Reply With QuoteOriginally Posted by Mouse
Do elaborate... Rats?
We have an annoying problem where I live with, let's just say they're pests.
I'd be looking for something that could take out said pests at a range of up to maybe 15/20m. I'd need something with a scope and virtually silent in operation (gas powered?).
I don't want to spend a fortune, but would like something half decent.
What might our resident experts suggest?
Do elaborate... Rats?
Oh I'd say that said pests were more around the size of a pigeon. Not that I'd be shooting at anything that actually was a pigeon - that'd be illegal.
Umarex AirMagnum 850. Brilliant full power CO2 powered Ar-rifle. No kickback so aids aim and very quiet too. Nice bolt action adds to the fun :0)
https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/reviews...r-rifle-review
Looks to be a possibleI see that it's advertised for around £350 which is excellent. The only drawback is having to buy cartridges, and something I charge up myself would be better?
I was thinking I'd go up to £500 if I had to.
I know that you are leaning towards a gas powered rifle , I’ve had several over the years both gas and springer but the only one I have kept is my Weihrauch HW95k as it does everything I ever needed it for , target and a bit of vermin control. No messing with cartridges or an air bottle , consistently accurate , has a silencer fitted and with a decent scope hard to beat for the price. Here’s one review I found
https://www.airgunmagazine.co.uk/fea...hrauch-hw-95k/
Regards
Russ
Weihrauch HW99s would do the job.
Good kit, full 12ft/lb power not really any need to spend more unless you want to.
Springers are fantastic but noisey in comparison to a pcp.
I have an AirArms s510 pcp in .177 which is unbelievably accurate up to 40 or so metres.
If you need something reasonably quiet then as much as I love my springers you won't beat a pcp for stealth and accuracy combined although you will need to pay more.
Don't scrimp on a cheap scope either buy a decent one and ensure you are used to the combo with plenty of practice until you can practically put pellet on pellet at the necessary range which is easily achievable at 20m.
If noise is not a problem then springer back in play but you will need far more practice with springer / scope combo to achieve the same accuracy as pcp.
Check out gunstar for local deals.
I have a .22 gunpower stealth. Not used any more as I stepped up to a multi shot FAC. Nice and powerful and accurate. Ridiculous number of shots per fill.
I've been favouring gas rifles because of the magazine option, which would be very handy. But, having had a look online, prices start to get very serious especially when you factor in the charging gear. So might indeed have to settle for a springer and work on my single shot accuracy!
I used to shoot Field target with one of the best numatic guns available that being a Steyr, but since I packed up, and like you the side of my house can get covered in Shite,by said pests. Now my go to gun is a Air Arms TX 200.For the money it’s one of the best and most accurate guns about. If you search a few air Rifle forums you can pick a nice one for £350
^^ That looks interesting. What's the general consensus on pellet - 22 or 177 ?
.22 for vermin from my experience , a bit more stopping power.
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A Gamo Phox at about £450 is some of the best value around.
A full power 10-shot magazine fed PCP Rifle that comes with a silencer, scope, gun slip and a stirrup pump to refill the 50-70 shot air reservoir for free.
Effectively BSA-made, it has pretty good reviews.
I do not have one, but am considering one myself.
Dave
Buy a second hand air arms s410 or a BSA ultra and a hills or fx pump. Job done and should come within budget.
Pellet size is absolutely irrelevant, if you hit the right part, it is going down. What is relevant is that 177 may be more prone to over penetration (coming out of the other side), but you do have a flatter shot curve meaning range finding isn't quite as important as 22.
Last edited by hafle; 29th June 2019 at 15:00.
These were the guns that the US SWAT teams used to take out street lights when they needed to go into darkened areas using infra red for stealth. I used one for field target when I won "Top Gun" against many folks with pre-charged guns costing several times more than my basic setup. 10 shots in a 25mm diameter circle at 25m was the usual goal.
https://www.airgunshooting.co.uk/exp...0-hc-1-4566409
Last edited by tixntox; 29th June 2019 at 15:06.
Hi
More of a powder-burner now but a very good friends experience with PCP (Theoben) was that lack of regular use let some sort of seals dry out and thereafter needed servicing/lubing..............expensive as was 70£-ish few years ago.
So, would suggest and 'old fashioned springer' should not have this problem as simpler engineered.
As for noise - probable that more vermin culled with a springer over the years than the more recent PCPs etc.......
L-K
I have the 1.77 as I like to go down the range to keep my hand in. Bit more stopping power with .22 if you get closer in .but 1.77 will do and it’s more versatile. A lot of satisfaction when you can be accurate with a springer, something I was noted for at my club. Trust me the TX is a great gun, read the reviews then judge
Popping the pests at 40yds good neck or heads shot is no problem, I have been known to be successful at the limit 55yds
Last edited by hilly10; 29th June 2019 at 15:13.
Some great suggestions here guys. Thank you
I think .22 is the way to go for my fairly close-range requirements. I need stopping power rather than distance and speed. The Gamo does indeed look excellent value, but then the TX200 does seem to be a superb bit of kit and I'm used to underlevers, albeit with a very old BSA model that is long since gone.
I've discovered that there's a specialist retailer not too far from me that stocks all of the main brands (and second-hand stuff too), so I'll pay them a visit. They're in the sticks, so might get to try some out if they have a range onsite.
Whatever you get I would recommend a full power 12ft/lb job just to make sure of a clean kill.
Got an old BSA Supersport .22 here.
Cheers,
Neil.
On thing with the TX is buy a nice condition one second hand and you are unlikely to lose any money on it come resale
PS if when looking you come across a Air Arms Pro Sport that’s looks a good deal bear in mind it’s noted as probably the best spring air rifle in the word
Last edited by hilly10; 29th June 2019 at 15:30.
Thanks hilly, duly noted
How 'loud' is the TX200 in your opinion. My old BSA used to 'twang' like anything! I must admit that I do like the 'phut' sound of a gas rifle, but I accept that a modern springer is not going to be the same.
No springer will be as silent as a PCP. It is mechanically impossible. It is not unusual to be able to go through a group of vermin using a PCP, when a springer (even with a moderator) will have scared them all away with the first shot.
It’s not as quite as a gas, nowhere near, but it’s not overly so if fact it’s like a dull thud. I am luckily as I am semi rural and the neighbours like the pest population kept down, why even my next door neighbour as a TXThanks hilly, duly noted
How 'loud' is the TX200 in your opinion. My old BSA used to 'twang' like anything! I must admit that I do like the 'phut' sound of a gas rifle, but I accept that a modern springer is not going to be the same.
if you fancy the quietness of PCP but dont want to be getting bottles /filling up etc the nova vista pneupump is supposed to be a decent gun
https://www.pellpax.co.uk/airguns/ai...scope-22/24086
i had a similar problem and just ended up getting a cheap smk 19 springer - tuned it myself and its pretty accurate if somewhat noisy (as all springers are)
I'll get a better idea when, hopefully, I've tried a few. Noise isn't a huge issue being in a fairly rural locale, and if a modern springer is quiet enough then that's probably what I'd go for, for ease of use. That's as long as I don't get swayed by the 'phut phut phut' of a gas with mag
I have a Weihrauch 97k .22 with under lever. Helps keep the sight on spec consistently. Not quiet but powerful and an awesome bit of kit. I reckon it's stop most stuff. I only shoot targets.
I tried a few PCP rifles and found it almost too easy. Satisfying nonetheless but I prefer the old school
If you buy a springer first you'll then end up buying a pcp as well, you're already yearning the pcp phut phut. Get one of each then best of both worlds!!
I have issues with squirrels. Would it be illegal to buy an air rifle for controlling those? They are grey squirrel, and there is a small woodland at the back of the garden. I've tried traps, and even electrocuting the bstards but they are too clever by half, they see me coming and stick their little middle fingers up at me and run off laughing.......
If you own the woodland or have permission from the landowner then it is perfectly legal to shoot grey squirels as they're an invasive pest. You don't need a justification as you would if using one of the general licenses for say, wood pigeon.
And in sub 12, the idea of knockdown power is meaningless. You are targeting brain or heart, dead is dead
Last edited by hafle; 29th June 2019 at 17:07.
It's not an airgun you need , it's one of these. You'll soon be rid of them.
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The TX200 is lovely, but yes, I've just been watching Weihrauch HW100 videos too
This could get out of hand as much as the watch hobby does!
HW100 excellent air rifle but heavy pcp, Air Arms 410/510 pcp same accuracy but much lighter and probably cheaper.
Very nice. With all of the great responses on this thread I'm spoilt for choice now. Air Arms is definitely looking favourite, but might go springer just to get started. Watched some vids of the TX200 and it's not too loud.
Oh dear, this is not going to end well for my bank account!
Great choice and good to get familiar and accurate with a first class springer first before you buy a pcp, practise your breathing
HW100 - All day!
Deadly accurate & great magazine system
I have an HW98 and a BSA ultra SE with a nice laminated stock. The 98 has had a tuning kit dropped in by our club gunsmith but compared to any pcp it sounds like a cannon. I bought a CP2 for back garden plinking - a co2 powered pistol with an additional longer barrel and stock. It’s very accurate over a short range and the silencer renders it incredibly quiet - as quiet as any pcp, and I shoot at a target club where most members have half a dozen air guns- there aren’t many modern rifles on the market not owned by one or other member, and the cp2 is rated as a very accurate, fun gun for its £200 price. Stick on a cheap scope and you’re away. If you just want it for close up pest control it’ll do the job, groups really well and makes about 9ft/lb. personally I’d go 177 for the flatter trajectory - and you’ll be amazed how quiet it is
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FGM-148 should fit the bill.
Fas est ab hoste doceri
Already tried one of those. Not really impressed tbh. Took a neighbour's house out no problem, but the alleged pigeon still got away
Unless you are a really accurate shooter, you will just wound and inflict unnecessary pain. You need to be able to hit a pound coin at the distance you shoot at, to guarantee turning the lights out with an air rifle. Shotguns are more useful for pigeons and squirrels, although I do know someone who can drop them with an air rifle pretty successfully. He is a very experienced shooter though.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
With a good PCP, a bipod, and a bit of practice, most people should be able to hit a garden pea at 40 yards without any trouble. An hw100 or s410 will be more than capable of this out of the box. If I was getting a pound coin size grouping then I wouldn't be hunting. In my mind that's an irresponsible lack of accuracy for a sub 12 pcp. That's the difference bwtween a pellet through the brain and an instant kill, and taking the jaw/beak off and resulting in a slow painful death. With a springer you just have to practice a hell of a lot more so that you achieve the same results. A 5p coin should be the maximum size of your grouping if you want to hunt with sub 12.as I've mentioned, with sub 12, knock down means nothing, accuracy is everything.
Last edited by hafle; 29th June 2019 at 21:39.
Yup, don't want things to suffer, but I've never fired so much as a water pistol let alone a firearm to kill.
I encourage all wildlife into my garden, and I'm proud to have a large variety, however I see squirrels in a different light, and they are the only species I'd gladly kill. I'd better start thinking about practicing my aim.
I believe a pound coin would be beyond a lot of people, having seen the results of many. The kind of field target accuracy you describe wouldn’t be achieved by most.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Practice practice practice, learn to control your breathing, learn to squeeze the trigger and if you're not sure of the shot don't take it, finally be sure that if you miss the shot there's nowhere for the stray pellet to go.
Last edited by number2; 29th June 2019 at 22:15.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Then they shouldn't be shooting live quarry. Pound coin grouping is not acceptable for humane hunting with sub 12. I am not talking field target or HFT accuracy, I am talking hunting accuracy. If you're not confident you'll hit where you're aiming, or within a few millimeters, then you shouldn't be pulling the trigger. The kill zone for sub 12 is tiny, it is nothing like that if a 50ftlb FAC rifle.
And number2 makes a very good point. Where does that pellet land. If the best you can manage is a pound coin group, then there is every chance that your pellet has just passed over the property boundary such as in the case of the woodland at the end of the garden. That's a firearms offence right there.
Last edited by hafle; 29th June 2019 at 22:20.
As the OP, I'll step back in and just say that I've taken everything on-board and am grateful for all of the comments. There's been enough info to point me in the right direction......and I'll be discussing much stuff with the nearby stockist. Take it as a given that I wouldn't be letting loose at anything without due care, regard to legalities - and ability (which I may or may not possess as yet, or ever). I actually dislike the killing of any wildlife tbh, but there's only so much c**p a person can take, if you catch my drift. We'll see, at least I'm now informed enough to take the next step and make a decision as to whether an air gun is the right route. Thanks all once again.
I bought an HW98 few months back made specifically to take a scope and with adjustable stock ou can fit it to your exact requirement
Supremely accurate
i have gone from ...springer hw97...to pcp hw100kt fx wildcat...several more 100kt ...several more pcp...to FAC browning ....anshutz...back to pcp...back to springer
now have AA tx200 hc in walnut...i have ended my route here ...lovely gun altho maybe a tad heavy, but worth a look
And while at it, learn how to zero a weapon correctly and how to make adjustments for height, wind etc.
My pound coin size grouping was a minimum before even considering firing at anything living.
You say hitting a pea sized target at 40 yards would be achievable by most. Having seen a lot of people shooting I don’t think that would be true. Most would have little idea to begin with.
Having a race car doesn’t make you a racing driver, the same applies.
Encouraging people who probably have never shot before to start considering buying air weapons to control vermin/pests thinking they are easy to become proficient with is just silly.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
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