Looking for recommendations

[Oldschool shooter]

I haven't shot an airgun in over 50 years. Looking for a pellet rifle for plinking and msybe dispatching with small vermin. Leaning towards .22 caliber, but nothing is written in stone. I am looking to stay in the $200 - $250 range. Something with reaonable accuracy out to 25 -30 yards. People here are quite knowledgeable, so no better place to get advice. What would you recommend?

 

[Doc Samson]

My post from earlier this year:

A couple of years ago, I was doing a little research on .22 air rifles. I took a chance on a Gamo Whisper and have been pleasantly surprised! Groupings tightened up nicely after 50-60 pellets and it seems to prefer the heavier ones which I prefer as well. I've stretched it out to 130 yards a few times and, while I'm no sharpshooter, I was able to hit a 12oz. water bottle at that distance fairly consistently. Not enough power to break the plastic but it'll make the bottle jump!

Here are a couple of pics from this morning @ just a little over 30 yards. That can is decently thick, so I was impressed to see it made it out the back with no trouble. Fun little backyard shooter!

 

[codytrucker]

Flying dragons air rifles in Iowa seems to be pretty popular with folks that have dealt with him . There is a model XS 60 c Co2 air rifle in 22 cal. that looks to be pretty good . I don't have one , but I ordered a similar air rifle from him last week except it is PCP , should get it some time this next week . I talked to him on the phone because I have another air rifle I am sending him to repair , seems like a nice guy . He took the time to talk about a couple thing's I had questions about .

You can also browse some of the online dealers like Pyramid air , Airguns of Arizona and Airgun depot , etc.

 

[.308 Norma]

Looking for a pellet rifle for plinking and msybe dispatching with small vermin. Leaning towards .22 caliber, but nothing is written in stone. I am looking to stay in the $200 - $250 range. Something with reaonable accuracy out to 25 -30 yards.

My 20 caliber Sheridan "Blue Streak" is great for "plinking" tin cans on the garden fence from the rear deck (25-30 yards) and "dispatching" starlings in the current bushes behind the garden. I also loaned it to a buddy last summer because the squirrels around his place (in a small town about 20 miles south of here) were driving him and his wife crazy. I guess squirrels are kind of destructive, and my buddy couldn't use his .22 rimfire in town.
Anyway, I'm sure I paid less than $100 for my Sheridan Blue Streak. Of course, that was 20 some years ago, but I doubt one of them would be over your budget even nowadays.

 

[mope540]

I have had much success dispatching garden pests, mostly rabbits and squirrels, with a .177 RWS Model 48. It works so well that i looked to buy a 48 or 52 that shoots .22. Like everything else, RWS prices went through the roof so i settled on a .22 Gamo "Swarm Maxxim G2" w. scope...fairly cheap, and it's very accurate.