I need a pest control option that is not a firearm, in part because discharging firearms is technically not allowed in the neighborhood where I need to control a ground squirrel population, and in part because I can legally purchase a suppressed air rifle without jumping through any hoops of US bureaucratic nonsense so I can avoid bothering neighbors or dealing with feds.
I have narrowed my choices to .177 (4.5mm) caliber models, because while I know .22 is fairly common, and larger bores are available, it's by far the most widely available, and should be ample for the job at hand. I'd love a nice precharged pneumatic, but a single-pump break action should be adequate. I'd prefer to avoid CO2. I'm willing to spend some extra cash for a decent model, because I know my marksmanship skills (such as they are) should translate over.
At the moment, I am thinking I could afford as much as the approximately $300 USD asking price for the Gamo Swarm Magnum Gen3i I recently saw at a local retailer. The advertised velocity is ammo-dependent, but if I am accepting the limitations of .177, I want as much velocity and air pressure as I can reasonably get.
My questions for you, fellow bloggers, are simple. What air rifle models do you recommend, and why? What personal experience do you have with pellet rifles for varmint control? What maintenance issues and wear/breakage points should I consider? And am I overlooking something else important as I weigh my options? Comment below, please!
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