Airguns in the garden

Review of the Gamo range of air rifles from A Different Calibre ltd. www.diffcal.co.uk

Ashley www.thegardenspider.co.uk

As a landscape gardener I often come into contact with 'critters' that my customers really don't want roaming around. Be it the odd pigeon, rat or rabbit I decided that I needed to be able to offer basic pest control. The amount of damage a couple of rats can do to a potting shed or the rabbits to someones veg garden should not be underestimated.

A lot of the work I carry out is in large rural gardens, and so an air rifle was the ideal choice. At the same time noise complaints from neighbours (and customers) was also going to be an issue. The Gamo range of air rifles seemed to provide a low cost option with their built in silencers. As much as I would like a PCP one (such as the Gamo Coyote) I couldn't justify the expense. From only £139.00 for a Whisper X, the classic break barrel design was the one to go for.

After holding a few of the airguns on offer, I decided that I quite liked the pistol grip style. Having only really ever used guns with 'sporting stocks' I was surprised at how comfortable this was. A synthetic stock is also going to be easy to clean rather than wood (gardeners get muddy!).

The options I considered were the Whisper X and the Whisper Fusion. In the end I felt that the Fusion with it's bigger sound moderation was going to be the better option for use where noise will be an issue. 

Gamo Whisper X

Gamo Whisper Fusion

.22 was the calibre I chose as this is more suitable for knocking over pests and I really don't want pellets drilling through and damaging fences etc. I left with a tin of BSA Storms to get me started.

The Gamo 4x32 scope seemed fine for my needs (cheap at £20) although the open sights seemed fine for day shooting, I was asked to go out in the evening with the guys from the shop, so would be better off with a proper scope.

I'm not sure how many of my customers are going to let me shoot the pests or if I will even get time when on a job to do it,  but either way it's an excuse to get a new toy, and I'm out with the 'Diffcal' lads tonight to shoot rats!

Ashley

www.thegardenspider.co.uk