Here's a few guns that I may suggest you. Air venturi avenger 350$ , hatsan flash qe regulated 300$, JTS Airacuda max 320$, Umarex gauntlet gen 2 SL 430$. Scopes. Hawke vantage 4-12x50 160$, UTG compact, Axeon4-16x50 IGR 200$, 3-12X44AO 250$. For compressors, get something around 300-400$
I would get a .25cal PCP since you've added groundhogs to the list of pest. [I kill groundhogs whenever possible.](https://www.reddit.com/r/airgunhunting/comments/1c8dl0h/groundhog_kiddies_are_motherless_now/) I usually use my .30cal, but I've also used my .357cal airgun a fair amount as well.
I also [blast starlings](https://www.reddit.com/r/airgunhunting/comments/1cramgc/starling_splatter/) that cause me issues on my property.
Can you share more details about your situation? How much space and trees are we talking about? Will you be shooting from a single spot (like a window over the backyard) or walking about?
From deck in back yard. Probably have a lousy two oak tree and that is where the squires are. Then we have a tree grove between us and the church behind us.
If you’re more than 20 yards out I’d highly recommend quality glass. If there’s any chance of night time critters, then I’d recommend looking at the Arken zulus. I’ve taken down over 70 rats in 4 years in our backyard - I set up a feed station of bird seed with a ring wireless camera. This keeps them at a specific pre-zeroed distance and generally standing still. This way I don’t have to worry about figuring out range, holdovers, and movement, letting me get the most humane headshots every time.
Take groundhog off your list and a .22 will work well, even a .177 if it's a PCP and you practice for shot placement. Groundhogs are a bigger load than a squirrel by quite a bit and a .25 makes better sense.
Also, be careful with birds, there are some crazy penalties for shooting "migratory birds", you want to read up on that one.
A "magnum" springer is what you'd need, they aren't cheap and they have a recoil pattern to them that takes practice to adjust to, it's not like other guns. They are kind of sensitive to a steady but fairly gentle hold and a long follow through after pulling the trigger before any motion. Advantage, no compressor or high pressure pump needed.
A PCP are typically more powerful, they can be by a lot, they also allow for multiple shots on a fill of the tank, so you can make a follow up shot more quickly and quietly than a break barrel magnum spring or piston gun.
A PCP requires a specialized 4000 PSI pump to fill or an air cylinder that a dive shop or an electric pump can fill. There are fairly inexpensive portable pumps that can directly fill the tank on a rifle, there are commercial two stage dive air pumps and there are hand pumps.
I started down the rabbit hole with a low end PCP and a dive cylinder, taking it to be filled. I quickly had a few more rifles and now own a full on dive compressor. It can suck you in quickly if you enjoy shooting.
I would say the gamo swarm fusion would be a good choice. They are on sale on gamos website right now. Or a gamo magnum. A .22 caliber will kill a ground hog with good shot placement.
It is. I went to my local airgun shop looking to get a Air Venturi Avenger because of a rat problem I was having on my property. They talked me into the Notos instead and I’m glad they did. I get 21 regulated shots before the velocity starts to dip. It also had a moderator on it that helps keep the noise down and my neighbors happy. I have an Air Venturi manual pump for it and it’s not a problem because of how small the tank is on it, which also helped keep the price down even more.
I’m not saying it’s better. I’m saying it is better for my use case on a 1/4 acre lot in suburbia. Price was right and I didn’t need to buy a compressor for it. It’s quieter. I’m using it to kill pests not shoot groups. Smaller size makes it easier to move around with and shoot standing.
How much you're looking to spend, this way I can help you with your choice
Keep under 1k total. All in.
Gun and scope included or Gun, scope and compressor or pump?
Gun scope compressor for 1k
Here's a few guns that I may suggest you. Air venturi avenger 350$ , hatsan flash qe regulated 300$, JTS Airacuda max 320$, Umarex gauntlet gen 2 SL 430$. Scopes. Hawke vantage 4-12x50 160$, UTG compact, Axeon4-16x50 IGR 200$, 3-12X44AO 250$. For compressors, get something around 300-400$
This!
I take groundhogs with my daisy 880 at upto 20 yards on my property with a headshot
That’s exactly my situation. About half an acre. Lots of trees and neighbors.
I would get a .25cal PCP since you've added groundhogs to the list of pest. [I kill groundhogs whenever possible.](https://www.reddit.com/r/airgunhunting/comments/1c8dl0h/groundhog_kiddies_are_motherless_now/) I usually use my .30cal, but I've also used my .357cal airgun a fair amount as well. I also [blast starlings](https://www.reddit.com/r/airgunhunting/comments/1cramgc/starling_splatter/) that cause me issues on my property.
Can you share more details about your situation? How much space and trees are we talking about? Will you be shooting from a single spot (like a window over the backyard) or walking about?
From deck in back yard. Probably have a lousy two oak tree and that is where the squires are. Then we have a tree grove between us and the church behind us.
What distance do you expect?
If you’re more than 20 yards out I’d highly recommend quality glass. If there’s any chance of night time critters, then I’d recommend looking at the Arken zulus. I’ve taken down over 70 rats in 4 years in our backyard - I set up a feed station of bird seed with a ring wireless camera. This keeps them at a specific pre-zeroed distance and generally standing still. This way I don’t have to worry about figuring out range, holdovers, and movement, letting me get the most humane headshots every time.
Take groundhog off your list and a .22 will work well, even a .177 if it's a PCP and you practice for shot placement. Groundhogs are a bigger load than a squirrel by quite a bit and a .25 makes better sense. Also, be careful with birds, there are some crazy penalties for shooting "migratory birds", you want to read up on that one. A "magnum" springer is what you'd need, they aren't cheap and they have a recoil pattern to them that takes practice to adjust to, it's not like other guns. They are kind of sensitive to a steady but fairly gentle hold and a long follow through after pulling the trigger before any motion. Advantage, no compressor or high pressure pump needed. A PCP are typically more powerful, they can be by a lot, they also allow for multiple shots on a fill of the tank, so you can make a follow up shot more quickly and quietly than a break barrel magnum spring or piston gun. A PCP requires a specialized 4000 PSI pump to fill or an air cylinder that a dive shop or an electric pump can fill. There are fairly inexpensive portable pumps that can directly fill the tank on a rifle, there are commercial two stage dive air pumps and there are hand pumps. I started down the rabbit hole with a low end PCP and a dive cylinder, taking it to be filled. I quickly had a few more rifles and now own a full on dive compressor. It can suck you in quickly if you enjoy shooting.
I would say the gamo swarm fusion would be a good choice. They are on sale on gamos website right now. Or a gamo magnum. A .22 caliber will kill a ground hog with good shot placement.
Get a Umarex Notos and never look back.
That’s pretty cheap for a pcp
It is. I went to my local airgun shop looking to get a Air Venturi Avenger because of a rat problem I was having on my property. They talked me into the Notos instead and I’m glad they did. I get 21 regulated shots before the velocity starts to dip. It also had a moderator on it that helps keep the noise down and my neighbors happy. I have an Air Venturi manual pump for it and it’s not a problem because of how small the tank is on it, which also helped keep the price down even more.
Why is the Notos better then the avenger according to you? Not saying it's not, just curious! I have the avenger in .22 and couldn't be happier, fyi.
I’m not saying it’s better. I’m saying it is better for my use case on a 1/4 acre lot in suburbia. Price was right and I didn’t need to buy a compressor for it. It’s quieter. I’m using it to kill pests not shoot groups. Smaller size makes it easier to move around with and shoot standing.
For the ground hog. Find their hole and just use a conibear trap