Air Pellet Guns

[Cal44]

Does anyone know about pellet guns?

I'm thinking of getting a rifle.

Couple of questions:

What caliber do you recommend. I see .177 and .22 pellets available in the sporting good stores, but I know there are other calibers out there.

What's a good brand? I want a real rifle, not a toy.

Uses will be target shooting at the range mostly, and perhaps some small game hunting (e.g., rabbit, squirrel sized critters). Perhaps even Turkey as pellet hunting of them is legal in California.

 

[holo]

R.W.S. Model 48 in .22 cal will take care of any of the above mentioned critters. I have one and have dispatched many raccoons that have made there way into my trash.

 

[Camster]

If it's still made,I would consider the next grade up,(the 54?) as it's fairly recoilless,unlike the 48,which is a typical,though good,springer.

 

[WhitleyStu]

Airguns are for the most part divided into two types, PCP (precharged pneumatic) and manual cocking springers. I started out with a break barrel then moved up to a PCP which is charged with air from a high pressure tank. As far as caliber .22 and .25 shoot a little flatter than a .177. My Steyr pistol for 5 meter is .177, but my rifle for benchrest is .22. Pyramyd Air is a good source for airguns, pellets and accessories and for top end airguns Precision Airguns in Dryden Michigan is top notch. Here is a pic of my two Steyr airguns, a LP10 pistol and an LG110HP rifle.

 

[civil1977]

I have an early Sheridan Silver Streak with the thumb safety. Its .20 caliber and its deadly accurate.

 

[series guy]

I really like my RWS model 48 in .177.

 

[gdnagle]

You've gotten some good advice so far so I'll let you ponder that. .22 cal would be best bet for hunting. You need to know how much you want to spend. There are Gas spring, Spring-piston, Precharged pneumatic (PCP). Just one thing you don't hold it like a regular .22 powder rifle to become more accurate you need to use the artillery hold on it. You can get a Air rifle from .177, .22, .25, .357, .45, and up to .50. Depending on what you want to spend and what you want to hunt. The larger calibers you can hunt up to 200lb animals. Here is a good starting place then shop around for your best prices.

The Best High Powered Hunting and Pest Control Air Pellet Guns for Sale

The artillery hold

The artillery hold

 

[Cal44]

I want a manual cocking gun -- don't know between gas spring or spring piston.

The RWS rifles look good to me. Probably a 22

I don't want to worry about pressure tanks and such, so PCP is out.

 

[Shooter6br]

More choice in 177 pellets than 22cal. 22cal are better for varmints

 

[625smith]

I have an RWS 48 in .177 an love it! Has a Tasco 4x40mm air rifle scope. It is very important to use an air rifle scope on an air rifle. Spring piston air rifles have a dual recoil that will blow the lenses out of the most expense rifle scope. Also .177 offers the most varied choices for pellets.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Another vote for RWS, they are good quality for a fair price. I have a .22 cal, cant think of the model number off hand but it's a good shooting hard hitting air gun. The only thing I do not like about it is it is a bit loud.

 

[Camster]

Try to shoot one first.An entirely different thing than a firearm.
I was never more disappointed than when I purchased a Webley Tempest pistol.Some of the springers go off with such a heavy spring "twang",you can't hit a thing...or at least I couldn't.
A Sheridan might be a good choice in a pump,and if memory serves,it's a manual cocker.

 

[gdnagle]

Also don't dry fire any of them. Here is a read that may be of interest to you.

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/blo...ut-gas-rams-gas-springs-and-nitro-piston.html

 

[sellersm]

Stoeger X20S Suppressor air rifle

I recently acquired the Stoeger X20S suppressor air rifle, in .22 caliber, and it's a great shooter and very quiet!

Stoeger X20S air rifle

I also have an Air Force Condor PCP air rifle in .22, but the PCP filling is a pain.

The Stoeger, with a GTX trigger upgrade, is just excellent!! It'll take out any kind of critter you've mentioned.

Whatever you get, good luck and enjoy it! They're a lot of fun!

 

[jayg]

if there is 4H in your area i would get in touch with them, through a local school, and see if they have a shooting sports program and get in touch with the shooting coach. see if you can attend one of their training sessions and try out some of their guns. you'll be amazed at the accuracy. they shoot 3position (prone, offhand and kneeling) at 10 meters. anyone that likes accurate target shooting should do this. mentally prepare yourself to be out shot by young people.

 

[Rick_A]

I've got a few. All of them but one I've had for around twenty years. They still make for great, inexpensive backyard practice.

Even the Tempest shoots quite well. It requires a consistent hold and good follow through. A trigger and action job make it a bit easier. I can usually hit a 1" steel target 4 out of 5 times at 10M.

The RWS 48 is the newest. It's easy to put 1-2k into a firearm but it was pretty hard to finally put the money down on it. It was at an irresistible price, and I had just sold a scope. It is only .177, but with heavyweight round nose pellets it shoots flat and hits hard. Flat nose pellets knock down birds with ease. It's mostly used to knock down small steel targets and destroy small toys. A consistent, loose hold is required as well as the right pellet. It's been my favorite since I've had it.

The Crosman guns work very well considering the price point. All of them have failed once but product support is great and they are easy and inexpensive to rebuild. They are the oldest and most used.

The Benjamin/Sheridan looks great and shoots incredibly well for an inexpensive gun. It loses nothing to a scoped rifle. If the target can be seen by the naked eye it will be struck.

The Gamo Compact is another amazing bargain. The trigger is crisp and light with a lot of adjustability. That's another very accurate gun, though the power level leaves it a bit booring.

20130913_163558 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[Mule Packer]

I have an RWS 350 Diana in .177. It's extremely accurate, and although it's not in .22 caliber, it's dispatched a heckuva lot of crows out of the apple orchard.

 

[Cal44]

Does anyone have a Gamo Bone Collector?

That's one I see around at sporting goods stores that seems more than a toy.