I have been working on removing Pigeons from a barn. There are a few remaining that will not go into the traps. I'm going to shoot them, but would like to know what would be the best pellet gun to use? I don't want to to do any damage should I miss.

Depends on what the barn is made out of and what's in it. But I don't think you are going to find a pellet gun that will kill a pigeon that won't possibly do some damage if you miss and hit something else!

I would agree with mike. Though of you want a serious pellet rifle that you can adjust the air on check out the Air Force line.

http://www.airforceairguns.com/

You can dial the pressure on some models and you could therefore practice before hand to see what will lethally remove the pigeon without causing a hole in a corrugated or tin roof.

Have used them in a variety of barns for rats and starling problems. Excellent tool!

Nice guns but way out of my price range.

They are spendy!

Many folks use bird shot (or rat shot) loads, could look at that option and if you know the roofing material and could get a little piece of it from the hardware you could shoot it a few times and determine the distance at which you will cause issues.

Just a thought......

Those shot loads in a .22RF don't work too good in a rifled barrel.

Not so much! Could always night light them and catch them by hand/net.

I hate to repeat myself. ( No I don't, any time I can brag, I take it ) I am the owner of a smoothbore .22, thanks to a friend of mine who takes pity on people who have to catch animals for a living. I'm sure he also remembered that I was the only one who actually took down an English sparrow on the wing, with the same gun, when we were kids. ( Where are Truman and Eisenhower now when you need them? )

Air Rifles & Bird Control
Recorded on 06/29/2008 11:06PM http://www.blubrry.com/player/?e=240846&p=4118

I did a related podcast with the late Bob Evans who used pasta as ammo in grocery stores.

Along those lines Robb my failing memory seems to recall that at one of the WCT/NWCOA seminars it was mentioned that those little silver balls that are used for cake decorating are about the same size as a BB or .177 and that they are lethal on birds but disintegrate into a powder when they strike a solid object.
I use a GAMO air shotgun that fires those little black shells loaded with small bird shot, in a box store about the size of Walmart or Lowes they will drop a pigeon.

If memory serves marlin made the smooth bore 22s.

Went back tonight none in the traps. The ceiling is at least 40 feet and made of plywood with shingles on the outside.

Pretty much any pellet gun will take down a pigeon. Use what you have access to. A pigeon is a pretty big target at 40' and under. Go out tomorrow and practice until you can hit a pigeon sized target every time.

Then go get them.

If you need to buy one, what is your budget?

The problem with buying one is most need 200-1000 or so shots to get tuned in. You will not have to fire it that many times for pigeon work, but I would buy different pellets, until you find one you are most comfortable with. For the job you describe stay away from pointed (field,hunting) pellets, go with a hollow point or match pellet much less penetration. Try different types and brands not all pellets are made equal, and not all guns fire accurate with the top brand names. Test fire before going to the job to make sure you are dialed in.

RF, I bought a Gamo CFX fixed barrel in .22 caliber and it shot well right from the start using regular old Crosman pellets. I'm guessing that I just got lucky? Killed a couple raccoon close up with it and last week used it on three pigeons without missing. I guess I hadn't realized it until now but that gun has done way more than paid for itself.

Justin, have you seen this site, www.talontunes.com.

Great sight David. Kind of makes you wonder if and when compressed air will be used for assassinations.

Over the years I have done a lot of inside pigeon work and for the last twenty years I have used a pump-up Benjamin-Sheridan with stellar results. (really, who actually says stellar anymore???) Anyhow, I used the pump-up style gun "cause I can control the speed of the pellet so as to not cause damage to the roof in case of a miss. Last year I had shoulder replacement surgery and that meant I couldn't pump the gun. I got by this problem by buying an Air Force Talon. The Talon is a "pre-charged" high pressure gun that you can change the velocity by simply rolling a small calibrated wheel on the side of the gun with your finger. The only problem I found with it was after shooting the Benjamin through a chronograph the Air Force gun at its lowest setting was about a 100 ft. a second faster but that has proved not to be a problem in buildings I work in. It is true, you will have to run at least 150 rounds through this gun before it will really start to repeat and, like all guns, you have to shoot different pellets through it to see which one that particular gun likes.

Hadn't seen that before! Awesome!