View Full Version : is this the place to ask about air rifles?
brickboy240
03-19-13, 15:55
Well...none of the other forums came close...so I thought I'd ask this here.
Since I have not seen 22LR ammo in going on 3.5 months...I have thought about selling a few of my "lesser" 22 rifles and getting one nice pellet rifle. 177 and even 22 pellets seem to be everywhere and not hard to find at all. Also...plenty cheap.
I was wondering if any of the 250 dollar or under pellet rifles are worth owning. Anyone have one of the Gamo or other pellet rifles?
I was wanting this mainly for short range plinking and maybe squirrels or raccoons at 25-35 yards. Things my cheapo 22s USED to do back in the good ol' days when you could find 22LR ammo.
Anyone recommend an air rifle in the 250 dollar range? Several websites have Gamo and others in the 200-250 range (some with 4X scopes) but honestly...I do not know anyone that has one. The Gamo Big Cat looks interesting for the price.
Any advice on this...as well as an answer to the 22 vs 177 caliber pellet question would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
-Brickboy240
I don't have an answer in regards to the air rifle question, but it's acceptable to have it in here since there's no other place but general.
Enjoy
Mark
My relatives have all manner of cheaper (sub $200) pellet guns and they clear out the squirrels quite well to 30 yards. It's more shooter dependent than anything else, like most things.
It is a different shooting experience, pellet vs 22LR IMO - but for squirrel control it works well. I have a cheap pump pellet pistol and have tagged a couple squirrels from 10-15 yds and scared quite a few beyond that as well.
Glad I stocked up on 22 last ammo craze, when there was plenty to go around. Still shooting it and have 10K to go.
I would steer clear of Gamo. You're better off with a pneumatic over a spring piston. Even a cheapo crosman multi-pump will give you better results than a Gamo. A little better than crosman is a Benjamin pneumatic.
Personally, I own PCP's (AirArms and FX) but that's far above your budget. And with PCP's you need the supporting equipment, but if you want something "good" a PCP is the only way to go. I primarily shoot .22 JSB Exacts in all my guns.
One thing you have to understand about spring piston airguns like the gamo is they recoil differently than a powderburner so you cannot just put any scope on them. A PCP or pneumatic (pump-type) does not have the same scope limitations so you can use any scope you want that fits, although you might want to use one that can adjust for parallax at the distances you will be shooting.
If you're going to be shooting squirrels etc. then IMO you're better off with a .22 pellet gun. I've shot many vermin with .177 over the years but a .22 is more effective for that task.
My 2cents.
Ready.Fire.Aim
03-19-13, 21:07
I have a pile of air rifles. I recommend a Weirauch HW95 if you could only have one. Made in Germany.
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Weihrauch.htm
JSB pellets are tops.
Buy .177 unless you step up to a precharged pneumatic, then go .22
I have match air rifles, several European precharged pneumatics, Benjamin and Sheridan customized pump guns and a bunch of springers. They are a blast to shoot.
Keeps the yen and yang in harmony. Full auto one day, Airguns the next.
PM if you have any questions.
Have fun
RFA
RFA,
Nice to run into another airgun shooter. :D
I recently found my old Beeman C1 w/blue ribbon scope in my parents garage. She's in rough shape after 30 years but hope to begin the rebuild/refurbish soon. She'll have to wait until I finish my AR though, LOL.
Ready.Fire.Aim
03-19-13, 21:29
I recently found my old Beeman C1 w/blue ribbon scope in my parents garage. She's in rough shape after 30 years but hope to begin the rebuild/refurbish soon.
Yellow Forum is the bet place for Airguns advice. Very knowledgable group and extremely helpful.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/
Yellow Forum is the bet place for Airguns advice. Very knowledgable group and extremely helpful.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/Yup, been a member there for years. Preoccupied with "stuff" so I don't post much as of late. I jump on there occasionally to see if yrrah has done more amazing long range shooting or to see what's going on.
texasgunhand
03-20-13, 00:12
Tryed a Gamo once took it back after 5 shots and bought the old Benjamin .22 air rifle, not what they used to be but still packs a punch. I was shocked at the power.
Tryed a Gamo once took it back after 5 shots and bought the old Benjamin .22 air rifle, not what they used to be but still packs a punch. I was shocked at the power.
There's a company in california called Mac 1. They do custom airguns and one of their specialties is the old benjamin .22. http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/benjamin-steroid-billet-392-p/stbi392.htm
brickboy240
03-20-13, 10:32
That custom Benjamin 22 by Mac-1 looks interesting.
Going to check that out first...
-brickboy240
THIS SUPPRESSED STOEGER (http://usa.stoegerairguns.com/products/stoeger-x20s-airgun.php) air rifle has been talking to me lately. We have a squirrel problem around Casa JV but I'd have to be awfully discreet about assassinating them since there are other houses around who might get irritated about unsuppressed high-power air rifle firing...
Ready.Fire.Aim
03-20-13, 22:11
There's a company in california called Mac 1. They do custom airguns and one of their specialties is the old benjamin .22. http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/benjamin-steroid-billet-392-p/stbi392.htm
I have one and a Sheridan he did for me, be ready for a long wait.
RFA
Ready.Fire.Aim
03-20-13, 22:18
THIS SUPPRESSED STOEGER (http://usa.stoegerairguns.com/products/stoeger-x20s-airgun.php) air rifle has been talking to me lately. We have a squirrel problem around Casa JV but I'd have to be awfully discreet about assassinating them since there are other houses around who might get irritated about unsuppressed high-power air rifle firing...
If you want a very quiet yet powerful Air rifle, look into a FX Whisper.
Made in Sweden, very quiet with an integral shroud. It is a precharged pneumatic, so you need a tank of N2 or scuba tank. High pressure hand pumps are available, I use 4000# N2, one charge is good for 15 to 20 shots.
I have one in .22, it has a rotary magazine that works well. It will easily kill squirrels and most small game.
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/FX%20Whisper.htm
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/Aggie84/e8381629eb9afb4f0babe4bd6286fcfb_zpsffc62dbd.jpg
Have fun,
RFA
THIS SUPPRESSED STOEGER (http://usa.stoegerairguns.com/products/stoeger-x20s-airgun.php) air rifle has been talking to me lately. We have a squirrel problem around Casa JV but I'd have to be awfully discreet about assassinating them since there are other houses around who might get irritated about unsuppressed high-power air rifle firing...
Be wary of claims of spring piston 22s claiming to shoot 1000fps or 177 at 1200fps. I've shot many a pellet gun over my chrony and my FX Cyclone barely gets to 1000fps with 16gr 22cal JSB's.
Ready.Fire.Aim
03-20-13, 22:27
Yup, been a member there for years. Preoccupied with "stuff" so I don't post much as of late. I jump on there occasionally to see if yrrah has done more amazing long range shooting or to see what's going on.
LOL, those 100 yd air rifle shots still amaze me. That guy is the cat's-ass with an air gun.
If you want a very quiet yet powerful Air rifle, look into a FX Whisper.
Made in Sweden, very quiet with an integral shroud. It is a precharged pneumatic, so you need a tank of N2 or scuba tank. High pressure hand pumps are available, I use 4000# N2, one charge is good for 15 to 20 shots.
I have one in .22, it has a rotary magazine that works well. It will easily kill squirrels and most small game.
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/FX%20Whisper.htm
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/Aggie84/e8381629eb9afb4f0babe4bd6286fcfb_zpsffc62dbd.jpg
Have fun,
RFA
One of these days I'd like to get the monsoon. Although that would mean more trips to get the CF bottle filled. :-)
I've eradicated many a garbage can raiding urban racoon with my Cyclone. Love FX airguns.
Ready.Fire.Aim
03-20-13, 22:33
Be wary of claims of spring piston 22s claiming to shoot 1000fps or 177 at 1200fps. I've shot many a pellet gun over my chrony and my FX Cyclone barely gets to 1000fps with 16gr 22cal JSB's.
Good for you, Cyclone is a very nice machine!
I picked up a custom Ben Taylor Cyclone at Airguns of Arizona many moons ago. It and a DayState Mk3 I got used from AOA resulted in becoming hooked on Field Target shooting. Just reading these posts will result in digging the field targets out of the closet this weekend.
RFA
LOL, those 100 yd air rifle shots still amaze me. That guy is the cat's-ass with an air gun.
The last I saw he moved his round stone target thingy out to like 300 yards. But yeah, his sub-MOA 100 yard groups are pretty damn good.
I usually shot 50 yards because the range I used to go to was exposed to gusty winds a lot. From 50 yards .2"ctc 5 shot groups were pretty easy with sand bags. I tried 100 yards once but could only manage 1.5"ctc with 5 shots. I used to work too much to be picky about what day I could go to the range, LOL.
Lots of fun though.
my cyclone. http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/6744/tnimg0585.jpg
Good for you, Cyclone is a very nice machine!
I picked up a custom Ben Taylor Cyclone at Airguns of Arizona many moons ago.Nice, that's the regulated one, right?
It and a DayState Mk3 I got used from AOA resulted in becoming hooked on Field Target shooting. Just reading these posts will result in digging the field targets out of the closet this weekend.
RFAI tried shooting FT but with my bad back it didn't work out very well for me. Still managed to place 3rd my first time out with my Cyclone on the lowest setting. I think it has to be under 16FPE or something like that? My AO wasn't marked for fine resolution so I had to guess at the distances, LOL. I was surprised how well I did considering.
This is a typical shot string from my unregulated Cyclone.
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/4470/cyclonehpshotstring.jpg
CMP sells rebuilt Daisy Avanti .177 caliber pellet rifles for a reasonable price. I bought one last year to practice my offhand shooting and it is an accurate rig at 10 meters.
brickboy240
03-21-13, 11:22
Ummm...the 900 dollar air rifle sort of defeats the purpose.
The 200-300 dollar air rifle that shoots ammo I can actually find and requires no special pump or accessories IS the purpose.
Not that the 900 dollar rifle is not cool....oh it is....but I will buy a 900 dollar air rifle about the time I blow 50 grand on a pickup! LOL
-brickboy240
I feel the same way. I would never pay $900 for an air rifle. I paid $114.95 for a rebuilt Daisy air rifle shipped to my door from CMP.
brickboy240
03-21-13, 15:11
Well....I know that the 900 dollar air rifle is probably really great.
I also have no doubt the 3000 dollar Wilson 1911 is also fantastic and a total joy to own.
However, my 900 dollar Colt 1911 is not a POS and will get me by, while I use the rest of my money for bills, mortgage and feeding my kid! LOL
I know that the less expensive air guns are probably not worth owning but I am hoping there is a "my Colt 1911" type of mid range compromise....hanging out in the 250-300 dollar range.
-brickboy240
Things are so bad lately with the .22 ammo shortage that I am thinking of bringing my Daisy Colt Commander style CO2 pistol (which I bought as a gag) to the range, but I fear being mocked!
prestonoconnor
04-10-13, 08:19
I'm thinking the same thing. The lack of .22lr has caused me to purchase 7500 .177 pellets the other day just because they were in stock. I am thinking about a rws 34 compact.
I have had a Gamo (NRA Special model) for several years and it is quite accurate to 30 yds which is the farthest I need to shoot in my backyard but a bit the trigger is a 'bit' heavy and it is NOISY. The supplied scope has been surprisingly good. Meisterkugeln and Crossman premium pellets have both given good accuracy and effective terminal results. Recently got the opportunity to shoot one of the new Gamos with their version of the AccuTrigger and it was a significant improvement over my gun. The suppressor reduced the noise quite a bit, too. Am seriously considering purchasing one of these new models.
I picked up a Gamo Bone Collector Bull Whisper .177 a few weeks ago. It has the adjustable trigger and the IGT action rather than the spring. The 4x32 scope is nothing special, but it works. It is fun to shoot and is good for 1" groups at 25 yards. It is far from quiet with the PBA Platinum pellets that come with it, but is much quieter with subsonic lead. Seems like a decent buy for $200. And at $10 for 750 pellets, it is cheap to plink with too.
Brickboy240, did you ever find an air rifle to fit your needs? I have a similar desire as you expressed in your original post, and decided to necro here instead of starting something new.
Looks like I'm going to buy one of the CMP air rifles. Thanks for the tip.
Linkscoach
07-24-14, 21:14
The Benjamin 392 is a really nice air rifle that won't break the bank.
Ready.Fire.Aim
07-24-14, 22:42
The Benjamin 392 is a really nice air rifle that won't break the bank.
Agree, I have one I keep by the back door.
Occasionally you can find nice used ones on the Yellow Forum classifieds. http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/
RWS makes fine German air rifles.
I have one with a four power scope and the rifle is rated at a 1000Fps, but who knows if that so, but it's mighty powerful.
One crank and it's ready - 177 cal and I use only pellets as BB's aren't nearly as accurate as pellets.
I bought it about ten years ago and it costs exactly $250.00, single shot came with a 4 power fixed scope.
It'll completely hole a squirrel and when I was absolutely plagued with em wanting in the house. I shot many, many of them.
I've killed raccoon with a 22 WMR. I never tried with an air rifle. I'd want to make sure it was humane,. I have a 177 Gamo Bone Collector and a 22 caliber Stoeger X20S.
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