Pellet pistol for vermin control

[turtle]

I have a Diana 6 and 10 pistol and neither are very good for much other than punching holes in paper very accurately. That is what they are designed for so not surprising. They are way too under powered to use on anything living. Not humane at all. They are target air pistols and designed to be extremely accurate but not lethal

Also have a RWS model 38 in .177 and a RWS model 54 in .22 (pellet). I can tell you that my bolt action Mauser .22 with subsonic ammo is quieter than either of theses air guns. Both air guns have a very loud report as they are super sonic. Both of the air rifles are deadly out to about 75 yards (i.e. will drop a ground hog at that distance) but they make more noise than a subsonic 22 round fired from a standard rifle.

RWS model 38 .177 cal (pellet)




RWS model 54 .22 (pellet)

[turtle]

you do realize that squirrel hunting 'out of season' is a no, no? I still suggest a couple of out-door cats.

have-a-heart trap is better than cats.



We do have a neighborhood feral cat. We caught it in our yard about 4 years ago (have-a-heart trap). Took it to the humane society where they spayed it and returned it to us to release. It has kept all of the other feral cats away and helped reduce the rodent population. She is a great hunter and ranges the entire neighborhood

[Topgumby]

It does my heart good to see so much air gun geekery on display in this thread. Anyone who has secretly wondered if they needed a Beeman Pell-Size is OK in my book.

I recall a few years back in my first house having a casual buddy drop by while I was busting squirrels and starlings with an RWS Model 34. I had an ideal shooting platform from a second story window, and when I showed him the rifle, scope, binos, wind flags I'd put out in the yard and the sandbag rest to shoot from he was obviously amused. When I showed him my range card, where I'd divided the yard in sectors to calculate point of aim required, he was incredulous. After he potted his first starling, he was hooked.

One thing for the potential backyard safari gunner to consider is that even a CB cap launched from a single shot .22 counts as a firearm if the neighbors get spooked and summon John Law. When you try to explain to the ballistically uninformed and uninterested judge that it was only a lil' ol' CB cap that doesn't make any noise, he's liable to decide you're a nutcase with a silencer. If it's an air rifle, it is more apt to summon visions of Ralphie and his gen-you-wine Red Ryder with the compass in the stock. It would be best to check all laws in your area, of course.

The most recent addition to our household air arsenal was a Gamo Cadet for the boy (No, really, it was for the kid! Honest!). Despite it's being purchased as a basement paper puncher, it's already accounted for a rat and a couple starlings, even here in the heart of deepest, darkest, Pacific North West suburbia, surrounded by ever vigilant, militant vegan hoplophobes.

I may not see any kids wandering free and easy toting Daisy and Crossman shootin' irons any more, like they did around here when I was a steely eyed twelve year old clutching a pneumatic 760 with a real rifled barrel, but at least in one little postage stamp backyard, the spirit of Red Ryder and Little Beaver endure!

[njpaddy]

technically trapped critters in Ohio can not be transported and released. now if you happen to have a pond where you can submerse the trap you are good to go.

If you have a pool and no pond you can slide large garbage bags over each end of the trap and throw a chlorine tab in each bag. That gits-er-done.

[Vickers]

Turtle, I agree with you that a rifle is preferred over a pistol for pest control, but in my real-world experience, the Diana P5 has been flawless for close quarters (under 10 meters) small (under 2 pounds) varmint dispatching. Of the 6 or so vermin I've encountered, all dropped and didn't "dance" for more than a second or two. Of course, shot placement is key.

Phil, I was poking around yesterday and found what I believe is a low-cost alternative to Diana/RWS pistols in the Browning 800 Express. The specs appear to be identical, and the overall silhouette is similar.

[Toddy]

Reminder to everyone please be safe. - you should not be shooting pellets or rifle rounds up into the air - rounds can be lethal for several miles. Always make sure there is earth behind where you are aiming, or use a shotgun. Also in most countries it is an offence for any rounds or pellets to pass outside of your property onto your neighbours unless you have specific permission to do so. It is also an offence to shoot across or discharge a weapon within certain distances of a public highway or footpath etc.

Cage traps can be very effective for catching squirrels and non target species can be released unharmed. Fenn traps on the tops of walls work well too but be sure to follow regional regulations.

[Rivguy]

I am coming in late in the discussion but I have had some success in this area. My home is in an area where I am unable to use any type of firearm or air rifle though I have been tempted. We had an infestation of chipmunks and squirrels that had to be eliminated. We tried the have a heart traps but the numbers we just too high. So more drastic measures were called for in this case. Repellents of all sorts did no good at all and our plantings were being ruined as well as damage to a neighbors house.

I thought I would see if I could teach them how to swim. I took a five gallon pail and filled it about three quarters full of water, covered the top of the water with bird seed and laid a board up to the top of the pail with a bit of bird seen scattered along the way. Well I have to report that I was a complete failure in teaching any of them how to swim...but not bad at eliminating my problem. Apparently those that did not elect to take swimming lessons decided to move elsewhere for other recreational opportunities more suited to their liking.

Regards,

Doug


[Slash McCoy]

Squirrels out of season? In most places, killing a nuisance animal on your property that is causing property damage, whether to your house, landscaping, or crops, is legal and is not considered hunting. The use of firearms to protect your pecans in many municipalities might come under a whole different set of rules, and even pellet or bb guns in some cities. But since you live out in the county, I wouldn't be that concerned. Really, only your neighbors with adjoining property should be a concern if you shoot always with a good backstop. Just check with them. It helps if they have all suffered from the same varmints you want to get rid of.

I see some good arguments for the pellet rifles, but I have to go with the ,22s. Just make sure your gun will chamber CBs, even if you have to load them one at a time. The nice thing about a .22 is the versatility. You can use it for actual hunting, or take it to the "big boys" range to punch paper. At home, load up with CBs and get those squirrels or whatever else you are having problems with. A CB fired from a rifle has very little report but should take squirrels quite well at any reasonable range, such as you might have in your back yard. There is a CB Long cartridge, too, which can work in arms that will not chamber the tiny CB short. Fire one of these and you will be absolutely amazed at how quiet they are. They are as quiet as your air rifle, out of a long barrel. They aren't too very noisy out of a pistol.

The bullet in this cartridge is propelled by the primer alone, usually. Occasionally, a bullet might get stuck in the muzzle of a rifle so check your rifle often. It is unlikely that the round itself will damage your gun, but the ramming and jamming trying to clear it could scratch up your bore.

A plastic soda bottle makes a dandy suppressor for this round or the regular .22 short. Of course I am not advocating doing anything illegal, just pointing that out for academic purposes. But play a loud war movie and you can just shoot from inside your house, and nobody will notice unless they see squirrels falling all over the place. Like I said, be sure of your backstop. Keep it safe.

[yrusik]

Mix a bit of peanut butter with some Alka Seltzer and put it out where the squirrels can get at it.......

[turtle]

Squirrels out of season? In most places, killing a nuisance animal on your property that is causing property damage, whether to your house, landscaping, or crops, is legal and is not considered hunting. The use of firearms to protect your pecans in many municipalities might come under a whole different set of rules, and even pellet or bb guns in some cities. But since you live out in the county, I wouldn't be that concerned. Really, only your neighbors with adjoining property should be a concern if you shoot always with a good backstop. Just check with them. It helps if they have all suffered from the same varmints you want to get rid of.

There are some areas of the country where nesting animals are protected. Even if they are living in your attic you can do nothing about it even if they are causing major damage to your home. You can be evicted from your home because they have made your home unlivable but you are prohibited from even "bothering" the nuisance animals if you do bother them you can be arrested (even in your own home). It sounds crazy but it is fact

I see some good arguments for the pellet rifles, but I have to go with the ,22s. Just make sure your gun will chamber CBs, even if you have to load them one at a time.

The bullet in this cartridge is propelled by the primer alone, usually. Occasionally, a bullet might get stuck in the muzzle of a rifle so check your rifle often. It is unlikely that the round itself will damage your gun, but the ramming and jamming trying to clear it could scratch up your bore.

I have a Remington model 12-b pump "Gallery Special" 22 short (made for the old time shooting galleries at carnivals) that has several rings in the barrel from rounds stopping and another one being fired hitting the stopped round. It is still dead accurate even with a couple of bulges in the barrel. This old shooting gallery rifle shows how much abuse a 22 can take and still be a usable firearm. Every time I pick it up I can imagine the millions of rounds that have been run though this rifle and the fun and enjoyment it has provided to tens of thousands of young kids