Favorite Air Rifle for Pest Control

[BulletBob3701]

My favorite air rifle is a FWB 124 in 177 calibre. Unfortunately it hasn't been made in 35 -40 years. The second is a FWB 300 match rifle also 177 calibre. Both are very accurate - the 300 is a controlled (recoils) recoil rifle. I also have a RWS (Diana) model 54 recoiless rifle in 177 which is also an excellent air rifle.

To correct a misconception - the artillery hold is to lay the forearm of the spring gun on your open hand or some soft object like a sand bag. Do not hold the forearm, just support it. Allow the gun to recoil naturally.This method is named for the recoil of artillery pieces. Tune to the History channel and watch field pieces jump up on recoil. Spring powered air guns have a fore and aft recoil due to the heavy piston moving forward and the recoil from the discharge of air and projectile.(which is why scopes must have optics braced both ways and be built for spring pellet guns). Any attempt to controll this dual direction recoil hurts accuracy. Try the artillery hold on your spring air rifle and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the increased accuracy.

Bob

 

[gravelyctry]

I'll cast my vote for a Benjamin marauder. Check the ratings out at pyramid air. The gun is just fantastic. Accurate, very powerful, and also has a ten shot magazine so you can make multiple shots quicker. Also, since it's a PCP gun, it's easier to shoot well vs a springer type gun. Neil

 

[bobcat93]

Can't go wrong with a TX..

 

[RCE1]

Kalibrgun Cricket

 

[jxb]

I so wish I could use an air rifle on pests, but my neighbors would likely take offense when I poked fun at them.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I've still got my first 'real' air rifle to this day; a Benjiman M317 .177 caliber pumper. Over the decades it's accounted for countless starlings and other pest birds, been back to the factory for a complete re-finish/rebuild, and still gets some backyard use. It's fun having my boyhood rifle to fondle and ponder fond memories over the 60+ years of ownership.

BUT, my real critter-gitter since 1980 has been my Beeman R10 .20 cal Magnum springer that has taken more small game than any other rifle in the safe, especially pigeons. Any pest ground squirrel that burrows under the garden shed and pack rats under the bird feeder are toast, as this one shoots one-hole at 10 meters with Beeman Silver Bear HP's.



I'd go nuts if I couldn't shoot something at home!

 

[Kittitas George]

I don't know the brand names, but the air guns used on YouTube to shoot iguanas, in Florida, sure seem accurate. I'm also sure they are quite spendy. I have an older Benjamin with a peep site that is quite accurate, I got a chipmunk size ground squirrel at 60 yards after many, many rounds. I also killed a possum with it, a very long shot, about 3 feet. He fell over, but I thought he was 'playing possum' so I shot him again at the same distance.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Can't go wrong with a TX..
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Starlings were swarming the bird feeders today. I could not load the TX fast enough. Had to go to the gun room for more ammo.

 

[bobcat93]

I bet you were yelling like in the movie saving private Ryan ..Ammo!..damn it! I need ammo over here!...hahaha....let-em have it...