Air Rifle for Pigeons in Quancet

[claytonj.price]

Looking for some advice for an air rifle to whack some pigeons in a galvanized steel quancet. Tried bird shot .22LR but it didn’t seem to have any impact on them. Any ideas on what’s the top FPS before it would damage the building on a miss? Any ideas on a specific rifle? Thanks

[Who Da Fisherman]

I have a Stoeger .177 that shoots about 1250fps and will put in a good dent in an old road sign I have at 50yds. So either don't miss or use the under 490fps types.
WDF

[Dewey Cox]

Use a .22 and don't miss.
Your quonset could probably use a few speed holes anyway.
Improve airflow and such.

[Ronan_357]

How far are you shooting?
Any of the pal rated airguns would probably damage your steel cladding or roof.
As for a specific rifle, there’s a number of good brands so it’ll depend on what you want to spend.

[260 Rem]

Just wait until it’s dark, flashlight ... get close enough for the .22 shot to work. When I was a kid we used to take a ladder and catch them to use for dog trainning.

[Sooner]

There was a video posted on here a while back form a member with a air rifle nailing pigeons. It was very cool to see. Someone will remember who it was.

[Stinky Coyote]

Stay under about 650 fps. I shoot 625 and that's about all i'd want in a Quonset, typically puts a .177 cal pellet flush or a little beyond flush into standard plywood. Shouldn't over penetrate the birds and ricochet too badly.

Weihrauch hw30s .177 PAL version...a very ideal discreet 0-30 yard pest getter, quiet as they come being a spring piston power plant, but strong enough. The 800 fps stuff will be loud and way overkill for the job.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I used to just use my old Crosman air pistols, .22 caliber, sub-400 fps. Worked great on pigeons in the barn and rats in the grain bins, without perforating the tin.

[Prairiekid]

Just find some .22s shorts, quiet and can take down a grouse with no issues. So I imagine it would work just fine on pigeons.

[ghostguy6]

Ive taken plenty of magpies with a .177 495 fps air rifle using lead pellets out to 30 yards. Should work well inside a building unless its a huge quonset.

[Pioneer2]

Is more bird than a magpie.At 495fps head or neck shots are required for immediate clean kills.A .22 short will exit the body damaging the building.How to deal with them most effectively is best not discussed on the forum from a legal standpoint.I used a HW80K/.22 at 750fps but the building was not a concern as it was dilapidated.

[-JR-]

Are you wanting the target practice or do you want to get rid of them .

[Cooeylover]

Shotgun loaded with grain or corn is what a coworker of mine said. Never seen it done but sounds like it would work.

[tallieho]

If your worried about,pokeing holes in the quonset.Have you got a piece of scrap,from the quonset.Set it up at about the distance.That your taking your shots on the birds.If it penetrates the metal.Adjust,distance,gun,pellet. Shooting them in dark,is closest way to get at them,for clean kills.22cal pellet @495fps.Head shots...This guy uses 177 cal,very good shooter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCk1eowtIbg

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by ghostguy6

Ive taken plenty of magpies with a .177 495 fps air rifle using lead pellets out to 30 yards. Should work well inside a building unless its a huge quonset.

This.....crappy tire special pellet gun....won't break the bank and will get the job done.....unless you got coons running around raiding the chicken coop then up the price, quality and speed....

[-JR-]

Place a net over the door and catch them, then deal with them as needed .
I have heard many bird hunters like using them to train their dogs .
There might be a live trap you can set up for them with some grain in it .

[Dean2]

I had thought I had seen all the possible versions of "Which Gun to Hunt xxx With", this however takes it to another level.

In all seriousness, the advice you have been given already is pretty good. Stay under 500 FPS with a 22 caliber springer and you should be good. Like was suggested, I would however test fire it against a piece of scrap material. You don't really want holes in the roof part and it is amazing how much penetration an air gun can actually have. I have seen the 500 FPS 177s go through 1/2" plywood at ten yards.

CCI makes a 22 shell, come in short and Long, that is 700 fps with a 30 grain bullet. I have used those inside buildings for pest control and they are actually pretty good for not penetrating and very quiet, about the same as my air gun. Depending on where you are these might be a good option.

[Dewey Cox]

I've got some twisted wreckage of what used to be a steel quonset out on my back 40 if you want to test shoot it.
(At Castor)

[claytonj.price]

Thanks for all the responses. We do have some old bin panels lying around I can try out before heading into the quancet. Looks like I will try a 495fps .22 cal and see if I can make the farm cats happy 😊

[sanjuanworm]

Originally Posted by claytonj.price

Thanks for all the responses. We do have some old bin panels lying around I can try out before heading into the quancet. Looks like I will try a 495fps .22 cal and see if I can make the farm cats happy 😊

I have a Winchester xsu1100 that fires at 1100fps that puts em down. I’d sell it.
.177

[roper1]

Birdshot in a .22 mag. Just the extra oomph needed without putting holes in the siding. Works very well for me in very short barrels.

[roper1]

Originally Posted by sanjuanworm

I have a Winchester xsu1100 that fires at 1100fps that puts em down. I’d sell it.
.177

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