air rifle vs hushpower Baikal .410

[spartan80]

evening all

 

I've already got 2 12g shotguns which i use regularly. however, 2 of the farms i go to have a house or two fairly close, one also has a wood full of squirrels but a small housing estate below it.

 

I want to be a lot more discreet when shooting in those places, especially for lamping rabbits at night.

 

Another job is to reduce the numbers of starlings at one farm around the buildings and farmhouses (still legal to shoot starlings here in Wales).

 

The question is - should i buy an air rifle or hushpower .410 for these jobs?

 

hard decision, can only be one due to funds (both around £300-350 new, obviously less 2nd hand)

 

so far i've been thinking:

 

air rifle for longer range than .410??

air rifle quietest, cheapest to run (cost of pellets vs cartridges)

 

.410 fairly quiet though

.410 if pests start to run/fly

 

what are your thought, decisions,decisions......

 

cheers

[vampire]

Hi bud,for what its worth i would go with the air rifle,get a .177 pcp s/hand would fit your budget of £350 with a bit of luck you may even get some gharging gear,as for the 410,its gonna be limited on range although the noise is a factor on both rifles as rabbits will be off when you fire either,but at least no one will know your there with the air rifle if its got a mod on.

ATB

[camokid]

im in the same spot mate and i think im gonna go for the 410 stealth just for them moving ones....

[Colster]

Given the cost of buying a PCP (and charging gear) wouldn't another option be to go FAC and get a rimfire?

[bicykillgaz]

it just depends mate both are equally usefull i would say, air rifles have a little more range and are cheaper to run but then again the .410 you can shoot flying/running targets quicker to aim and can punch through cover which wouldn't be a clear shot for an air rifle.

can't you pick up a cheap springer second hand for £100 scoped and a second hand hushpower for £250 that would work out best, i've got a hushpower .410 and wouldn't be without it i've got a lamping setup for it and love it! only down side is the price of cartridges mate but then again i don't shoot that much when i'm out so its not as bad for me as it is some.

personally i would opt for the hushpower but i'm a little bias as i've got one but i doubt you could really go wrong with either

[covlocks]

Go for a Hushpower. Good for snap shooting on rats, wacks the pigeons and bunnies also etc., more acceptable to the farmer for noise factor and most importantly, great fun.

 

I use an air rifle for night time lamping the rats and rabbits, but thats rare, I get enough exercise during the day.

[Westcountryman]

For your budget and needs, a .410, or 20b moderated would be great. A PCP comes with alot of fuss and extra hidden costs. Charging gear, scope, mod, etc. A moderated shotgun will just work.

[chrispti]

Just sold my airgun as the 410 hushpower pump gets used more

[HDAV]

I think i saw a hush type bolt action .410 (pedretti/bretton Gaucher?) for £49 or £149 in sportmans newport today (already sold) .410 carts are more than pellets but for £350 in total i recon you could get a decent hush type .410 and a S/H springer or a .410 and 1000 carts

 

http://www.reviewcentre.com/review399849.html I think i want one! and i only shoot clays!

Edited March 3, 2010 by HDAV

[stubby]

I think FAC is a no go option as you stated your near to buildings etc

 

bit of a hard choice, and would be easier to get both, so why not

a cheap springer, ok not as silent as a pcp, but no extra expense on charging bottles etc, air arms TX make good pest control tools, I use one

 

plus a 410 pedretti hushpower, picked mine up for £200, and as you say, shoots things in the air that an air rifle cant, also better for running pests, rats,squirrels,rabbits