# Recommend a Pellet Gun... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2007, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777 "2007-02-11T23:15:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2007, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/1 "2007-02-11T23:15:05Z")
…an air rifle, powerful enough to kill small game at about 15-30 feet, and will last a few years. (Being a Great White Hunter in Botswana for the last 35 years, I am an expert in sneaking up within 5 yards on all kinds of game from Rhinos to Voles. And I must admit, I’m the sine qua non of hunters throughout the world. But I’ve lost touch on itty-bitty arms so I need your help in selecting the proper gun. Please do help, old chaps.) ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2007, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/2 "2007-02-11T23:18:36Z")
I’d like to keep the purchase price at about $170 or less. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2007, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/3 "2007-02-11T23:34:42Z")
Opinion questions belong in IMHO. Moved. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2007, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/4 "2007-02-11T23:59:44Z")
I have a TechForce-99 in 22 cal. that is quite powerful, and might meet your budget requirements. The lower priced air rifles tend to be spring powered. (AKA “springers”) Two caveats: They may not work well at higher altitudes. Definatly worry if you are over 8000’MSL, and maybe worry if you are over 4000’MSL. At high altitudes, pre-charged pneumatics are far superior, but at a significant price premium. The TF99 mentioned above seems OK at 6000’MSL, though I have not had it long enough to use in the summer heat. Spring powered air rifles are VERY technique dependant for accuracy. The spring mechanism causes a two directional recoil that moves the point of impact significantly depending on how the rifle is held. A loose hold is best, but it takes practice to perfect. (also note that the recoil charateristics require telescopic sights spcifically designed for air guns) ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2007, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/5 "2007-02-12T00:57:40Z")
**Barnowl** - You must check the [GAMO](http://www.gamousa.com/index.aspx) site out. I bought a varment hunter not too long ago, love it. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/6 "2007-02-12T05:19:39Z")
I had a [Sheridan](http://www.airgundepot.com/sheridan-air-rifles.html)for 20 years. It worked great right up until it was stolen. 'Took LOTS of small game with it. Strongly recomended. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/7 "2007-02-13T14:18:12Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] **Barnowl** - You must check the [GAMO](http://www.gamousa.com/index.aspx) site out. I bought a varment hunter not too long ago, love it. [/QUOTE] I went to the site ([http://www.gamousa.com//Catalog.aspx?Product=68](http://www.gamousa.com//Catalog.aspx?Product=68)) and now I’m drooling over that damned gun!!! 😃😃😃 I think I’ll wait until the wife goes out and will order the Varmint Hunter, and when it arrives, I’ll develop a fast case of amnesia. “I don’t remember ordering any such thing! Honest!!” Thanks **Phlosphr**. Sadly, though, you might be named in the divorce proceedings. 😛😛😛 And my sincere thanks to all others who posted here. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-pellet-gun/391777/8 "2007-02-13T14:42:19Z")
It is extremely accurate, when sited in properly. I have a 17 cal. bolt action savage, and it is very acurate especially with the magnum shells. The gamo is in the same league.