Air rifle for squirrels

[baranjhn]

For simplicity and your return to the airgun world since being a kid, I suggest getting a quality springer.

You mentioned staying under $300, but if you can stretch your budget a bit more, you can get into much better quality than your typical box store offerings. Look into getting a Weihrauch HW50s in .177 or a HW97 in .177 or .22 (stay away from the .20). They are German quality and will last a life time.

Also, you will need good glass. Spring piston rifles require scopes that can withstand their unique and harsh recoil. Look at Riton Optics or Element Optics.

They are available at Pyramid Air, Utah Airguns and Arizona Airguns. I suggest checking out Krale Scheitsport in the Netherlands for the best pricing though.

 

[AC3D]

I am a PCP guy myself have a couple FX guns and barrels love my shorty .22 impact set up for packing around. If I want to stretch it out I have .25 and .30cal 700mm barrel setups. unfortunately those guns aren’t really in your price range.

 

[Lucas45]

I will admit the only think I know about air rifles is I had a crossman as a kid. I scanned some of these post but didn’t find what I was looking for. I am looking for a air rifle to try this year for squirrels. What would be a good rifle? What are you guys using?

I use a glock replica co2 gun with copper bbs

 

[Landrunner33]

The PCP is a great option for small game now. Some of the higher end models are veryyyyy impressive. One is on my short list to get.

 

[Cameramonkey]

The PCP is a great option for small game now. Some of the higher end models are veryyyyy impressive expensive. One is on my short list to get.

FIFY.

Indeed. There are videos out there of .32 caliber PCPs being used to hunt hogs. And it drops them like a sack of taters.
I want one, but no more than I would use one, I just cant justify the cost. Between the $700 rifle and the $400+ compressor, it adds up QUICK.

 

[cg21]

Pcp gets my vote

 

[patience0830]

I use a glock replica co2 gun with copper bbs

You obviously have no idea how tough and wiley the average squirrel is. You just want him to think a fly bit him.

 

[Pepi]

I got an old 70s Sheridan 20 cal that will do them in

 

[Landrunner33]

@Cameramonkey maybe justify it by ammo being very cheap?

 

[Basher]

@Cameramonkey maybe justify it by ammo being very cheap?

That’s a good long-game strategy, but it’ll still take awhile. I got suckered into the airgun game by a member here earlier this year and stocked up on pellets while I could as well, which while MUCH cheaper than ammo was still not inexpensive. Compared to what I’d pay per shot for even rimfire ammo I’m still saving a lot, but you have to spread those costs out over time. The initial acquisition is still a kick in the gut!

 

[bwframe]

That’s a good long-game strategy, but it’ll still take awhile. I got suckered into the airgun game by a member here earlier this year and stocked up on pellets while I could as well, which while MUCH cheaper than ammo was still not inexpensive. Compared to what I’d pay per shot for even rimfire ammo I’m still saving a lot, but you have to spread those costs out over time. The initial acquisition is still a kick in the gut!

I bought my two Benjamin Marauders out of the INGO classifieds. I couldn't be happier. Both guns came with batches of pellets and one came with a hand pump, (which is all I use.) Both of these guns have racked up a lot of yard/garden pests.

There are deals to be found. Maybe even rattle some out with a WTB add of your own? Might well be a lot of PCPs out there just collecting dust?

 

[Basher]

I bought my two Benjamin Marauders out of the INGO classifieds. I couldn't be happier. Both guns came with batches of pellets and one came with a hand pump, (which is all I use.) Both of these guns have racked up a lot of yard/garden pests.

There are deals to be found. Maybe even rattle some out with a WTB add of your own? Might well be a lot of PCPs out there just collecting dust?

Oh, I have a Marauder. Got it from the same place you did, lol. And got a pretty good deal on it, too! But it was still a decent investment overall (as any good rifle is), though I’m sure it will pay for itself in time.

 

[bwframe]

Oh, I have a Marauder. Got it from the same place you did, lol. And got a pretty good deal on it, too! But it was still a decent investment overall (as any good rifle is), though I’m sure it will pay for itself in time.

I found out pretty quick that buying an M-Rod (or P-Rod) was the best way to get started into PCP's. They have been around long enough to have tons and tons of information and support across the net, along with strong OEM and aftermarket parts supply.

Kind of like buying a Glock, AR or Remington 700, you'll never be at a loss for accessories or parts or knowledge of operation.


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[Fullmag]

Just before the ammo drought bought a 22 cal springer. Bought the special scope, learned they need locktight on scope screws. The silencer makes using a normal scope sighting tool not an option.

 

[hotcupofbro]

The Crosman Shockwave is a good break barrel choice if thats your style.

 

[wildcatfan.62]

I've got a Crosman Nitro Piston .22 break action, and it has 2 woodchucks under it's belt this year. One at 40 yards the other at 25.

It would easily work on squirrels

I have the same one, it'll smoke them out to 40. I've cleared out the chipmunks from the backyard. I got mine at Pyramyd Air a few years ago. Took it on a bear hunt in Idaho and we knocked down about 50 chipmunks one day from the bait tent. Shots were 10 to about 45 yards. Heck've a day!

 

[tnboy17]

I will admit the only think I know about air rifles is I had a crossman as a kid. I scanned some of these post but didn’t find what I was looking for. I am looking for a air rifle to try this year for squirrels. What would be a good rifle? What are you guys using?

First gun of any type was a Crossman air rifle. I have great memories stalking prey on the farm!

 

[tnboy17]

I have the same one, it'll smoke them out to 40. I've cleared out the chipmunks from the backyard. I got mine at Pyramyd Air a few years ago. Took it on a bear hunt in Idaho and we knocked down about 50 chipmunks one day from the bait tent. Shots were 10 to about 45 yards. Heck've a day!

Dang...50 chipmunks in a day. That has got to be some kind of record! I am in the single digits lol

 

[kickbacked]

I’d like to get one of these new air rifles. I have a cheap pump action .177 that I take grackles with but is pretty weak. I’ve seen people hunt coons and even hogs on YouTube but I’ve not shot one of those style. Question though. I am not a fan of shooting a .22 rim fire in the air on my property. Would one of these new pcp pellet rifles be “safer” ie travel less distance? I’ve heard lots of recommendations for .25 caliber over .22 and.177. How would that do for coon hunting?

 

[danielosborn1994]

They are not cheap but i have heard nothing but good things about the fx maverick guns. Couple different cal sizes to choose from as well