Lots of questions about noise, caliber, and varmint hunting

[NapalmCheese]

A fox has taken interest in my chickens lately. It hasn't figured out how to get into the coop, but if it keeps trying, I might be making another fur.

I live on the edge of town, but not so far on the edge that I'd be willing to discharge a gun (otherwise Mr. Fox might meat 1-1/8 oz of #6).

I'm thinking a pellet rifle might be the thing, but my only exposure to pellet rifles is with a .177 'magnum' rifle (will push a 10 grain pellet to a measured 900 fps and should push light pellets over 1200, but I've not measured that) and I think that would be too light. I think I'd want to move to .25 caliber. I see there are some springers like my .177, but a PCP seems like a better overall package.

So, questions: .25 seems right, how about .22? Can you leave a PCP gun charged? How do you charge a PCP gun, it looks like not only do you need an expensive rifle, but then you need an expensive compressor? With fewer moving parts it seems PCP guns would be quieter than a piston springer. Outside of Mr. Fox I could see myself carrying it for squirrels and rabbits.

[NATEWA]

CCI quiet .22lr

OR

https://www.umarexusa.com/the-umarex-airjavelin-pro

[NapalmCheese]

Yeah, the quiet .22 is an option; but I'm seeing this as an excuse to get into airguns as well.

The way I see it from a hunting perspective it's all weird. Everything is light for caliber and generally slow, with heavier things being even slower. Pellets come in so many (what I consider) stupid shapes rather than just "hollow point". It's sort of like hunting with black powder, but when I'm hunting with black powder I make up for lack of velocity by increasing bore diameter.

[NATEWA]

I had a Airforce Texan .45 pcp airgun, compressor, and suppressor, etc.

Never used it and sold it. Too big and a hassle to charge and maintain. Even with the suppressor, it was loud.

[NATEWA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7DqPo6U6Ho

Don?t think I?d shoot over 40 yards.

Check out the 50 grain broadheads.

https://www.umarexusa.com/umarex-airjavelin-co2-powered-air-archery-airgun-rifle

These are light, quiet and easy to maintain and get parts for.

[Revoman]

A PCP has more than ample power to put down a fox, or a coyote.
.25 Caliber would be adequate for both.
Yes, PCP's require high pressure compressed air (or nitrogen). You can get a smallish tank (to fill your rifle tank) and get it filled at a SCUBA facility. Or you can get a large nitrogen tank (usually rented) with a regulator to fill the gun tank.
Or they sell hand pumps that will get you the air, however, they are completely manual and take some time to fill, at least initially.
Your rifle tank is usually shot down to a lower pressure and then 'topped off' to the tank rating. So, once the initial fill is done (time and energy consuming), topping off will take much less time. This is especially true if you only take a few shots, then top off. The more shots, the longer it takes to pump back up.
My recommendation for a starter might be a Benjiman Marauder, or the Air Force as mentioned above. Both can be had in .25 caliber, and both are not a LOT of money.
If you're interested in really getting into air rifles/guns, then I highly recommend visiting Air Gun Nation Forum.

https://www.airgunnation.com/

There is a stupendous amount of great information on that forum.
Mike

[NapalmCheese]

Thanks for the answers!

Yeah, this is a reason for me to get more into airguns, and possibly shooting a fox is just an excuse. If it was JUST about killing a fox before it tries to eat my chickens I'd just trap it and deal with it however I see fit.

That Air Javelin looks kind of fun, it might be neat for turkeys!

Hand pumping a PCP seems like it'd be a lot of work.

[theLBC]

you can fill a pcp with a hand pump. if you're going to take a lot of shots, that might get old. i use a tank, and periodically get fill for free at a nearby airgun shop. you can usually get fills at dive shops as well.

small compressors are popular and getting better.