If this is already a conversation and I missed it,I apologize. I am in need of an air rifle to deal with small game pest’s. Might any of you fine ladies/gentlemen have any input on a quality air rifle? Small game is squirrels, chipmunks and sparrows.
Air Rifles for Small Game
- Thread starter kemo357
- Start date
Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) air rifles are easier to aim and hit the target than spring or gas piston. PCP's recoil into your shoulder like a rifle should. Spring piston pulls forward disturbing your aim and requires a different shooting technique.
Nebowictz
9mm
What range are you looking to shoot them at?
Sub 7 yards, a crosman 1377 pumped to 10 pumps will take a squirrel with a headshot.
Crosman 362 is a bigger version and in 22. I haven’t used mine on squirrels but it should have enough power and accuracy for a clean kill at 10-20 yards. You can get accessories at littlebuckrail for scope mounting or the peep sights are pretty good.
Beyond that I’d go with a PCP.
I have a Gamo Urban in 22 which has a smaller 105cc reservoir which makes it easy to hand pump. I get 20 good shots on a fill and can take squirrels and chipmunks out to 30 yards easily with headshots.
If you get a bigger reservoir PcP you’ll probably need a tank or compressor.
I haven’t looked to see what has come out in the last 5 years.
Sub 7 yards, a crosman 1377 pumped to 10 pumps will take a squirrel with a headshot.
Crosman 362 is a bigger version and in 22. I haven’t used mine on squirrels but it should have enough power and accuracy for a clean kill at 10-20 yards. You can get accessories at littlebuckrail for scope mounting or the peep sights are pretty good.
Beyond that I’d go with a PCP.
I have a Gamo Urban in 22 which has a smaller 105cc reservoir which makes it easy to hand pump. I get 20 good shots on a fill and can take squirrels and chipmunks out to 30 yards easily with headshots.
If you get a bigger reservoir PcP you’ll probably need a tank or compressor.
I haven’t looked to see what has come out in the last 5 years.
GTN
.308 Win
I have a Gamo Whisper.22 break action. If I do my part I can take out chipmunks and squirrels at 35-40 yards. I’ve also taken baby woodchucks
Keyzard
.45 acp
If you can find one (or its replacement as it's been discontinued) the Seneca Aspen is a 22 cal PCP with a built in hand pump. I bought one to get my feet wet with PCP air rifles a few years ago and it packs quite a punch. I can hit a 4 inch gong at 50 yards with it. Supposedly it is capable of taking fox with the right shot.
PCP is much easier to shoot than springers. I have one of both and I almost never use the springer anymore.
PCP is much easier to shoot than springers. I have one of both and I almost never use the springer anymore.
I have a Hatsan Flash .22 pellet rifle. High pressure, bought both the hand pump and an electric. Has as much power as a .22 Short and makes very little sound. I've harvested at least 10-12 Mafia Squirrels that tend to overrun and destroy garden and fruit tree harvests. Accurate, large wood stock feels like a full size rifle, plenty of stopping power for small pests, and a great and cheap alternative to rifle rounds if you want to target shoot.
Good choice. If you go the hand-pump route for refilling the cylinder, get a quality made pump like Hill pump. It's a bit of a work out to refill the cylinder, but work out is not a bad thing. Also, sound suppressors are legal on air guns and you can buy one on-line. You can practice in your basement without disturbing the neighbors.
Silent pellet trap can simply be made by stuffing a cardboard box with rags.
More sophisticated pellet trap is a wooden box with 1" to 2" of electricians putty.
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Bustedknees
12-gauge slug (smooth bore)
My buddy bought a cheap full auto bb-gun. I don't know if it has enough power to kill squirrels but it would be fun trying.
Nebowictz
9mm
For pellets, try JSB exact or H&N. Each of my pellet guns seem to like those. (Crosman premier can be found at any store and those can group decently but not as tight or consistent)
None of mine have ever liked pointed pellets.
Taking out squirrels and chipmunks with a silent air gun is so satisfying!
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1075tech
.338 Win Mag
jimc
.223 Rem
I have a Benjamin break open .177. It's accurate, but only if you support it properly because squeezing the trigger feels like you're dragging a brick through pile of rocks. I wouldn't buy another one.
Saltwater60
20×102mm Vulcan
I don’t like mine either. Not consistent at all with shot placement
Break open air rifles are normally spring piston (or gas piston newer version) air rifles. As the trigger breaks it releases the piston that moves forward and creates air pressure. This also disturbs your aim. They are cheap and hold a punch, but difficult to shoot accurately requiring a special technique.
I modified its trigger. Trigger pull is much nicer now, however group size is terrible still.
I modified its trigger. Trigger pull is much nicer now, however group size is terrible still.
Nebowictz
9mm
Pellet guns can be finicky with pellets. I had a break barrel Ruger .177 improved the trigger, but it was so picky with pellets.
A couple of pointed pellets would literally do a 6” groups at 7 yards (I don’t know how it was physically possible)
Some pellets would do 3-4” groups at 15 yards.
It finally like a couple of H&N pellets and could group those 1.5” at 20 yards.
Got rid of it though and prefer a multi pump or a PCP.
A couple of pointed pellets would literally do a 6” groups at 7 yards (I don’t know how it was physically possible)
Some pellets would do 3-4” groups at 15 yards.
It finally like a couple of H&N pellets and could group those 1.5” at 20 yards.
Got rid of it though and prefer a multi pump or a PCP.
My $30 Crosman 760 will easily kill a chipmunk or squirrel at 20-30 yards. But like @Mosinitis said, at 20+ yards you'll hit the critter maybe 1 out of every 10 tries.
I bought it about 8 years ago to rid our property of chipmunks. After getting 2 with about 25 tries, I just got out the 10/22. That day I went 12 for 12 and haven't looked back.
I understand you probably aren't able to use a firearm, im just letting you know not to buy a $30 pump pellet rifle. It has plenty of power, but the accuracy is impossible.
I bought it about 8 years ago to rid our property of chipmunks. After getting 2 with about 25 tries, I just got out the 10/22. That day I went 12 for 12 and haven't looked back.
I understand you probably aren't able to use a firearm, im just letting you know not to buy a $30 pump pellet rifle. It has plenty of power, but the accuracy is impossible.
Shoots100
.44 mag
My PCP rifle is a 1st gen tuned Barra 1100z .177.
Fully shrouded with an adjustable trigger.
I use a hand pump and pump it twenty times after two magazines to keep it at 2,500 psi.
The Barra has interchangeable barrels, so you can hunt bigger game if needed.
With a moderator and thermal scope it's backyard quiet and drops em like it's hot day or night.
The pic is with a RIX storm 2.
SJC
Fully shrouded with an adjustable trigger.
I use a hand pump and pump it twenty times after two magazines to keep it at 2,500 psi.
The Barra has interchangeable barrels, so you can hunt bigger game if needed.
With a moderator and thermal scope it's backyard quiet and drops em like it's hot day or night.
The pic is with a RIX storm 2.
SJC
I'm thinking of picking up a pcp.bHow bad is using a hand pump? My left shoulders not in the greatest shape, and wondering if instead should just get a compressor.
Shoots100
.44 mag
If you're going to be doing a lot of shooting a spare tank and compressor are a must.
Most shooters use the compressor to fill a portable tank that's used to fill the rifle.
You can fill the rifle several times with the portable tank depending on the size.
Home Depot sells a good compressor for a decent price.
If your a casual plinker and hunter like me, using a pump to maintain pressure after the initial amount of pumping to fill is Ok.
The hand pump was included with my PCP rifle purchase.
It's portable and free to operate.
If you want to shoot a lot and have a bad shoulder, a compressor/tank is the way to go.
SJC
Most shooters use the compressor to fill a portable tank that's used to fill the rifle.
You can fill the rifle several times with the portable tank depending on the size.
Home Depot sells a good compressor for a decent price.
If your a casual plinker and hunter like me, using a pump to maintain pressure after the initial amount of pumping to fill is Ok.
The hand pump was included with my PCP rifle purchase.
It's portable and free to operate.
If you want to shoot a lot and have a bad shoulder, a compressor/tank is the way to go.
SJC
jimc
.223 Rem
What pressure do these guns run at? I thought it was over 1000 psi. I ask because I'm surprised Home Depot sells a compressor that goes that high.
Shoots100
.44 mag
Depending on the rifle's manufacturer and caliber, some run their PCP's up to 4,500 psi.
The standard is around 2,000- 3,000 psi.
Home depot carries a lot of compressors for airgun enthusiasts.
SJC
( HD Compressors )