Need to buy a pellet gun

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I have a hawk that has been perching and picking off sparrows. This morning it got one of my chickens. Please recommend a pellet gun that will handle a predator. Please also refrain from commenting if you disagree.

 

[cappy]

I don't disagree however the feds might. All raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls) are protected by federal law. If you must shoot, don't get caught. The fines are steep.
Ken

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
I don't disagree other than the fact that they are protected under federal and state laws. You can't shoot them without the appropriate depredation permits.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I understand...let's just say I want to buy a pellet gun. What would you recommend?

 

[cappy]

If the bird is large enough to take a chicken a pellet gun ain't going to do it unless you are extremely close. The standard .177 pellet just doesn't have the velocity or range unless you want to spent $400 or $500 for a top of the line model and even then that is marginal. You can buy a reliable .22 for much less.
Ken

 

[Mac in Wisco]

That depends. Are you wanting a pellet gun because you live in an urban area and think it will be safer? If so, you can just try a Crosman pump rifle from Wal-Mart. Personally, for actually killing something, I would suggest a .22 caliber, break barrel, spring powered gun. These are not toys though, they are are high powered air rifles. I would not shoot one in an area where you wouldn't feel safe firing a regular .22 rifle.

 

[theFox]

Do not get a 22 to shoot a bird.

The bullet from a modern 22 long rifle shell can travel well over 1 mile before hitting the ground if fired into the air.

A 20 gauge shot gun will do the trick.

Like the other posters have said it is a federal offense in the US to shoot a raptor without a permit and they don't really like to give them to normal folk.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Thanks - I'll have to rethink this. I can't discharge a firearm within city limits which is why I was thinking pellet gun. I was about 10 feet away today and had to scare it off.

 

[Damummis]

I personally have a crossman phantom. Very accurate right out of the box. Shoots 1000 fps. Takes out squirrels, and other small animals quite efficiently. I love this pellet gun. I have noticed that hollow points don't go as far as regular .177 pellets. But other than that it is very easy to use and is affordable.

Just my humble opinon.

 

[STEPHANIELAUREN]

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