Too many Starlings - air rifle help

[robndebby]

We are having a bit of a problem with four Starlings building nests in our gourds. We have an air rifle, it's a Gamo Hunter 220, has a scope, but we are having problems shooting it and hitting anything. We've adjusted the scope, done everything we know how to do and just cannot get it to hit a target. We couldn't even get it to hit a big tree! Do you have a particular air rifle you like, gets the job done, and not so hard to use? Help us find one that will work. Thanks!

[Martintown33]

It’s possible that the scope isn’t working correctly,.. some of the cheaper ones, are difficult to sight in, bcuz as soon as you shoot, they don’t hold the sight in you just did.. if you took the scope off, does it have a metal sight? I have great success with my gamo whisper with scope. But I changed out the scope that came with it to a better model .. it’s very accurate.. the type of pellets you are using makes a difference in accuracy also.. try using the gamo red fire pellets… very accurate!
Good luck
Rob

[jhcox]

I usually just pull the nest and plug the gourd. The have alway moved on. I would prefer to shot them as well but I’m in the same boat you are. I think my scope is shot.

[C.C.Martins]

Try taking off the scope, use the iron sights. Buy some pellets Rob suggested, Gammo redfire pellets are very accurate.

Plug the gourds and shoot them when they come back.

[robndebby]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We got a new air rifle yesterday but when Rob shot it, it sounded like a real gun and was so extremely loud, he took it back. He didn't hit anything with it anyway. When he came back from returning it, he pulls in the driveway (long driveway, goes way behind the garage) he saw Starlings everywhere. He says it looks as if we have a lot of them. Our air gun has no metal guides on the barrel. It's a Gamo of some sort. And we have this new one as he just informed me they wouldn't take it back. It's their policy! So I'm going to see if the manufacturer will take it back as we will not use it. Meanwhile, he also just informed me he's going outside to try to do something. It is chilly, very damp, and cloudy today. Next year, we will have different entrances on the gourds. We have the half moon now, we'll have to try the other entrance that's harder to get into.

[Conrad Baker]

Several suggestions, if you open a window or door and shoot from inside, sitting in a chair and using the back of a second chair turned around for a rest (roll up a towel to cushion the rifle) your neighbors won't hear a thing. If the Gamo is quiet enough for you, and you are happy with it, google and look at "charliedatuna" triggers for the Gamo. They are about $35, and you won't believe how much better the gun will shoot when you install it. A decent trigger is 99% of your accuracy. You can change the trigger in about 10 minutes with no special tools. OR check with an air rifle specialty business, such as pyramyd air They sell quality air rifles such as Beeman/RWS, etc. Get a .22 cal air rifle, they will knock the "P" out of a starling.
Walmart, etc sells kids air rifles, not anything serious, but they are cheaper if you can master shooting one from there that would be great. Takes practice, not like shooting a regular firearm. Google "artillery hold for airguns", and try that technique when shooting it. It could help. GOOD LUCK !!!!

[birdman in buckhead]

I like the pump style BB gun because you can control the amount of power by the number of pumps. Crosman makes a Legacy 1000 that shoots both BB's and pellets. 4 - 5 pumps at 50 feet will put an end to the starling, and it's not loud. But it will put a hole in a PVC/plastic gourd and dent an aluminum house. 5 pumps would also likely bring down a crow. I threw away the cheap scope that came with it and just us the sights. The sight at the end of the barrel is "fiber optic" that makes putting the bead on the target very easy. Wallyworld sells them for around $55. Happy Hunting and may the starlings and sparrows RIP!

[birdman in buckhead]

P.S. - Don't put you eye out! LOL!

[C.C.Martins]

Second what Terry said, crossman legacy is inexpensive but coupled with the crossman red fire pellets deadly accurate. Its not real quiet, don't use the scope. I have 2 of the Crossman legacy 1000s...gotta have a spare.
You've got to rid the place of the starlings, don't give up. The crack is the pellet breaking the sound barrier.
I often shoot from an open window, very effective. Ill also say if you get one starling (may not like this) hang it up so the others can see it. No kidding works. They don't like it at all.
Hang onto the Gammo, look to get a new trigger and scope lord knows why they sell that cheap scope.
I'll be getting a Gammo whisper soon, I know no air rifle is silent no matter what they say but quieter is as close as ill get.
Tom

[white-out]

I have a few air rifles and need one for starlings and sparrows. Ended up buying a Beeman R9 .177 and never looked back. It will free their souls at 50 yards with no problem. Get a couple quality pellets and see what works for you at the range. I'm old and use a good scope.........if you spend the time, every shot counts! Good luck

[flyin-lowe]

You will never be able to kill enough starlings with an air rifle to make a difference. They are very skittish and it would be tough to get within air gun range unless you have a high end model. The easiest thing to do would be to convert to SREH and not worry about them. There are thousands of starlings in my area and without SREH I wouldn't be able to have a colony.

[Spiderman]

We are having a bit of a problem with four Starlings building nests in our gourds. We have an air rifle, it's a Gamo Hunter 220, has a scope, but we are having problems shooting it and hitting anything. We've adjusted the scope, done everything we know how to do and just cannot get it to hit a target. We couldn't even get it to hit a big tree! Do you have a particular air rifle you like, gets the job done, and not so hard to use? Help us find one that will work. Thanks!

The air rifle you have is find, it should have come with a four power scope. The best pellets for these air guns are Gamo Red Fire pellets available at Academy Sporting goods store.

You could purchase Troyer gourd, they have slide traps for their gourds and switch it with the gourd the starlings are using, and use the slide to trap them.

Lastly, you could purchase a Van Ert trap and put it about 5’ from your colony (same height) it will live trap them and is my preferred way to deal with starlings. I start trapping starlings about one month before the Martins arrive. I have used it for years and have never caught a Martin.

[C.C.Martins]

Agree with all the above; flyin-lowe is right- the problem is the entrances. sometimes a smaller starling will get into SREH. You mentioned crescent gourds...what kind are they?

if you can fix those entrances your problems will stop to nil. The air gun will be secondary.

Spidermans idea of trapping is spot on, allows you to clean them out.

[Thomabear]

The Benjamim Marauder PCP is hands down the quietest and most accurate of the many air rifles I've owned. They have a lothar walther shrouded and choked barrel option making them extremely accurate and quiet with a crisp breaking adjustable two stage trigger. The smallest 3 shot group I shot on a calm day with this rifle was .71" at 50 yards shooting the .22 cal Jumbo Heavy Diabolo pellets in 18.13 grain. At the distance to the martin houses of about 18 yards from my shop window it will cut out a 1/4 to 3/8" ragged hole.

[sssSMOKING]

I have an R9 that I'll make you a great deal on.
I live in VA.
PM me and we'll talk.

[Conrad Baker]

I have an R9 that I'll make you a great deal on.
I live in VA.
PM me and we'll talk.

Does it have the Rekord trigger? What brand of scope on it??

[sssSMOKING]

Not sure of the trigger. I have not changed the trigger.
Scope, Banner 71-6185 6x-18x50
Very accurate, will but a hurt on a bad bird.
I live close to Staunton.

[sssSMOKING]

More info on scope
Product Info for Bushnell Banner 6-18x50 Multi-X Rifle Scope
Bushnell Banner 6-18x50 Rifle Scope Matte Multi-X 716185 belongs to the well-known Bushnell Banner Riflescopes series. This Bushnell rifle scope is a super-high-power variable scope for high-performance centerfire and break-barrel air rifles. Big deer travel the edges, both of terrain and darkness. We'll assume your stand's on the right terrain, and suggest the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Series to capitalize on the darkness. With their Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses, these Bushnell rifle scopes cast clarity and brightness on the line between night and day. Big daddy's going to be walking that line. Shoot straight and he'll never cross it.

[Conrad Baker]

What caliber is it?

[Martintown33]

Hi smoking. I emailed you about the R 9.. please email me when you get a chance.
Thanks,
Rob