C_F_45
>>What can I hunt with my Daisy Powerline 1000?<< Small game(rabbit, squirrel, etc) and pest birds. >>How much power does it have?<< One reliable source has the Daisy 1000 at 17.5ft-lbs(1000fps* with 7.9gr pellets). Another has 16.5ft-lbs(970fps* with 7.9gr pellets) *chronograph If that's really the case(16.5ft-lbs to 17.5ft-lbs) then I would try a good quality but heavier pellet such as the RWS Superdome(8.3gr) H&N Field and Target(8.5gr) Beeman Silver Sting(8.6gr) Beeman Crow-Magnum(8.8gr) RWS Supermag(9.3gr)* Beeman Silver Arrow(11.5gr)** *for pest birds IMO sporting air rifles perform best at between 850fps and 950fps. So a heavier pellet at around 900fps will generally give you much better accuracy, than a lighter one at 1000fps. **A little heavy for a 17ft-lb rifle, but it's a possibility A pellet sampler is one way to get a good variety. >>Better air rifle for $250<< RWS 34 One of my favorites is the .22 caliber RWS 350 Magnum, and while they are generally around $400. I sometimes see a 350 in your price range on Gunbroker There is nothing wrong with a well taken care of, lightly used, high quality springer. As a matter of fact I'm of the opinion that such a rifle can actually be better than new**, since someone eles has taken care of the break in period. **high quality springers tend to wear in, rather than wear out.

Ben
you could easily take down squirrles, rabbits, sparrows, crows ( with a headshot) any backyard pest. And i have killed groundhogs and racoons with crossman storm xt, (12.7 Ft lbs of energy) which a lot of people say is impossible or inhumane, but they all died quicker than 10 seconds, and thats pretty quick. so keep shot placemrnt in mind and find the right ammo, and you can keep your possibilities open. sparrows to groundhogs i think your set. And now for the upgrade, i woulf reccomend the Walther Falcon Hunter in .22, around 260$ but is most powerful spring powered rifle in that price range. it has been chroygraphed a 914 FPS with a 14.3 grain pellet. I have been looking at one for a long time, its kind of my dream gun but money is tight wright now, just gonna have to wait. good luck and happy hunting!