Air Gun help selection?

Don't waste your money on a junk Crossman that is made of plastic and will not last a life time unless you want to just throw it away when it quits working.

Buy a Benjamin in .177 Cal. or a Sheridan in 5 mm.They are made of solid brass and can be rebuilt to like new for around $35. I have been in the gun business for over 25 years and been repairing Benjamins and Sheridans all this time but only get a call to rebuild one or two a year. I purchase every Benjamin or Sheridan I can get my hands.

If you need 750+ fps with a self-contained power-plant that rules out all stock pump air-rifles except the Benajamin 397. You've pretty much limited yourself to a spring piston airgun such as a Crosman Phantom, Gamo Big Cat, or RWS 34.

If you were willing to accept a lower muzzle velocity you could get the Crosman 2100 (.17 caliber, 725 fps (claimed) w/ 8 grain pellets, 9.2 ft-lbs of muzzle energy), the Benjamin 392 (.22 caliber, 603 fps w/ 15.9 grain pellets for 12.8 ft-lbs), or the Crosman 2260 (.22 caliber, 600 fps w/ 14 grain pellets for 11.2 ft-lbs).

You didn't say what the pest species you're going to be hunting is. So I can't really be more helpful than the general things I've already listed. I will point you to a website with information about exactly how much impact energy is required to kill various small game animals/pests species.

http://www.airguns.net/general_field_use.php

I'm going to say $100 is a moderate price. I have not shot one in years, but this sleeper is a great value.

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/daisy-22sg-air-rifle.s...

A .22 cal hollowpoint is 14.3 grains vs a .177 cal hollowpoint only 7.9 grains.

This rifle has about 11.4 ft lbs muzzle energy @ 600 fps.

If you compare it to the 755 fps (725 fps for pellets) in the Airmaster 77/Crosman 2100 has a muzzle energy of only about 9.2 ft lbs. Even the 800 fps Benjamin 397 only delivers 11.2 ft lbs at the muzzle. The .22 cal is going to be more deadly to most pests. I would always choose .22 over .177 for killing pests. .177 is better at target shooting.

For around $150 you can get either the Benjamin 397 that has already been recommended several times(for good reason) or the Gamo Big Cat.

Benjamin 397 - specs - reviews - article

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/benjamin-sheridan-397....

For around $200 the .177 caliber RWS 34, also already mentioned, makes a great small game air rifle.

RWS 34- specs - reviews - article

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-34-air-rifle.shtml

Crosman Storm XT $110 at walmart.

1000fps

pellet rifle

benjamin 392 / 397 , i prefer the 392 for rabbit and squirrel ,but either will work fine @ $150 and made in USA.

Benjamin 397 should run about $150

http://www.crosman.com/airguns/benjamin/397