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Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game?

Posted By: JB1316

Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/20/18 01:14 PM

Im looking to take my 6 year old camping this weekend at the lease, and want to get a .22 or .177 so we can "hunt" for rabbits or raccoons at night. I've been wanting to get one for the last year so I could take out critters hanging around the feeder while waiting for the hogs anyways and thought now is the time. Not looking to spend a lot, $100 or so - anyone have a favorite or general tips?
Posted By: Lipan Creep

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/20/18 02:50 PM

Try to find you a used Ruger 10-22 at a Pawn Shop
Posted By: 603Country

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/20/18 03:30 PM

Pellet rifle? A Sheridan or Benjamin pump type.
Posted By: JB1316

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/20/18 06:39 PM

Sorry, pellet gun/air rifle
Posted By: TTUGrad08

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/20/18 11:49 PM

My vote would be a .22 LR rimfire, Savage or Marlin. It will be a far more effective killer than airgun plus probably more accurate as well.

You could always use some of the CCI Quiet .22 ammo if noise is an issue.

If you are dead set on airgun than an RWS .22 springer would be next up but probably more $$ than a rimfire.
Posted By: JB1316

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/21/18 06:50 PM

Man, I went by Academy yesterday to check them out. These arent the bb guns of my youth. They're long, heavy, and damned near the same price as a lot of 22lr's... May need to just give it a year and buy my boy a 10/22...
Posted By: Vern1

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/21/18 07:13 PM

.22 cal. PCP air rifles are getting in the 200 dollar range.

Down side is you have to have a pump, scuba tank or similar to fill it.

Up side is it will be much, much easier on scopes and you will actually be able to hit what you aim at after a little practice due to almost zero recoil.

A springer will destroy standard scopes right and left and due to all the shaking going on when you pull the trigger.
When you pull the trigger on a springer, the first thing that moves is a big old heavy piston driven by a spring and they recoil FORWARD initially when fired they can be very hard to get used to and lots of folks have a hard time hitting consistently with them even with years of practice.
And the ones with faster FPS have strong springs that can be impossible for a kid to [censored] and dangerous if it slips.

Get a PCP, it's easier to shoot and most are multi-shot per fill so you can get another follow up shot quickly without lots of movement to re-[censored] it.
Posted By: Smokey Bear

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/22/18 01:30 AM

A little single shot .22 that will shoot "shorts". Get the subsonic CB's. No ear plugs needed. Should be able to stay in budget too.
Posted By: colt45-90

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/22/18 02:48 AM

Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
A little single shot .22 that will shoot "shorts". Get the subsonic CB's. No ear plugs needed. Should be able to stay in budget too.
this, first gun should be an single shot...
Posted By: quackedup

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/22/18 03:00 PM

sometimes you can find an air rifle on Midway's site that is a manufacturer refurbished gun for about $50. i grabbed a crossman or gamo about a year ago and i can't get it away from my kids.
Posted By: SnakeWrangler

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/22/18 03:29 PM

My first rifle was a Winchester model 67 single shot bolt action....I still have it 45 years later....
Posted By: Wytex

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/22/18 08:09 PM

Look for a Chipmunk .22, great little single shot bolt action.
Posted By: Wacm

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/26/18 07:11 PM

A cheap pellet gun is worthless. You'll be better off with a 22. The cricket single shot is awesome for kids. My son is 9 and still like to shoot his
Posted By: Texasteach

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 03/26/18 08:07 PM

For the future sniper...

Kid's Tactical .22
Posted By: shea.mcphail

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 04/02/18 02:54 AM

Originally Posted By: TTUGrad08
My vote would be a .22 LR rimfire, Savage or Marlin. It will be a far more effective killer than airgun plus probably more accurate as well.

You could always use some of the CCI Quiet .22 ammo if noise is an issue.

If you are dead set on airgun than an RWS .22 springer would be next up but probably more $$ than a rimfire.


I bought a new takedown 10/22 and have used the CCI quiet 22. Problem is that my 10/22 won’t automatically eject and load anothe round with the CCI Quiet. Any recommendations?
Posted By: pigplinker

Re: Recommendations for .177 or .22 for small game? - 04/02/18 09:49 AM

Originally Posted By: colt45
Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
A little single shot .22 that will shoot "shorts". Get the subsonic CB's. No ear plugs needed. Should be able to stay in budget too.
this, first gun should be an single shot...


Agree this teaches shot placement more than follow up shots. One shot one kill.
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