New Member Post

Jump to latest Follow Reply
1

1AWG

Member
Mar 8, 2025
9
5
Hello,

New to the site. Had BB pistols and rifles as long as I can remember. I have a Gamo .177 Hunter with a BSA scope. Break barrel 1000 fps. Still works great after 20 + years. Recently bought a 17 hmr to reach out and touch ground squirrels at 100 yards…beautiful rifle but just too loud for taking multiple shots. The Gamo is only good if I’m on top of the Squirrels at close range.

I just recently discovered the world of PCP and have been really considering the Gauntlet SL series. I like the design and look and prices. I understand the .30 cal is just as loud even with a moderator as .22?

I can’t find any good reviews on the .25 and if it could take a ground squirrel at 100 yards and what would the sound be like with a moderator or even without a moderator?

I like the way I see the Gauntlet .30 hits and I’ve seen enough to think I could want to buy one but I’m afraid it’s going to be just as loud as my .17hmr?

Looking for all of your experiences and wisdom on this subject!


Thank you!
Brian
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito
All my pesting is just protecting around my home and I don't use my pcp's past 50 yards ever and rarely past 35 yards, I go PB past that point, other people here will tell you all about pcp pesting at distances you are talking about. But, You already have a 17hmr, I hope you are in a safe area to use that, kind of question it since you are worried about sound. Assuming you are in a safe spot, it really would be cheaper to legally get a suppressor for your 17hmr. They are not loud at all even with a 30 cal suppressor on the end, I have two endcaps for my 30 cal centerfire legal suppressor, one is for shooting .22's out of it. With the 30 cal endcap, my real and legal suppressor on my 17 hmr makes it pretty quiet except for the supersonic crack, which really isn't that loud, put the 22 endcap on and it is really quiet except for the supersoic crack. The 17hmr is such a small projectile and relatively slow the supersonic crack is not all that loud. Just something to think about.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble, beerthief and Bandito
Upvote 0
Thanks. I’m in the country but do have neighbors. We all shoot shotguns and rifles. I’m just wanting to be as good a neighbor as possible. My 17 has a bull barrel and isn’t threaded otherwise I’d gone with a moderator.

I’m more intrigued with the idea of the PCP’s

Maybe I’ll look at another 17 that can be modified like you described.

I’d be willing to pick up a used PCP just to try it out and play with it.

The ground squirrels are such a nuisance and they recently showed up coming from the neighbor shooting at them and driving them my way!

17hmr is 25/26 bucks for 50 rounds here in California!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito
Upvote 0
karl_h said:
All my pesting is just protecting around my home and I don't use my pcp's past 50 yards ever and rarely past 35 yards, I go PB past that point, other people here will tell you all about pcp pesting at distances you are talking about. But, You already have a 17hmr, I hope you are in a safe area to use that, kind of question it since you are worried about sound. Assuming you are in a safe spot, it really would be cheaper to legally get a suppressor for your 17hmr. They are not loud at all even with a 30 cal suppressor on the end, I have two endcaps for my 30 cal centerfire legal suppressor, one is for shooting .22's out of it. With the 30 cal endcap, my real and legal suppressor on my 17 hmr makes it pretty quiet except for the supersonic crack, which really isn't that loud, put the 22 endcap on and it is really quiet except for the supersoic crack. The 17hmr is such a small projectile and relatively slow the supersonic crack is not all that loud. Just something to think about.
Click to expand...
What caliber PCP do you use? My .177 Gamo at 50 yards just pisses off the Squirrels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito
Upvote 0
1AWG said:
What caliber PCP do you use? My .177 Gamo at 50 yards just pisses off the Squirrels.
Click to expand...
I use an Uragan compact .22 tuned to around 22 ft/lbs with 15 grain pellets. If I could go back in time, I would have bought a non-regulated air arms .22 and tuned it to where I wanted it. I want to pick up the pcp, make one shot, and put it down. Leaving my pcp outside with temperature changes during the day will change the pressure in the plenum on a regulated pcp enough to really throw off the first shot, which for me is the only shot that counts 95+% of the time, rare I get two or more shots of on multiple pests around my house. I found I have to keep the uragan in the house and remember to pick it up every time I go outside.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1AWG and Bandito
Upvote 0
1AWG said:
Thanks. I’m in the country but do have neighbors. We all shoot shotguns and rifles. I’m just wanting to be as good a neighbor as possible. My 17 has a bull barrel and isn’t threaded otherwise I’d gone with a moderator.

I’m more intrigued with the idea of the PCP’s

Maybe I’ll look at another 17 that can be modified like you described.

I’d be willing to pick up a used PCP just to try it out and play with it.

The ground squirrels are such a nuisance and they recently showed up coming from the neighbor shooting at them and driving them my way!

17hmr is 25/26 bucks for 50 rounds here in California!
Click to expand...
Where are you in California? I'm in the Central Valley area.
Kenny
 
Upvote 0
1AWG said:
Thanks. I’m in the country but do have neighbors. We all shoot shotguns and rifles. I’m just wanting to be as good a neighbor as possible. My 17 has a bull barrel and isn’t threaded otherwise I’d gone with a moderator.

I’m more intrigued with the idea of the PCP’s

Maybe I’ll look at another 17 that can be modified like you described.

I’d be willing to pick up a used PCP just to try it out and play with it.

The ground squirrels are such a nuisance and they recently showed up coming from the neighbor shooting at them and driving them my way!

17hmr is 25/26 bucks for 50 rounds here in California!
Click to expand...
Yeah, if you would potentially be shooting high volume, with those prices I can see not wanting to do it. In the 6 or so years I've owned mine, not counting sighting it in, and a few rounds checking sight in now and then, swapping to thermal and back, I've probably shot less than 15 rounds at pests. About evenly distributed between coons getting in my small apple trees at 75 ish yards, large groundhogs, and skunks. Not one body shot skunk has ever sprayed with the 17hmr through lungs, the exit hole even on a tiny skunk at near 100 yards is amazing. I shot one rabbit I intended to clean and eat with it, bad mistake that won't be repeated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1AWG
Upvote 0
Hi welcome to the forum. Any air rifle can be loud depending on the configuration. Even a lower energy 22Cal pcp can be ear splittingly loud with no functional shroud or moderator. If you pick something with a decent shroud, and add a decent moderator even a 30Cal can be very mild sounding.

Personally I like 25Cal for slugs at longer ranges when pesting California ground squirrels. My old Impact MK2 has a shroud and Huggett moderator and it is quiet enough for most backyards. I dont shoot it in my backyard though due to the risk of slugs in neighborhoods. Setup correctly you can ethically hunt small game out to about 200yds, although this is usually costly for the right setup.

The other benefit is ammo selection. There are lots of good choices in 25Cal, and in California air rifles are exempt from the non-lead laws your rimfires require.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1AWG
Upvote 0
beerthief said:
Maybe buy another threaded 17 HMR barrel ?
@ 100 or more yards a breeze is your enemy with an Air rifle
Click to expand...
And in the central valley of CA, they get just a little breeze on occasion. Especially close to the delta.

As for Gauntlet it is long, heavy and hits hard. But for $400 it is a great deal.

A bit lighter from Umarex is the Zelos, not as big a punch either. But good to at least 50 yards.

Only real downside to Umarex is they do not sell parts. You have a problem you have to send them the gun.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble and 1AWG
Upvote 0
1AWG said:
Hello,

New to the site. Had BB pistols and rifles as long as I can remember. I have a Gamo .177 Hunter with a BSA scope. Break barrel 1000 fps. Still works great after 20 + years. Recently bought a 17 hmr to reach out and touch ground squirrels at 100 yards…beautiful rifle but just too loud for taking multiple shots. The Gamo is only good if I’m on top of the Squirrels at close range.

I just recently discovered the world of PCP and have been really considering the Gauntlet SL series. I like the design and look and prices. I understand the .30 cal is just as loud even with a moderator as .22?

I can’t find any good reviews on the .25 and if it could take a ground squirrel at 100 yards and what would the sound be like with a moderator or even without a moderator?

I like the way I see the Gauntlet .30 hits and I’ve seen enough to think I could want to buy one but I’m afraid it’s going to be just as loud as my .17hmr?

Looking for all of your experiences and wisdom on this subject!


Thank you!
Brian
Click to expand...
Welcome and with the right moderator you can tame the bark
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1AWG
Upvote 0
1AWG said:
There’s not many States that suppressors are legal. Theres a movement to legalize here in California but I doubt that we’ll see it.
Click to expand...
I was wrong and surprised, 42 states they are legal. But the feds do have a few rules you with which you have to comply.

Not that it makes any difference to me, haven't owned a PB since my nephew *borrowed* my Savage model 99 back in the 90s and it got stolen.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu