Pellet rifle suggestion for squirrel control

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Folks, the squirrel gun issue was settled waaaaaay back!
Despite some of the suggestions, I was trying to keep the cost down, so no pneumatics.

Now methinks I should have just adopted a cat (no, I'm not a "cat" person).

Someone either dropped off or moved out of the neighborhood and left a cat - the gal next door has an indoor cat, and has a habit of leaving food on her patio for stray cats.

Unfortunately, I had pity on the darn thing and let it in on one of those recent 15 degree nights, and now it's mine!

Initially a cheap squirrel repellent, but the 2 vet bills were more than my 2 pellet rifles!

Non-cat persons usually just haven't been exposed to the right cat. Same goes for non-dog persons. They are all unique personalities, as you have discovered.

As for an effective pellet solution, I like the Crosman 2260 rifle, which out of the box will usually out-shoot a tricked up 2240 or a custom 1377 or 1322.

 

[TallahaseeRambo]

You're better off with a .177 calibre pistol. If you go for a .22 the pellet won't go as far as it is heavier.

 

[a_canadian]

You're better off with a .177 calibre pistol. If you go for a .22 the pellet won't go as far as it is heavier.

If a .177" and a .22" pellet are travelling at the same velocity and have the same ballistic coefficient, they will follow identical trajectories. Now if you're saying a faster .177" pellet will go further than a slower .22", no problem, no argument from me... nor from basic Newtonian physics. But given a .177" and a .22" pellet pistol with identical muzzle velocities, I'll take the higher energy (greater retained momentum, therefore greater force on impact) .22" every time.

 

[22250Rem]

Did some research before buying my first-ever air rifle, ( the .22 cal. Benjamin Trail) and that's pretty much what I learned and what was recommended for my planned usage. So I went with a .22 because of the higher energy of the .22 pellet which fit in with my plans of trying to squirrel hunt with an air rifle. My hunting pellet was a 14.3 gr. Crosman Piranha hollow point which chronographs at an average 832.6 fps from the Benjamin Trail. I'll let the ballistics gurus calculate the muzzle energy on that one. That's about all that could be figured isn't it?.... To calculate things like downrange velocity & energy would also require knowing the ballistic coefficient of that pellet and I have no idea what that might be.

 

[a_canadian]

This page - http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Calcs.html - has a simple calculator where you can input pellet weight and velocity, hit the Calculate Energy button, and it spits out your muzzle energy. In your case about 22fpe. For downrange energy just input all your airgun variables (MV, pellet type and weight, etc) into a Chairgun Pro (free software from Hawke Optics - and you'll need Java installed on a PC to run it, or just use the smartphone version) profile and make sure the option for percentage of MV downrange is toggled. That option is in the Embellishments menu, called '% retained energy.'
http://www.hawkeoptics.com/chairgun.html
A complicated bit of software, but well worth getting to know.

It can be surprising to see the differences between pellets in rate of power loss over distance. Especially comparing to .22lr. A standard velocity CCI leaving a muzzle at 1050fps will still have more than 70% of its initial energy at 100 metres. By comparison, a .22" JSB Exact Heavy 18.1gr pellet, leaving the muzzle of my QB78D at 690fps, will have less than 50% of muzzle energy. Diabolo pellets aren't nearly as efficient as slugs over longer ranges. But up close they hold energy fairly well, this particular example having 80% energy at 30 metres, or about 15fpe, still plenty on grey squirrels.

 

[John Joseph]

Sheridan Blue Streak .20 cal. A squirrel's worse nightmare.

 

[22250Rem]

a_canadian; Thanks for the link to the simple calculator ( pellet weight / velocity ) for muzzle energy. I wasn't aware of anything that easy and that available. Other than a computer and a chronograph I'm not much of a techno-geek ( don't even have a smartphone) as far as the other stuff goes so I'd probably get lost attempting it. There's a ballistics program I installed on this computer but it doesn't cover air gun stuff. Wouldn't they need to know the ballistic coefficient of a pellet to calculate the downrange energy? Never saw a listed B.C. for any air gun pellets but the folks who make them probably know. Other than knowing the muzzle velocity for my hunting pellets all I really know is that my proven maximum lethal range for squirrels is about 30 yards, although I've had pellets penetrate into soft wood ( at 40 yds. ) enough to require a knife tip to pry them out.

 

[a_canadian]

Yes, BC would be essential for any calculation of downrange energy. Chairgun Pro has a fairly comprehensive database includes of most commercial pellets in most calibers, with each pepper's BC included along with weight.

 

[22250Rem]

Thanks again for the info but I think I'll just continue the old way, by shooting different things at a known distance and then evaluating the results and analyzing the trajectory vs. the distance. Because IIRC I don't have JAVA on this computer and I still use a flip phone. At least I can measure my muzzle velocity with my chronograph and get muzzle energy from that on-line calculator and I know to be no more than 30 yards away ( preferably 25) , before I even point that thing at a squirrel. I'll save the more extensive ballistic research for my centerfire rifle stuff.

 

[SharpDog]

I used to trap them with peanut butter. Spread peanut butter on the trap trigger and you will get them every time. Use Havahart to avoid wounding cats and small dogs. You'll get 1 squirrel per trap per set (once or twice a day for example).

 

[22250Rem]

A little off topic for this thread but a Havahart baited with peanut butter on a saltine cracker is what the wife and I sometimes use on the squirrels who come out of the woods next to us to raid the bird feeder because she doesn't want me using the .22 Benjamin Trail on them. Then they get taken to their new home about a mile and a half down the road in another big woods. Seems they can't resist peanut butter.

 

[a_canadian]

I used to use peanut butter and a Hav-A-Hart. Such silly name for the product, and made somewhat ironic by two of my neighbours, each of whom used to so trap squirrels. Then one would stab them with a kitchen knife, the other would drown them in a garbage bucket. Not a lot of 'heart' in play there considering how merciful is a well placed pellet by comparison. But back in the 90's I used to trap our invasive Greys in such a cage, then bungie it to the back of my bike and ride over to the place of their initial release in the 1920's - Stanley Park. I did this a number of times and thought that while much of the damage was still happening to my garden and bonsai collection, I was at least making a dent.

Then one day Officer Friendly flagged me down mid-squirrel-transplant and advised me that while he was not going to fine me on that day, if he did catch me again engaged in this highly illegal activity he would render a significant fine of $250. I was flabberghasted. Never heard of such a thing. But indeed upon researching it in the public library I found he was in fact correct; it is specifically against the law to relocate wild animals in my region.

So why the booming business in selling live traps, one asks? Capitalism, I guess. People buy them, so someone has to sell them. And maybe my neighbours with their cruel ways were correct in their interpretation of what comes after the trapping. But I'd prefer a clean, quick death myself, and don't wish to inflict anything uglier on these rodents, no matter how ill tempered I become in the face of their depredations upon my hard work in the garden, the way they'll take a nibble or two out of each and every tomato for example, or a couple of nice fat bites out of each squash. No, it doesn't matter how mad I get, I don't want to make another thinking creature suffer. And I do believe them to be thinking creatures. They're clever as heck. They learn fast. In the four years since I decided an airgun really was the best answer, the herd has slimmed. So far I've seen just two in 2018, which according to my records is between 4 and 7 fewer than I've shot in previous years by this date. They're learning to stay away from my block, which is all I really wanted anyway.

 

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, a_ canadian,
Congratulations on having a heart yourself. You do have yourself a couple of budding psychos with your 'neighbors' there. If you have any pets that you love, keep em' close.
regards all,

 

[a_canadian]

Well to be fair, the one who was trapping and drowning the squirrels was elderly and didn't know what else to do, hadn't the resources to figure anything else out and certainly wasn't equipped to shoot at anything. He regretted having to resort to drowning, but couldn't think of anything else. He was relieved when I started managing the squirrels so he wouldn't have to do that. We've since lost this neighbour to cancer, a great loss to the community in a number of ways and missed by many.

The other guy... yeah, he's a piece of work. I didn't find out what he was doing with the squirrels until just before he moved to a different region about a decade back. He sort of boasted about it during a farewell dinner. He's seriously creepy, and apparently his wife eventually figured that out and dumped him. Now he's basically unemployable (actually hasn't had a job since he was our neighbour) and blaming everyone else for it. If he were a little less focused on whining and a little more on physicality I'd be more concerned... but he'd fail to get a firearms license if he applied for one, just too crazy, and without anything more concrete all we're left with is hoping he doesn't decide to blow up something he suspects of keeping him down. The guy's in his 50's and smart, just bent, and we're glad not to have him as a neighbour any more.

 

[Reloadron]

Then one day Officer Friendly flagged me down mid-squirrel-transplant and advised me that while he was not going to fine me on that day, if he did catch me again engaged in this highly illegal activity he would render a significant fine of $250. I was flabberghasted. Never heard of such a thing. But indeed upon researching it in the public library I found he was in fact correct; it is specifically against the law to relocate wild animals in my region.

Oh yeah, been there and done that. My kids were up for a summer visit and we had a ground hog digging up the yard. I borrowed a neighbors trap. The kids were maybe 10 and 8 years old, they even named the ground hog. One morning they were all excited as we caught (insert name). So I load the kids and ground hog into the truck and off we went to Shadow Lake in our Cleveland Metro Parks where we happily released (insert name).
I had several park rangers who would visit my gun shop and in addition to .22 ammunition I would give them ammo pouches and ammo containers. One day I related the story of (insert name) ground hog. The ranger was really cool about it but informed me, if I were caught, I faced a stiff fine. Live and learn, on the bright side I had no reason to believe our ground hog was rabbit or diseased but when thinking about it I could see their point.

Guessing this was around 1990 / 1992 or so.

Ron

 

[stonebuster]

Oh yeah, been there and done that. My kids were up for a summer visit and we had a ground hog digging up the yard. I borrowed a neighbors trap. The kids were maybe 10 and 8 years old, they even named the ground hog. One morning they were all excited as we caught (insert name). So I load the kids and ground hog into the truck and off we went to Shadow Lake in our Cleveland Metro Parks where we happily released (insert name).
I had several park rangers who would visit my gun shop and in addition to .22 ammunition I would give them ammo pouches and ammo containers. One day I related the story of (insert name) ground hog. The ranger was really cool about it but informed me, if I were caught, I faced a stiff fine. Live and learn, on the bright side I had no reason to believe our ground hog was rabbit or diseased but when thinking about it I could see their point.

Guessing this was around 1990 / 1992 or so.

Ron

The same goes for transplanting fish from one body of water to another. Don't get caught or it may cost you $$. Sorry to the OP for contributing to the derailment of his thread.

 

[Kaybee]

As a kid I injured and lost a couple squirrels with my daisy power line 880 in .177. At the time I felt pretty dang bad about it. Even though they are pests I'm not looking to torture them. That gun did a good job on birds though.

I think if I used an air rifle for squirrels I would use something designed for that. Maybe a gun with a little more power and .22 pellets. If .177 I would use a break barrel even though the OP said he felt they were too much, and definitely a scope.

 

[stonebuster]

As a kid I injured and lost a couple squirrels with my daisy power line 880 in .177. At the time I felt pretty dang bad about it. Even though they are pests I'm not looking to torture them. That gun did a good job on birds though.

I think if I used an air rifle for squirrels I would use something designed for that. Maybe a gun with a little more power and .22 pellets. If .177 I would use a break barrel even though the OP said he felt they were too much, and definitely a scope.

You should have killed him when you had the chance He's back and looking for you.

 

[d2wing]

I use a tuned QB 78 from Green Dragon in Britt Iowa. It is a CO2 .22 at 600 fps. Very accurate and quiet. I think he has switched brands though.

 

[davevabch]

I have a RWS mod 34 Diana and it is a shooter. I take out pine squirrels at the tops of white pins without any problems. The gun is balanced and easy to cock and hits hard. You can spend more on a higher powered rifle but no need. Remember pellet rifle recoil is forward not back, so you need a scope that's designed to handle it, and once zeroed your tree rat issue will be gone. 177 is all that's neede but if you want a larger round go with the 22, just a bit slower in speed.

I have been a Air Rifle enthusiast for years. I own quite a few of really nice German/English Air Rifles, all custom tuned. I also own a number of Co2's. I am a "Springer" shooter. Love them, understand them. I have shot squirrels over the years, although I hate it. (and ever since a Youth have been a avid hunter). But just killing these creature's that I love to watch and become attached to with their playful antics, etc. Yes, there comes a time when they over populate and you Have to thin then out.

First all You have to understand that they are tough. Chances of wounding one is very high. And then besides the sickening feeling you get, they will often run into the neighbors yard and you can end up with a whole lot of problems with the Police. You need to check your city/county ordances if you have close neighbors that might hate gun owners or some Pita type. I have seen almost every kind of rifle on this forum. I really disagree with many of the posters. And I WOULD NEVER ATTEMPT TO KILL ONE WITH A BB GUN. The 2240 co2 is one of the most modified guns out there. I have one, with a nice TKO shroud, that is totally a complete silencer. However I only use for "Rat's. Just does not have enough power to kill squirrels all the time. And mine has a Walther Lothar barrel and extremely accurate.

If you are out to just kill squirrels then I would suggest to buy a trap and just relocate them. However, why not get into the sport of Shooting Air Rifles. This is a forum devoted to shooting. I could go one posting pages about air guns, but one thing caught my attention. The Post by Predator55. One of the best air rifles to get started with shooting is the Diana Mdl 34. A gun that is well known to air Gunners and the first air quality air rifle that bought after so many cheap Walmart and Crosman rifles. German Made, great barrels, (a Whole Forum dedicated to just this one rifle), And cost for this quality is on the very low side compared to some I have. My last purchase was a Walther LCV which runs around $600-$750. The Diana around $250.

To answer the OP's post. He does not want to use a scope. The Diana was actually designed to NOT USE one. Many newbies will complain about the notorious "Droop" that is unique to them. However that design actually makes the the Diana one of the best air Rifles to use without a scope. And fun to shoot. Start off with a nice rifle and this will become a fantastic hobby. Springers are to me so much more fun than C02. They have LIFE, recoil, a one shot one kill gun. Yes they require training, they have a reverse muzzle flip. But once you train with them, they can be deadly accurate.
The Best most humane way to take out a squirrel with a Pellet rifle is one that shoot around 650 to 800 FPS with the right Pellet. And Head shots are always the best. Want a insanely accurate air rifle. Get the Walther LGV like I mentioned about. About as smooth as any custom tuned gun I have shot and they shoot this way right out of the Box. Mild shooting, great trigger, and mine is mounted with a very lightweigh ClearRidge scope. Or start off with the wonderful Diana Mdl 34 with the open sights. (Scope can be mounted later with a special mount to compensate for the droop of the rifle).

Note, when buying a air rifle, do not get caught up in high advertised rifles that say on the Box at Walmart as 1000 fps. A pellet is much more effective and accurate at a FPS of around 650 for 22. cal and 750 for 177. My Walther shoots around 650 for 22.cal and my Custom Tuned Diana 177. around 750.