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Night Vision Air Rifles + thermals

earthquake

earthquake

Area Man
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Jul 30, 2009
    3,094
    2,714
    USA
    #1
    Not sure if I should put this in the NV section or what, but here it is. Anyone here hunt varmints with an air rifle and a thermal?

    I'm looking to take care of a rodent infestation in a shed i have in the woods behind my house. It'll be fun too!
    I live in a the Burbs (neighbors on either side but none behind) so I need:

    1. Silence!
    2. Pic rail for mounting my thermal.
    3. Low cost. (~$400)
    4. Repeater. (5 round mag sufficient)
    5. Either CO2 or refillable air.
    6. Nothing too powerful that it could be used to kill larger game for safety reasons. .17? .22?
    7. Decent accuracy to hit mice at 25-yds and under.

    I've only ever had crappy pump guns and RR lever actions, so I'm not really sure what's out there.

    Any suggestions? I've been looking at some of the rifles that pop up here in discussions but they are all north of $2500 or so. This is strictly for fun rodent control and something to do out my back window in the summer. Not gonna compete or hunt with it. Only other crap I see is the Walmart or Cabela offerings. Is there something in between Wally-World guns and the high-end stuff I'm missing?

    Thanks!

    noxshed.JPG

    Vermin kill-house.
     
    #3
    • Like
    Reactions: Jim Out, nikonNUT and earthquake
    #4
    theLBC said:
    most on agn will recommend a benjamin marauder for a starter pcp repeater. you might need or want to add a silencer or moderator if not quiet enough. i would maybe try airgun nation forums because it is at least 70% pest shooters and many night ratters.

    Best PCP air rifles – 10 of the best PCP guns you can buy right now (Reviews and Buying Guide 2025) | Best Air Rifle Reviews & Buying Guides - Air Gun Maniac

    airgunmaniac.com airgunmaniac.com
    Click to expand...
    That looks like it could fit the bill. Thanks!
     
    #8
    If you go with a PCP air rifle - which is probably a good idea since spring air guns easily destroy optics - you'll also need a specialized high-pressure pump, with specialized fittings. An ordinary compressor is nowhere near sufficient (~100 psi vs ~3000 psi for an air gun). Basic high-pressure hand pumps run about $50, powered ones around $500.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: earthquake
    #10
    You definitely want PCP guns to not kill your day/night optics.

    We have some rats near chicken coop/horse barn which is 50 meters away, and the two air guns I have/use are:

    Benjamin Armada, PCP in 22cal, one of the few guns with full picatinny rail on top so you can use clip on easily. Very quiet out of box. The handguard is MLOK (well sorta, the tolerance is pretty loose) so you can install ARCA plate to use on a tripod. Shown with Bushnell SMRS 1-6.5 and PVS-30.

    This would be my recommendation for a budget setup.
    IMG_4700.jpg


    On the more expensive & fun side, here's an FX dreamline in Scandinavian Airguns Jet Air chassis, again has the front NVG mount, and has ARCA built into the chassis. Shown with Sig Tango6 2-12 and TigIR.
    IMG_9692.jpg
     
    Last edited:
    • Like
    • Wow
    Reactions: tangloppen, Jim Out, earthquake and 1 other person
    #15
    I have an Airforce Talon SS with a Talon Tunes moderator on it and a Burris BTS 35. I really like the rifle and the thermal scope.

    Because it is unregulated the velocity will vary a little bit. Regardless of that I think I get pretty good accuracy for something that is unregulated.

    I will say one thing about shooting mice in the field with the thermal; it was the most fun that you could have with your pants on. I felt like I was training with my AR-15 which also has a Burris thermal scope.

    I discuss the thermal and the rifle in this thread.

    www.snipershide.com

    Night Vision - Burris thermals

    Has anyone had any experience with the thermals from Burris? https://www.burrisoptics.com/thermal-optics/thermal-optics
    www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com
     
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