The silent treatment

Airguns are the perfect tool for discreet and humane pest control. Whether thinning out rabbits on pony paddocks, culling grey squirrels in woodland or dealing with rats around farm buildings, their quiet, precise operation and low power output makes them ideal for the task. 

Shooters are spoilt for choice when it comes to buying a reliable airgun, with numerous great new brands joining the more established favourites over recent years. 

There is something to cover more or less every eventuality and all budgets, although — as with most things is life — you do tend to get what you pay for. Here are five of our favourite pre-charged airguns that have the power and accuracy to swiftly despatch small pests.

DAYSTATE HUNTSMAN REVERE 

Huntsman Revere is the very latest version of Daystate’s classic sporting air rifle. Featuring both good looks and function that is right the top of the game — the Huntsman is generally recognised as being one of the most attractive pre-charged air rifles that you can buy — this British-made gun is available in an unlicensed sub 12ft/ lb version as well as a high-power FAC version with energies up to 30ft/lb. 

Both .177 and .22 calibres are available and they are joined by a .25 version in High Power (FAC). This airgun can be chosen from a left- or right-handed Grade 2 oiled walnut stock or an ambidextrous textured Safari Edition, which has a more rugged finish for use in the field. 

RRP £1,170 daystate.com 

BRK PATHFINDER XR

The Pathfinder XR has rapidly risen to be one of the most popular air rifles in the BRK range, due in part to its ultra-short and compact dimensions. The BRK Pathfinder is a lightweight portable pre-charged airgun that weighs 6.4lb and is easily transportable in a small bag or rucksack. The Pathfinder also features a large shot count from its 300cc air cylinder, and delivers a full 12ft/lb in unlicensed .177 or .22 calibres. It is also available as a licensed high-power FAC version, where energies up to 30ft/lb in .25 calibre are achievable. 

RRP £1,220 brocock.co.uk 

REXIMEX LYRA-K

This is the carbine version of Reximex’s much-loved Lyra. This PCP features a 14.9in shrouded barrel and a 250cc buddy bottle but weighs a little over 6lb. The action, which has a biathlon level for cocking, and power adjuster are housed in a smart walnut stock with rubber butt-pad. The trigger is adjustable four ways so you can set it to suit your preference. The Lyra-K is available in .177 and .22 and is supplied with two magazines, single shot tray and all your filling accessories. It also comes with a Picatinny rail for fitting a bipod. 

RRP £425 range-right.co.uk 

WEIHRAUCH HW110 T LAMINATE

Weihrauch has been setting the standard for airguns for decades and this model does not disappoint. The HW110’s sidelever action drives a 10- shot metal magazine which is very well engineered; its simplicity means there is virtually nothing to go wrong with it. The result is a cocking and loading mechanism that works like clockwork. The HW110 is solidly constructed. Scope attachment is via an integral Picatinny rail, and its 16in barrel is available in .177 and .22 calibres – plus .20 to special order. Overall length is 39in with the supplied High Efficiency moderator fitted. This little airgun weighs 7.5lb but its excellent balance makes it comfortable to shoot from all stances. 

RRP £1,045 hullcartridge.co.uk 

FX DYNAMIC COMPACT TAKEDOWN VP

This PCP weighs 6.8lb and is only 31.5in long when fully assembled. The air bottle, which also serves as the rear section of the stock, can be screwed off to make it even shorter. A polymer sleeve slides over the Dynamic’s 400cc air bottle to act as a cheek support and incorporates the butt-pad, which is height and length adjustable. This gun’s high-capacity magazine holds 21 pellets in .177 calibre and 18 in .22. Operated by a reversible sidelever with a chunky dropdown handle, the cocking and loading mechanism is very slick. The fully adjustable two-stage trigger is equally impressive and its match-type blade delivers intuitive shot release. 

RRP £1,410.99 sportsmanguncentre.co.uk