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johnlochey · Veteran Member

Hey all,

I have never hunted, can you believe that? I have done TONS of target shooting with air guns however. Now I want to do a little squirrel hunting that won't break the bank.

So can somebody suggest the following?

1) What air rifle for under $200?

2) Do I need a scope?

Thinking about either the Gamo Big Cat 1200, Crosman Quest 1000x or the Gamo Varmint Hunter. Welcome all advice.

I'm planning to hunt squirrels and/or rabbit and make "jerky" of of them! Mr. Green

Thanks a lot!

AirGunEric · Site Admin

The Diana/RWS 34 Panther can be had with a synthetic stock for just under $200.00 these days: http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-34-panther-air-rifle.shtml

alphakilla · Veteran Member

I'm very happy with my Beeman .177/.22 cal. dual caliber hunter. I had to "learn" the gun. But, for about $135 I think it's great.
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/beeman-ss1000-s-air-rifle-dual-caliber.shtml

I hear good things about this $110 Ruger:
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/ruger-air-hawk-air-rifle.shtml

Crosman Storm XT is IMO a "killer's" gun. I don't mean to sound NUTS but, in the right hands I believe this rifle will take out dog-sized animals. I, myself have personally harvested a raccoon with 1 shot with it. For $99 it's a good buy. Hope you end up with a high performer.

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

Hey John,

Other than back yard hunting... Me neither... but I am going “out” squirrel hunting for the first time this Saturday with one of the guys from the local powder burner shop where I get my bulk tanks filled.

I am slinging up and taking along both my Bulked 2250 and my Modified folding stock 2240. Where we are going we will have over 20 acres of horse property to hunt on.

He liked what I did to the 2250 so much; he went and ordered a RWS 54 to air gun hunt with. This will be his first time hunting with an air gun. To celebrate his new AG acquisition… I made him a muzzle brake and rear sight cover for it.

He is now bringing in RWS and AirForce AG’s into the store… you know the first Talon that comes in, is for him…

I guess that makes me an AG Missionary… I done converted a powder sniffer…

broommaster2000 · Moderator

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

I took this little guy with a head shot this morning at 0730... & 39F.

40 yards with my bulked 2250 scoped.

I am going to clean him up, take your advice and make jerky out of him.

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Oooh, nice.

"This one don't work, I'll try another... Nope doesn't work, let's see..." Mr. Green

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Making jerky out of squirrels???
...wouldn't be my first choice.

johnlochey · Veteran Member

Jerky out of squirrel? Why not? Is squirrel not good? I've made jerky out of a lot of things, but not squirrel. In fact, I have never eaten squirrel...

Am I going down the wrong path here? Shocked

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

Roger is fond of stew...

Hey... wait a min... This sounds Yummy!
BBQ Squirrel Kabobs with a spicy cheese fondue sauce...

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Squirrel stew is the way to go because it cooks a long time and tenderizes and moisturizes the meat. It's just too chewy and stringy otherwise. And considering jerky makes even scrumptious meats chewy and stringy, I can only imagine what it does to squirrel meat.

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

fritz · Silver Status Member

I reccomend a Diana 34 (panther or wood stock), with a scope but that costs like... $250?

Beeman offers a heave target rifle, rs2, and rs3 which all seem suitable to take down everything. I would only get a .22 gun to hunt with, punch paper with a .177.

I would not get Gamo rifles because... well... they are Gamos.

So look at Beeman HTR, RS2, RS3, and the RWS Diana 34 in .22. The D34 with a scope runs a bit more than $200 but will not disappoint.

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

i have/had the Beeman RS-2 in .22 fit and finish is OK, once sighted in its fairly accurate.... and its devastating on squirrels. but..... the overall quality is questionable. the scope that came with the combo broke before the rifle was broken in and replaced under warranty. the piston recently broke and i'm tryin to convince them to fix or replace the rifle.

for some reason i seem to be a spring piston guy... i shoot them 10 to 1 over my PCP.

i'm a little surprised that no one mentioned that while some .177 cal rifles can take small game, .22s seem to be the prefered caliber for hunting.

i'm too lazy to walk all day in the woods carrying a water bottle much less a rifle, but weight might be a consideration for you as well.