I am wanting to cure an urban crow problem. What's a good pellet rifle? The Crossman Vantage NP or the Crossman Fire NP appear to be decent options. I'm thinking .177. Both can be had with scope and sport velocities around 1,000 fps with lead pellets. Wanting to stay around $100-120. I also see there are about a dozen different kinds of pellets, any reason to get anything but the old standard flat-nose? I can't believe it, but it's been over 30 years since I've owned any kind of air rifle!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022549719 - a good enough choice in .22 = better than .177 for your application IMO.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1017116124?pid=686646 - add a couple boxes of these and shoot at least one box before you try to sight it in much. They really do need to be broken in. A pointed heavier pellet will get you better penitration through their feathers.

Crows are tough, 22 or better yet 25 is the minimum.

I bought 2 different ones and returned them both. Accuracy was a problem. Maybe things have changed since then.

What did you try? Maybe, save me some headache.

Go on a air rifle forum.

They are finicky, you gots do everything the same every time.


I bought a used custom from a customer of mine.

Couldnt hit squat with it. Wouldn't hold after sighting in. Just about used it for a tomato stake.



The one day it started working.


Its a joy now, but I thought I got hosed for quite awhile there.

They were both Walmart fallapart. A Crosman was one I'm sure. I didn't spend a lot but that was 20 yrs ago too. I'm sure there's good ones. Maybe have to spend more money.

I haven't shot the rifles you listed so I can't speak to them specifically but here is my two cents. I have a Benjamin Trail NP XL in .22 caliber and like it (it is a little above your price range). I too would recommend a .22 caliber or bigger for two reasons. One is the increased knockdown power and the second is noise, especially in an urban environment. The .177 caliber rifles typically approach the speed of sound. Once you hit that speed you are going to get a distinctive 'crack' noise on the shot. Another thing to keep in mind is that your hold on the rifle is very important when shooting a Springer. Google 'Artillery Hold'. It looks like the vantage you are looking at comes in .22 caliber. Wadcutter pellets will work for short range stuff but become unstable at longer distances, a good quality domed pellet works good.

I bought one awhile back at the gun shop. Wouldn’t hit the broad side of a barn standing inside.

Like I said, they take a lot of shots to get broken in before you're going to get any kind of accuracy.

Speed isnt what your looking for.Supersonic speed with pellet ,is just a selling point.It wont be accurate!Heaver pellet at a slower speed is where accuracy comes in.If a springer rifle is used hold is everything.Most people hold a airgun as if it was a powder burrner.Accuracy goes down the tubes then people say its the guns fault.Go to airgun fourm and wade thru it.GTA is good fourm.Ask questions,people will have answers for you .Try to meet up with some folks that shoot airguns so you can get familiar with diffrent guns Airguns of quality will set you back a bit..Practice with what ever gun you get to get familiar with it.Shoot at distances you would hunt at.Tragectory changes at various distances.
Crows can be taken with a 177 cal but not the average person can do that.I have taken many crows ,feral chickens ,starlings ,cow birds,pigeons ,english sparrows at over 75 yards wiht 177 cal,but airgun is a $1200 plus Daystate Ranger PCP.(I do wildlife damage control)980 fps using 10.6 gr pellet.If Im not stacking pellets at 60 plus yards its me ,not the gun.Airguns are far more accurate the powder burners at their workable ranges .You need surgical placement of projectile unlike powder burned .The do not have shock power to lethally dispatch like powder burner .

Benjamin maximus with a TKO supressor is some kinda mrdicine for urban pests. Your looking at $500 for the kit with the hand pump but unlike a break barrel you can shoot a PCPlike this like you would any regular rifle ( where as you really need to use the artillery hold yo get good accuracy from a Springer). Within 60 or so yards with good pellets you can make about everything pretty dead. Get about 20 or so full power shots per fill
There are some cheaper PCP's Round now though, I think you can get a new QB cheif for under $150 and it does about everything mine does.

Get a 17hmr and put a can on it !!!
Dennis

Heck, if I lived 60 miles southeast of here, I'd just get the 12 ga out and turn it loose.

.22 pellet rifle or pistol.

I got a cheap Gamo .22 springer from Midway a few years ago. It was a return and said refurbished. It looked new to me. It came with a scope and I went out to shoot it and the trigger was so bad I thought the safety was on. I shot half a dozen time and figured it was worthless. I got on the computer and found how to do a trigger job by adding a RC axle bearing. The U Tube video show what size bearing and how to install it. The bearing was $8 shipped off e-bay. It is a good gun now. I have shot 100's of pigeons with it. The trigger job made it a use able gun. This was 532 pigeons that two of us shot one night. I would go 22 caliber for sure too. 25 would be better, but they start at a higher price. Pellets are more and harder to find, unless ordering. Midway has a pretty good selection of pellet rifles last I looked.

I hope you got the meat from those pigeons! A few good meals there!