welcome Tony, there was one key element in you search you didn’t touch on was your budget. How much were looking to spend in total cost? I wouldn’t go any lower than .25 and no higher than .357 for the critters mentioned. Then there is ammo cost, the bigger you go the expense increases. This is a great time to enter the Airgun hobby you can get a lot for your money. Don’t be afraid to buy used you can find some awesome deals in the classifieds. Good luck and be safe.

Dont know your timeframe or budget, but consider that there is an airgun show in Hickory, NC in October. I will be there as well as many others. I have plenty of guns that may fit your needs that I could bring to allow you to shoot them. There is a range on site at the show. This will give you a chance to try out whatever you want and get a feel for them before diving in. 

If you are not able to wait that long, then there are a plethora of options out there and we can guide you along.

As noted, if you are shooting infrequently, then an inexpensive hand pump will fit your needs at around $40. Can then pick up a decent PCP and be moving along. You can spend as much as you want on this venture.

Hi Tony! My name is Tony too. I have been in pretty much the same situation as you. Have about 7 acres infested with groundhogs. I also needed something for possums, skunks, squirrels and starlings. 



I have been using my 22 and 17 caliber powder rifles for years. The neighbors don't mind at all, but I have always been a little leery about the safety of it. I wanted something something more discreet that could still pack a punch.



After a ton of reading, I picked up a .25 Gauntlet and a cheap Amazon hand pump.



Mine was not accurate out of the box. It sprayed pellets pretty much everywhere. Fortunately, I like to tinker and received a bunch of great advice both here and on the Gateway to Airguns forum. After adjusting the trigger, cleaning up the breach, crown and lapping the barrel my Gauntlet will do under half inch 5-shot groups at 50 yards under good conditions with JSB 25.39 pellets. Many people have picked up Gauntlets that shoot straight from the get go, so don't let my issues dissuade you. The improvements I made were not that difficult and the people here would guide you through it. 



If you sign up for a free trial of their buyers club, you can get a Gauntlet delivered to your door for $242 from Sportsman Guide. (use promo code GUNSNGEAR). So that would put you right about $300 with a decent hand pump. https://www.amazon.com/Mophorn-Pressure-Convenient-Pre-Charged-Pneumatic/dp/B06XQ4RLNY/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Pcp+hand+pump&qid=1581081631&sr=8-5.  If you don't want to pump, you can get a Yong Heng compressor for $211 with free shipping on ebay.



I enjoy mine so much that I ordered a bunch of goodies from Hajimoto. For about $150 extra it will be quieter, have fully adjustable power and increased efficiency / shot count. If you are not handy, you can send your rifle to him for a full tune at a reasonable price. When the budget allows, I believe I will pick up another Gauntlet in .22 to add some versatility for smaller critters.



Hope this is helpful, good luck!



Tony

tony you need a rifle ready to go out of the box.i enjoyed talking with you...have a great day.

One of our professional tuners builds custom Gauntlet rifles to your specifications and he has full factory support. Just tell him what you want to do with it and he will will setup a .25 with increased regulator pressure and hammer tuning to match specific ammo. You basically need to shoot the .25 at an energy level above 50 ft-lbs for those big critters. This is more than double the 19 ft-lbs Gamo springer puts out. I assume you know you will need a high pressure air source, even if that's a 4500 psi hand pump.

https://hajimotoproductions.com/

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Wouldn't hesitate to contact hajimoto