Squirrel gun

[Star1pup]

I have a really nice .22 Benjamen that has plenty of power, but I would like something that can be armed with one cock of the barrel.  I'm getting old and at about 5 pumps it's getting darn hard to put in the next pumps.  Any suggestions?

[woodchukhntr]

I have been using an RWS 36 in .22 cal.  It is a break-barrel gun, so you only have to do it once.  It is a lot quieter than a CO2 or compressed air gun, so it doesn't wake up the woods when you shoot.  I have shot woodchucks and had a couple of 1-shot kills within 25 yds.  If you go this route, make sure to get a scope that is rated for the spring-air guns or you will wreck them in no time.  Also make sure to get airgun rings with the scope-stop pin or else it will move on you.

[Larry Gibson]

Beeman's R9 in .20 cal is deadly on squirrels, I've a Simmons 4X on mine. I mostly use Crosman CPs which run 666 fps as they give excellent accuracy and kill well out to 40+ yards. The Beeman Crowmag pellets run 705 fps and are good for heart lung shots at treetop range. Marksman FTS pellets run 754 fps do well but being a lighter domed pellet than the CPs they don't seem to hold up as well past 30 yards. However out to 30 yards they are also deadly.

Larry Gibson

[Star1pup]

I've been looking at the Gamo Whisper on their website.  What do I lose/gain by going to a .177?  This will be our first time with neighbors in 32 years and quiet might be nice.  I think I'm okay legally at the new home as long as it's squirrel season, but no sense getting anyone excited.  Our new lot is a 3/4 acre of hickory & oak and those squirrels will have my mountain cur nuts unless I pot one once in a while.  Besides, hunting with an air rifle sounds kind of interesting, even when I can use a firearm.

[MSP Ret]

I would also like some input from you more knowledgeable members on the new Camo Whisper, noise level and accuracy as well as any other comments. I have been using several .22 caliber rifles with Aquila Super Colibris and they have accounted for over 250 pesky grey squirrels in the back yard over the last couple of years. We have neighbors close by and I don't want any accidents nor do I want to annoy them with any noise (or let some of them know what I am doing). My .22 rifles with Super Colibris are much quieter than my buddy's Camo air gun, a rather expensive model that is quite accurate and powerful, they are also quieter than my cheap Daisy BB gun with BB's or .177 caliber pellets but the Camo Whisper intrigues me. I bumped into another neighbor who told me he is going to Anticosti Island after he gets back from Maine deer hunting next month (Nov in Maine and a week in Dec on Anticosti). He told me he has been practicing in his cellar with a Camo airgun but is also intrigued with the new Whisper model that as I understand has a built in sound suppressor on the end of the barrel. So, any thoughts or experience with them?...Thanks....<><....   

[Froghunter]

MSP Ret,

Here are a couple of links on reviews of the Gamo Whisper, I hope you enjoy, because I have enjoyed reading your post at the NEF/H&R Shotgun site.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4012&mid=27591#M27591

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4028&mid=27695#M27695

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4002&mid=27519#M27519

Good Luck and I hope you get the Whisper. Like you, I enjoy shooting, but didn't want to bother the neighbors with noise or to what I'm doing.

[MSP Ret]

Thanks for the response and help buddy, I appreciate it....<><....

[KF9VH]

I would suggest a HW 50. It is in between a R9 and a R7 in cocking effort and power. I have a R9 and find it tough on the shoulder after about 50 shoots. I must admit it has been tuned by Paul Watts and is stiffer than a stock R9 but it is deadly accurate past 50 yards.