The term “backyard friendly” is used quite often when talking about airguns. Most of the time, we are referring to the quietness of the airgun but are there other aspects that we should be considering? In this article, we’ll take a look at things to consider when picking a “backyard-friendly” airgun. Before we get too far along, we need to mention that you should always check your local laws and restrictions. If it’s illegal to shoot airguns in your backyard, then it doesn’t matter how backyard-friendly an airgun may be because your backyard is not airgun-friendly. Make sure that you follow the local laws and be safe.
Quietness is King
Yes, the term “backyard friendly” does mostly come down to quietness. One of the biggest benefits of airguns is that you can shoot them “under the radar.” As long as they are quiet enough not to bother the neighbors, you should be all set. It would be ideal to provide you with scientifically accurate data on DB levels, but without a special chamber and certified equipment, we’d be guessing. We’ve tested multiple “calibrated” DB meters simultaneously and still got wildly varying results.
Subjective or Objective
Without accurate sound-level data, “quietness” becomes more subjective than objective. Most airgunners would probably agree that the Benjamin Marauder is “quiet” and that the Seneca Dragon Claw is NOT quiet. But when you start comparing the Marauder to the Barra 1100z, the picture could be clearer. While we may feel that the stock 1100z is perfectly fine for the backyard, others may strenuously object once they pull the trigger shooting from their back porch. You should really do some research to get a better handle on how quiet you need an airgun to be for your backyard.
What About Power?
We mentioned there were other things to consider when determining if an airgun is truly “backyard friendly.” Have you thought about how much power your airgun produces and what may happen if there was a truly errant shot? Airguns like the FX Impact M3 .35 can push over 150 FPE so quietly that you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and a typical smallbore. While the sound level may be minimal, the power output is more than a .22 LR. It’s not only property damage to consider but also the potential for injury. It’s critical to consider not only noise but energy if you are going to shoot airguns in your backyard. Make sure that you have a suitable backstop that’s large enough to catch errant shots and strong enough to stop passthrough.
What About Ammo?
We can’t talk about energy without considering what ammo you may want to shoot in your backyard. With the focus on airgun slugs taking a front-row seat in the minds of so many airgunners, discussing their suitability for the backyard seems worth a look. Pellets are ideal for the backyard because they shed velocity and energy very quickly. Slugs, on the other hand, have greater penetration, more mass, and maintain energy and velocity over much greater distances. The reality is that airgun slugs are more like bullets than pellets. While your airgun may be quiet enough, shooting slugs may in itself make your airgun not backyard-friendly. Certainly, something to consider.
Let’s Boil it All Down
Airguns certainly open up some great opportunities to get in more trigger time if you have a suitable backyard and it’s legal for you to shoot airguns where you live. When looking for your next backyard-friendly airgun, be sure to consider not only the sound level but also the power output and what ammo you’ll be shooting.
And if you need help finding the best backyard-friendly airgun for your needs, please give us a call. We are always here to help.
