Best Pellet Gun for Raccoons

Raccoons are known for their cleverness and ability to cause trouble, whether it’s raiding your garbage cans, digging through your garden, or even entering your attic. They can be a significant nuisance, especially if they begin to damage your property. While trapping and relocating raccoons are options, a pellet gun offers a more humane and effective method for managing raccoon populations.

Pellet guns are powerful enough to humanely deal with raccoons while allowing for precise shots at safe distances. In this guide, we’ll explore the best pellet guns for raccoons, focusing on their power, accuracy, and reliability—all essential for effective pest control.

Why Choose a Pellet Gun for Raccoon Control?

A pellet gun is often the preferred tool for raccoon control due to several key advantages:

  • Humane: Pellet guns can provide a quick, humane solution for dealing with raccoons without causing unnecessary suffering. A well-placed shot can ensure a quick and clean kill.

  • Powerful: Raccoons are fairly large animals, so you need a pellet gun with sufficient power to handle them effectively. Many modern pellet guns deliver enough energy to take down larger pests.

  • Accuracy: Pellet guns are highly accurate, allowing you to take precise shots even at longer distances—ideal for managing raccoons in your yard or garden.

  • Quiet Operation: Compared to firearms, pellet guns are much quieter, which is a huge advantage for those living in suburban areas where noise may be a concern.

  • Cost-Effective: Pellet guns and ammo are generally more affordable to use and maintain than firearms.

Now, let’s dive into the best pellet guns for raccoons, considering their power, range, and versatility.

1. Benjamin Marauder .22 Caliber PCP Air Rifle

The Benjamin Marauder is a top contender when it comes to pellet guns for larger pests like raccoons. This PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) air rifle is known for its incredible power and accuracy, making it a perfect tool for raccoon control.

Key Features:

  • Caliber: .22, providing sufficient power to take down medium to large pests like raccoons.

  • Power: Shoots at speeds up to 1,000 FPS, offering plenty of energy to deliver a humane shot.

  • Accuracy: Known for its high accuracy at long ranges, which is essential when targeting a raccoon in a backyard or garden.

  • Quiet Operation: The PCP system is much quieter than traditional firearms, allowing you to hunt without alarming neighbors or other wildlife.

  • Best For: Shooters who want a high-performance air rifle with consistent power for humane pest control.

Why It’s Great for Raccoons:

The Benjamin Marauder delivers superior accuracy and power, which are essential for dealing with raccoons. Its PCP system ensures consistent shots, and the .22 caliber provides enough force to humanely handle a raccoon at both close and medium ranges.

2. Hatsan 135 QE Vortex Gas Piston Air Rifle

The Hatsan 135 QE Vortex is a spring-piston air rifle that stands out for its incredible power and precision. This gas piston air rifle is an excellent choice for larger pests like raccoons, offering long-range accuracy and the power to handle tough animals.

Key Features:

  • Caliber: .22 and .25, with the .22 caliber being perfect for raccoon control.

  • Power: Shoots up to 1,200 FPS, delivering a significant amount of energy to handle larger pests.

  • Vortex Gas Piston: Delivers consistent power with reduced recoil, ensuring accurate follow-up shots.

  • QuietEnergy Technology (QE): Significantly reduces the noise of each shot, making it ideal for urban or suburban settings.

  • Best For: Shooters who need maximum power and long-range performance for raccoon control.

Why It’s Great for Raccoons:

The Hatsan 135 QE Vortex is an incredibly powerful air rifle, ideal for tackling larger animals like raccoons. Its quiet operation and precision make it perfect for outdoor use, allowing you to handle raccoons without drawing attention or disturbing neighbors.

3. Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1

If you’re looking for a quiet yet powerful pellet gun, the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 is an excellent choice. This air rifle is known for its Whisper Fusion technology, which dampens noise while still delivering significant power.

Key Features:

  • Caliber: .22, which is ideal for taking down medium-sized animals like raccoons.

  • Power: Shoots at 1,400 FPS, offering more than enough power for humane raccoon control.

  • Whisper Fusion Technology: Reduces noise, making it much quieter than most other high-powered air rifles.

  • Shockwave Absorber: Reduces recoil, improving accuracy with each shot.

  • Best For: Shooters who need a high-velocity, quiet pellet gun for raccoons.

Why It’s Great for Raccoons:

The Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 is exceptionally quiet for a high-powered air rifle, which is ideal when you want to avoid attracting attention. With a high FPS and great power, it’s more than capable of handling raccoons humanely and effectively.

4. Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk .22 Caliber Air Rifle

The Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk is a gas piston-powered air rifle that is perfect for beginners and intermediate shooters who need a powerful yet easy-to-use rifle for pest control. It’s a solid, reliable option for raccoon hunting.

Key Features:

  • Caliber: .22, ideal for medium-sized pests like raccoons.

  • Power: Shoots up to 1,000 FPS, giving you enough stopping power for raccoons.

  • Nitro Piston Technology: Reduces recoil and vibration, allowing for smoother shooting.

  • Rugged Construction: Built with a synthetic stock that can handle tough environments.

  • Best For: Shooters who want an easy-to-maintain, affordable pellet gun for raccoon control.

Why It’s Great for Raccoons:

The Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk offers consistent power and excellent accuracy, making it a good choice for controlling raccoons. The gas piston technology ensures minimal recoil, and the rifle is tough enough to withstand the rigors of regular use.

5. Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Gun

For those who are looking for a more affordable and lightweight option, the Ruger Blackhawk provides a solid shooting experience. While the .177 caliber may be more suited to smaller pests, it can still be effective for dealing with smaller or juvenile raccoons in close-range situations.

Key Features:

  • Caliber: .177, effective for smaller raccoons or those at closer ranges.

  • Power: Shoots at 1,000 FPS, providing enough force for smaller animals.

  • Adjustable Trigger: Allows for a more customized shooting experience.

  • Durable Construction: Built for long-term use.

  • Best For: Beginner shooters or those needing a budget-friendly option.

Why It’s Great for Raccoons:

While the Ruger Blackhawk is better suited for smaller animals, it can still be used for smaller raccoons at close range. It’s a budget-friendly choice for those new to air rifles or anyone seeking an affordable solution for pest control.

Conclusion

When choosing the best pellet gun for raccoons, it’s essential to consider factors such as power, accuracy, and quiet operation. Whether you opt for the high-powered Benjamin Marauder or the silent and powerful Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1, each of these pellet guns offers a reliable, humane way to handle raccoons.

Always be sure to follow local laws and regulations regarding wildlife control and use your pellet gun responsibly to ensure effective and humane pest management.

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