The copperheads are out in the field behind our house and I'm worried about the dogs. We just killed one with a shovel but I hate getting that close to them.

Ideally, I'd hit it with a shotgun, a revolver with shot, etc., but I can't get away with even a .22 in my neighborhood.

The only experience with BB/Air Guns I have was my Daisy Red Rider back when I was a kid.

Any recommendations? I have no idea what to look at, i.e. rifle vs. pistol, CO2, what is best?

Thanks.

__________________
Aaron Terry

I have a Ruger air rifle that is scoped and pretty accurate. That would definitely keep you from having to get very close.

My .22 rifle with CBs makes less noise than my air rifle...might be a better choice.

This question would get people arguing about the best BB gun based on what they own and really like. But I'm sure everyone will be right since we're all shooters here. I've borrowed my freinds powerful side cocking RWS and used it to great effect. We've split playing cards on edge with it and that's my choice. Beeman is good, too. Those inexpensive Gamos have heavy springy triggers. I can't split playing cards with my Sheridan but I killed a couple rats with it with eight pumps.

Subsonic 22's are much quieter than my RWS air rifle.

Unless it's against the law I would use a shotgun or shot shells in a handgun. If you tell your neighbors you are killing copperheads they should be grateful. Don

__________________
"Don't worry be happy"

I saw on TV a while back that Gamo is making an air "shotgun". It shoots small shot shells that hold several small bb's. Might be worth a look...

I use a Crossman 1077 CO2 rifle for garden pests. Less than $70 on line has a rotary magazine (12 shots) and is as accurate as I am.

There is no better venomous snake medicine than a garden hoe. But if I wanted to use some sort of silent projectile weapon I'd load up a rifle w/ CBs.

If the occasional copperhead is the only use, get a spring powered .177pellet gun. They are least expensive and don't suffer from sitting around. You just put in a pellet, cock it and dispatch the snake. I have one, a Chinese side cocker, made maybe 15 years ago that has killed numerous squirrels.

If you want to be really on the cheap, just use a garden hoe. It has a long handle and you won't get too close to the snake. Copperheads only get about 30" long and can't strike further than a little over half their length.

One of these:

Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle by Crosman

Built in suppressor within the barrel shroud makes it very quiet.

I. 22 CBs in a rifle

2. Garden hoe

Hi Aaron.

Adult air rifles run the whole gamut when it comes to price, quality, accuracy, etc. I have more money tied up in my BSA than any other long gun that I own. It is also more accurate than any of my .22's out to about 65 yards. My "go-to" firearm for most pests in the rural area where we live.

You might want to check with your local ordianaces/laws regarding air rifles. In many areas, they are classified as a firearm and just as illegal to discharge.

Quiet is certainly a consideration. I would also consider being "seen" by the neighbors wielding a firearm of any sort. They cannot tell whether it's a 12 gauge or a bb gun from a distance, but the reaction might be the same.

Good luck with the copperheads!

I've been an airgun shooter and hunter for many a year. What you want is a single stroke, spring powered .22 (prefered) or 177 cal pellet rifle. ( .22 hitting harder but requiring closer distances or better distance judgement.). Forget bb's as they ricochet easily and lack stopping power. The multi pump phuimatics are inexpensive and have VG power power but are louder than the spring guns and follow up shots take forever. Lastly, CO2 is OK but will not give you near the power of the springer and requires loading co2 every time you want to use the gun. Springers ARE THE WAY TO GO. QUIET, POWERFUL, and very accurate. While I would recommend a good used RWS, Beeman, H&W or FWB as top purchase, soem of the B brands like winchester, Daisy, Gamo etc guns are decent IF their triggers cooperate. Worse case , teh chinese guns will work but don't expect to fall in love with them or split asprins like you can with the better guns.
FWIW, you cna usually find a deal on a quality used rifle at the airgunsdotnet forum/classifieds.

p.s. My (limited )experience with snakes would have me cut the head off prior to handing as they do have a tendancy to bite out of nerves/reaction even when assumed dead.

__________________
Dave

My general-purpose venomous snake handling/dispatching implement is comprised of a long lag screw of about 1/4" diameter, hex head sawn off, bent on a mandrel into about a 3/4 "shepherd's crook" shape, about 4" IS diameter, the straight shank with threads screwed/epoxy-puttied into the business end of an ash hoe handle, +/- 5' long. Sufficiently long to remain safely outside the striking range of any indigenous NA viper, and with it one can maneuver, lift, or manipulate a snake, or, by using a blow from the convex side of the hook, break a snake's neck, which is surprisingly fragile --- the vertebrae permit a wide range of side-to-side motion, but not much in the "vertical" axis. This will immobilize the snake, but won't keep it from striking --- pin the head and cut it off carefully. Silent, effective, and no maintenance required --- well, almost none --- I had to replace a splintering handle after about twenty years' use...

I use Aguila Colibri for pests. Hits hard enough and quieter than a pellet gun.

I'm going to echo what others have said. About 18 years ago I bought one of those $20 Chinese .177 caliber bottom cock pellet rifles and I'm constantly surprised how well it shoots. My "good" pellet gun in an old .20 Sheridan Blue Streak. Either of those would work.

Now I also have my Dads old snake gun, which is an old Daisy side cocking pellet pistol. I think the model is 727 or something like that, I found it in the trunk of a car I purchased. He used it for years on snakes but I have only used it on birds in the garden.

If your neighbors ate very close I can understand wanting to use a pellet gun rather than even a 22 with shorts though.

I bought the .22 version here Diana RWS 34P Striker Combo. Air rifles - PyramydAir.com
I have killed several Nutria in the lake behind my house.


I also killed some with this Air guns - Pyramyd Air Report: FWB 124 - a classic pellet rifle
I have had this air rifle for over 30 years. I had new seals and springs put in a year ago and it is still one of the most accurate guns that I own.

__________________
Corripe Cervisiam