I've posted many times on here about reducing the population of invasive ducks around our neighborhood ponds. There have been discussions and I know other folks have spent tons of money in their neighborhoods doing so, even posting about it on here.

Well, it looks like there's a changing of the guard at our HOA and some new folks are willing to let us take matters into our own hands and the idea has been thrown out about using high-powered pellet guns but doing so at night.

It's my understanding that scopes are designed differently for air rifles vs. firearms. Something to do with the way the vibrations from the recoil affect the scope.

So my question is- does anybody have any info on night vision scopes compatible with a high-powered pellet gun?

Lots of guys in the UK using Photon XT, digital night vision, on high powered pellet guns. I also use them on cross bows for pigs.

I sell them and can hook you up with a loaner if you want to try before you buy.

Have you already researched shooting them with a pellet gun, at night? Honest question as it may be legal, I do not know.

Please, please, please post a video of this if it happens.

It's a pellet gun so you probably wouldn't want to put the money into traditional night vision anyways but stay away from traditional night vision with a pellet gun. Lots of vibration that would possibly jack up a tube. Digital is the way to go and on a gun like a pellet rifle, I definitely echo the Photon.

If you are in the city limits it is probably not legal to shoot a pellet gun. Most cities have them classified as firearms now. I know it is stupid but I found this out when wanting to shoot a skunk. I only checked because I live on a golf course and the likelihood of getting caught was high.

If that is the case it is the same shooting a suppressed 22lr.

Why couldn't you just spotlight them?

ETJ FTMFW

Earl- spotlights call attention. This needs to be somewhat stealthy due to the over the top animal lovers here.

What sort of permits do you have to get to shoot waterfowl out of season?

isnt there reverse recoil with airguns that can be damaging to a scope?

https://bearingarms.com/trent-m/2013/12/09/is-your-scope-strong-enough-for-an-airgun/

Trigger06 said:

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What sort of permits do you have to get to shoot waterfowl out of season?

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For invasive species, none that I'm aware of. And I've spoken with a local guy who was with Texas Parks & Wildlife until last year.

FTA05- yes, there's a different kind of recoil to air rifles that's evidently damaging to normal scopes which is why I asked about night vision scopes specifically made for air rifles.

edit: those Photon scopes are a bit more than I would want to spend. I found these on AliBaba and at these prices would be worth trying, even if they turn out to be a hunk of crap: https://www.aliexpress.com/popular/night-vision-air-rifle-scope.html

What do you consider a "high-powered pellet gun"?

12thmayne said:

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What do you consider a "high-powered pellet gun"?

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Something like this Gamo Varmit Hunter that's going to get you 1000-1200fps

http://www.gamousa.com/product.aspx?productID=68

Finn Maccumhail said:

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ETJ FTMFW

Earl- spotlights call attention. This needs to be somewhat stealthy due to the over the top animal lovers here.

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To me.... if you can't get away with low key spot lighting these things without getting caught, which you would. Then spending the money on NV just to get caught, if Murphy has taught me anything, you will. Then I'd rather only be out a pellet gun and Qbeam than out a pellet gun and NV when it all comes to a head.

Finn Maccumhail said:

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12thmayne said:

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What do you consider a "high-powered pellet gun"?

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Something like this Gamo Varmit Hunter that's going to get you 1000-1200fps

http://www.gamousa.com/product.aspx?productID=68

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What's the price tag like?

Fishin Texas Aggie 05 said:

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isnt there reverse recoil with airguns that can be damaging to a scope?

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That's why I said stay away from a gen 1/gen 2 unit. I don't know of anything cheaper than a photon that is decent. That being said... dude... you now have and excuse to order a photon and use it for other things as well. DO IT!

Fishin Texas Aggie 05 said:

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isnt there reverse recoil with airguns that can be damaging to a scope?

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Absolutely.

EagleFordEarl said:

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Finn Maccumhail said:

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ETJ FTMFW

Earl- spotlights call attention. This needs to be somewhat stealthy due to the over the top animal lovers here.

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To me.... if you can't get away with low key spot lighting these things without getting caught, which you would. Then spending the money on NV just to get caught, if Murphy has taught me anything, you will. Then I'd rather only be out a pellet gun and Qbeam than out a pellet gun and NV when it all comes to a head.

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"Get away with it" is sort of a relative term.

We're not so concerned with the legal ramifications as we are keeping the crazy neighborhood hens from losing their **** over this.

I'm no expert, but I think the problems with scopes only occurs with springers. You can get a PCP airgun, that doesn't have the same problem. If I was spending the money for night vision, I'd prob also spend a little more to get a gun that is not so hard on scopes.

I'd definitely look at PCP over springers. And go .22 or .25 rather than .177.

If you end up getting a PCP, Neil clauge makes the best LDC I've seen.

Definitely go with a PCP for this. A spring powered airgun will never be as powerful and will be heck on scopes.

For night vision on pellet guns, I've heard good things about ATN products. This one is about $630. There's one in the $500 range, too.

https://www.amazon.com/ATN-Riflescope-Stabilization-Shooting-Solution/dp/B01BYDUZ60

High powered pellet guns aren't exactly quiet. You'd be better off with a .22 and subsonic ammo.

That being said. Have you tried a loaf of bread and tennis racket? I mean, we're talking about neighborhood pond "ducks" here not green heads in flooded timber.

To be honest, walking up on them quietly while they're sleeping with a croquet mallet is probably the best option.

AgLA06 said:

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High powered pellet guns aren't exactly quiet. You'd be better off with a .22 and subsonic ammo.

That being said. Have you tried a loaf of bread and tennis racket? I mean, we're talking about neighborhood pond "ducks" here not green heads in flooded timber.

To be honest, walking up on them quietly while they're sleeping with a croquet mallet is probably the best option.

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They are extremely quiet with built in silencers/suppressos, which are legal for airguns without a tax stamp. Most of them come that way. The Benjamin Marauder is a good case in point. The suppression is built-in, and it's very quiet.

I stand corrected. I've only owned 1 and shot a couple. Never really seen the point when the price point gets beyond that of a .22.

AgLA06 said:

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I stand corrected. I've only owned 1 and shot a couple. Never really seen the point when the price point gets beyond that of a .22.

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NP just wanted to set the record straight.

I've enjoyed cheaper ammo and hassle free suppression, so I've seen the light. Like any hobby, you can sink a lot of money into it, especially with precharged pneumatics. But, you don't necessarily have to, just to have fun.

AgLA06 said:

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I stand corrected. I've only owned 1 and shot a couple. Never really seen the point when the price point gets beyond that of a .22.

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Most Americans will not ever be in the situation where they would learn the point. This is because the great majority of high-powered pellet guns come from countries where firearms are almost impossible - or even impossible - to obtain. In those countries, it is very easy to own an airgun, so they have companies that have elevated airgun design to a very high and powerful level. People in those countries who want to hunt small to medium game, or who want to participate in target shooting activities see the point extremely well.

It is very true that the price of many foreign airguns is vastly higher than a cheap .22. This is because those airguns are crafted to a much, much higher level of quality and workmanship. PCP's are also much more complicated than a firearm. PCP's have everything that a firearm has (and often of higher quality), but also have a high-pressure air tank of either 3000psi or 4500psi, a filling system, and a regulator.

Expensive airguns aren't for everyone, but more and more find value in the ability to shoot extremely accurately, quietly, and even cheaply once the initial investment is made.

Go to a cabelas if you can. They usually have as is pellet guns in their bargain room. I grabbed a gamo 1300 fps with scope for 100 bucks. Works great.

Just my 2 cents but if you are trying to fly under the radar I would get something that will keep those pellets just subsonic. Avoid that telltale crack. I got mine to where I can shoot led subsonic or pba supersonic. Purchased this way for questionably legal back yard pest eredication.