Hey all,

Looking for a good/decent pellet rifle to get rid of some small varmints, mainly rabbits and squirrels. Can't use the AR in town here, so need something quieter.

What do you recommend for around $100-150? Could go a little higher if it's worth it.

Thanks,
Dave


Update:

After several hours looking at different rifles, reading reviews and suggestions, a purchase has been made.

RWS Diana 34 .22 is the winner!

It may be a little higher then my initial price range, but sounds like it's worth it.

I thank you all for all the information and advice given here in helping me choose. There were several times I had tabs opened covering the screen, comparing, back and forth.
If it wasn't for you, I probably would never be happy with what the local stores have to offer. I really had no idea there was so much to offer in the air rifle world.

Dave

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 81chop,

I love my Gamo Game Cat,bought it refurbished on Amazon for about $110 a few years ago. Many tree rats have perished from it. Not the quietest though.

I don't know squat about pellet guns, I am just glad to see you are alive!

Saw the post on the cat thread about the vet trip, then you went dark. Though he might have got to your jugular.

Go for one that is a sidecocker, so you can accurately mount a scope. If the scope is mounted behind the barrel, on a barrel cocker, the hinge wears in about 200 rounds and accuracy goes away.

I have had Diana, they were excellent. You will want accuracy as you will probably need a head shot to stop that size varmint.

However these are all $400 or so. You will have to do some research to obtain a powerful but accurate air rifle.

https://www.aguilaammo.com/rimfire/

Aguilla 22 subsonic...

It works.
It's quiet.

I've seen some pretty good looking ones at Walmart. (don't laugh!!!) Come with scope, too.

I would go for the 22 cal. Working from memory, the cost seems to be around $150.

I've got a Gamo, not sure what model. When I got it, I tried just lead pellets in it, and was disappointed, as it was as loud as my .22

Researched and found pellets that were much quieter, now I am happy with the accuracy & the low noise, as neighbors don't notice use.

If you need more info, I can get it, just too lazy tonight.

Due to health issues which have limited my outdoor range time, I got back into pellet weapons. First I dusted off my 40+ year old barrel cocking .177 Webley. Then I bought a Crosman P1322KTE .22 package with shoulder stock (~$70 w/o scope). Had so much fun I quickly picked up an underlever cocking Gamo Accu .22 (~$180 w/scope) and a Crosman Custom Shop 1300KT in .177 (~$125 w/o scope).

Best suggestion is to spend some time reading at GTA (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/) for good ideas about what to get. My Gamo has mixed reviews. I got a "good one" and chrony results indicate its an over achiever. That said they won't sell you parts for the DIYer.

But if pressed for a recommendation I'd say a Crosman 1300KT pumper in .22 with a 14.6" or 18" barrel. It can be tweaked for more power although it isn't necessary. What is nice is that you can vary the power output with the number of pumps. That way outdoors you can nail the critters bugging you. And indoors enjoyed reduced power target shooting!

I have a Gamo Whisper Cat. The "noise dampener" doesn't do squat, but it's a pretty accurate pellet gun.

quote:

Originally posted by ravens1775:
I have a Gamo Whisper Cat. The "noise dampener" doesn't do squat, but it's a pretty accurate pellet gun.

1. This is right.
2. Gamo is a disappointment.
3. Stoeger might exceed your budget
4. Try exploring these guys. Good service. pyramidair

HW 80

It is a Beeman R1 with irons.

Cheap break barrels are largely exercises in frustration.

The idea that airgunning is a cheap hobby, is folly.

 
Beeman. I have an R9 Goldfinger .22 that came as a package with a scope, about a decade ago. Can't be beat for accuracy and power. I can take out our desert jacks with it. You might want to consider some other format if noise is a concern. A spring piston air rifle is quite loud, more so than a .22 rifle with CB caps.
 

CB caps are quieter in my Marlin 39a than my gamo pellet rifle and accurate enough to get the job done. I've used it to kill rabbits, squirrels, armadillo, coons, and very sick stray dog.

The Yellow Forum is one of the best airgun sites with classifies, airgun shows, etc.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537

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I had to deal with a feral cat problem at my old business. I was advised to use 22 subsonic, as an air rifle was not powerful enough.

The 22 subsonic worked very well. Even with the rimfire, each animal took two shots to quickly put down. With a scope and at 25 yards, this was easy. The underlying problem was that the feral cat people were coming by at night and feeding the feral cats. Those people caused more harm than their perceived good.

As much as i would like to use a 22, I better not. Not sure how some of the neighbors would react if they found out.

Looking at the pyramidair link, most of them in my price range seem to be break barrel. How bad do they wear, and is there a way to limit the wear to make it tighter, longer?

Another thing I forgot to ask, a guy at work told me to stay away from the .22 caliber and stick with the .177. Is one better than the other?

Thanks for all the links and advice so far. Gonna do a whole lot of reading and get back with any other questions.

I really don't know a whole lot about air rifles, so thanks for your patience.

A quick story : The neighbor behind me had a squirrel that kept harassing him. After a couple of weeks trying different things to get rid of it, he said enough is enough. He grabbed the shotgun and blew the thing clean out of the tree. Police never showed up. I laughed so hard over that.

Skins2881 - I should reply in the other thread as things didn't go quite as planned (not horrible, but I'm not happy either).

Benjamin Trail NP2 .22 It's pretty quiet. 22 cal recommended for anything squirrel or rabbit size.

I've got an RWS Diana 34. It's barrel cocking. It accurate as all and it will easily shoot all the way through a squirrel at 176 feet - my lo ngest shot yet.

quote:

Originally posted by Spacedogxo:
Benjamin Trail NP2 .22 It's pretty quiet. 22 cal recommended for anything squirrel or rabbit size.

Works for me. I'll look at the 22 cal ones.

There's a few stores locally I'll hit up tomorrow to see what they have.

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:
I've got an RWS Diana 34. It's barrel cocking. It accurate as all and it will easily shoot all the way through a squirrel at 176 feet - my lo ngest shot yet.

They are good guns for the money and have an adjustable trigger. I have the model 36.

The 177 caliber is good enough for squirrels with shot placement. Not so good on raccoons where you need a 22 caliber.

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