BB, Pellet, or Air Soft Guns - What ya got?

Not for self defense mind you!

I have a birthday coming up and my son asked me for gift ideas. I didn’t immediately have any, but as I thought about it, we have a healthy population of invasive lizards the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) encourages us to humanely obliterate at every opportunity.

I started looking at BB rifles yesterday. I was flabbergasted to see Daisy has models up to $1,000
Daisy Model 599 Competition Air Rifle Match, for competitors

I was initially thinking a classic Daisy Red Ryder, but thought it might be nice to have a multi-pump model so I can adjust power based on size and range of the “target”. Then I found out some models are smooth-bore and others are rifled. My first thought was I want the rifled barrel! Then as I dug further down the rabbit hole I found the rifling gets ruined by shooting BBs through it. The rifling is for pellet shooting and since I plan to shoot BBs, then I should get a smooth-bore. Based on that I have down-selected (subject to change) to the Model 35
Daisy Powerline Model 35 Multi-Pump Pneumatic - Daisy

Just as I thought I had a solid selection, Air Soft came to mind. Now I have a whole new rabbit hole to go down :rofl:

With (humane) elimination of an invasive species and protection of my neighbors cars and windows, any recommendations?

The target is 8 to 12 inches long and looks like this:


Not as often, but an encounter with a larger species, the iguana, is also possible …

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My go to pesting airgun is a Gamo bone collector bull whisper .117 cal rated at 1300 FPS with a light weight (5 grain) pellet.

I put a UTG 3-9x44mm scope on it, and found a domed 10.34 grain pellet that is sub MOA accurate out of my rifle, it fires right at sonic speeds (haven’t cronoed it, but it occasionally gives off a sonic crack, so? ) but it hits like a freight train over 100 yards with single shot lethality on prairie dogs and rabbits with proper shot placement


The thing about pesting is using something with enough power and accuracy to get the job done humanely, while not necessarily risking damaging the environment behind the target pest.

Take a look at https://www.pyramydair.com/

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Do NOT use an airsoft in any attempt at lethal pesting.

While they’re definitely fun to shoot and are great training tools for real firearms….

They’re also designed to be non lethal and will either not harm, or only injure and cause a slow death to a target pest.

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Another consideration is that “springer” airguns like my Gamo are exceptionally violent on scopes!

Do NOT put a standard rifle scope on a spring powered air rifle!!! It will be destroyed in less than 100 shots!

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I should mention I live in a community where the average lot size is ~1/4 acre. I expect the average shot to be ~15 feet and maybe 50 feet max.

Edit: I have a corner lot so there is often traffic driving up and down one side and significantly less traffic driving on the other side. There are houses close on all 4 sides. Therefore, I have to chose my shots carefully. I have talked with local LEO and fully expect someone to report me. Their advise is it is legal to shoot a BB gun on my property, but be advised LEO could be called out. I plan to put red tape on the end of the barrel to draw attention this is a BB gun.

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Yeah, I’m on just about 1/4 acre as well.

I have to choose my shots when pesting because local ordinances say that it’s legal to shoot my airgun as long as the projectile doesn’t cross property lines!

And even though it’s only 1/4 acre,… there’s still 30+ yard shots to be had!!

I’m not shooting mice off the soundbar in front of my tv at 10-15 feet I’m shooting rabbits in the garden at 10-20 YARDS!

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It was also interesting to find out Daisy, Gamo, and Crossman are all owned by the same company today, BRS Outdoor Sports Holdings LLC.

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Didn’t know that!

Tho, it it somehow doesn’t surprise me

Edit: I knew daisy and crossman were owned by the same company, didn’t know Gamo was as well

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I use a Gamo .22 with the stock optics, nice and quiet, gets the job done with one shot.

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Re reading your first post, I’d recommend something like the Weihrach HW-30 rated at 700FPS

Again a pellet rifle, smooth bore BB guns aren’t as accurate, and the steel BB will do more damage to any backstop than a soft lead pellet.

I shoot an 8.4 grain pellet out of mine with great mousing results,… never shot it at 100 yards so no clue MOA accuracy….

But I can nail a mouse inside my garage 3-10 yards with the iron sights without fail if the damned thing will sit still for a second!

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Wow that’s nice :+1:

Unfortunately a bit beyond my sons budget. You definitely have me thinking I should abandon the BB route and move over to the rifled barrel pellet side of life :thinking:

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Yeah, I have expensive taste in weaponry.

For as much $$$$ as I’ve wasted on air guns, I’ve learned you get what you pay for.

Buy something cheap, get :poop: results.

The only exception I’ve had so far has been Hawke scopes…. They get great praise, but suck a bag of donkey d1(k for the price IMHO.

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A few airsoft pistols. Electric and pressure. The low end ones are terrible. Definitely worth getting something decent. I love my 92 version!

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I taught my boys gun safety and how to handle a gun with an airsoft 1911.

Airsoft is an excellent training tool for sure!

My 1911 breaks down almost exactly the same!

Real gun


Airsoft

Real gun

Airsoft

Both guns broken down for cleaning….

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I bought a Browning 1911-22 with plans to shoot it with my grandson when he gets ready - he is only 2 years old right now.

Both of my boys started with 40 S&W :rofl: In hindsight I wish I would have thought to train my sons like you did.

The Browning has ironically become my main live fire training as I am having serious problems with my dominant hand this past year. I still train dry fire and carry 9mm, but do not practice live fire with them right now. I figure adrenalin will kick in and I’ll deal with the recoil if I have to.

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The nice thing about airsoft is it’s non lethal,… and the worst that can happen is a BB to the eye.

2 might be a bit young for the 4 rules…. But if they’re ingrained from young ages they’re never forgotten!

IMB_0mO36W

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At risk of sounding boorish, I have been wading into the pellet gun arena for a few years now, and it has become an absolute addiction.

More powerful than a BB gun, these pellet rifles have evolved since I was a kid. Now in my twilight years - having attended school when we only had 48 states - I’ve witnessed an evolution in the world of air rifles.

Some of these things spit lead pellets out at a velocity, equal to or surpassing commercial .22 LR ammunition. Using a combination of varying “newer” metals (such as aluminum, bi-metal, and alloy, combined with an assortment of configurations of tips, some of these combos send a .177 caliber pellet 200+ yards at up to 2400 FPS! And, these can be bought over-the-counter for as little as $100!

That’s plenty of power to stop rats, mice, squirrels, plus iguanas. These are not toys, but rather plinking devices for all ages.

Some use CO2 cartridges, some employ break barrel try, while others have progressed into some sorcery world called “pre-charged pneumatic” or PCP. PCP uses pumps and special rechargeable air cylinders, but are awfully expensive, although accurate.

Do some serious research to be overwhelmed, but not necessarily disappointed. Good luck.

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If pest control is anywhere in the menu pellets should win.

BBS have several disadvantages:

1- Smooth bore makes accuracy iffy at best. I have. Daisy Red Rider but I really only own it because it reminds me of my Ralphie like experience when I was young. Basically nostalgia. It is ok shooting at soft pop cans at 10 feet but NEVER shoot atom cans which leads me to number 2 disadvantage…

2- BBs ricochet like CRAZY!!! And if you live in close quarters be prepared to pay for a neighbor’s window or your own at some time in the near future.

Pellets are made of pure soft lead. When they hit any hard resistance (metal, rocks, walls etc.) they deform to the point of flattening completely at times.

Pellets are FAST!!! Speed kills :+1::+1::+1:
Pellets are accurate!!!

And for killing stuff you have options. For small game (lizards, moles) and cheap shooting .177 is devastating, especially at shorter distances.

For larger game and slightly longer distances (squirrels and rats) .22 is the recipe because the heavier weight carries momentum a little farther.

In either case get the most powerful (faster) rifle budget allows. Speed is king to the pellet experience unless you’re only paper punching at short distances, which is GREAT rifle shooting practice.

Last point. Do NOT mount a regular center fire scope on an airgun. Because if the way they recoil they will destroy the internals and your warranty will be void. Use a scope defined for airguns.

There are a lot of great rifle scope combos out there from companies like Gamo. The powerful ones sound almost as loud as a .22 and some of them have “silencers” built in. Good option to look at in an urban environment.

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I have a 37 year old Crosman 2100 that shoots up to 800fps. (10 pumps) It’s still amazingly accurate and I’ve never even oiled it or cleaned it.

BB guns don’t have to be expensive for kids to enjoy the hell out of 'em. (Still a kid at heart)

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A Crosman break barrel pellet rifle for about $250 will get you a very accurate, 1,400fps air rifle. It will easily dispose of those little rascals.

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