Minimum airgun (model) recommended for squirrel hunting?

[Poopers]

I got a 17hmr for small game but certain areas where I hunt are frequented by hikers and such so Im thinking about getting an air rifle specifically for these areas. ( Im also getting a .22 breakdown to use CB caps in when its available again )

My likely target will only be squirrels with the oddball rabbit if they present me with an easy shot. I probably wouldnt take any shots beyond 30yards. Im wondering, what is the minimum air rifle you guys recommend for me? Im talking model-specific.  I REALLY dont want to spend much over $100 but I know you get what you pay for so Im open to higher prices. Remember, I need squirrel-head MOA 

Bonus points go to something fairly compact! If I can fit it inside a big backpack that would be amazing

[jlwilliams]

  Browning 800 magnum air pistol.  As powerful as some air rifles, certainly powerful enough for bushytails.  Big for a pistol, but certainly more compact than a rifle.  You can put it into a backpack no problem.

 Bear in mind that the barrel length laws for rifles only aply to 'firearms' as defined by law.  An air gun (even a really powerful one) isn't a firearm in the eyes of the law.  Point is, you can put a detachable stock on an air pistol.  That would be a HUGE no-no  to do with a 22lr pistol, but not even an issue if you do it with an air gun.  You could make a wood or bent wire stock that holds on with a couple of wing nuts.  Maybe make one that is built around a soft pistol case so that the gun stores inside.  Take it out, wing nut it toghetjer and you have a little rifle.  Kind of like the old Broomhandles or Lugers.

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/browning-800-mag-air-pistol.shtml

[Victor3]

Might want to look at a Crosman 2240 with the shoulder stock. That would be about $100 and could fit in a pack. For a little more money you could go nuts and get one set up the way you want from the Crosman custom shop...

http://www.crosman.com/custom_store/1/step1

[keith44]

So for squirrel head shots you need a rifle capable of 3/4" groups at whatever distance you hunt them.  You also need to deliver at least 4 foot pounds of energy at that range.  Stay away from ultra light pellets, they do not carry the energy needed to cleanly take game at any realistic hunting range.  I also reccomend .22 cal or possibly .20 cal, over the .177's for hunting.  As for $100.00 limit I think you should look to Gamo, RWS, and the lower end of the Beeman line.  If possible try to actually hold and or fire any you are considering, stock dimentions being slightly different between the models.  In .22 look for at least 800 fps at the muzzle WITH STANDARD WEIGHT PELLETS.

good luck, and have fun

Keith

[LunaticFringeInc]

Gotta agree with Kieth44 on choosing a 22 cal pellet with at least 800 fps.  The much heavier 22 pellets will carry a lot more penetration and knock down power to take small game such as squirrels and rabbits more cleanly than the .177 will.

When I was in California, I took the screen off my livingroom window (shot from inside the house) and would open it and go to town on squirrels all afternoon long with a BSA in 22 cal.  My neighbors in the next town houses over didnt have a clue.  I ate oven roasted squirrel about once or twice a week.

[S.S.]

Archer Airguns QB78 in .22 caliber.
Mine has taken close to 50 squirrels in the last couple of years.
most with headshots. It is not a power house but it is deadly
accurate within 25 yards or so. It uses 2-12gram co2 powerlets
and averages around 45 shots at close to the same velocity.
you can shoot a bunch more but power begins to drop.
It is a light, handy bolt action that is also a breeze to disassemble
and "Tinker" with. I have mine to right at 600 fps with 14.5 grain pellets.
This works out to about 11.5 ft pounds at the muzzle. Keep in mind that Britain
and several other European countries have a 12 ft pound power limit
and those guys are serious rabbit hunters and do well with that power limit.
They just make sure to be accurate.