Squirrel rifle supreme

[ozark]

Like the majority I squirrel hunted with a .22 Cal. rifle. Early in life I used open sights but begin using scopes probably in the late 50s. No complaints but recently I have been using a Gamo 177 Pellet rifle to dispatch pest squirrel at feeders and around the home place here in town. It does a super job and doesn't make much noise and is as accurate as a .22 at short range. It is a startling nightmare also. My house has a wheel chair ramp all around it and since it is built on a slope the high side is about 12 feet off the ground. The place is surrounded by large and small trees that is home to many animals. I have live trapped Raccoon, Opossum, skunk and stray cats. So, I have a hunting area right at home. No complaints from neighbors or officials. But my point is that the air guns being sold today are not toys. They are genuine hunting or target rifles. Cheap ammo and fun to use. Mine is advertised to shoot 1000 fps with one type of pellet and 1250 with another. I have tested it and it will bury a pellet completely in a seasoned oak board. Mine is scoped and very accurate.

[tar12]

Ben,

You do indeed have a nice sniping vantage point from that ramp!
I had those very thoughts when we were down visiting and I saw the squirrels running around!"Q" has a Beeman and Gamo air rifle. The velocities of these modern air rifles approach that and sometimes surpasses that of a .22 short.Serious pest medicine for sure.

[pposey]

I have a Beeman R1 I've had for 25+ years,,, they are a good investment, great training gun and I've killed everything from a small dog down with it,,, he was a mean little snot,,,,

[orion]

I have to agree modern air rifles are pretty darn effective. I to have an old Beeman R1 in .20 cal. It is about 15 years or so old. It kills stuff. Sometimes I swear it is better than some .22 rim. It depends on how you hit stuff and what you shoot out of it. The hollow point pellets are devastating on rabbits, squirls, pest birds. It is more accurate than me, and keeps on ticking.

I had a Sheridan pump as a youth and got hooked on it. Those hard pellets they used to sell for those things really did a number on just about everything you shot with them. They would nearly aways shoot through stuff including small game, even stuff we were not supposed to shoot got perferated. I finally wore it out as we always over pumped those things as kids trying to get them to shoot harder.

One of these days I would like to get a good quality spring gun in .25 cal.

[chuck41]

I had a guy shoot and kill my golden retriever with one of those airguns using a bb. They are definitely not toys!

[orion]

Well, if someone shot my retriever, I would have a hard time not returning the favor. Hopefully who ever did it payed the price. and obviously you showed restraint.

[deadon]

Good thread Sorry about about your dog Chuck I have a gamo 177 cal, could someone recommend a cheap scope? Also I have never seen hollow point pellets. Who makes them and are they available in 177 cal? Thanks ;D

[ozark]

deadon, spring loaded pellet guns are scope destroyers. Some have claimed that a pellet gun will destroy a scope quicker than a High Powered rifle. I have a scope that is designed for a pellet rifle. I have the Tasco Brand but the front Objective lens rotate to compensate for paralax. Marked for various distances. Since the scope mounts directly to the barrel rather than the receiver a very good base must be used to prevent slipage. The scope mounting groves in the barrel are narrow and not very deep. Wish I could recommend a cheap scope for you but I can't do that and have a good feeling about the recommendation.

[orion]

Beeman Makes the hollow points I was refering to. I believe RWS also makes a version. You may have to buy them mail order unless your near a large retailer, like Cabelas, Gander Mt, Bass Pro, or other. I know Beeman made them in .177, .20, and .22.
They also make a bunch of other cool designs for different purposes.