Powerful New Air Rifles Great For On-Farm Use

Powerful New Air Rifles Great For On-Farm Use FARM HOME recreation 32-5-16 Varmint control is a whole lot easier and safer with these new generation air rifles that have enough power to take out a coyote at 100 yards. The guns are quiet, they don't kick, and their high power at a short range makes them ideal for use inside or around buildings without causing damage. "We sell a lot of rifles to control small pests in buildings and pigeons under overpasses. The Air Force buys them to control varmints on runways," says Martin Greenwell, Airhog. Partner Van Jacobi notes that compared to pump and CO2-powered air rifles, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles are much higher in power (3,000 psi), consistent, accurate and lightweight (5 1/4 to 6 1/2 lbs). Accuracy has made them a favored target-shooting weapon. An increasing number of states are permitting their use for hunting. Jacob says a 0.25 caliber air rifle can take out a coyote at 100 yards and even kill a wild boar with a close-up head shot. Bore and barrel length are important. The larger the bore size, the bigger the pellet and the greater the muzzle energy. Length of barrel also affects velocity and power. Common sizes are 0.177, 0.20, 0.22 and 0.25 caliber with the smaller size favored for target shooting and the larger for hunting. Regardless of bore size, it is the adjustability of the PCP rifles that many find attractive. The higher the power, the fewer the shots. Lower power settings increase the number of shots possible. "If you're shooting starlings, you can dial down the power and get 40 to 50 shots. If you dial up for larger pests you get 18 to 20 shots," says Greenwell. "Unlike firearms, the barrel doesn't heat up with rapid fire shooting. It actually chills." Because the air rifles are not classified as firearms in the U.S., they can often be used legally in areas where firearms are not allowed. Greenwell does note that Canadian customers need a license in order to receive an air rifle. Another attractive feature of PCP air rifles is the cost of ammunition. Pellets range from 200 0.25 caliber pellets at $8.95 to 500 0.177 caliber pellets for $9.95. Carbon fiber tanks, such as used for paintball and scuba diving, are recommended for recharging the rifles. Greenwell carries PCP air rifles made in Ft. Worth, Texas by a company called Air Force. The Air Force products feature quick-change barrels enabling easy change-out of caliber or rifle upgrade. They also accept optical sights, bipods, night vision, scope levels, flashlights and more. The basic single shot Talon sells for $469.95 and comes in 0.177 and 0.22 caliber models with 18 in. barrels. Velocity varies from 400 to 1,000 feet per second. It has a maximum effective range of about 60 yards. The Condor has a maximum effective range of about 100 yards with velocities of 600 to 1,250 feet per second and is also available in a 0.25 caliber model. Sells for $577. "A 0.25 caliber air rifle will produce 75 ft. lbs. wide open, comparable to a 0.22 short bullet which puts out 50 to 75 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy," says Jacobi. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Airhog.com, P.O. Box 1279, Cedar Crest, New Mexico 87008 (ph 505 341-3167; toll free 888 871-1722; fax 505 341-3164; sales@airhog.com; www.airhog.com).

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