What air rifle to buy ?

[dtchb]

I'm looking for a pellet rifle to shoot the possums in my backyard, to many houses around for the old .22 but don't want to spend a fortune on one.
Thanks Dutch

 

[Trickasabrick]

I could be wrong but I don't think there are many, if any reasonably priced air rifles that will be effective against possums. You may scare and hurt them, and one might die later of complications, but they are pretty tough. Got a bow?

 

[Emperor]

Benjamin Air Rifle! The pump variety. But a .22 caliber LR CB cap will be far more lethal and as silent.

 

[MyTFAL]

I have a turkish made Daisy crack barrel .177 fires at 1000 fps with a plastic stock it will kill a Opossum quick!! I bought it for 59.00 it will do the job, but I should have spent 40 more bucks and got the Crosman XT Storm, same mechanics but with a nice wood stock

 

[HRBR1800]

What is your price limit?
1. I agree that you should go with .22 over .177. I have seen a squirrel take two .177 shots in the torso and continue trying to crawl away.
2. Springer or gas ram would probably be the way to go with your budget. I think you can get some pretty nice stuff for $100 bucks if you shop around.
3. Stick with a solid brand. Crosman, Beeman, benjamin, RWS and maybe Gamo. It will be easier to find parts, fixes and advice on popular brands and models. I have heard alot of negative feedback on Gamo customer service and there appears to be some difficulty finding parts for them. There is definitely no such issue with the Crosman family of airguns.
4. Don't pay more for a gun with a scope. The cheap scopes that come with the guns are terrible.
5. Check http://www.pyramydair.com/

 

[SpeedRacer]

I agree on the Crosman XT Storm. Paid right around $100 for it at Wally World and I've killed many, many rats with mine. Opossums may be a different story though.

I'm definitely no expert on air rifles, but I do have a Gamo Whisper as well that cost almost 3x as much and I prefer the Crosman.

 

[HRBR1800]

I agree on the Crosman XT Storm. Paid right around $100 for it at Wally World and I've killed many, many rats with mine. Opossums may be a different story though.

I'm definitely no expert on air rifles, but I do have a Gamo Whisper as well that cost almost 3x as much and I prefer the Crosman.

Shot a possum several times with a .177 and he was still alive for a little while.

 

[LACamper]

I shot a possum, on top of a fence, in the head with a crossman pump air pistol (1377 IIRC) from about 6 feet. The possum shook his head a few times but didn't even fall off the fence. Those things are tough. Bow works great though.

 

[HRBR1800]

I have a crosman 1377 too. That is not a powerhouse pistol.

 

[mnop308]

It depends on how much you want to spend. I have had a bunch of spring piston guns, but have been working with new Benjamin Nito Piston rifle in .177 lately. I am now conviced that the Nito Piston is the way to go. The recoil is much smoother than any spring piston gun, and the power is awsome. Cocking effort is strong, but consistant throughout the stroke. I may have to get one in .22 which should work on bigger critters such as possum with head shots. Possums do take an awful lot of killing. Sometimes they just don't know they should be dead.

 

[HRBR1800]

Just wanted to add, there are goood deals to be found on http://www.airgunsdaily.com/

 

[JadeRaven]

Beeman makes nice stuff for pretty low prices.

Crossman is decent, for the money.

 

[Bobcat32]

No gun,,Big HAMMER,,preferably 28 oz stanley works gr8,,,Possums are what they are named,,They play possum when you get close enough,,SPotlight them,get on them,,slam the ham..DONE ,,Silent and deadly,,Now you may receive blood stains,,but thas all part of the war on [possum dudes,,,,,,

But if you need gun,,Benjamin is great .177 ..Ive seen a few around for $100,,SOme just need the seals redone,,I think seals are like $35-45...

 

[Bearco]

.22 caliber all the way. I love my RWS, but I would not classify it as a budget gun.

 

[cnodie1]

go with this:

http://budk.com/Outdoor-Sports/Pistol-Grip-Crossbow?sourcecode=woot

Its not an air rifle but I would imagine it could take down a possum a lot easier, and it would not go as far as the pellets if your worried about your neighbors. I have one and I can shoot pretty well with it at 40 feet and its very quiet.

Plus if you use the coupon code "woot" its only 10 bucks!

 

[PAPACHUCK]

My two sons and I all have one of those $25 crack barrel 177 pump air guns and one night there was a huge 'possum in my Talla tree, about 10 ft up. We each put at least 6-8 shots into his head and torso before he fell to the ground where Mr. Shovel turned out his lights for good.

I agree with the .22 CB for big critters like coons and 'possums.

 

[CUJOHUNTER]

I believe RWS makes a nice .25cal pellet rifle,forgot the model. It's devastating at 600 fps.

 

[brfd557]

Go to pawn shot and find an old benjamin pump can't go wrong.

 

[dww]

I've taken 3 or 4 of them with my Benjamin .20 cal with domed pellets. Just get within 10 or 12 feet and make it a head shot, it'll knock the snot out of them. I had to clean up with another shot on two of them but they didn't go anywhere after the first shot. I have a Beeman .22 cal that I haven't shot anything with but it would work I'm pretty sure, comparing the power to the Benjamin.

 

[Bearco]

I shot one yesterday morning with my RWS 22 caliber at about 25 feet in the head. It was a clean kill.