25 cal rifle/scope combo for $800

[dens228]

I have a buddy that's looking for a rifle to pest in his somewhat urban backyard, racoons and skunks. His budget is roughly $800 total.
Other than me recommending a .25 cal I'm not sure what to recommend. Since I jumped into this with both feet in the deep end I never really looked at the lower end price range he's looking at.
I'm assuming a springer with an appropriate scope is what he'll be looking at.
Anyone with some decent choices?

 

[rcarlisle]

There's a nice Gen 1 .25 Marauder in the classifieds for $450. That would be a terrific start.
https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/benjamin-marauder-25.1284079/

 

[maxtrouble]

That is a great deal on a Marauder. How is he going to fill it? I have never hand pumped one but they have the sweet spot of 3k psi. Anything past 3k gets rough. Used to hand pump my Huntsman and I always stopped around 3k.

 

[fx guy]

I have a buddy that's looking for a rifle to pest in his somewhat urban backyard, racoons and skunks. His budget is roughly $800 total.
Other than me recommending a .25 cal I'm not sure what to recommend. Since I jumped into this with both feet in the deep end I never really looked at the lower end price range he's looking at.
I'm assuming a springer with an appropriate scope is what he'll be looking at.
Anyone with some decent choices?

I have an area hp varmint with pellets slugs and Nikon x1000 optic I am trying to sell. 450$. Very quiet with 44 grain slugs

 

[JimD]

It might be a bit of a trap but $800 would let you buy a PCP for $500 (hopefully less) and a scope and a hand pump plus probably a few pellets. I say it might be a trap because if the new owner decides he likes to shoot but doesn't like to pump then he would have to spend around $300 more for a compressor. You can also find PCPs for $300 or a little less (Beeman, Stoeger XM1 are examples) which leaves room for a compressor and inexpensive scope (like a Hawke Vantage) and incidentals. I have two 25 calibers, a plastic stock Avenger (currently about $350 I think) and a P35 (about $440). Either could be made to fit into this budget.

I have very little experience with break barrels but I find them a lot harder to shoot well and much less fun. You avoid the pump/compressor issue and they can be quite inexpensive but if you can't hit what you are shooting at what is the point? Cocking effort also seems to increase substantially with power and PCPs will still offer more fpe.