Recommend a good squirrel/pigeon gun

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Frankd90

Frankd90

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I'm looking for a good air gun for squirrel/pigeon control. I have plenty of firearms but discharging them around here isn't as feasible (new neighbors). So I was hoping to take them out quietly?
 
Most springers are as loud - albeit sound different - than a 22lr. So, if quiet is the primary goal, PCP guns - much more expensive and involved - may be a better choice. A springer sounds a bit like a nail gun, and most folks will not know what it is if they hear it. Those that do know what the sound is may be less concerned than others. Many people will be along to tell you their favorite brand of air rifle. I suggest hitting the google and the Pyramid Air site for the many reviews available - including decibel ratings. A .177 springer with Beeman Kodiak Double Gold 10.19 grs pellets will do for all birds and squirrels (with a hit to the vitals) out to at least 25 yards. A 22 springer will increase the distance of lethality on squirrels.
 
I don't know how "quiet" you need to be, but with 8 or 9 pumps my Sheridan 20 caliber "Blue Streak" works real well on the danged ring-necked doves (which are about the same size as pigeons) we have around here. And last summer, I loaned it to a friend who lives in town and HAD a squirrel problem. After a couple of weeks, he brought it back and went and bought a Blue Streak of his own.:)
 
I own 10 Hatsan rifle's they all shoot well. H&N pellets work very well in them. You will get a lot of gun for your $$$ no matter what model you get. The .25 will take that coon even if you don't get a headshot. It will take pigeons and squirrels knocking them for a loop.
 
Got my first ever pellet rifle in the fall of 2015. Back then I was told; .22 for fur; .17 for feathers. Wound up with a Benjamin Trail ( Crosman) .22 cal that has kept me happy for what I do with it. Even squirrel hunted successfully with it which is legal in NY state and I just had to try it. I don't think it's all that loud, but noise wasn't one of my primary concerns. It's a break barrel with the Nitro Piston 2 system and I've chronographed various pellets from about 732 fps to 836 fps depending on weight but they all shoot good. There's a lot better stuff available but the price goes up accordingly. I feel the Benjamin Trail is a solid value in its price range. If the primary quarry is squirrels and pigeons 22 cal should work nicely, at least out to 20-25 yds. IME .
 
How far away are they and how much noise is allowable?

FWIW my suppressed .22’s make less noise than my moderated PCP air rifles.

A non moderated PCP can be louder that a .22 LR.

 
I just ordered a Diana Stormrider... Basically for the same reasons as the OP. Don't know if it's any good yet though!

PCP in .22. I'm hoping for 850 fps or so with a 14.3 grain pellet. Can get regulators too. The gun by itself is less than $200.
 
Pigeons. Wait till there all lined up sleeping on a wire and...
FLgi9aT.jpg

Works on squirrels too.
 
I own this bb gun it's fun to shoot but probably won't kill a pigeon unless you 20ft or closer. There's not enough fps or muzzle energy.

 
jmorris said:
How far away are they and how much noise is allowable?

FWIW my suppressed .22’s make less noise than my moderated PCP air rifles.

A non moderated PCP can be louder that a .22 LR.

Click to expand...

BUT in a crowded subdivision, the 22 PCP air rifle would be the better choice.......
 
What was the total cost including the other equipment needed for a PCP?
Mauser lover said:
I just ordered a Diana Stormrider... Basically for the same reasons as the OP. Don't know if it's any good yet though!

PCP in .22. I'm hoping for 850 fps or so with a 14.3 grain pellet. Can get regulators too. The gun by itself is less than $200.
Click to expand...
 
I own a Winchester 1100. Less than 200$ and a MV of 1100 FPS wit 117 pellets. I bought it to shoot brown fruit rats, but didn’t use it.
 
Mauser lover said:
Yes, but it's loud. I got a Stoeger shotgun for 3-gun, and it would work splendidly if that's what I wanted it for. However, that isn't what the OP asked for, so...

Really, pellet guns are fun too! They are far more expensive than firearms, at least when you try to judge some sort of parallel performance between them, but they aren't exclusive of each other.
Click to expand...

Excuse me, this is a break barrel pellet gun I m referring to. Caliber .17. I I did leave off the SS, it’s 1100SS.
Loud is a relative thing, I’m hard of hearing so perhaps I don’t notice it as much as others.
 
whughett said:
Excuse me, this is a break barrel pellet gun I m referring to. Caliber .17. I I did leave off the SS, it’s 1100SS.
Loud is a relative thing, I’m hard of hearing so perhaps I don’t notice it as much as others.
Click to expand...

AH! Sorry! I got that confused with a REMINGTON (duh) 1100 shotgun shooting 12 ga loads with 117 pellets per shell! My mistake!
 
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