Pellet rifles?

[Stevie]

What's a good break-barrel pellet rifle?

I bought a Umarex 'Syrix' .177 yesterday afternoon and am not all that impressed with the accuracy. Although I do think I found the accuracy issue with my new pellet gun, I think I may buy a .22 or .25 caliber air rifle too

 

[H Richard]

I have a .177 RWS break barrel, and the accuracy is excellent.

 

[Farmer17]

RWS Diana M34 is about the cheapest good pellet rifle you can buy that can be worked on and repaired, most cheaper guns are basically throwaways if they need to be repaired. They are excellent quality with nice triggers and it's an old proven design and I think I paid about $190 for mine from Manventure Sporting goods.

 

[andy52]

RWS makes some of the best air rifles on the market, they're not the cheapest but you couldn't go wrong with their products.

 

[Stevie]

I'll have to check out the RWS pellet rifles...

I think my Umarex gun from Atwoods might be ok....it works well...hits hard...however the accuracy stinks!

I didn't have a lot of time to shoot it yesterday evening....but couldn't get it dialed in with the 'iron' sights(plastic)….so I mounted-up the cheap Chinese scope that was included....couldn't get it dialed in either!

Looking the Umarex gun over post first shots...nice clean micro-groove bore...muzzle crown clean/nice...then I noticed the front sight assembly was about 1/4" or more too far forward. The front sight base is part of the barrel crown and should fit flush/tight against the end of the barrel. I whacked it with the palm of my hand and it slid back into place. Looks like loc-tite and a set screw is the factory install method. And they botched it

I think the accuracy issue I was having is because of the front sight base trapping muzzle blast as the pellet leaves the bore....just sending the pellet where-ever. We shall see this evening

 

[WR Moore]

Due to generally lower muzzle velocities, follow through is very, very important with air rifles. Don't know if still true, but decades ago was told an issue with break barrels is that leaving them cocked for long periods (not defined) is not good.

 

[armorer951]

Pellet selection is also critical. Some of the pellet makers offer assortments of different style pellets so you can find the best shooting pellet for your particular rifle or pistol.

Search the internet for recommendations for your actual rifle model, and try several different brands and styles of pellets before writing the gun off.

I have a used 177 caliber Daisy M853, 10 meter training rifle I bought from the CMP and a Benjamin Marauder PCP in 177 caliber. With the correct pellet, both can shoot very tight groups.

 

[Stevie]

The Umarex came with a card recommending RWS pellets...all the store had was Gamo pellets and I notice those are not real consistant in skirt diameter....

 

[armorer951]

RWS makes a product called the "Ultimate Pellet Assortment". There are five compartments in the container, each containing 100 .177 caliber pellets. I would suggest ordering a packet and giving them a try. One of the pellets in this assortment may help with accuracy.

If you can find/use the specific pellet Umarex recommends, that may also be a solution. My Daisy rifle shoots the RWS Meisterkuglein best....the Marauder likes the Crosman "Premier". It's really amazing how much difference the correct pellet can make. Daisy model 853 and 6 shot 50 foot group below. Very inexpensive Barska variable scope, RWS pellets. Rifle was purchased used from the CMP website....not pretty but you get a Walther barrel for $105.00 + shipping.

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/RWS-2135900-Pellet-Sampler/dp/B0002INW0A/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rws+pellet+assortment&qid=1579016231&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com : RWS Pellet Sampler : Airsoft Bbs : Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

 

[Mule Packer]

I have the RWS Diana also. It has handled the crows in my apple orchard for years and is exceptionally accurate. Mine is in .177, but I think if I had to do it over again, I would opt for .22.

 

[Kurusu]

Feinwerkbau has very good air rifles. but we are talking around $700.

 

[reddogs]

My weihrauch 22 cal has held up well over 10 years.Very accurate but it is heavy.It loves h&n field target trophy 5.53 or 5.54

 

[ggibson511960]

Value & Price Point

You can't expect gilt edged accuracy from a break barrel at this price point. Considering how cheap a Syrix is, it's an amazing value. I see them on the internet for undeer $100. Air guns are difficult to shoot accurately. Unlike a firearm, the trigger sear holds the full forward force of the spring or gas-spring. They recoil like crazy from all that spring mass banging into the stops. The artillery foreend hold is mandatory, as is trigger and grip consistency. Shooting it a few hundred times to smooth out the mechanism also helps. You can get your Syrix to shoot better with enough tinkering and practice. It is very hard, but satisfying. Higher price point guns offer an easier path, especiall the PCP guns. As noted above, RWS rifles offer an excellent value compromise and better durability. My RWS 52 will make one ragged hole at 10 meters, but not without a lot of concentration.

 

[Ray]

Interesting, I´m just waiting the delivery of a Gamo Black Maxxim IGT Mach 1 in .177 cal.
Hope it´s as accurate as they say it´s powerful !
Regards, Ray

 

[rbrbrb6]

The Gamo Bone Collector rifles are not a lot of money, come with a scope and are scary accurate for the price. I've been using one to keep t he grey digger and squirrel numbers in check this lat year and it shoots way above its price point.

 

[Stevie]

I was talking to my coworker....he owns a Gamo 'silent cat' .177 and a Benjamin .22 pellet rifles. He doesn't like his Benjamin...but swears by his Gamo.

One thing I've looked for on my Umarex rifle and the packaging is the country of origin...have not found it(yet)

 

[BE Mike]

I'm zeroed in on the Crosman/ Benjamin Mayhem in .22. It has all the features I'm interested and I don't have to take out a loan to buy one. Though the scope that comes with it isn't the best, from what I gather.

 

[Eric300]

Break Barrel air rifles are very hard to obtain consistent accuracy, due to the barrel lock-up/movement, and, forward/rearward recoiling of the spring/piston. Proper hold (artillery hold) and trigger control are very important as well. After playing that break-barrel game over several years with some pretty expensive RWS's, Beeman's, and a few other break-barrel rifles, and, not wanting to get into the whole PCP world of air rifles, I opted for an under-cocker. With an under-cocking lever, the barrel is always in a fixed position, thus, enhancing consistent accuracy. Some of the best under-lever cockers are the Air Arms TX200, or, the Wiehrauch HW97K. Another top tier under-cocker (which is what I ended up with), is the Air Arms Pro Sport. It's not inexpensive by any means, but, if you really enjoy shooting air rifles, and, actually like hitting what your aiming at, an under-cocking lever (or PCP) rifle is the way to go. I still have my Gamo Black Cat .177 that stays in my barn for rodents and such. But, for some serious shootin', it's my Pro Sport!

Air Arms Pro Sport .177 with walnut stock, 2 stage fully adjustable target trigger, Lothar-Walther match grade barrel, built-in moderator.
BKL 1 piece mount, Weaver V-16 Classic 4.5-16x42AO scope.

 

[JohnHL]

I have found an improvement in the consistency and accuracy of inexpensive pellets by "flaring" the delicate, hollow base of the pellet before loading.

The flared base of the pellets are easily deformed and then do not consistently obturate to the bore and rifling.

Any small, rounded tool that will gently reform the pellet base to its original flared, rounded shape is all that's needed.

John

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have an old RWS M36. Probably had it for 25 years. I was going to buy a new one about a year ago and did some research. I came up with RWS 34. Never bought it though so don't know what the new ones are like. If they're anything like the old ones they're GTG. I would have to say they have a very good reputation and proven quality. I'm not seeing how a person can go wrong with RWS. .22 would be my choice now instead of the .177 that I now have.