Daisy 22X for Squirrels?

[Jackal]

Hi,
Does anyone have any experience with this rifle and taking squirrels?  I'm looking for a quiet yet powerful gun to defend our bird feeder.  Any other suggestions would be great.  I'm trying to keep the price below $100.  Thanks.

[LittleJerry]

I have no experience with the .22x, but I do with other daisy pumps.  

If you are looking for a quiet rifle, dont go with a pump.  It is quite loud.

My suggestion would be a spring breakbarrel, underlever, or sidecocking rifle.  Lawdog highly recomends the TechForce 97 at compasseco.  It will shoot .22s at 750fps and is pretty accurate for only $80.  

http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=Tech%20Force%20Air%20Guns&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles

[Jackal]

The Tech Force guns seem pretty good for the price.  Does anyone have any experience with either the Model 25 or Model 22?  What is the minimum FPS anyone would use for .177 pellets on a squirrel, assuming proper shot placement?

[Lawdog]

Jackal,

The Tech Force model 25 is the better rifle.  Comes with an adjustable trigger, more power and a better finish.  My youngest daughter uses one in .22 caliber for small game hunting(up to turkey size).  For shooting squirrels I would stick with a .22 caliber over the .177 any day.  I have taken many small animals with calibers ranging from .177 to .25 caliber in air rifles and squirrels can be very tough to kill.  The larger diameter of the .22 caliber carries more power than the .177 even though it is traveling at a lower velocity.  A Tech Force model 25 in .22 caliber will serve all your needs and do it well.  Lawdog
 

[ed1921]

I'd go with a .22 springer.
It's hard enough to get a follow up shot having to cock & insert a pellet.
Trying to get enough pumps in would take to long & scare them even more.
They are tough critters that often take a few shots.

[antlery]

How loud is the TF 25 in .22 caliber? I would be using primarily in the backyard with neighbors around.  I would not want one that is too loud, meaning as loud as a .22 CB.

[Lawdog]

How loud is the TF 25 in .22 caliber? I would be using primarily in the backyard with neighbors around.  I would not want one that is too loud, meaning as loud as a .22 CB.

Any air rifle with enough power to hunt small game is going to have a pop to it.  Most likely as loud or a bit louder than .22 CB's.  Remember any time you start to approach the sound barrier the sound increases.  So the more powerful the air rifle the louder it is going to be.  Lawdog
 

[Jackal]

Lawdog,
What type of optics does your daughter's TF25 have?  Also, what type of accuracy does the rifle give?  Thanks,
Jackal

[Lawdog]

Jackal,

I mounted a BSA 3-12x 40mm Model #AR312X40 on BKL rings.  Groups(5 shot) can be covered by a dime at 25 yards using Beeman H&N Match pellets.         Lawdog
 

[Jackal]

Lawdog,
Does the scope seem to be holding up?  I will probably use the same model.  Thanks,
Jackal

[doc_kreipke]

Since the speed of sound is roughly 1000 ft/sec, and most .22 magnum air rifles shoot at 750 - 900 ft/sec, I figure that most .22 airguns are subsonic.

Does this mean that a .22 rifle is usually going quieter than its corresponding .177?

[ed1921]

Not sure about the sound, but everything I've read says that pellets aren't designed for supersonic speeds. Accuracy drops off if the pellet goes supersonic. Use heavier pellets to keep the speed down. I suspect the speed ratings are exagerated anyway.
BTW- I have a .22 Marlin rifle shooting CB shorts that is a lot quieter than my RWS model 48 .22 side lever. The bullet/pellet speeds are supposed the be about the same, except the .22 bullet is a lot heavier than the pellet.

[Lawdog]

Lawdog,
Does the scope seem to be holding up?  I will probably use the same model.  Thanks,
Jackal

I have that same scope on my Tech Force 99M(over 2,000 pellets fired thru it) and my son in-law has one on his RWS 350M.  A number of other air rifle users have them on their "magnum" springers and none have failed.  BSA completely overhauled their manufacturing process a few years ago to make better, higher quality optics.  Before that BSA didn’t have the best name in the business.  I was leery of trying them until friends convinced me to give one a try.  They were right, the new BSA is not the company of old.  Lawdog