Moderated airgun with open sights for short range pigeons

[Folderol]

Chaps, chapetts,

 

Sorry if this has been done before, I searched but I could not find...

 

I'm after a rifle for short range control of pigeons at a nearby riding school. The birds are in the feed bins all the time and roost in the stable roof then "decorate" the horses. Mostly ferals (the pigeons, not the horses). Cretin farm hand had a go with some old unsilenced break barrel and proceeded to shoot holes in the asbestos barn roof, cut off the telephone (by sighting in on the junction box) and mentalising half of the horses on the yard even though the nearest one was over 75m away.

 

Wifey rides, I shoot FAC and word's got out so I've been asked to help out. Excuse to buy a new toy and free shooting/food plus endless tea & biscuits from grateful horsey ladies.

 

Ranges 5m to 15m. No neighbours and would shoot early am after turnout of the nags, but still need to be as quiet as possible to minimise chance of spooking them. I think it's the probably the "crack" noise that upsets them, sounds like a whip presumably (or a tiger stepping on a branch? Who knows what goes on in their horsey little minds;bloody good hearing though).

 

I was contemplating a 10 to 12 ft/lb 1.77 spring gun for cost/convenience and open sights due to the short range and an irrational personal prejudice against these newfangled telescopic scope device thingeys (they won’t catch on you know).

 

Went down local gunshop (Countryman of Derby) and shouldered a few springers; BSA Sportsman was very nice, but I didn't like the sights; big plastic gammo (cfx?) was wierdly weighted, too long and utterly horrible; HW99S was a very nice fit, good sights and a good price and felt quality.... but how would one go about mounting a moderator with a tunnel/blade front sight? I've seen "slip on silencers" advertised with cut outs for the foresight but won't they be a bit flimsy as, inevitably, I'm going to get all ham fisted and end up using the thing as a cocking aid? Shouldn't silencers be treaded on anyway to stop them blowing off or loosing concentricity?

 

I've raided the piggybank and sold another gun so I've a budget of around £250 - £300. What would you do in my place?

 

Many thanks to you all and love the forum.

[FalconFN]

Weihrauch riles are very good but as most of the noise from a spring gun will probably be from the spring, a moderator might not make a massive difference.

 

Is there any way you could get the horses used to the sound of a rifle?

 

To be honest if you want a very quiet rifle then PCP is the way forward but they are expensive. The alternative would be a CO2 rifle, they are quiet, cheap and accurate and the loss in power in cold weather shouldn't be a problem if you are shooting over such short distances.

 

If it's only for indoor ferals then a SMK or Crossman would be ideal but I wouldn't be confident taking them out to more than 20-25 yards.

 

Also .22 would be better as you won't get over-penetration and risk damaging the roof again.

[vampire]

With your budget i would try and get a second hand pcp like a BSA ULTRA,not saying its the best out there but is more than up to knocking out a few pigeons and quiet to.

Let the horses know you are there,its the sudden noise that spooks em,i have shot 410 shotgun near horses by starting at the far end of meadow and getting closer without any concern from them,its obviously much better and safer to use an air rifle.

Remember that feral pigeons carry more desease than rats so use gloves to dispose of

[deny essex]

Ive not shot air rifles for years but they were a hobby of mine. PCP, CO2 or even a pump up will be the quietest with a moderator fitted, a pump up if they are still available will give you the option of controling the power up to a point so less chance of damage.

As already said pcp and the like will be much quieter than a spring air rifle, less noise than popping a cork on a bottle.

Not sure whats available in todays moderators for air rifle but I had both screw fit and clamp up on my guns and both types were sound fitting and did the job.

The ranges you wish to shoot at with open sights are quite feasable and in my opinion 10 ft lbs would be quite adequate and have a lesser risk of damage.

[baconbuttie]

If open sights and a mod won't go together how about a laser or reflex sights ? I know a few people that shoot vermin at close range (<20m) using just a laser.

 

Get yourself a copy of ChairGun and play around with pellets and power to see what energy you have left at your ranges. You might find you can use something fairly low-powered.

[Highlander]

The biggest problem you'll have is with that asbestos roof. Even a low power air rifle (and if you go too low then you'll not kill the birds) is likely to punch holes through it. You'll need to be sure of your zero and not miss, which shouldn't be too hard on sitting birds. Either that or try feeding them onto the ground or an area with a good backstop.

[garden gun]

Which GAMO? Mrs Gun's Whisper X with integral moderator is synthetic, v light to mount and cock and is much quieter than my regular Gamo Magnum. In .22 it is well within budget. Echo all other comments on getting horses used to noise and not shooting holes in roofs/alls. It does not sound quieter at the shooters end, but boy is there a difference at the business end, but fit might be an issue - it is why we have two rifles. Couiple with RWS pellets and you have a deadly combination.

[Edward]

For indoor and close range shooting I have a crosman 2240 pistol with a ratcatcher stock and hw silencer and it is whisper quiet

[activeviii]

horses will still spook. i have used all sorts around them and they still spook.

 

if it was me i would just borrow a pcp sub 12 or look on guntrader for a cheap one and couple it with a cheap low mag scope. head shots will be easier and you will still be able to acquire the shot as quick. for £250 you should do ok.

[pabs]

Nice little CO2 gun is what you want for those distances. A Ratcatcher or something like that will be perfect. The lower output will be enough to kill the birds, and should hopefully give the roof half a chance.... Pop a can on it and it will be near silent.

Edited April 20, 2011 by pabs

[Folderol]

Which GAMO? Mrs Gun's Whisper X with integral moderator is synthetic, v light to mount and cock and is much quieter than my regular Gamo Magnum. In .22 it is well within budget. Echo all other comments on getting horses used to noise and not shooting holes in roofs/alls. It does not sound quieter at the shooters end, but boy is there a difference at the business end, but fit might be an issue - it is why we have two rifles. Couiple with RWS pellets and you have a deadly combination.

 

Thanks for the info; The Gamo was an underlever with a synthetic stock and glowy sights. It may be that my irrational dislike of black plastic that has unfairly prejudiced me against it. That you find the "Whisper" significantly quieter is V interesting.

[garden gun]

7.62mm SLR and 5.56mm SA80 soon cures any dislike of synthetic "woodwork". Know what you mean and would not have a synthetic shottie, but GAMO's glow iron sights are surprisingly good to shoot, before fitting glassware.

[TaxiDriver]

Thanks for the info; The Gamo was an underlever with a synthetic stock and glowy sights. It may be that my irrational dislike of black plastic that has unfairly prejudiced me against it. That you find the "Whisper" significantly quieter is V interesting.

That sounds like the SFX which I have.

[Albion]

Not sure about ironsights on a PCP Does this exist?!

Weihrauch do a push on moderator with cutout for foresight. Being weihrauch, I doubt it'll wobble or drop off.

[39TDS]

.22 Sharp Innova.

Perfect for what you want to do. Not moderated but they are pump up and very quiet.

Also come with peep sights and are very accurate at ranges much further than what you need.

No idea if they still make them, but second hand are around.

[The Duncan]

Chaps, chapetts,

 

Sorry if this has been done before, I searched but I could not find...

 

I'm after a rifle for short range control of pigeons at a nearby riding school. The birds are in the feed bins all the time and roost in the stable roof then "decorate" the horses. Mostly ferals (the pigeons, not the horses). Cretin farm hand had a go with some old unsilenced break barrel and proceeded to shoot holes in the asbestos barn roof, cut off the telephone (by sighting in on the junction box) and mentalising half of the horses on the yard even though the nearest one was over 75m away.

 

Wifey rides, I shoot FAC and word's got out so I've been asked to help out. Excuse to buy a new toy and free shooting/food plus endless tea & biscuits from grateful horsey ladies.

 

Ranges 5m to 15m. No neighbours and would shoot early am after turnout of the nags, but still need to be as quiet as possible to minimise chance of spooking them. I think it's the probably the "crack" noise that upsets them, sounds like a whip presumably (or a tiger stepping on a branch? Who knows what goes on in their horsey little minds;bloody good hearing though).

 

I was contemplating a 10 to 12 ft/lb 1.77 spring gun for cost/convenience and open sights due to the short range and an irrational personal prejudice against these newfangled telescopic scope device thingeys (they won’t catch on you know).

 

Went down local gunshop (Countryman of Derby) and shouldered a few springers; BSA Sportsman was very nice, but I didn't like the sights; big plastic gammo (cfx?) was wierdly weighted, too long and utterly horrible; HW99S was a very nice fit, good sights and a good price and felt quality.... but how would one go about mounting a moderator with a tunnel/blade front sight? I've seen "slip on silencers" advertised with cut outs for the foresight but won't they be a bit flimsy as, inevitably, I'm going to get all ham fisted and end up using the thing as a cocking aid? Shouldn't silencers be treaded on anyway to stop them blowing off or loosing concentricity?

 

I've raided the piggybank and sold another gun so I've a budget of around £250 - £300. What would you do in my place?

 

Many thanks to you all and love the forum.

 

If you only want to shoot 5-15m, then why waste £300? Less then £100 will get you a 9fpe ratcatcher which is more than up to the job. at £100, you'll prob get an uprated silencer if its a second hand combo.

Need to buy CO2 bulbs (40 shots each), but the little gun is accurate, ultra-lite and recoilless

[fenboy]

A tall order to get a decent airgun with silencer and open sights, you would be better off with a low mag scope for the ranges your talking about,that would give you more choice of rifle and silencers.

Also at those ranges I would go for .22 rather than 1.77 as it will have more stopping power ,you risk going straight through the birds with the 1.77 and may not impart enough energy for a clean kill also its more liable to penertrate the roof shoul you miss !

[steve 4x4]

i use an air arms S410 TDR .22 for my close pigeon work with a walther 3-9 x 56 illuminated scope works very well for me, i have it set at 20yds and it suits a treat. I hit everytime and i am fairly new to airguns. We shoot in confined spaces which would make a barn feel like a field.

Accuracy on our part in paramount as we shoot in areas with cables and security gear.

worth looking at this type of gun, but a bit pricey. ideal for walking in areas where people are as the case looks light a normal brief case.

Edited April 23, 2011 by steve 4x4

[jenky]

why not .25cal? much less of a chance of over penetration and causing damage to the roof.

[Folderol]

Many thanks for all the input; I'd not cosidered CO2 at all having thought of these guns as "only plinkers". I've now bought a lightly used BSA Supersport 1.77 with 3-12 hawke scope and a moderator for £170 which leaves me with £130 for a new/used CO2 gun & moderator for use in the barn, either "ratcatcher" or SMK 78?

[highseas]

crossman ratcatcher made for the job!!

[The Duncan]

crossman ratcatcher made for the job!!

I certainly wouldn't be without mine, ever. It's simply accounted for too many bunnies between 15 and 25 yards range. It's ideal around buildings and in thick cover.

As a matter of fact, I'm looking for a used one for a friend of mine and his son. Practise first and then short range rabbiting is on!

[The Duncan]

Many thanks for all the input; I'd not cosidered CO2 at all having thought of these guns as "only plinkers". I've now bought a lightly used BSA Supersport 1.77 with 3-12 hawke scope and a moderator for £170 which leaves me with £130 for a new/used CO2 gun & moderator for use in the barn, either "ratcatcher" or SMK 78?

That Supersport should do well for you

Wish I hadn't sold mine

[welshwarrior]

Love my supersport but have a tuned SMK QB78 for close quite work now.

 

However thinking about PCP now to replace both

[Folderol]

Again thanks for all the info chaps (chapetts?). I've taken quite a lot on board.

 

I've now bought a used (like new) 0.22 XB78 from a nearby scuba shop, "go-dive" in spondon. Delux model with 4x scope, bag, 10 caplets and a tin of pellets for £99.00. Bought a range right multifit silencer, which seemed pricy at £35.00, but was well made, easy to fit and noticably quieter when dry firing.

 

Had a look at a new Ratcatcher and was quite taken with its size & weight. However price new would have taken me over my budget after I'd sourced a silencer & adaptor. Also very short sight base for opens and the scope it came with was insultingly bad, could have come out of a cracker.

 

The XB together with the used moderated BSA Supersport 1.77 i bought last week covers all the angles pretty much.

 

I'll use the 0.22 XB in the barn and the 0.177 BSA out and about.

 

XB78 (inc bag & scope) £99.00

Silencer £35.00

BSA Supersport (inc bag, scope & silencer) £170

 

Total: £304.00

 

So only £4 over my budget but I got two guns instead of one. You may notice neither has open sights but hey. May save up for a low power scope 1.5 to 4 or some such as I find +3 or +4 uncomfortable when shooting both eyes open.

 

Again many thanks to all those who contributed.