Choosing the right BB gun

[Rin]

I can't have a real gun and would like a nice BB gun that would really deter the predators - do you have one you use for this purpose? Which ones for you have been tried and true? I want something that would put a proper sting in the hide of a fox, possum, or coon but not too loud as to disturb the people across the lake from me whether I'm pelting a possum with metal bbs or practicing mid day with plastic ones. Ebay is so overwhelming in this.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Look for a combo BB/pellet gun. For larger animals, use the pellet option. If you're shooting to kill on smaller ones, use the pellet option and aim for the head (especially the ear area).

Use a BB for whatever suits your purpose. Both pellets and BBs are fairly cheap.

I prefer the Daisy brand myself.

 

[Rin]

Quote:
<3 I love you! Mmm - would a pellet gun take the plastic bbs for the purpose of practice? I don't mind killing the smaller things quite frankly. This possum who's giving me the most trouble needs to either leave or die. I've tried sneaking up on him with a pole but he sees me once I hit the bottom of the steps(when my shadow goes over him).

So a Daisy pellet gun, any models of choice?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Yes...I'm trying to find it. I can't seem to be able to work the Daisy website, so I'm gonna try and figure it out real quick.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

This is the one I've had for years... Pump it up high enough and you can kill a possum with one shot. Word of warning...Do not shoot inbetween the eyes, aim for inside of the ears. If you want, you can shoot it inbetween the eyes, it will play dead and then you can walk up and shoot it in the ear which will kill it.

http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/Daisy_BB_Gun_Pellet_880_Pump_Rifle_p/day880.htm


I do NOT use a scope.

 

[ericsplls]

I used a daisy powerline 880 in my younger years. It took several rabbits, countless squirrel, probably a truckload of armadillos, some feral animals that I'd rather not name and one possum. The possum was the tough one. The problem with stinging the coons and possums is they will learn to bolt when you open the door but they will still come around. You need to put them down the first try if you want them gone. If you only want to kill vermin I would reccomend a gamo whisper. You only get one shot but with proper placement you won't need it. The C O2 powered air rifles are nice for repeat shots but are lacking on power. They are also inconveinient when you run out of CO2 and a fox comes by before you restock. With something like the powerline 880 or other nice pump air rifle I would stick to bb's even on the larger animals. They penetrate deeper than pellets and lack velocity to deliver the shock effect a pellet would provide. The benefit is if you want to sting a stray dog you can pump it to about half power and not break the skin. A bb an inch under the skin with a little blood spot can permanently damage a dog and can really make a neighbor down the road mad even if he was after your chickens. As far as practicing a cardboard box with a half dozen magazines in the back and the rest filled with balled up scrap paper will stop any bb or pelet you throw at it. Also a bb or pellet can ricotchet when shot at something hard or at an angle but a pellet will make the whistling sound as it tumbles and your neighbors will not appreciate it.

 

[Rin]

Quote:
Oooohhh <3 THANK you, looking at the reviews it looks like I found my gun >

I'm not sure if I need the scope or not yet myself.... embarrassed to admit the only gun I've ever shot before was a water gun. XD Hence desire to practice practice practice :>

 

[Rin]

Quote:
Really? So don't use any metal pellets? What if the intent is JUST to shock with say - we get black bears here too. You cannot shoot to kill them(protected) but is it safe to shoot them with a bb and gun lalf-pumped like a dog?

 

[Davaroo]

Personally, I prefer the Benjamin or Sheridan products. They're made in the USA, and are both rugged and powerful. They are also multi-pump rifles, so can be adjusted to the level of power needed.
Now, as if that wasn't enough, get this - - they can be had in .22 caliber!

Most "combo" pellet guns are in .177 caliber, which gives you a somewhat faster velocity. And there is merit in shooting both pellets and BB's from the same gun, but each usually shoots to a different point of aim and there is little the BB's are good for but popping cans.

But the .22 caliber pellet will also serve any target and practice purposes you may find.
BUT - the extra weight of the larger, .22 caliber pill, when driven hard, gives a knockdown punch the .177 pellets can't muster.
This is important when you're considering the weapon for predator deterrence/dispatch.

Back in the old days they used to say, "Beware of the man with only one gun." I wouldn't consider the .177 combo-gun for anything really serious when it comes to dealing with potentially predatory animals.

Just google the Benjamin/Sheridan air rifles.

 

[ericsplls]

Quote:
Really? So don't use any metal pellets? What if the intent is JUST to shock with say - we get black bears here too. You cannot shoot to kill them(protected) but is it safe to shoot them with a bb and gun lalf-pumped like a dog?

The only safe thing to shoot a bear with is something that will break a shoulder and drive down through the lungs. Some DNR people use rubber buckshot on bears pretty succesfully but they have backup when needed. If you shot one with a pellet gun it would probably turn tail and run but I wouldn't reccoment it.