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Recommendation? scoped pellet gun
- Thread starter kvaughn
- Start date
Hickory n steel
Gold Member
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Does it have to be .177 ?
For small game and pests I'd want at least .20 or .22
I don't know of any single stroke pneumatics that have the kind of power needed, but there are loads of break barrel springers out there.
I do not like them because I'm all in on vintage American pumpers, but I've had a few.
The big box store guns under $200 can be pretty accurate in my experience, included scopes are crap ( though I use aperture sights not scopes ) but serviceable if you can deal with the parallax issues at the closer backyard ranges.
A .177 will get the job done and a basic b19 based gun like the Crosman optimus is not too bad.
The triggers on these budget guns suck and they may not be particularly smooth, but they can keep inside 1/2" at backyard distances if you've got a good pellet that the gun likes and are proficient at using the artillery hold.
I would look into the Crosman / benjamin branded offerings, they have some .22 options.
everything they offer should shoot very well with the affordable 14.3gr Crosman premier Hollow point and Crosman Premier Dome pellets that are readily available at Walmart.
Just remember that it can take awhile to become a good shot with these, check all the action screws to make sure their nice and tight, and practice the artillery hold.
Generally you'll get the most accuracy by letting the guns spring recoil naturally the same way every time, if you try to really hold the gun tight you'll influence how it moves from the spring and throw the shots off.
For small game and pests I'd want at least .20 or .22
I don't know of any single stroke pneumatics that have the kind of power needed, but there are loads of break barrel springers out there.
I do not like them because I'm all in on vintage American pumpers, but I've had a few.
The big box store guns under $200 can be pretty accurate in my experience, included scopes are crap ( though I use aperture sights not scopes ) but serviceable if you can deal with the parallax issues at the closer backyard ranges.
A .177 will get the job done and a basic b19 based gun like the Crosman optimus is not too bad.
The triggers on these budget guns suck and they may not be particularly smooth, but they can keep inside 1/2" at backyard distances if you've got a good pellet that the gun likes and are proficient at using the artillery hold.
I would look into the Crosman / benjamin branded offerings, they have some .22 options.
everything they offer should shoot very well with the affordable 14.3gr Crosman premier Hollow point and Crosman Premier Dome pellets that are readily available at Walmart.
Just remember that it can take awhile to become a good shot with these, check all the action screws to make sure their nice and tight, and practice the artillery hold.
Generally you'll get the most accuracy by letting the guns spring recoil naturally the same way every time, if you try to really hold the gun tight you'll influence how it moves from the spring and throw the shots off.
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- 30,613
how far are ya shooting? you're gonna have to decide between a cheaper and less accurate multi pump or break barrel to get any real distance and power to kill a squirrel humanley.
I shoot citrus rats running on the fence top with a daisy 880 and crosman 760. kills them dead fast, but I'm only shooting maybe 50 feet. the cheap scopes are crap and I toss them and stick to the iron sites.
accuracy and distance with power and a quality scope might take more money than 200 bucks. well that isn't entirely true. gamo, and others have some break barrel options that are cheaper and okay.
I shoot citrus rats running on the fence top with a daisy 880 and crosman 760. kills them dead fast, but I'm only shooting maybe 50 feet. the cheap scopes are crap and I toss them and stick to the iron sites.
accuracy and distance with power and a quality scope might take more money than 200 bucks. well that isn't entirely true. gamo, and others have some break barrel options that are cheaper and okay.
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Look at Hatsan 95 Turkish made just remember like any gun sold with a scope, the scope will be low end I have one in 25 caliber and love it
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I've killed many squirrels with the Walmart Crossman and Ruger one pump .177.
Even a few racoon.
They work fine.
Even a few racoon.
They work fine.
bikerector
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Nov 16, 2016
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I also prefer .22 for getting critters just because they're supposed to carry better up to 50 yards, but I've not shot any of the higher power .177 either. Given your limitations, I think the .177 would be fine. The .177 is going to get the sound barrier crack so the sound will be a little noisier for the neighbors, if that matters. I find my .22 to be similar to a .22lr rimfire, if you're familiar with those. Not soundless, but quiet enough to not draw too much attention with one or two shots, especially with traffic noise in the background.
I have a ruger magnum something that I'm 90% sure is a rebranded umarex rifle. It was under the $200 price point when I picked it up. It shoots quite hard for a non-PCP air rifle and much harder than my air pistols in .177. I know that rifle was also available in .177 at the time. It comes with a scope that I assume is nearly throw-away quality. I never bother to mount it and just use the open sights, which are actually pretty decent with fiber optic and good adjustability.
And by "one pump" I assume you mean break barrel.
This is what I have, just for reference (discontinued but I'm sure there's something comparable still).
www.umarexusa.com
This looks like the closest thing comparable from Umarex at the moment, in .177. It's not magnum so the FPS is lower, even with .177, but I bet it's a lot easier to charge. Getting the rifle cocked on my magnum is a son of a gun, especially when it was new. Nothing fancy about this, just a decent rifle, IMO. I'm not sure if it will last forever or parts availability and all that. I just wanted something inexpensive that works okay and it meets that need. It's also cheap to shoot which was important when ammo disappeared during the COVID years, when I bought it. Air rifles are not firearms in MI, so that was also a big plus for getting an air rifle.
www.umarexusa.com
I have a ruger magnum something that I'm 90% sure is a rebranded umarex rifle. It was under the $200 price point when I picked it up. It shoots quite hard for a non-PCP air rifle and much harder than my air pistols in .177. I know that rifle was also available in .177 at the time. It comes with a scope that I assume is nearly throw-away quality. I never bother to mount it and just use the open sights, which are actually pretty decent with fiber optic and good adjustability.
And by "one pump" I assume you mean break barrel.
This is what I have, just for reference (discontinued but I'm sure there's something comparable still).
RUGER AIR MAGNUM .22 PELLET BREAK BARREL AIR RIFLE WITH SCOPE : UMAREX AIRGUNS
buy RUGER AIR MAGNUM .22 PELLET BREAK BARREL AIR RIFLE WITH SCOPE : UMAREX AIRGUNS online
This looks like the closest thing comparable from Umarex at the moment, in .177. It's not magnum so the FPS is lower, even with .177, but I bet it's a lot easier to charge. Getting the rifle cocked on my magnum is a son of a gun, especially when it was new. Nothing fancy about this, just a decent rifle, IMO. I'm not sure if it will last forever or parts availability and all that. I just wanted something inexpensive that works okay and it meets that need. It's also cheap to shoot which was important when ammo disappeared during the COVID years, when I bought it. Air rifles are not firearms in MI, so that was also a big plus for getting an air rifle.
Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle
buy Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle online
Hickory n steel
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One thing to keep in mind if you get a Springer ( on top of learning the hold ) is that most new guns will be very loud out of the box.
They always have excess lubricant that winds up in the compression chamber & bore which will detonate ( it's call dieseling) and give you that sonic crack.
At least this happens on the .177's anyways since they're usually rated at 1200fps and typically have an average velocity in the high 900's.
That detonation is just enough to get supersonic velocities.
If you don't want that, make sure you swab the barrel really well before shooting, the dieseling is bad for the piston inside anyways.
They always have excess lubricant that winds up in the compression chamber & bore which will detonate ( it's call dieseling) and give you that sonic crack.
At least this happens on the .177's anyways since they're usually rated at 1200fps and typically have an average velocity in the high 900's.
That detonation is just enough to get supersonic velocities.
If you don't want that, make sure you swab the barrel really well before shooting, the dieseling is bad for the piston inside anyways.
And another thing with springers- their recoil impulse is such that they can destroy some scopes designed for firearms. The easiest thing if you want a scope is to buy a gun that comes with a scope that is made for it.
DennisM
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I have this one and took a rabbit in our strawberry patch from 25 yards w/ no problem.
www.crosman.com
I couldn't find a decent Sheridan like I grew up with.
Benjamin Prowler Nitro Piston™
Nitro Piston Powered Break Barrel Air Rifle with 4x32 Scope
www.crosman.com
I couldn't find a decent Sheridan like I grew up with.
Hickory n steel
Gold Member
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One of the biggest mistakes you can make.
This '79 blue streak was handed down to me from my dad and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, I say they're the greatest air rifles ever made and nothing will convince me otherwise.
Tsujigiri
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As others have noted, you'll need a springer to have enough power for one pump. Springers have a harsh double recoil that destroys scopes if they aren't quality, so I think it's worth pointing out that you'll be making your life a lot easier if you can increase your budget. I'd say your best bet is to get an SWFA 10x42 fixed power on one of their yearly sales at around $200, or you can get a quality but inexpensive red dot for $20 or so (those are more resistant to shocks).
For the rifle, generally what's considered the least expensive really nice ones are the Diana 34 or Weihrauch HW95. These will last lifetimes and will make it much easier to actually hit anything.
I started with a Weihrauch HW95 but upgraded to an Air Arms TX200HC. These springer rifles can last tens of thousands of rounds and not blink an eye, so it's worth it to spend a little more on something if you're going to spend a lot of time with it. I figure after 20k rounds, my Air Arms with the 10x42 will have paid for itself in ammo savings over 22LR.
For the rifle, generally what's considered the least expensive really nice ones are the Diana 34 or Weihrauch HW95. These will last lifetimes and will make it much easier to actually hit anything.
I started with a Weihrauch HW95 but upgraded to an Air Arms TX200HC. These springer rifles can last tens of thousands of rounds and not blink an eye, so it's worth it to spend a little more on something if you're going to spend a lot of time with it. I figure after 20k rounds, my Air Arms with the 10x42 will have paid for itself in ammo savings over 22LR.
If you are looking at springers I remember that there is still a range of power available. At one time I was looking at .177 models and found some of the better ones that were 750fps and others that were more like 1000fps. There are some cheaper ones with lower power, depending on your budget and your needs.
You do need a sufficient scope or the gun will destroy it. This doesn't mean you have to buy a very expensive scope, you just have to buy one that is made for use on spring powered airguns. Some of the lower priced models are even available with a scope included.
You do need a sufficient scope or the gun will destroy it. This doesn't mean you have to buy a very expensive scope, you just have to buy one that is made for use on spring powered airguns. Some of the lower priced models are even available with a scope included.
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I have a Hatsan .177 and .22.
Heavy but accurate, and enough power to blow through plywood.
Heavy but accurate, and enough power to blow through plywood.