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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 18,215
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 18,215 |
I'm pondering the idea of an airgun. I need to be able to hit a House sparrow sized target just about every time from a max distance of 30 yards.
Sparrows are taking over some bluebird houses and due to my location, shooting them with firearms is out of the question.
I can set up a bench within 30 yards of the houses for a firm shooting position.
What are the least expensive options available for 2nd tier airguns.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317 |
I don't know what the quality of the current production is, but for killing power it's tough to beat a benjamin pump 22.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,955
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,955 |
The Benjamin pneumatic pump, as 458 Lott suggested, would be a good choice. Either .177 (397) or .22 (392) would work well for sparrows at about $175. If you're not into pumping, its CO2 brother (2260) would probably do the job as well for about $125.
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 284
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 284 |
Deerwacker,
If shooting sparrows at 30 yards is your goal then you probably need a scoped rifle and enough power to generate 800+ fps at the muzzle. Those 397 and 392s have to be pumped 7 or 8 times (not much fun) and have pretty crude triggers. There are a whole bunch of springer rifles that are much easier to scope. I would suggest an HW50s or an RWS34.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 993
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 993 |
Hangmancreek is right about the spring guns being easier to put a scope on, but the flip side is that any scope will work on a pneumatic, but spring guns are hard on many scope and mount setups. Another option for the Benjamin is a rear peep. With the peep on mine, I can shoot 30 yards just about as well as with a low powered scope.
He also has a good point about the pumping though. For extended shooting, I leave the Benjamin in the closet and grab a spring gun.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,454
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,454 |
I don't know what the quality of the current production is, but for killing power it's tough to beat a benjamin pump 22. For your application the Benjamin 392 on Amazon for 115 busks is hard to beat.
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