Gun for occasional shooting of possums and smaller
Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: Hunting
Forum Name: Hunting Gear
Forum Description: Got a new toy? or want to show something off...post it in here :)
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=762
Printed Date: 05 Jul 2025 at 1:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.14 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Gun for occasional shooting of possums and smaller
Posted By: mintjberry
Subject: Gun for occasional shooting of possums and smaller
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2023 at 7:26am
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Hi all, Looking at purchasing an air rifle for small game - nothing bigger than a possum. It's not going to be used a lot, only for things that venture onto our small lifestyle block. All up don't really want to spend more than 1k, and this needs to include a scope as well. I've seen some mixed feedback on the Cometa Fusion - I see there are two variations at airguns.co.nz - the .22 @ $599 and the .177 MK LL @ $649. I assume the .22 is better for possums? There's also a Sig Sauer ASP20 .177 on Trademe for $850, second hand, would also need to arrange shipping. This will be pushing the budget when including a scope,but can potentially stretch the budget a bit, if it's far better than the Cometa Fusion. Keen to hear any thoughts / suggestions. |
Replies:
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2023 at 8:56am
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Myself if you are wanting to shoot possums i would go with .22. They have way better knockdown power. If you are going after bunnies maybe .177 is better as you will get a flatter shot and faster speeds and not as much holdover as a .22 Cometa Fusion are good rifles ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: FPM
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2023 at 2:09pm
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Hi @mintjberry. I saw your post over at the NZHS forum and you have received some great advice there. I recommend something 22 and gas piston. You have said you don't want a Gamo but they are the most powerful no license option I am aware of. Whatever you choose I recommend at least 24fpe at the muzzle.
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Posted By: Elliot87
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2023 at 3:32pm
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I was thinking about getting a cometa fusion myself as I had read and been told they are decent rifles. You can get spring or gas ram variants, I was going to pay the extra for gas ram. Youngs also sells these http://www.youngsairgun.co.nz/product-page/copy-of-crosman-362-multi-pump-pneumatic-rifle" rel="nofollow - http://www.youngsairgun.co.nz/product-page/copy-of-crosman-362-multi-pump-pneumatic-rifle (don't ask me why the link says crosman 362, it definitely takes you to the cometa). It does also list the rifle in .22 on the websites catalogue "COMETA FUSION The Fusion rifles has no open sights .WITH SCOPE $759.00 . (900 fps) ST & S .22 $629.00." Having never shot a possum with an air rifle I couldn't tell you what calibre and ft'lb's you would need. ------------- Pom that wants to be a kiwi |
Posted By: jwabfrog
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 3:45am
| Hi Elliot, I'm selling the sig on trademe. I know i will sound like a car salesman but the cometas and the sig are worlds apart in quality and accuracy. I've owned a few cometa fusions in 22 and they were all very ordinary in terms of accuracy. The sig has a much nicer trigger and will give superb accuracy. PM if you are interested, I can sell for less direct without the trademe success fees. No pressure or cajoling intended. |
Posted By: Ralph
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 4:08am
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Elliot, the Sig is far superior to the Cometa, I have owned 2 Sigs, still have one and is my go to rifle for rabbits. I shoot 10.34gn JSBs and get just on 20FPE, no problem dropping rabbits at 50m. ------------- Sig Sauer ASP20 .177 |
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 4:09am
My go to rifle for possums is my crosman in .22. It is not powerful but it is a tack driver. The more power the more recoil and the less accurate it is because of the recoil. My crosman is only putting out 780fps with H&n FTT pellets. But thats more than enough power to get the job done. Shot placement is the key. ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Elliot87 wrote:Posted By: Elliot87
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 8:11am
Hi, thanks for the offer but I've a rifle on the way from Paul and just bought a cr600w for around the barns. Neither will be as good as the sig I'm sure but should serve my purposes around here. Good luck with the sale. ------------- Pom that wants to be a kiwi |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 11:37am
| It was mintjBerry that was looking at a sig |
Posted By: Elliot87
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 11:39am
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I should have gone back to read the OP and I would have realised he mentioned the sig. Hopefully he comes back on here to see the post. ------------- Pom that wants to be a kiwi |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 12:43pm
| You can pm him. He might have got something else by time gets back here! |
Posted By: mintjberry
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 1:03pm
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Thanks everyone, have messaged jwabfrog, just weighing up what to do :) I think it'll come down to the Cometa Fusion .22 or jwabfrog's ASP20 .177. I won't be doing a lot of shooting with it, maybe once a month or so.
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2023 at 2:11pm
| Go the Cometa. Sig is by far the better gun in my option, but for shooting once a month do you want top quality. Accurate with enough power and reliability sounds good enough for a monthly gun. In my view |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2023 at 3:47pm
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No experience with Cometa so cannot help there. I would go with .22 and option of open sights gives flexibility. Trying to keep costs down, Crosman, Benjamin and others will all have a mid-power option to meet your needs. Any upgrade or cost escalation should always be about a better trigger. Ignore all the fantastic >1000 feet per second nonsense. .22 option in 700 - 800fps range is more than ample power for what you are proposing. Gamo .22 Black Knight is my goto for pest control @ 20ft/lb. Perhaps I was lucky and mine has performed without issue for several years. Seems to be a few around scoped up for <$600. You would want the Gamo 3-9x40 packaged scope. Coming down to @15ft/lb would be Gamo shadow IGT series, less hitting power but better control and scope friendly. Shot placement will be more manageable. From my posts you will note I am a big fan of the Sig ASP20. Adding a durable scope and good mount will quickly total $1100 - $1400. Fixed barrel options with under or side lever tend to sacrifice some power but accuracy improvement will reward every time. Purchase of preowned quality brand can be good advice but lack of warranty and delivery issues can be a pain. Whatever you choose, take your time and establish a repeatable technique. Get a solid pellet count in early and if you think something is amiss send it back as it will only get worse, the big suppliers just swap them out with few hassles. Lots of news and pictures please, it is why we are here. Very effective, lightweight but bit more of a work out.
Different calibre so numbers change but still plenty of knockdown force. Lightweight and pleasure to use, .22 would be perfect.
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