What is a decent run of the mill pellet or BB gun in today's world? We used to have some as kids and I was thinking of getting one, so - we might shoot at targets on our property where we don't currently do anything with firearms. Maybe something that could be used for small game if needed, and basically for targets. Haven't shot one of these in probably more than 20 years. Had a 10 pump air BB gun I remember putting holes in a metal trash can lid at 100 feet or so - which as a kid I thought was very impressive.
Pellet/BB Guns
- Thread starter film495
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Dudedog
Contributing Member
Not up to RWS standards but I have a Gamo that's not bad and less $ than the RWSs.
https://gamousa.com/product/wildcat-whisper-177-caliber-break-barrel-air-rifle/
https://gamousa.com/product/wildcat-whisper-177-caliber-break-barrel-air-rifle/
Good Ol' Boy
Member
I like my Beeman break action single shot. Came with both .177 and .22 barrels. I keep the .22 on there. It's good for small game up to rabbits out to around 30yds. Its not accurate enough after that.
I got mine from WM years ago for $100. Came with a scope.
I'm sure there are probably similar or even better values out there now.
I got mine from WM years ago for $100. Came with a scope.
I'm sure there are probably similar or even better values out there now.
.308 Norma
Member
For just letting your grandkids shoot dandelion “puff balls” from your rear deck, a Daisy “Red Rider” is a lot of fun. But for killing starlings in your currant bushes 30 yards from your rear deck (when you don’t want to make a lot of noise with your 17HMR) a 20 caliber, Sheridan “Blue Streak” works very well.
My own “Blue Streak” has also been used to put a few brush rabbits in the frying pan, and last summer I loaned it to a buddy that lives in town to take care of his squirrel problem. The only thing is, as you probably know, a Sheridan “Blue Streak” requires pumping up, which 8 or 9 pumps makes it kinda slow. And here’s something you probably didn’t know – “pumping up” an air rifle can be hazardous for a woman if she holds it too close to her chest. My wife says, “It hurts like ____ when that handle slams shut on one of your ____!!!
My own “Blue Streak” has also been used to put a few brush rabbits in the frying pan, and last summer I loaned it to a buddy that lives in town to take care of his squirrel problem. The only thing is, as you probably know, a Sheridan “Blue Streak” requires pumping up, which 8 or 9 pumps makes it kinda slow. And here’s something you probably didn’t know – “pumping up” an air rifle can be hazardous for a woman if she holds it too close to her chest. My wife says, “It hurts like ____ when that handle slams shut on one of your ____!!!
herrwalther
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I have the same one. Having both barrels is quite a good value. Air rifle ammo is cheap and I have a few hundred of both.
FL-NC
Member
Gamo
is there one is there one where I can swap barrels, and shoot steel/copper - non lead BBs, but can put a .22 pellet barrel on it if I wanted to think about taking small game? I actually don't think I care too much if the barrel is .22 or .177 - think they would both do fine. I'd just want to shoot BBs at paper targets and tin cans basically in the woods behind the house, and have the option of better accuracy with pellets if needed.
bannockburn
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Just got this one for Christmas: a Benjamin Regal II with scope for just under $100.
MedWheeler
Member
Anything designed for pellets is going to have a rifled barrel, which can actually hinder the performance when BBs are used. To be honest, I'd written off smoothbore BB guns for decades, figuring they couldn't be accurate enough to enjoy compared to rifleds.
I came back to BB guns with CO2-powered handguns, initially with the Daisy 5501 and the SwissArms Blackwater (now sold under a different model designation by Crosman), and found these guns impressively accurate for what they are, and what they cost. I also have two Gamo pellet repeaters with rifled barrels, one of which (along with the Daisy 5501) has the slide "blowback" action for added realism. These guns hold multiple pellets, usually eight, in circular clips mounted to the ends of their fake "magazine sticks." The pellet guns like this actually work as revolvers do, rotating the clips when the trigger is pulled. The BB ones use spring-fed magazines like firearms do, and the daisy even locks open when the last BB is launched. That's a nice feature because it means you're not wasting CO2 trying to figure if you're still shooting.
When it comes to airgunning, I'm more of a pistolero, but I do have a Crosman 1077 (kind of based on the Ruger 1022), a CO2-powered pellet rifle that holds 12 pellets in circular "clips", actually also making the gun a revolver in how it operates.
None of these is suitable for small game, in my opinion, but I figured I'd toss out the CO2 repeaters for plain backyard fun anyway. For true giggle factor, though, I have my Umarex MP40, a realistic replica of the 9mm Luger German submachine gun that, like the original, is full-auto capable.
I came back to BB guns with CO2-powered handguns, initially with the Daisy 5501 and the SwissArms Blackwater (now sold under a different model designation by Crosman), and found these guns impressively accurate for what they are, and what they cost. I also have two Gamo pellet repeaters with rifled barrels, one of which (along with the Daisy 5501) has the slide "blowback" action for added realism. These guns hold multiple pellets, usually eight, in circular clips mounted to the ends of their fake "magazine sticks." The pellet guns like this actually work as revolvers do, rotating the clips when the trigger is pulled. The BB ones use spring-fed magazines like firearms do, and the daisy even locks open when the last BB is launched. That's a nice feature because it means you're not wasting CO2 trying to figure if you're still shooting.
When it comes to airgunning, I'm more of a pistolero, but I do have a Crosman 1077 (kind of based on the Ruger 1022), a CO2-powered pellet rifle that holds 12 pellets in circular "clips", actually also making the gun a revolver in how it operates.
None of these is suitable for small game, in my opinion, but I figured I'd toss out the CO2 repeaters for plain backyard fun anyway. For true giggle factor, though, I have my Umarex MP40, a realistic replica of the 9mm Luger German submachine gun that, like the original, is full-auto capable.
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https://www.daisy.com/product/daisy-powerline-880-multi-pump-pneumatic/ think I'm going to grab one of these - pretty basic, says shoots pellets or bb, at that price point, cheaper to just get one and try it than to spend too much time shopping.
stonebuster
Member
I don't know about NH but Connecticut considers air guns " dangerous weapons" not firearms but they're subject to some of the same regulations. For example, they've got to be transported the same way as a firearm and the 500 ft from road or dwelling rule applies. The days we kids carried our BB guns down the street are gone in my neck of the woods.
That's a good choice for a basic, fun rifle. It's nice having the option of using either pellets or BBs, but BBs will ricochet more.
Also look at the Crosman 760.
https://www.amazon.com/Crosman-Pumpmaster-Variable-Pump-Rifle/dp/B00GA937U0
I did try to find NH info on it. In NH there is only the state law applying to firearms, so no local county or town laws change the state laws, so - although, they are written kind of convoluted and even lawyers can not figure them out, and if you ask any 2 people they think the law is 2 different things - I didn't find any reference yet to pellet or BB guns. Local laws may govern their use, but I haven't found anything on them yet, other than Federally, they are not considered firearms.
Discharge Restrictions/Compact Areas (RSA 207: 3-a & 644:13)
It dies mention .22 or larger air rifles with the same hunting restrictions as bows and firearms, and for firing across roads and such same for air rifles as firearms. It does not mention BB or .177 pellets having the same restrictions for distance around houses, so - seems to me that if you are reasonable, one should not have any issues in NH with a BB gun in their back yard, as far as doing so legally goes.
It dies mention .22 or larger air rifles with the same hunting restrictions as bows and firearms, and for firing across roads and such same for air rifles as firearms. It does not mention BB or .177 pellets having the same restrictions for distance around houses, so - seems to me that if you are reasonable, one should not have any issues in NH with a BB gun in their back yard, as far as doing so legally goes.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
These are 177 pellets at 25 feet from my beeman k2, shot a "borrowed" street sign.
Perfect mushroom.
Perfect mushroom.
That is my next concern, containment. I have about 200 yards through the woods to the nearest house, up a hill/incline, in a direction I'm thinking of getting set up. I may just lean a couple 4 by 8 3/8 pieces of plywood up for a backstop, but haven't worked it out yet in any detail. Have looked at some maps, but need to get out when it is warmer and do a little woods walk.
Stevie-Ray
Member
This is the one I bought last, not including the DPMS/Crosman full-auto SBR BB only, that I bought just for grins. The Fire is quite accurate at back yard distances, and the included scope a snap to set up. I got it for 79 bucks at Tractor Supply on a black Friday sale a couple years ago.
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Crosman_Fire_Nitro_Piston_Air_Rifle/3801
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Crosman_Fire_Nitro_Piston_Air_Rifle/3801
Daisy Powerline 880
Well, finally got around to scouting the property, found several places that seemed good. Best place is actually right next to the garage shooting from a slightly elevated spot. It is like a 50 foot shot slight downward angle, then the property inclines slightly from there - and goes back 1,200 feet before there are any houses. It is just far enough to make it interesting for shooting cans and such. I tested it and 3 pumps shoots flat enough to hit small bottles. I actually just put out a plastic orange juice bottle and a cardboard box to try it. Made holes through the cardboard, but no holes with several hits in the plastic containter, they just bounce off. I'll have to try it with aluminum cans lined up to see if it goes through them.
next to the garage is good, then I could just put out a chair and table to shoot from when guests or kids try it. I could double or triple the distance on that same line, but for now I'll contain it to the short distance and 3 pumps out of 10.
at 3 pumps, I think even if you shot someone in the leg at 50 feet it would just bounce off, maybe sting just a little, so - as long as the dog is in the house and people wear eye glasses, think I have basic safety covered.
Well, finally got around to scouting the property, found several places that seemed good. Best place is actually right next to the garage shooting from a slightly elevated spot. It is like a 50 foot shot slight downward angle, then the property inclines slightly from there - and goes back 1,200 feet before there are any houses. It is just far enough to make it interesting for shooting cans and such. I tested it and 3 pumps shoots flat enough to hit small bottles. I actually just put out a plastic orange juice bottle and a cardboard box to try it. Made holes through the cardboard, but no holes with several hits in the plastic containter, they just bounce off. I'll have to try it with aluminum cans lined up to see if it goes through them.
next to the garage is good, then I could just put out a chair and table to shoot from when guests or kids try it. I could double or triple the distance on that same line, but for now I'll contain it to the short distance and 3 pumps out of 10.
at 3 pumps, I think even if you shot someone in the leg at 50 feet it would just bounce off, maybe sting just a little, so - as long as the dog is in the house and people wear eye glasses, think I have basic safety covered.
glove
Member
If you like pistols the Crosman .1377, .177 cal. air pistol is a nice choice. they also make a .22 cal.
whughett
Member
I purchased a Crossman American Classic 1377 at the beginning of this COVID-19 madness. Warning this pistol is so upgradable it becomes addictive. Everything in Lock Stock and Barrel is available including caliber switch. . I’m up to a carbine now waiting on shipment of a rifle barrel in 16”.
You made a good choice, the ability to vary the power is something that is lost on every person that jumps in with RWS34 right off the bat.
The 880 is basically unchanged for the past 40 years, metal has been replaced with plastic in places, but still the same basic air gun. The Crosman 2100 is basically a 766 from years gone by as well. You will find the old multi pump sheridan guns under the Crosman corp banner now as well. The 397 and 392 are generally thought of as the top of the food chain in an MSP....I doubt many people will disagree with that.
The one thing I would suggest is the BB side of things....most of these guns have petty soft barrels, and steel BB's for the most part are not the best thing to go bouncing down a barrel, you will find a once accurate gun just starts to go south after a bit. I understand your feelings to lead, but just go in knowing the gun will start to open up if you shoot just BB's in it.....unless it is a smooth bore.
If you are really worried about pellets snag a 22 rimfire bullet trap, that will hold you lead, keep it out of your yard and you still get the pluses of shooting pellets.....then we can talk about how all pellets are not the same.
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