Looking for an air rifle to shoot prairie dogs. What kind and what would be the effective range. pro's-cons for cartridge versus hand pump

your question is a bit unclear. by cartridge guns do you mean those that are pre-charged pneumatics? and by pump guns do you mean those multi-pump guns like the Crossman/Benjamin models? there is no comparison between PCP rifles and pump up rifles beyond about 35 yards as far is accuracy and power level.

Yes I meant PCP gun and by pump gun I meant like a Gammo air Rifle that you have to hand cock without a cartridge. Any suggestions on a pcp rifle?

budget is everything in a PCP rifle. they range from $500 to $3000+. before considering a PCP, be sure you have a way to fill the cylinder- a hand pump, scuba tank, compressor, or SCBA tank( fireman's bottle). the filling apparatus alone will generally be well over $500 unless you buy a used scuba tank and have a local scuba shop to fill it. a good hand pump is AT Least $350....i wouldn't have a Gamo if it was given to me. grossly over inflated power figures and the accuracy of a sling shot unless you get lucky...

I have a springer. Same type design as the Gamo. The takes a heck of a lot of practice to get good as shooting them. You need to forget everything you ever knew about shooting.
Benjamin makes a couple pcp in the $500-600 range that have good reviews.
http://www.pyramydair.com/a/Ai...ic_PCP/155/brands_31