Need Air Rifle recommendation

[Ranger1]

I am looking for an air rifle to help eliminate the birds and other small animals around the garden.

I have cost limit such that if it can be bought on sale under $300, then I will consider it. And anything over $300 is then too expensive. (A scope is optional for me for this price.)

I do NOT want any multi-pump action or CO2-cartridge based rifle.

I DO want it to be a .177 caliber pellet rifle that is capable of >=1200fps. I also want low maintenance and high reliability for years.

(I have used the typical cheap Daisy & Crosman as a kid, and I want something noticeably better this time.)

Currently, I am looking at RWS, GAMO, and Benjamin, as they seem to be the most popular. I am still reviewing the other manufacturers too. But, given my requirements, I am not certain who makes the best rifle in this class.

I would appreciate any recommendations for Brands or Models ..... In Favor Of ... or To Definitely Avoid.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Falken]

I got a Ruger air rifle that is over 1000 fps and comes with a great scope, it was dirt cheap very happy with it. It was around 150$ or less.

Always wanted an RWS / Diana but they were too $$$.

This air rifle would be great for rabbits, squirrels, any bird where you live.

Takes a bit of practice how to lightly hold a spring gun so your point of impact doesn't change but after that you can hit pennies at 30 yards with ease with this gun.

 

[Fleetmon]

+1 Rugers are great air rifles...break-action and IIRC, 1200 fps with PBA pellets

I have a Remington air rifle that's pretty much the same although about 100 fps less.

Both come with scopes (bore-sighted too if you ask) at Gander and ****'s in my area. I've seen the Ruger at Gander recently for $130.

 

[OVERKILL]

http://www.airgundepot.com/rws-350-feuerkraft-pro-compact-177-w-3-9x40-scope.html

1250fps

 

[Donald]

You will shoot your eye out. (Or so they said in the Christmas movie.)

 

[svhanc]

Check the Gateway To Airguns site. It is pretty much to airguns what BITOG is to oil. Plenty of "Overkill is barely enough".

Keep in mind that the high-powered spring guns take quite a bit of practice perfecting the hold and they jump around a lot. A precharged pneumatic will be dead steady and easier to shoot but be a little more involved with tanks, etc.

If you are serious about hunting, don't overlook .22 pellets either. You can still get them at Walmart and they have a lot more stopping power. The higher velocity guns tend to get inaccurate with the cheaper lightweight pellets also.

Have fun. It can become an addiction.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Benjamin.

 

[Spazdog]

I've got an ancient Chinese B3 air-rifle.

It can be dangerous to load. There is no anti-bear trap mechanism.

But it shoots straight and true. If you center mass a rat with it, they will scream and roll over before scampering away. Presumably to die. Head and neck shots prove to be lethal.

Center mass works on grackles. (A permit is not required to control grackles)

I don't shoot any other wildlife.

Any of the other rifles you indicated should be as good/better. But they might not have that heavy, orange colored Chinese hardwood stock.

 

[Ranger1]

svhanc.... Thanks for the Gateway to Airguns site!!! I just signed up and will re-post this topic over there.

I picked the .177 caliber, because I have a bunch of ammo from the older guns that have long since seen their better days. Plus, I already have a regular .22 rifle, for when I need it.

Thanks for the notes on accuracy too. So far, I have not tried out an airgun model beyond the basic Daisy / Crosman pump styles.

My case likely does fall into the "Overkill" catagory, but I want decent rifle and not just another kid or newbie gun.

 

[UncleS2]

Remember that advertised velocity figures tend to be- ahh- optimistic

yeah that's it, optimistic!- & often given for lightweight alloy pellets. "Up to 1200 fps!"

Also, don't overlook the Yellow Forum, lots of info & knowledgeable shooters there. Link: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/

(I found out that I'm just not a springer person. Too bad you don't like pumpers, an old(or even new) Benjamin or Sheridan makes for a reliable, compact, hard-hitting air rifle.)

There are *Lots* of nice springers out there, both new & used. Let s know whatever you get- and remember that any scope needs to be rated for springer airgun. Most "Normal" scopes break quickly on springers.

 

[bvance554]

True some of the advertised fps statements are a stretch, but I wonder how the accuracy of one of these HV airguns compares to one with sub 1000fps velocity. My Beeman shots around 800 fps and it kills birds dead. Completely penetrates them.

 

[mechtech2]

Note that high velocity airguns are considered firearms in some places.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Ranger1
I am looking for an air rifle to help eliminate the birds and other small animals around the garden.

I have cost limit such that if it can be bought on sale under $300, then I will consider it. And anything over $300 is then too expensive. (A scope is optional for me for this price.)

I do NOT want any multi-pump action or CO2-cartridge based rifle.

I DO want it to be a .177 caliber pellet rifle that is capable of >=1200fps. I also want low maintenance and high reliability for years.

(I have used the typical cheap Daisy & Crosman as a kid, and I want something noticeably better this time.)

Currently, I am looking at RWS, GAMO, and Benjamin, as they seem to be the most popular. I am still reviewing the other manufacturers too. But, given my requirements, I am not certain who makes the best rifle in this class.

I would appreciate any recommendations for Brands or Models ..... In Favor Of ... or To Definitely Avoid.

Thank you in advance.


I got a nice GAMO for Christmas, but it is a MONSTER! I like my old crossman springer the best with old fashioned sights and all. I take out the squirrels around the house with one shot all the time.

 

[Shannow]

Got a Gamo CFX a while ago, and while liking it, the rear sights leave a lot to be desired.

Couple weeks off, I really should find time to fix them.

 

[BobsArmory]

I bought a Benjamin Trail NP (Nitro Piston), came with a scope for about $225. I bought it to simulate a full sized hunting rifle so I could practice on the cheap.

Found it to be a winner in my book.

Amazon link

 

[Falken]

If you plan to do ANY hunting with a pellet rifle or pest control, never get a pumper. Only spring piston.

The reason is nothing is louder than a buddy pumping his Crosman 1322 or 1377 hand gun 12 times(!!), cocking a plunger, then fiddling a round into the chamber, closing the chamber. What a process! And you can't say anything because it was you who lent him the [censored] thing!

This excessive pumping is very loud on a cold Fall day when animals are hunkered down and wary. Also, with a pellet-anything follow up shots need to be quick. One smooth stroke with a Magnum spring piston rifle, insert pellet, close the action and you're ready seconds later.

For plinking only get a spring piston unless you want a very strong left arm from excessive pumping. Pump pump pump... gawd!

I can blast away a whole tin of 500 RWS pellets (easiest pellets to insert in chamber as the lead is a bit softer than Crosman pellets) and be just a bit sore the next day with a Magnum air sporter. If you use a pumper you'd be lucky to shoot of half a tin. You'll drop a lot more pellets trying to load a pumper with their finicky actions.

Another thing, with long term storage of some pumpers the seals shrink and the gun is scrap. Have lost a 1322 Crosman Medalist this way. You pump and pump and the air escapes the seal even if you lube it up with Crosman ATF in the tubes.

Another problem is pumpers have a louder report. POP! rather than a thrumming spring noise. Just never ever dry fire a spring piston gun it will damage it. A pumper can be dry fired all day long no issues.

Shooting a springer is like shooting a bow... you need to practice to get really good at it and that is what makes them fun. Pellets are cheap and you get such a steady hold shooting all summer with a great follow through that picking up a light deer rifle or a .22, you absolutely cannot practice shooting with a better gun. And you only have one shot.

I have gotten such a steady hold as a teenager with a Slavia 630 (thing was heavy well made 500fps accurate czech rifle) moving back to a bolt or single shot .22 in the Fall you could outshoot anyone (after you get used to the load report of a rifle again lol).

Be sure to only use RWS silicone chamber lube on a magnum springer to avoid "dieseling". Don't use Crosman ATF red oil it will make loud bangs for 100 shots or so after. And only use two drops occassionally with silicone lube only when the spring piston starts squeaking from lack of lube. Over lubing reduces FPS.

Have fun! Maybe I'll go out shooting this week off with my Ruger .177!

 

[Ranger1]

Yeah, my basic problem with the pumpers I had is that eventually the air chambers started to leak....even while pumping.... at which point the gun is useless. So, instead of buying another cheap pumper, I want to step up to something better and hopefully much more reliable over time.

 

[Cujet]

I understand there are some really great air rifles out there. But I got tired of fiddling around with them, the springs and seals and the slow follow up shots.

I now have tube fed Remington 522, 22cal rifle loaded with "Colibri" powderless ammo. It's powered by the primer only. It's very quiet, it's reasonably fast, plenty powerful and deadly on rats.

No, the Colibri's or Super Colibri's won't cycle the action. But, it's a cinch to do so manually, and since the Colibri's are shorter than 22's, tons of them fit in the tube (about 30)

 

[PostalBound]

It is hard to beat the good ole RWS 34. I've had mine for 25 years, shot out 2 springs in the thing and they replaced free both times. It can still hit a starling in the head at 50 yards.

That 1200 fps thing is just marketing ploy. You want a decent weight for caliber pellet at about 850-900 fps. Most of the high powered guns can shoot that velocity using the light pellets but it don't matter. They aren't accurate enough past 20 yards or so.

 

[Falken]

I like CB Longs a lot too. Especially the CCI loading.

But for smaller pests it get's pricey. If there was a raccoon and a rabies problem in your area it is the way to go.

CB Longs chamber smoothly as the case is the same length as LR, only the head is a bit shorter being only 29-30 grains.

But tacking along at a modest 700fps out of a rifle you have around 30ft-lbs of energy with quick follow-up shots from a bolt gun or racking the action on a Ruger 10/22.

Also, they are under powered to the point in the 10/22 that they don't stovepipe and cause wear / breakage on your extractor if I recall.