Hey guys need some help. My dad’s pellet rifle busted when he was pumping it up today. On his 5th pump, the rifle sounded like it went off and the cylinder won’t hold any pressure now. He has been overrun with rabbits and was asking me what kind he should get.

Main purpose of the gun will be to dispatch rabbits and shots will be within 20 feet from the back door.

He doesn’t need anything super high power, but needs enough pop and accuracy to go for a headshot. He's also not looking for anything real loud.

What do y’all suggest?

Thanks!

What kind of air rifle does he have? Might be an easy fix.

Also what are you willing to spend?

Neighbors nearby, noise an issue?

An RWS 34 would be a good place to start, but depending on the budget of course.

Just don’t get a Gamo. Those things are junk.

I've had a RWS 34 for thirty years without any problems it shoots great with good pellets.

Pyramyd Air has a nice website. You can get a lot of information there, whether you buy from them or not. They also have an "Interactive Airgun Finder" that helps you determine what to look for based on your specific needs.

Link below:
Pyramyd Air

If you can find a vintage Sheridan Blue Streak or Silver Streak priced right you'll have a good one that will last.
And as stated above, the one he has may very well be repairable.

Beeman makes good ones
I have had an R9 20 cal for 15 plus years, it's a tack driver and would cleanly kill rabbits with headshots at 30 yards

a bolt action 22 with a cam and subsonics is a LOT quieter though

Not what you asked for but contact the following:

www.bakerairguns.com or dennsi@bakerairguns.com

The can fix it and they do good work.

.22 and cci quiet is very quiet. Not near as loud as a multipump air rifle, for sure. But that bullet will go through 3 or 4 rabbits and keep moving until it hits the ground, maybe still ricochet, etc.

Unless it's a reall good sized oiece of property, and/or heavily wooded, I would stick to a shotgun or an air rifle.

Thanks guys!

I use the Hammerli 850 CO2 powered for back yard rat control. I live in city with privacy fence. Just get a good expanding pellet like the new JSB Hades. If you are concerned about over penetration, just up the pellet weight to reduce the velocity. I use my ATN 4K Pro for getting the little bastids during the night. It has a Lothar Walter barrel and is a tack driver. 8 shot bolt action repeater.

But what about physics?

I definitely see more penetration with heavier pellets. Even just a regular daisy 880, with a heavy crosman dome (10.5 gr) can zip through a cottontail to a good distance depending on placement. But it is still just a pellet with a hollow skirt, even if it zips through it rapidly run out of steam unlike a solid bullet.

Stay away from Gamo and Umarex. Benjamin bought Sheridan years ago and both are decent guns but not the highest quality today. Other decent brands are Hatsan, Walther and Diana are nice rifles with great customer service. I would stay away from CO2 as it doesn't perform well in cold temps. If he has close neighbors then look for a shrouded model. I am partial to AirForce Airguns. I use a PCP Airgun to kill 200lb hogs. They can be whisper quite killers, however they are more expensive and require support equipment that is also costly. But, if you have ever dreamed of shooting a 250lb Boar Hog with a BB Gun they can get the job down.

Don't buy anything from Wally World, it's crap.

Old Benjamin or Sheridan are still hard to beat. The 17 and 22 cal Benjamin's are good but the Sheridans were the king in 20 cal. And you are right. Dennis Baker at Baker Air Guns is super guy. I have been rebuilding and rebuilding the old guns for a few years and Dennis is my go to guy for info and seal kits. I have any one of the old Sheridans they made in the 60s that are CO2 powered. The most accurate pellet gun I have ever owned. Speed never tops accuracy. You can't miss fast enough to kill your target. Good hunting.

I have a .22 cal Benjamin and a newer .177 Ruger, break barrel. Easier to load and shoot the Benjamin, Ruger is more accurate and powerful