Thread: Air Rifle for Pest Control

Morning all
Could anyone help me in which air rifle or fps should be needed for pest control. More for possums and rabbits in urban areas where a .22lr is probably not the best, shooting between 30m-50m if thats possible. Air rifle would be sorted with nightvision gear so wondering if 1200fps+ for a .22 would ruin the scope or not...
https://www.guncity.com/gamo-swarm-m...0-scope-373935
Sort of thinking something like this

they shoot fine, i would be going the 22cal version

Originally Posted by Reon Morrison

Morning all
Could anyone help me in which air rifle or fps should be needed for pest control. More for possums and rabbits in urban areas where a .22lr is probably not the best, shooting between 30m-50m if thats possible. Air rifle would be sorted with nightvision gear so wondering if 1200fps+ for a .22 would ruin the scope or not...
https://www.guncity.com/gamo-swarm-m...0-scope-373935
Sort of thinking something like this

I wouldn't buy that one for pest control going by the targets shot, every shot missed, obviously cant be adjusted or I am sure they would.

Any suggestions then? As long as it is accurate and can drop a rabbit at 30m or so, that's my checklist

the original ruger airhawk (the metal one )
i sold one scope and all for 350, it knocked over magpies with ease

Originally Posted by Reon Morrison

Any suggestions then? As long as it is accurate and can drop a rabbit at 30m or so, that's my checklist

A couple of guys that shoot my place for rabbits and possums use air guns with good results, I will ask what they use.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

A couple of guys that shoot my place for rabbits and possums use air guns with good results, I will ask what they use.

Cheers mate

Originally Posted by gonetropo

the original ruger airhawk (the metal one )
i sold one scope and all for 350, it knocked over magpies with ease

Will have a look, quick like the gamo though for its accuracy (maybe expect the one linked) and how effective it is over longer range

If you buy a "springer" air rifle you need to take the time to learn to shoot it. All other things being equal - If it takes X time to learn shoot a centrefire well, it takes at least 2X to shoot a 22 to the same standard, and probably 3or 4X to shoot a springer air-rifle - but at least its cheap!

Originally Posted by Reon Morrison

Morning all
Could anyone help me in which air rifle or fps should be needed for pest control. More for possums and rabbits in urban areas where a .22lr is probably not the best, shooting between 30m-50m if thats possible. Air rifle would be sorted with nightvision gear so wondering if 1200fps+ for a .22 would ruin the scope or not...
https://www.guncity.com/gamo-swarm-m...0-scope-373935
Sort of thinking something like this

What’s with the ‘metal jacketed steel barrel’ claim?

Originally Posted by Reon Morrison

Morning all
Could anyone help me in which air rifle or fps should be needed for pest control. More for possums and rabbits in urban areas where a .22lr is probably not the best, shooting between 30m-50m if thats possible. Air rifle would be sorted with nightvision gear so wondering if 1200fps+ for a .22 would ruin the scope or not...
https://www.guncity.com/gamo-swarm-m...0-scope-373935
Sort of thinking something like this

First thing you need to know is you're not likely to put NV gear on it, or any spring. Springers have a double recoil that require specific scopes, and most NV gear will say springer air rifles are no go.

I'd check out PCP options, there are a couple of guys here that do some amazing work with PCPs, and from what i've seen the pricing is not to far off that gamo bundle.

And those Gamos are heavy.

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

What’s with the ‘metal jacketed steel barrel’ claim?

I wouldn't know, maybe something to do with corrosion

Originally Posted by vulcannz

First thing you need to know is you're not likely to put NV gear on it, or any spring. Springers have a double recoil that require specific scopes, and most NV gear will say springer air rifles are no go.

I'd check out PCP options, there are a couple of guys here that do some amazing work with PCPs, and from what i've seen the pricing is not to far off that gamo bundle.

And those Gamos are heavy.

It says the gamo runs off a gas piston, is that the same as a springer. I've had a springer, and yes their useless with scopes.
I would go with a pcp option, but havn't been able to sort out my FAL with covid and the 12month waits...

its a gas ram, when you cock it it pulls back a piston and compresses the nitrogen. this acts as the spring. the advantage is it does now have the same whiplash effect as a steel spring.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

its a gas ram, when you cock it it pulls back a piston and compresses the nitrogen. this acts as the spring. the advantage is it does now have the same whiplash effect as a steel spring.

And there is no good way to combat this for night vision gear, like rings or something...