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 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
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:
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.
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.
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!
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
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 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.
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.
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
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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