Author Topic: Decent BB gun for a kid? (Read 1503 times)

Mule 11 · « **on:** May 20, 2024, 09:46:29 AM »

Needs to be able to dispatch ground squirrel within 25 yds and accuracy to do so. Not afraid to go pellet, butt would be nice to be reasonably priced. Leaving reasonable up to you... Lung/heart shots at 25 yds and head shots within 12 yds approximate.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2024, 10:18:01 AM »

A BB gun will not do the job. From my personal experience neither will a .177 pellet. Sure if you put 2-3 in the squirrel it will likely die but it will also likely get away before ya put that many into it.

Get a .22 or one of the 5mm/.20 caliber Sheridan guns. I have both and a .177 also. Both do the job just fine. My .177 and .22 both are Gamo Whisper models. I think you can still find them in the under $200 range, Not sure how much under.

With head or heart/lung shots both the Sheridan and the Gamo .22 drop squirrels cleanly. The .177 has proven to me it can't do that. It is still useful for taking out grackles and cowbirds both of which are legal to shoot year round here in Bama.

DDZ · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2024, 11:44:10 AM »

Since you want it to have enough power to kill squirrels at 25 yards, that leaves the DaisyRed Ryder out.

When I was about 6. The Red Ryder was my first BB gun. A buddy of mine bought a 22 cal air rifle about 5 years ago. Although the rifle was at least $2000, it is as accurate as any .22 Ive shot. He even bought a compressor to fill the CO2 bottles.
They make air rifles up to .50 cal that shoot 350gr slugs.

wtxbadger · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2024, 01:13:18 PM »

Not knowing how old the kiddo makes it harder but if it were me I would get them a cricket .22 singleshot bolt action and for ammo the Aguila .22 Super Colibri ammo. It's quieter than my Gamo pellet rifle and does a good job controlling squirrels. The one I have our kiddos used years ago when they were way young and I was teaching them how to shoot.

Mule 11 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2024, 01:13:45 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on May 20, 2024, 10:18:01 AM

A BB gun will not do the job. From my personal experience neither will a .177 pellet. Sure if you put 2-3 in the squirrel it will likely die but it will also likely get away before ya put that many into it.

Get a .22 or one of the 5mm/.20 caliber Sheridan guns. I have both and a .177 also. Both do the job just fine. My .177 and .22 both are Gamo Whisper models. I think you can still find them in the under $200 range, Not sure how much under.

With head or heart/lung shots both the Sheridan and the Gamo .22 drop squirrels cleanly. The .177 has proven to me it can't do that. It is still useful for taking out grackles and cowbirds both of which are legal to shoot year round here in Bama.

Thanks Bill.

Mule 11 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2024, 01:18:08 PM »

Quote from: DDZ on May 20, 2024, 11:44:10 AM

Since you want it to have enough power to kill squirrels at 25 yards, that leaves the DaisyRed Ryder out.

When I was about 6. The Red Ryder was my first BB gun. A buddy of mine bought a 22 cal air rifle about 5 years ago. Although the rifle was at least $2000, it is as accurate as any .22 Ive shot. He even bought a compressor to fill the CO2 bottles.
They make air rifles up to .50 cal that shoot 350gr slugs.

When I said ground squirrel I meant chipmunk. Sorry as I should have been more specific. 2K to smoke the elephant of the woods is a bit much. Thanks for the input though. Sorry for the mistake on my part...

Mule 11 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2024, 01:26:40 PM »

Quote from: wtxbadger on May 20, 2024, 01:13:18 PM

Not knowing how old the kiddo makes it harder but if it were me I would get them a cricket .22 singleshot bolt action and for ammo the Aguila .22 Super Colibri ammo. It's quieter than my Gamo pellet rifle and does a good job controlling squirrels. The one I have our kiddos used years ago when they were way young and I was teaching them how to shoot.

They have a rascal savage 22, and a 357 max in a 16” contender along with a Mathews craze 2 compound bow as I spoil my children. Unfortunately for now we are to close to neighbors for (them) to use said. I have had my share of killing just to kill, he has not... hence the info request on a decent air rifle. Thanks for your input. Oh, he’ll be 13 soon. Wish I could say that

ironglow · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2024, 01:31:43 AM »

Bill is right, a BB gun won't do it ! A decent air rifle even at Walmart will go $100 to $150. I paid about $150, several years ago, fo ra Ruger Airhawk
with wooden stock.
Although mine is a .177, I have to admit that the .22 though slower, delivers more "punch" on the target.

Frankly, I almost never use the Airhawk anymore. When I am troubled with a bothersome critter, I just use a .22 LR, with a Colibri or CCI Quiet.

One of the serious air rifles require maintenance, perhaps more that a regular .22 bolt of single shot. With a colibri, use a shorter barrel, since with a
longer barrel..24" on up. A longer barrel raises the possibility of a bullet lodging in the barrel.

A Rascal or Cricket sounds good to me, depending upon your situation. Then again, the Rascal is a self-cocker with accu-trigger.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2024, 02:25:58 AM »

This link from Amazon is pretty much what I have that will definitely get the job done:

https://www.amazon.com/Gamo-6110067954-Raptor-Whisper-Rifle/dp/B01AMAO86Y/ref=pd_scr_dp_alt2_d_d_sccl_1_2/146-6074221-0856831?pd_rd_w=bE0S0&content-id=amzn1.sym.f7521628-4bcd-4e9f-9f0a-eb76032fc6ec&pf_rd_p=f7521628-4bcd-4e9f-9f0a-eb76032fc6ec&pf_rd_r=E8T3MEANY4FNH7Q6QQS6&pd_rd_wg=ja35B&pd_rd_r=540e77b9-852c-4ac7-b74f-bf37785645aa&pd_rd_i=B01AMAOP4E&th=1&psc=1

Cost is $152 with scope included.

Mule 11 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2024, 02:52:31 AM »

Finally got my son the gamo whisper 22, had to get him weights a bench and a squat rack so that put off the pellet rifle. Sitting under the tree right now. Merry Christmas All...

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2024, 03:57:17 AM »

He will love it and it will get the job one on those chipmunks, real tree squirrels and even crows.

ironglow · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2024, 07:58:35 AM »

Yes; there is a difference !
Years ago, when my grandson was serving with the USMC as cadre at Paris island, hje llived in a house in the NCO quarters, which was backed up to
the woods.

There was plenty of action from possums, coon etc. He bought a Beeman switch barrel air rifle (.177 and .22).

Using both for head shots, he found the .22 to be far more effective. That surprised me, since I thought the .177 being somewhat faster, may be
just as deadly for head shots..

...But that was not his experience

Mule 11 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2024, 03:23:44 AM »

Mounted the scope and sighted it in yesterday, let hm shoot it a fair bit and he flat out loves it. My question is, what type of pellet is good for hunting small game within 25 yds. I was surprised at the light weight and low noise level. I certainly think it’s worth the price point. Thanks Bill.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2024, 09:58:42 AM »

I don't get any special kind of pellet for mine. I prefer a flat nose pellet but will use anything that isn't real pointed tho I'm sure those too would work. Mine just puts a serious smack down on squirrels raiding the pecans. Even took out the only crow I've shot with it nicely.

Both my .177 and my .22 are accurate enough for head shots out to 25-30 yards easily. The .177 is all that's needed for head or body shots on grackles and cow birds but with squirrels it requires multiple hits to bring them down. The .22 just takes one hit.

gene_225 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2024, 01:41:41 PM »

I have watched this posting with interest. I went with a "Nitro" .22 if I remember correctly. It has almost the speed of almost a .22 LR. However, I've gotten older now and I find it difficult to cock the action as did a much younger friend as well. Haven't found the need to buy a C02 or pump-up type.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2024, 02:01:14 PM »

Watch Sportsman's Guide. Every now and again they sell refurbished, break action, pellet rifles, for under one hundred dollars

ironglow · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2024, 04:10:23 AM »

My wood stocked Ruger Airhawk is no lightweight, coming heavier than my .22s..closer to centerfire wood stocked rifle. Below, of all the pellets I tried, these seem to work best..but I admit, my air gun experience is limited..

https://www.crosman.com/product/crosman-hollow-point-pellet/

Land_Owner · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2024, 05:37:26 AM »

I bought a refurbished, Walther air rifle, break action, for $90 from Sportsman's Guide that'll put a standard 38 grain pellet to 1,000 fps.

ironglow · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2024, 10:28:24 AM »

Is that a 38 gr pellet? Seems a bit heavy, unless it is a larger caliber..

Land_Owner · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2024, 11:35:56 AM »

I don't remember I just took a stab at it

ironglow · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2024, 07:02:25 AM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on December 29, 2024, 11:35:56 AM

I don't remember I just took a stab at it

Itb looks like I stand corrected... Upon looking them up, I found that some .22 cal pellets do go that large. I guess I was just too accustomed to the .177 variety..

https://www.pyramydair.com/ammo/air-gun-ammo/pellets?srsltid=AfmBOoreFopReeWtoSkNt6x7q7dG4xR-oJml1qNq1-p3OUT1jW47uJPs