Hunting Airgun Recommendation

[Tracker12]

Looking for a reasonably priced airgun capable of killing squirrels at 20 yards. Had to navigate all the choices.

 

[ohen cepel]

Do you want a PCP gun or one you will cock each round?

I would be looking at .22 cal I think.

 

[mpollan1]

Following and hijacking a bit. No PCP for me.

 

[Bountied]

This may not be reasonably priced ( They were $250 when I got mine) but I have had my model 48 since I was 15 and it still kills squirrels. The .22 may be a better option though. Mine is in .177 and sometimes will zip threw a squirrel if its not a vital shot like, lungs, head, spine. I killed a squirrel that had two holes in him on each side with the .177. I hate when those bastards get away and I know I hit them.

The Diana rifles are solid and very well made. The side lever over the break barrel helps with no droop that you can get on older break barrels. They can be scope breakers on cheaper scopes but Hawke makes a nice one that is designed for heavy springers. I plan to give this air rifle to my son when he is old enough.

Diana 48 for Sale | Pyramyd AIR

Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy: That's what you'll get with the Diana Model 48 Air Rifle. Learn more at PyramydAir.com.

www.pyramydair.com

 

[BigTinBoat]

Ref the Diana 48 - not sure you will want to carry around a 8.5lb gun (plus scope) for squirrel hunting.


Now a shameless plug - I've got a HW50 that is easily capable of killing squirrels to at least 40yds. Gun has a Macarri walnut stock, MAC1 moderator and a BSA scope.

Weihrauch HW50 .177

German Air rifle

www.mdshooters.com

 

[Bountied]

Ref the Diana 48 - not sure you will want to carry around a 8.5lb gun (plus scope) for squirrel hunting.


Now a shameless plug - I've got a HW50 that is easily capable of killing squirrels to at least 40yds. Gun has a Macarri walnut stock, MAC1 moderator and a BSA scope.

Weihrauch HW50 .177

German Air rifle

www.mdshooters.com

That's a nice rifle as well. There is a thread dedicated to the HW50.

The Gamo line is a nice introductory rifle but if you're gonna drop $150 might want to double that and get something better.

Swarm Bone Collector 10X GEN3i .22 Inertia Fed Pellet Air Rifle - Gamo

The GAMO Swarm Bone Collector rifle features 10X GEN3i Inertia Fed Technology and an IGT Mach 1 33mm cylinder power plant, 1,100 fps.

gamousa.com

Wildcat Whisper .177 caliber break barrel pellet rifle - GAMO

The GAMO WildCat Whisper .177 pellet rifle features the IGT (Inert Gas Technology) piston that allows higher velocity and less vibration.

gamousa.com

 

[mauser58]

I have a very nice collection of air rifles and have taken many squirrels and a few rabbits and rats with them. From my experience I found that squirrels are tougher than most realize. I would NEVER recommend body shots but head shots only. I also found that a good BB or 22 caliber do best at dispatching them. I found that sometimes the lighter grain 177 wont kill but stun and squirrels sometimes get away. There are way too many rifles out there to choose from.

 

[John from MD]

Looking for a reasonably priced airgun capable of killing squirrels at 20 yards. Had to navigate all the choices.

Just about any .22 air rifle will kill a squirrel at that distance. Gamo has some surprisingly accurate break barrels that are reasonably priced. I have one of these and for the last 4 or 5 years, it has been a great rifle. It is also next door quiet so it won't bother your neighbors. A plus is that it loves Crosman Premier pellets which are inexpensive and can be found anywhere.

The original scope was not great so I bought the one below and it works just fine for killing pests around the house.

Gamo Wildcat Whisper & Scope | Hunting Air Rifle | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on the Gamo Wildcat Whisper. Get a great price and expert advice at Pyramyd for your next outdoor adventure!

www.pyramydair.com

UTG 4x32 Hunter Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube, 3/8" Rings | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on UTG 4x32 Hunter Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube, 3/8" Rings at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!

www.pyramydair.com

 

[Tracker12]

Im really looking for a break gun. Accuracy is very important consideration.

 

[Vic]

I'd do at least .22 cal. I use my .25 on them to good effect. The Diana is a great weapon. There are many others too.
V

 

[firemn260]

I have a lot of air guns but my go to for squirrels and rats is the 22 cal Diana 34. It’s got a great trigger and isn’t to fussy about what pellets I use. As with most springers I’ve shot it takes a little getting used to as far as shooting it consistently but it’s got plenty of zip to knock out squirrels.

 

[John from MD]

I have a lot of air guns but my go to for squirrels and rats is the 22 cal Diana 34. It’s got a great trigger and isn’t to fussy about what pellets I use. As with most springers I’ve shot it takes a little getting used to as far as shooting it consistently but it’s got plenty of zip to knock out squirrels.

The Diana 34 is putting out over 900 FPS so I'm sure it is no problem with Squirrels and the like. For close in stuff, I have a Gamo Whisper Wildcat in .22 that is amazingly accurate for a cheap gun. I had to work the trigger a lot but it was worth it to have a nice light gun that shoots hard.

 

[cobra]

I have a nitro piston break barrel.under 200 bucks
have taken more rats and squirels at 20 yards then I can count.
22cal 2” or less at 23 yards.
I have taken out ground hogs at 20 yards if shot right behind the ear.
nice vermin rifle. Looking to move up to pcp but that is more of an investment compared to break barrels being a compressor is involved and another added expense

 

[John from MD]

I have a nitro piston break barrel.under 200 bucks
have taken more rats and squirels at 20 yards then I can count.
22cal 2” or less at 23 yards.
I have taken out ground hogs at 20 yards if shot right behind the ear.
nice vermin rifle. Looking to move up to pcp but that is more of an investment compared to break barrels being a compressor is involved and another added expense

You can always start out with a 3000 PSI PCP and a hand pump. Once you pump it up, you just recharge it when it gets down to 2000. I used a hand pump for about 4 years before I got a compressor and I was over 65 then.

 

[hobiecat590]

Im really looking for a break gun. Accuracy is very important consideration.

Just out of curiosity, what are you trying to optimize for? Air works, but are usually noisier than subsonic, quiet, or 22 short un-suppressed rifles in most cases.

 

[Tracker12]

I hunt areas where no rifles are permitted.

 

[willtill]

I have a scoped Stoeger X10 synthetic stock and I’ve chronographed it at an averaged 840 per second with .177 lead pellets. Once you understand a springer and how to use it (it took me a long time) it is deadly accurate.

It’s surprisingly heavy for what it is. But it will announce a pellet where it needs to go, when you need it to. 30 yards+ up towards a tree branch, no problem.

Internet pic of it below. I’m not sure if you can even buy these anymore from Stoeger. It’s a great air rifle.

 

[cobra]

Tracker check out my post on Gamo urban pcp rifle.
bit more of investment compared to break barrel but very accurate option.
charge up at home before hunt. 40-50 shots before recharge.
opposed to 40-50 times cocking an single shot break barrel.