19 May 2013, 10:59
The MetalsmithSilent pest control air rifle / pistol - suggestions!
Hello all, need some help here.
Here's the deal. At work we have a very, very large amount of starlings and they are getting aggressive, attacking us, my coworkers and our customers. We just received authorization to exterminate them via use of air powered rifles or pistols. I was given this task by the owner.
I need something that is quiet, powerful enough to be used at a max of 15-20 yards and able to be quickly concealed in case a customer pulls up (this is at an oil / lube shop). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Get a PCP! A benjamin Maruader is very quiet!
Steve
22 May 2013, 10:25
The MetalsmithAlright this sucks. Before seeing the posts I went and bought a Crosman 1377 and some copper BB's and those gold plated super pellets. After trying to shoot those BB's I realized they are too small for the bore, and simply roll out. I then tried those gold pellets and they were accurate as anything! So off to do some sniping.
Arrived at work very early and we were met by these birds dive bombing us, as usual. The previous day one of them knocked off a customer's hat. Anyways, a co-worker and I began our hunt, seemingly unsuccessfully. We were winging some shots that I was sure connecting, but the birds merely jumped and returned to their spot. We were getting fed up and finally we managed to get one within 5yds. The coworker hit the bird in the chest, with ten pumps and a gold pellet....knocked off a few feathers, bird flew up to the roof. About an hour later we saw him again, with a fresh bald spot on its chest and hopping around like nothing happened.
Now either I have a defective pistol, 600fps isn't enough to penetrate a bird, those gold pellets do not penetrate OR there is a unique strain of armor plated Starlings hopping around up here.
Any help or suggestions? I assumes it would be the correct combo of power, quietness and concealment, but it didn't work. May try pointed pellets tomorrow, or a new gun!
22 May 2013, 18:14
blaser93I am a part time Bird control tech .
I do wearhouses and stores bird control. Like tractor Supply and Giant foods.
We are issued a Gamo Wisper, spend the extra and get the gas piston les fibration.
26 May 2013, 17:37
pevtsovyI had the same problem with grackles at my house. You are going to have to gun up. May I suggest a pump Benjamin sheridan in 20 caliber. Seven pumps ought to do the job.
I had the R7 and it just wasn't enough to penetrate the chest feathers on grackles.
26 May 2013, 23:02
TCLouisSilent? That is not going to be possible, quiet is likely best you can do.
Are you shooting inside the shop?
Go with plain ole Crossman lead pellets.
6-10 pumps ought to do more than dust off feathers.
If possible take shots entering from their back to the breast, next best seems to be from side to side just behind where the wing enters the body.
31 May 2013, 01:09
Use Enough GunI use a Gamo with a Gamo scope for pigeons in .177 caliber and have been quite successful in ridding the backyard of them, as long as the scope and my shooting is on. One cock of the break open rifle, one pointed pellet and the pigeon is drt.

31 May 2013, 22:52
blaser93I shot 7 birds out of a tractor suppy between the loading dock and the store. Gamo wisper
02 June 2013, 17:41
SevensWish we could do that at our office here in Ft. Worth. We have a bunch of black birds which I believe are called Great-tailed Grackles. While not vicious, our cars sure get plummeted.