Educate me & help me decide, please...

434 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by motoscoota, 10 d ago

Old Whaler

Discussion Starter · 12 d ago

I have read many threads on here about selecting and using airguns, but many are out of date and most didn't seem to be inline with my objectives, which are:
1. I want to sit on my patio and plink Shoot-N-See targets at about 20 yards for fun & practice.
2. Capable of cleanly dispatching backyard pests from chipmunks up to opossums, maybe raccoons at the largest.
3. Compact & lightweight, please. Pistol or bull-pup OK. (I have a Benjamin Vaporizer BB 22 that must be close to 4' long and about 9 pounds. Too long and too heavy.)
4. Chargeable by hand pump or compressor- if my pancake air compressor will work that is. No break barrel.
5. It doesn't have to be silent, but discretion is always good. The quieter the better.
5. If it's not too much to ask, low maintenance, easy care, and a reputation for dependability.
6. Under $500 if possible, hard max of $600 all in.

I like the Marauder pistol and the Walther Reign in 25, but I'm not sure what info out there is trustworthy.
Are they recommended? Is the latter worth $200 more than the former? What am I missing?

I've learned a lot from you all already.
Thanks very much.

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Mike da Carpenter

· #2 · 12 d ago

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wannabeup

· #3 · 12 d ago

I've been watching a video of a guy shooting rats in a dairy barn. You tube I think. He is using something called a Daystate Airwolf with a big night vision scope and a camera add on. About a 3200.00 set-up. Way above my wallet and your price range. Neat video though. I have a beautiful break barrel Remington that I really like, but it's a break barrel.

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textox

· #4 · 12 d ago (Edited)

Umarex Origin in 22 or 25 cal.350$ delivered and including an air pump to pump to 3250 PSI with fewer strokes than competitors.Super accurate stealthy and near silent. 1 lb. trigger pull and an adjustable hammer speed to increase velocity.I have mine sighted in to p. o. a .at 50 yds.I have or HAD a Wood Chuck problem in the wifes garden last summer, I cleanly dispatched 8,all with head shots(4power fixed reticle) using a scope that came with my Beeman springer. I enjoyed Squirrel hunting while with my cousin and his dog a Mountain Cur. He uses a Ruger 22 cal auto pistol and he was impressed... checkout Air Guns of Arizona and reviews on you-tube.Your pancake air compressor will not work....

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textox

· #5 · 12 d ago

wannabeup said:
I've been watching a video of a guy shooting rats in a dairy barn. You tube I think. He is using something called a Daystate Airwolf with a big night vision scope and a camera add on. About a 3200.00 set-up. Way above my wallet and your price range. Neat video though. I have a beautiful break barrel Remington that I really like, but it's a break barrel.

A friend bought a used Daystate from Air Guns of Arizona a few years ago that came with a 4-14 variable scope that would shoot into the same hole at 30 yds if the shooter did his part...

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Dom

· #6 · 12 d ago

I use the PCP Benjamin .22 Marauder Pistol with a short rifle stock attached, and use a scope. I've had it a few years, I use a PCP pump and usually keep it pumped to around 2500 psi, and repump when it gets below 1800 or so. I don't think a compressor will work though, I know they say you should get a scuba tank if you're going to shoot a lot to fill it. I don't shoot a lot so the pump works just fine. I think all in I'm over your limit, but not by too much. I can't remember where I got it, but I think it was Pyramid Air.

It is a nice, light, compact outfit, and overall I'm satisfied with it. Main complaint, it sits for weeks unused, so there is no way to know if you've loaded a pellet in the barrel or not. If I have it loaded, I put the safety on. If there is no pellet in the barrel I do not put the safety on. That is the only way I know if it's loaded or not. Once you cock it and load it, don't recock or you'll have another pellet in the barrel. I guess you could drop the magazine to avoid that, but it would be nice if there was some indicator to let you know if the barrel is loaded or not.

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textox

· #7 · 12 d ago (Edited)

Dom said:
I use the PCP Benjamin .22 Marauder Pistol with a short rifle stock attached, and use a scope. I've had it a few years, I use a PCP pump and usually keep it pumped to around 2500 psi, and repump when it gets below 1800 or so. I don't think a compressor will work though, I know they say you should get a scuba tank if you're going to shoot a lot to fill it. I don't shoot a lot so the pump works just fine. I think all in I'm over your limit, but not by too much. I can't remember where I got it, but I think it was Pyramid Air.

It is a nice, light, compact outfit, and overall I'm satisfied with it. Main complaint, it sits for weeks unused, so there is no way to know if you've loaded a pellet in the barrel or not. If I have it loaded, I put the safety on. If there is no pellet in the barrel I do not put the safety on. That is the only way I know if it's loaded or not. Once you cock it and load it, don't recock or you'll have another pellet in the barrel. I guess you could drop the magazine to avoid that, but it would be nice if there was some indicator to let you know if the barrel is loaded or not.

I do the same as the Umarex has a 10 shot rotary clip. A High pressure electric PCP pump is the way to go if you shoot a lot.Starting prices in the neighborhood of $250.Hand pumped i got 43 full power shots before i adjusted the hammer spring at 925 avg FPS with a 14.3 gr pellet.

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Old Whaler

Discussion Starter · #8 · 12 d ago

Dom: That's a wise way to deal with the loaded barrel/chamber issue. I read a long time ago in a Ross Seyfreid piece that "safety on" means "loaded and ready to fire".

TT: Is yours also a 22? These adjustments you mention are detailed in the owner's manual?

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textox

· #9 · 12 d ago

Yes O W it is a 22 cal. I adjusted the hammer spring to enable using 27 grain slugs to see how they would group at 100yds.The procedure is detailed in the owners manual. A small hex key(supplied) is all that's needed.The hammer speed is slowed (in milli seconds)to allow more air to propel the pellet with more velocity. The 14.3 gr.pellets are Crossman Premier they are domed and shoot a 3/4" group day in and day out at 50 yds wind dependent.

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motoscoota

· #10 · 12 d ago

Up to a racoon? - it's all about delivering enough energy.

I would skip the Marauder pistol. Watch Ted's Holdover on YouTube. He was super excited to get one when they first came around, but was less excited over time.

For the money the Airforce Talon has the energy you're looking for:

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory Shotgun

www.pyramydair.com

AirForce TalonP PCP Air Pistol, Spin-Loc Tank | Pyramyd Air

We've got a great price on the AirForce TalonP PCP Air Pistol, Spin-Loc Tank. Shop and get expert advice from the largest airgun retailer!

www.pyramydair.com

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textox

· #11 · 12 d ago

High energy right there ,gotta like it. Add a pump and a scope looking at a couple Franklins more...

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Old Whaler

Discussion Starter · #12 · 11 d ago

"Up to a racoon? - it's all about delivering enough energy."

Since I already have a .22, even though it's a beast, I was thinking .25 for the pistol. Is that still shy of raccoon level performance?

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textox

· #13 · 11 d ago

A 25 cal will provide more energy with heavier pellets and slugs,but quick kills with head shots should be the priority.I have dispached Raccoons with the 22 cal and a 177 with head shots. The 25 cal would be my choice..

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Janehal

· #14 · 11 d ago

I also shoot and like my .25, FX Wildcat. have shot foxs and coyotes at close range......................no problems. JSB Pellets

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Old Whaler

Discussion Starter · #15 · 11 d ago

Janehal said:
I also shoot and like my .25, FX Wildcat. have shot foxs and coyotes at close range......................no problems. JSB Pellets

Wow, that's a fine machine. Out of the question for me, though.
Speaking of close range, now that I think on it, whatever I buy will probably never be aimed at anything beyond 25 yards.
So I guess with my budget and limited distances I'll probably be OK with the Marauder 22 pistol. It pretty much checks all the boxes on my list.

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motoscoota

· #16 · 10 d ago

Not a pistol, but may be worth a look - good price point for sure

...

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory Metal

www.pyramydair.com

Puncher Breaker Silent Marine Sidelever PCP Air Rifle | Pyramyd Air

We've got a great price on the Puncher Breaker Silent Marine Sidelever PCP Air Rifle. Shop and get expert advice from the largest airgun retailer!

www.pyramydair.com

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