Minimum number of pumps to take out small game on multi-pumps.

[His lordship.]

I have been thinking of getting another multi-pump air rifle as it will allow me to use lower power to take out pest birds in an urban environment.  I used to have a "Crossman 2200 magnum" in .22 caliber that did the job on house sparrows close up with only 2 pumps.  The gun could go up to 10 but this increased the noise level.  This rifle was cheaply made and basically fell apart as time wore on, so I don't want another one, but I got 6 years out of it with around 40 dead house sparrows and a few starlings.

When I checked the dropped house sparrows, I could never see any sign of injury, I figured that the shock of the flat head pellets was doing the job.  Sometimes the birds were only wounded to the point that I had to send one of my cats into the bushes to retrieve them, not sure if my shot placement was the issue or the 2 pump power was too weak.

Would I still get the killing power with a .177 caliber with two pumps?  Are there any brands of multi-pumpers other than Benjamin, Crossman, and Daisy?

Thanks.

[blhof]

I haven't had much luck with the 177.  My son had one we got him, that he gave up on when he graduated to a 22 Lr.  I used it on grackles and starling, but it took a lot of pumps and very good(head) shot placement for kills.  I've got a Crossman pump pistol in 22 and I can drop birds with 4to5 pumps and heavy pellets.  15 pumps does in rabbit and squirrel.  The weight of the pellet makes a big difference. I have a springer rifle in 22 also, but the springer is a LOT noisier.

[Robert lehman]

Use the air rifle you have and shoot them in the ear canal only works for me.
I have dispatched 6 coons with my RWS 48 .22 in the ear none of them went 5 ft.

[Robert lehman]

Sorry some how my post was put under the wrong subject it was for inexpensive air gun to dispatch racoons.

[jlwilliams]

  I haven't had such good luck with the 177 for killing power.  I used to use a 177 RWS 34 spring gun, but once I got into 22 pellets I have never looked back.

  As far as minimum pumps to effectiveness, that is an excellent question and I think there ae more variables than we can address with a simple "This many" response.  First, the gun.  How much punch per pump you get will varry dramaticly from one make to another.  For pumpers, I like the Benjamin Sheridans.  Well made in America.  Then of course there is the pellets.  Weight; flat, round or point?  And of course distance will matter.  All this before addressing placement and target species.

  OK, so now what, you may ask.  I usually evaluate a new airgun's effectiveness as soon as I get it.  Some are only good for targets, others can drop vermin.  I start with the air gun and intended pellet, then try accuracy at various distances.  Then penetration test.  From empty soda cans, to empty soup cans.  If it doesn't penetrate the soda can, it won't kill anything.  Will it punch through one side or both?  How about the soup can, a dent?  A  hole?  You get the idea.  If you do this in your back yard, you will find out if the neighbors are going to call the police over some BB gunning.  That's good to know.  You know better than I do if that's something you want to try in your neighborhood.

  In your case, you will want to try a 'controll' target and then try it with different numbers of pumps.  Maybe an accomplice to report on how loud it is from a given distance.

  Since you were disapointed with your last pump air gun, by all means upgrade.  Like I said, I like the Benjamins.  There is a ton of new stuff out there that I have no knowledge of.  Others may be better able to give you some input on newer options.  The Benjamins are classic, and there is some to be said in favor of that.  The 22 or the 20 will probably serve you better than the 177.  Maybe a scope?

  Good luck and good hunting.