air rifle for squirrels

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dpwdshntr

New member
I was wondering if anyone knew much about the CF-X Gamo pellet gun. I am wanting to get one for squirrels. I like the look of this gun (the fixed barrle especially) and the reported velocity (1000 FPS in .177). Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this gun or actually chronoed it before. Thanks for your help.
 
Almost all companies use the lightest pellet they can find to acheive the numbers they claim. Probably if you could get 1000 fps it might not be a good pellet for hunting. The .177 is flat shooting but I prefer a .20 or .22 for killing squirrels. I keep my .20 at about 850 fps for birds or squirrels and 950 for skunks cats coons.
 
tripod3 just about hit it on the nosey as to what caliber is good. .177 for feathers, .20 or .22 for fur. Anything Gamo is a good gun. Gamo makes some quality air rifles and will be backed up by the warranty. I used to have a Gamo Young Hunter that shot 640 fps according to the company. I never chronographed the gun, but it dropped everything I ever shot with it one shot. Maybe I was doing some good shooting or maybe it was the gun. Gamo makes some great stuff and they are definetly a company you should consider.
 
Well, anything I shoot at with a pellet gun will be a head shot...I used to have a Ben. in .177. I no longer have it, but killed many rabbits and squirrels with it (including my first). Just was really wondering about the quality of the gun. I like the fixed barrel design and the one [beeep] reloading...that is why I am looking at this one instead of another Ben. Would like to use my .17 HMR. But it is at my deer lease and don't want to make a lot of noise right now...will probably use it during the off season...we have tons of them. Plus you can never have too many guns, no mater what kind they are...lol.
 
i used to just put a 22 short in my marlin and it dropped many a squirrel in my backyard and it was actually quieter than a pump pellet gun. the short will not cycle the action so you have to remove the empty case but it beat a $200 pellet gun. the bullet was a cci 22 short cb.
 
i use air rifles almost exclusively for small game and swear by them. i prefer something a little higher end than a gamo but , the gamo is an excellent gun for the money and accurate to boot. i have a few precharged guns that take squirrels at ranges approaching 3 figures, but they are about as loud as a rimfire. spring guns are nice and quiet. i find myself using an rws 52 in 22 alot lately. farthest squirrel this season was a measured 68 yds.
 
I figured that the Gamo would be a good air rifle to start with. I would love to have a Air Force Talon SS in .22. But, don't want to jump into it too quickly (money wise)...but depending on how much I like hunting with an air rifle (which I KNOW I will...lol). Who knows sometime down the road...
 
I have a Beeman R1 in 20 cal., with a 4x32 scope on it, and love it, even with the barrel cocking action. The 20 cal. is awesome on most anything, still shoots real flat, yet hits A LOT harder. I use it to shoot pigeons (a.k.a flying rats) at my in-laws farm. I can shoot the pigeons off of the top of a very tall silo with no problems. Have also killed several other varmints around the neighborhood.

I also have a question for you airgunners out there, what would you guys recommend for 7 year-old for a first air rifle? He will always be with me when using it, but I want something he can use without worrying about a very expensive rifle like my R1, but I want it to fit him as well?
 
Beman Crow Magnums. In any caliber. Beman Crow Magnums really lay the smackdown on any critter they hit. I'm gonna post a pic of a chipmunk I shot at 25 yards with my pellet rifle and crow magnums. You've gotta see the head on this critter....

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How's that? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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what pellets do you use for hunting



Predator Polymer Tip Pellet, they come in 18 gr .22 and 8 gr .177. do a great job of dropping birds and squirrels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
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voted best by my hunting partner / cat
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they're web site is http://www.predatorpellets.com/
 
For pellets, consistancy lends to accuracy. I prefer round nose/dome pellets which also have a very high ballistic coefficient and retain energy. This gives more kills. A few companies make premium domed pellets that are very popular in the airgun world. As a European airgun champion once said, these crosman domed pellets are so good you should go into debt buying extras. I have personaly shot 25,000 of them. The crosman premier, logun/crosman accupel are good. Even seating depth matters. here is a link with more info. http://www.straightshooters.com/ssmenu.html
 
I own a Summatra which is a Pre Charged .22 caliber air rifle. It shoots 30 grain pellets at about 1150 FPS and with about 55 FPE it makes a great hunting pellet gun. I have owned a Gamo 890 in the past and have taken many squriels and coons with that gun. If you think you really want to get in air guns, spend the extra $150 or so and get a pre charged. I have taken coyotes with mine and I now you will be much happier in the long run!
Good Shooting
 
cjg_beef,
I think it might, just might be possible if they are shooting the .22 pre-charged pneumatic air rifles that are humping along at 1300 fps. It's not very ethical, but if might be possible if you get a shot behind the ear or something like that at 30 yards or closer. I'm not sure, but it's possible.
 
About two years ago I killed a coyote with my Career in .22 cal. Shot it in the head then followed up with two more. Have been waiting for my chance with the .20 the next time I see one in the yard.
 
I've got a Career 707 PCP airgun in .22
It'll send a 29 gr lead pellet out at around 970 fps.
and an 18 gr polymer tipped pellet at 1160 fps
I've used it on animals as large as a racoon.

you could probably do head shot on a coyote, close range and knock it down.

now for larger animals, there's this bad boy.
http://www.bigboreairguns.com/457/457.htm
it's a 6 shot .45 Magnum air rifle
It'll push a 630 gr bullet at 663 fps
that'll give what your shooting at a headache.

Dave
 
I've never shot a squirrel with mine, but I have taken a crow at 40-45 yards. I have an RWS model 36 in .177 topped with a 2-7x32 scope. After much cussing trying different pellets, I finally got some Crosman Premiers. They shoot the best by far in my gun.
 


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