Air rifle opinions wanted
I'm in need of a decent air rifle.
I'm looking for good punching power for critters, able to hit a dime at 10 yards,
a single pump to achieve 1200 fps, and easy to buy and install parts [gaskets and what-not].
I'm guessing that the better ones will give me dime accuracy out to 40 yards
and getting 1000-1200 fps sounds like the norm.
What I don't want are rifles that require cylinders of air, unless I can fill them myself with a good compressor, any space-age looks integral to the flash crowd, no-name brands for the parts issue, and anything cheesy.
I'd like it to accept standard rifle scopes .
The varmint in question bit my wife's cat something fierce. Kitty had a swollen paw for a week, but is finally on the mend. No rabies issues here. Just gonna send a trespasser to it's maker.
I'm looking for good punching power for critters, able to hit a dime at 10 yards,
a single pump to achieve 1200 fps, and easy to buy and install parts [gaskets and what-not].
I'm guessing that the better ones will give me dime accuracy out to 40 yards
and getting 1000-1200 fps sounds like the norm.
What I don't want are rifles that require cylinders of air, unless I can fill them myself with a good compressor, any space-age looks integral to the flash crowd, no-name brands for the parts issue, and anything cheesy.
I'd like it to accept standard rifle scopes .
The varmint in question bit my wife's cat something fierce. Kitty had a swollen paw for a week, but is finally on the mend. No rabies issues here. Just gonna send a trespasser to it's maker.
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I second badwrench's post. Gamo's are a plus because of relatively low cost, plus on some models they come with tru-glo sights. Every person I sold one to in my summers at the gun store absolutely loved them. I do know that Gamo makes a 1200fps model. Check out the selection at Cabelas, they offer some rifle/scope deals that are priced to fit any budget. Have fun! 0 -
any single cock is spring powered and will eat a regular rifle scope
gamo for the $
rws is a little more refined
I like .20 or .22 cal.
A lot more killing power
I know you said one pump, but check out the Benjamin Sheridan in .20
Much more like a hunting rifle, much lighter, fixed bbl for more accuracy, does not shake your fillings loose when you shoot it like a spring powered one does.
Also use PBA pellets and get some more speed for free if they group well.0 -
If the varmint is another cat, or something of that size or better, and the goal is to kill it, I'd suggest a good head shot if you use an air rifle. I use a 1,000 fps .177 on squirrels in my backyard and I go for head shots, body shots don't always get them. 0 -
Yes, we are talking about a head shot. Through the eye.
I'm not locked on single-cock pump. I meant to describe one that get's it's power from a self-contained pressured air-delivery pumping action. I had a Benjamin, but it was an older model, and I was refused replacement parts due to a recall.
You are saying that some models use a spring/striker to whack the pellet out of the rifle, rather than a delivery of compressed air?
Money isn't too much an issue; is it ever when the safety of a loved one is to consider?
I'd like to keep it under a hundred bucks, and would be trying to find a used copy through the local [Pennsylvania] hunting forum.
I'm interested in what to look for, and from what to avoid.
It seems that single-cock models are on the NO list?0 -
the spring powered ones like the Gamo and RWS compress a large spring with a single break barell or side cock. when the trigger is pulled, this spring compresses a large piston which delivers the air pressure 0 -
gamo, the one I have will drive a raptor at 1275.
their new one drives rators at 1600.0 -
a .20 cal will drop squirrel and larger size animals much more cleanly. the pellets weigh almost twice and get better penetration.22 CBs are good too
course, I just posted a video of a 180# boar taken with the new 1600 fps .177 gamo (shooting PBA)
but the 1100 fps RWS does not drop body shot squirrels AT ALL, while any torso hit with the .20 cal 850 fps Bejamin usually makes them crumple and fall0 -
http://www.airgundepot.com/air-rifles-overview-springers.html
Found a resource to set me straight on the terminology and technology.
Now to concentrate on what to avoid.0 -
As I was checking out the spring types, you all chimed in with the info.
Many thanks.
It seems like you'd get better accuracy if the air is compressed before the shot, not during the shot.0 -
My buddy loves his beeman r7 in .177 is a lot less of a kick than my winchester 800x both give great groupings out to 40 yrds. My personal
love is my air force pcp condor in .22 with a 24 inch walter barrel.
I can hit out to 80 yrds and take down racoons, Just remember what ever you get shoot a varity of different wieghts and brands of pellets they dont all fly the same!0 -
1200fps+ is actually a gimmick, and probably not all that desirable. The pellet will go supersonic at that speed and will become unstable both when it breaks the sound barrier and when it drops below the speed of sound. In .22, 800 or 900fps is plenty, and even in .177 you probably don't need that much speed. Unless you go with a precharged pneunmatic--a good bit of cash here even if you go for the Chinese BAM 50--the only way to get that velocity stock is with a spring piston gun, and, has been mentioned above, that makes for a scope eater. I stongly siggest you look at http://www.airgunforum.org/, http://www.network54.com/Forum/113813/ (the Chinese airgun forum), http://www.network54.com/Forum/479035/ (thye gamo forum), or http://www.network54.com/Forum/275684/ (the Crosman forum) for a whole lot more information. 0 -
The Benjamin 397 .177 cal. rifle is a multi-pump pneumatic. The hardwood Monte Carlo stock is sleek and lightweight and sports a raised cheekpiece. The rifled brass barrel is finished in black and sends pellets screaming at 800 fps!
Will this Benji drop a 'coon, with a good head shot, at close range?0 -
yeah, but get the .20 cal!
same speed much more consistant kills0
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