Pellet Rifle Advice

[Fiddler]

Over the years there have been a lot of "the varmints are eating my fruit" posts here, and many of us have agreed that nonlethal deterrents don't work. I'd like to offer my solution: the humble pellet rifle. Mine is a cheap Crosman Classic 2100 that I paid about $60 for. I wouldn't trade it for one more expensive and powerful, and here's why. This rather cheap gun is deadly accurate for two reasons. First, I've mounted a Simmons 3x-9x deer rifle scope on it. The clear, bright optics and magnification allows you to really dial in what you're aiming at. Secondly, it takes multiple pumps to bring it up to power, from 1 to a maximum to 10 pumps. This allows you great flexibility. You'd think that the maximum velocity gained by 10 pumps would be the most desirable, but this is not the case. Carefully shooting at a 20-yard target while resting the rifle on a rock-solid rest, I found that five pumps delivered the best accuracy that this gun could deliver. Any more, and the groups tended to open up. Also, you've got to experiment with which style and weight of .177 caliber pellets the gun actually "likes." Once you've settled on this formula, don't change it. Also, this rifle can also shoot BB's. Never do that! Always shoot lead pellets exclusively. BB's are made of steel and will quickly ruin the rifling in the barrel!
    If this thread generates much interest, I'll be happy to answer questions and provide photos, etc.

[K-Rimes]

Post a photo, I want to see your tack driver

[johnb51]

Does it work on iguanas? 

[Calusa]

Over the years there have been a lot of "the varmints are eating my fruit" posts here, and many of us have agreed that nonlethal deterrents don't work.

Au contraire, mon ami.

My $30 trap has worked magnificently and in the first two weeks I've trapped and relocated 10 squirrels. Now I only see a squirrel about every other day running along the top of the fence, and I've seen no sign of a squirrel on the ground or near my mangos. Problem evidently solved for now. My mangos are almost ready to harvest, and once I pick them I'll put the trap in the shed until next Spring.

Nevertheless, enjoy your sniping!

[Jaboticaba45]

How many times do you have to shoot the squirrels?
I mean once you kill a few, how long does it take for more to show up?
I would say there are at least 10 different squirrels here on the property which I hate just as much as the lawn guys who weedwack my plants 3 ft away from any grass.
but once they're gone, the other surrounding squirrels will notice that there is free food everywhere!

[K-Rimes]

Over the years there have been a lot of "the varmints are eating my fruit" posts here, and many of us have agreed that nonlethal deterrents don't work.

Au contraire, mon ami.

My $30 trap has worked magnificently and in the first two weeks I've trapped and relocated 10 squirrels. Now I only see a squirrel about every other day running along the top of the fence, and I've seen no sign of a squirrel on the ground or near my mangos. Problem evidently solved for now. My mangos are almost ready to harvest, and once I pick them I'll put the trap in the shed until next Spring.

Nevertheless, enjoy your sniping!

Relocation is illegal in CA, killing pests humanely isn't. Kinda weird, but whatever, not gonna get caught with a squirrel in my car!

[Calusa]

How many times do you have to shoot the squirrels?
I mean once you kill a few, how long does it take for more to show up?
I would say there are at least 10 different squirrels here on the property which I hate just as much as the lawn guys who weedwack my plants 3 ft away from any grass.
but once they're gone, the other surrounding squirrels will notice that there is free food everywhere!

As someone noted on here the other day, there is the domino effect where squirrels from the surrounding area will begin to migrate towards your property. To what extend who knows? In my case I've seen one squirrel so far after relocating 10 of them the past few weeks but he's just hopped along the top of the fence. If I see him on the ground I'll trap him and send hip to Club Med down the road.

[Longranger]

My experience with ground squirrels over the past 3 years in the San Diego area has been eye opening. I am in a semi rural area, Bonsall. Moved here 5 years ago. Property was largely barren but well populated with Squirrels. Have planted about 200 trees. First year the trees were decimated by squirrels. Got an air rifle, Benjamin Marauder, and started hunting. Got about 10 in a week but it did not make a dent. Got a squirrelinator trap. Wow!! Captured and euthanized over 100 poor souls over the next 6 months. Some of those were undoubtably reinfestation from adjacent properties.

Since that eradication the trap is put out whenever I see them on my property. Have gotten about 2 per month since. My property is 2.5 acres.

[Fiddler]

Does it work on iguanas? 

I don't know. Although they're said to be in the area, I have yet to see one in my neighborhood. There are several YouTube videos out there of guys shooting iguanas with pellet guns.

[Fiddler]

Post a photo, I want to see your tack driver

I use these converted camera tripods as rests when I sight in my various rifles.

[K-Rimes]

Now you've got me looking into this... Pricing out a Seneca Dragonfly and a scope... Haha 

[CWAL]

My dad used to take out the squirrels with a pellet rifle with a scope that was charged with nitrogen - no pumping levers. He went after them as he was tired of them chewing on the eves and trim of the house and shop.

His vendetta lasted roughly 4-5 years, and reportedly near the end the squirrels had a roughly 5 acre perimeter in their genetic and social memory.

Rumour has it that 4 years later, they still avoid the area like the plague.

[Calusa]

LOL!

[Fiddler]

My dad used to take out the squirrels with a pellet rifle with a scope that was charged with nitrogen - no pumping levers. He went after them as he was tired of them chewing on the eves and trim of the house and shop.

His vendetta lasted roughly 4-5 years, and reportedly near the end the squirrels had a roughly 5 acre perimeter in their genetic and social memory.

Rumour has it that 4 years later, they still avoid the area like the plague.

My experience is similar to your dad's. When new squirrels arrive and I've dealt with them, I always discover they are males. I guess males are the ones who go out and find new territory. I've also noticed these newcomers are very, very nervous, even though I hadn't made a move yet. Personally, and this is just a guess, I believe they don't like what their noses tell them. They expect to find scent "markers" left in my big oaks by other squirrels, be it urine, glandular secretions, droppings, or whatever. The absence of these scents seems to cause great alarm, and I've seen new squirrels keep on moving out of my area without me having to do a thing. I suppose a wildlife biologist would have a better answer, but these are just my observations over the years.

[love_Tropic]

Had lots of problem with rats that devouring my garden vegs  like tomato, strawberry, beans, eggplant and few small avocados... if not eating, just bit them all... killed several with enhanced mouse trap from dollar shops... but there were few did not bit into the traps.
finally killed them all using Improvised (to use in night) Air Tact .25 cal. just spent total of $75 including refub. Air Tact.
some of the videos...
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoDQrugOuG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqES_Oe7lc

[Jeramyl]

… the humble pellet (rifle. Mine is a cheap Crosman Classic 2100 that I paid about $60 for. I wouldn't trade it for one more expensive and powerful…

My first air rifle was that same classic crossman but once you’ve played with one of these…  tough to go back.  Accuracy and trigger are unimaginable.  Taipan Veteran is the name.

Way too expensive but whoa!  Whisper quiet and pellet on pellet accurate!

FX is a very popular brand too but this one is very highly regarded.

[Mike T]

Since Port Arthur in 1996 fire arms have been highly restricted here, even pellet guns.

[Fiddler]

Since Port Arthur in 1996 fire arms have been highly restricted here, even pellet guns.

  Crickey! Your government does tend to go off the deep end, eh mate? I'll never forget during the Covid hysteria, when Australia arrested and deported the reigning world champion tennis player because he refused to "get the jab." I suppose I shouldn't look down my nose at you guys, though. Here in the States our, ahem, "leaders" are a bit of a laughingstock as well. 

[Mike T]

We have to throw rocks at the pests and I wear long sleeves all the time as there is no right to bare arms. Luckily your 2nd amendment is just an amendment like what prohibition was.

[Calusa]

We have to throw rocks at the pests and I wear long sleeves all the time as there is no right to bare arms. Luckily your 2nd amendment is just an amendment like what prohibition was.

Word is, the squirrel population, and uh, some others, are appealing to the United Nations to step in and help repeal the 2A.

KILL 'EM.

[CentralFLFoodForest]

I have a break barrel .177 pellet rifle for rabbit hunting that I may resort to should the squirrels not lay off my trees/seeds. Any idea how long it would take to either scare the local squirrels away or drastically reduce their population in my yard to the point where they are no longer an issue?

[Fiddler]

I have a break barrel .177 pellet rifle for rabbit hunting that I may resort to should the squirrels not lay off my trees/seeds. Any idea how long it would take to either scare the local squirrels away or drastically reduce their population in my yard to the point where they are no longer an issue?

I don't know. How bad is your infestation? When I finally declared war on the squirrels years ago, I killed 15 on the first day, and about 5 per day for about a week afterwards. After that, it was two or three a month. Nowadays, it's about one or two every few months. After you've got the local population eliminated, just watch for the arrival of occasional newcomers. This really can be done. It's not hopeless.

[kapps]

*knocking on wood* I have squirrels all over but I’ve never had an issue with them and my fruits. I do have a strawberry tree that fruits constantly in the warm weather and they will happily feast on it and still leave some for me every day. It could also be due to my neighbor who feeds them. Unfortunately, she also feeds the hawks so they don’t really help keeping the vermin population down.

My issue with mangoes has been raccoons. As they start getting close to being ripe, I’ll lose one or two every night. It’s a much bigger issue when the tree is small. Now, my largest tree is putting out over 50 fruits, it’s become less of an issue. Rabbits have also been an issue but only for little seedlings in spring when there’s nothing else for them to eat. They love perennial peanut…

[K-Rimes]

*knocking on wood* I have squirrels all over but I’ve never had an issue with them and my fruits. I do have a strawberry tree that fruits constantly in the warm weather and they will happily feast on it and still leave some for me every day. It could also be due to my neighbor who feeds them. Unfortunately, she also feeds the hawks so they don’t really help keeping the vermin population down.

My issue with mangoes has been raccoons. As they start getting close to being ripe, I’ll lose one or two every night. It’s a much bigger issue when the tree is small. Now, my largest tree is putting out over 50 fruits, it’s become less of an issue. Rabbits have also been an issue but only for little seedlings in spring when there’s nothing else for them to eat. They love perennial peanut…

Used to have a grip of them in my area that were problematic, my neighbor shot one with his 9mm late at night and they have never come back, I think pretty smart pack animals that communicate. May be worth taking a few out, by trapping or other means... Ok, maybe not the 9mm haha

I have pretty well decided on this spring Hatsan 95 but the squirrels have kind of left me alone recently. If they come back, I may buy it:

https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/mod-95-spring-combo/?attribute_pa_caliber=25

[love_Tropic]

*knocking on wood* I have squirrels all over but I’ve never had an issue with them and my fruits. I do have a strawberry tree that fruits constantly in the warm weather and they will happily feast on it and still leave some for me every day. It could also be due to my neighbor who feeds them. Unfortunately, she also feeds the hawks so they don’t really help keeping the vermin population down.

My issue with mangoes has been raccoons. As they start getting close to being ripe, I’ll lose one or two every night. It’s a much bigger issue when the tree is small. Now, my largest tree is putting out over 50 fruits, it’s become less of an issue. Rabbits have also been an issue but only for little seedlings in spring when there’s nothing else for them to eat. They love perennial peanut…

Used to have a grip of them in my area that were problematic, my neighbor shot one with his 9mm late at night and they have never come back, I think pretty smart pack animals that communicate. May be worth taking a few out, by trapping or other means... Ok, maybe not the 9mm haha

I have pretty well decided on this spring Hatsan 95 but the squirrels have kind of left me alone recently. If they come back, I may buy it:

https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/mod-95-spring-combo/?attribute_pa_caliber=25

Hatsan is a great Break barrel. But,don't buy any "Vortex" gas piston model.  Their gas pistons are prone to fail. and .25 Cals are the powerful entry level air Rifle with good accuracy for around 25 ft.  Killed several smart rats that didn't take a bait... I think, raccoons can be killed by a .25 cal within 50 ft. With raccoons you may need to hunt them in night so, scope  may not be useful...
Refubs are great deal as they are being reconditioned in USA and tested for accuracy.