Gamo Pellet Rifles

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have had a starling problem recently. Ol' Red Ryder just annoys them and while the 20ga with skeet loads is effective it is kinda loud and I doubt great for the trees (although after 3 shots Saturday I haven't seen a starling since... ) I have a .22LR but shooting crap out of trees I worry about how far it will carry.

I was in Omaha yesterday and checked out the bargain cave since I know it is always full of pellet guns. I found:

Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper for $90 (SSW)

http://www.gamousa.com/product.aspx?productID=405

And I think a Whisper G2 for $135 (WG2)

http://www.gamousa.com/product.aspx?product=Whisper G2 .177 Cal.&productID=472

I see the SSW has a fancy inert gas system that I don't know much about its long term longitivity. The thumbhole in the stock is also on the small side. Supposed to be smoother than a spring gun though.

WG2 is spring (I read as simpler) a tad slower and has a better feeling stock (although it doesn't look as cool overall) and costs more.

Any thoughts?

 

[hoosier1104]

Personally I would go with the SSW due to a higher fps and weighs less overall. It also has an adjustable optic.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is my pick too but I don't know about the "IRT" thing. And I like the stock better on the other one.

It can never be simple...

 

[pjtoledo]

pellet guns are very sensitive to different weight pellets. choose a type and stick with it or you'll be resighting the scope every time you switch pellets.

slower guns at 700-800 fps are worthless for anything thicker than cardboard.
1200 or faster works fine.

the non-silenced Ruger .177 air rifle I have is just about as loud as a 22, be sure to get a silencer model.

for your 22lr have you tried powder-less ammo?
Aguila makes "super colibri" 22lr that uses only the primer. I'm thinking its 700fps with a light weight bullet. it is virtually silent. easily kills rats at 60 ft.
don't get the "colibri" its too slow at 500fps. get the super colibri at 700.
this stuff won't cycle a semi-auto, so its 1 shot then manually reload.

22lr birdshot is effective, but its louder than a regular 22lr bullet.

happy shooting!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My .22 is a semi auto, don't know what it would think about powderless ammo. A different one that fired shorts probably wouldn't be too bad.

As for noise... nobody cares about my 20ga. I live in the country.

Grandma had a Daisy 880. Rabbits, squirrels or whatever fell to its measly 685FPS. Sadly the newer ones feel much cheaper than hers.

Still haven't seen a starling since I broke out the shotgun, might be something said for speaking softly and carrying a big stick after all...

Friday driving to work I could see 10 bird spots from Thursday night from the drivers seat of my dd, that is what brought this on. The hood and windows were just plastered. And the constant racket.

I still don't know what to do though, the SSW with the inert gas thing (I am picturing like a gas shock) doesn't sound that long lasting. And the stock is uncomfortable. The other one costs quite a bit more... kinda thinking about shelving it and waiting keeping an eye on the bargain rack for something else to come a long.

 

[pjtoledo]

if you're not worried about noise get birdshot, it doesn't carry far.

those powderless rounds will fire in any 22, but they need to be manually ejected in a semi auto because they don't have enough power to kick the bolt back.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

How does birdshot treat rifling though?

I love the thing, I don't want to screw it up...

 

[pjtoledo]

I don't know. probably depends on what the shot is, lead or whatever.
maybe someday I'll cut one open to see if there is a sleeve. or hit a gun forum.


just checked the Winchester website
they say #12 lead birdshot is acceptable, but will most likely cause fouling in the rifling. they suggest a smooth bore.

maybe I should run a brush thru mine.

fyi, that powderless stuff also fouls the barrel, needs cleaned often.