Adult pellet guns

G

Gadget54

Joined
Apr 19, 2002
Messages
264
I am thinking about an adult pellet gun. Something in the 1000fps range. Maybe .177, .20. 22. or .25. I don't know.

Stupid question...is there a ballistic crack similar to .22lr in the pellets that exceed the sound barrier( I know if it exceeds it will crack but how noticable from such a small porjectile?).

Intent is for real target practice in the city out to as long a range as possible ~50 yards. I need a full size stock and real feel to it.

I am quasi familiar with the RWS line but are the beemans, winchester or others on a par with accuracy?

Any comments appreciated.

Gagdet54
 
Check out this forum, and all answers shall be revealed :D

http://www.straightshooters.com/chat/

The short answer is no. While certain airguns can make more noise than others (particularly those with lots of muzzle energy), I haven't heard any sonic "crack" using any of the higher power airguns I've shot.

- Mark
 
I have a Beeman R-9 that I enjoy. It's .177 cal and velocities are 1000+/- a little depending on the pellet used. Whacks small pests fine and not loud.

I am mostly a slayer of aluminum in the jungles of the backyard. Very relaxing.

Lots of info out there, take your time and find a good one, as they are worth it.
 
I recall seeing that that airgun pellets that break the sound barrier tend to tumble and accuracy deteriorates, so manufacterers avoid crossing the boundary.

Why this effect would be more pronounced for an airgun pellet than a firearm slug, I've not seen explained.
 
<<I recall seeing that that airgun pellets that break the sound barrier tend to tumble and accuracy deteriorates, so manufacterers avoid crossing the boundary.

Why this effect would be more pronounced for an airgun pellet than a firearm slug, I've not seen explained.>>

If I am not mistaken, the rotational moment of inertia for a bullet is much higher, and off-axis moments are such that flight is more stable than a pellet when a lot of force is applied to the nose. This makes the pellet much more likely to tumble once pruturbed by turbulence, etc. Moments of inertia are mearures of the distribution of mass - roughly, more mass to the outside means a higher moment.

Add to this the effect of the skirt. A pellet's skirt "catches the wind" at subsonic velocities, but is shielded by the shock wave during supersonic flight. The shielding reduces the stabilizing effect of the skirt, allowing the inertial instabilities mentioned above to start the pellet tumbling. (This is why some missiles and planes have an aerodynamic spike, and how supercavitating torpedoes work.)

Spin is a major factor too. Pellets from unrifled guns simply tumble because of the "skirt effect" alone - they require the skirt catching the airstream for stability.

A mechanical engineer can give you a better explanation - my area is civil and structural.

Scott
 
Thanks beezaur, makes sense!

I thought that quality air rifles had rifled barrels but I may be mistaken.

The other factors you mention appear to me to be enough to account for the difference.
 
Get a Gamo! They get 1000 FPS with one pump. You have to actually hold one of these guns to truly appreciate the quality. They are really beefy, heavier than my .22, but they shoot nice. They are a little pricey though, but like everything you get what you pay for.
 
I've given this a little thought, but I live in the city and don't have room to shoot anything more powerful than my Crossman 1077...

High-End: RWS
Value: Gamo
Cool: Air Force Talon
 
Are silencers legal for airguns?

I followed the Air Force Talon link above and saw the silenced airgun. Brings back memories of childhood... hehe.

It would be nice to have a silenced airgun, or make a silencer, but I was under the impression it was not legal. What they say about accuracy is true.

Scott
 
Silencers on airguns are only legal when they are a PERMANANT part of the gun. If There is any way to remove it, it can be big trouble.

BATF website has lots of info
 
Thanks for all the info and links I have been busy reading!

I just can't decide. The .20 seems to shoot flatter but does it have the knockdown on squirrels and rabbits that the .22 and .25 have? Can I take a groundhog or anything bigger?

I really am into long range and precision shooting so I guess its more about accuracy to me because I'll put it where it counts no mater the caliber with practice.

Gadget54
 
1st. thing get a Beeman catalogue. It will have lots of good info about all calibers anolg with preformance charts etc. See what type of perfomance you really need and about what it will cost you first!
A spring gun is noisey. Not really from the muzzle crack but from the Mechanical noise of the powerplant.A PCP gun like the talon will have a loud muzzle report without a moderator attached. All pellet guns are noiseier than you have been lead to believe. If it's not the muzzle report it's the powerplant.
I don't know what your budget is but a good place to start is with a plain old Sheridan .20 you can even modify it to be a Real hard hitter. Macari (?) does a steroid conversion that really boost's the power (and noise). Take a look at WWW.AIRGUNS.NET then a Beeman catalogue for info. before you take the plunge.
Just for info. I use a Kodiak Mag. .25 cal. This is a Webley Patriot made for Beeman. Also look a WWW.pyrmidair.com (?) Thay have some real good prices. And you can always find a good deal on a Sheridan at Wally World or in Shotgun News<><
 
I think McCari does spring airguns, but I may be wrong. The steriod tune you mentioned is done by Mac1 airguns, Tim McMurray is the owner. Nice guy, and willing to answer your questions.

http://www.mac1airgun.com/

Oh, I have no financial or other interest in Mac1, just found them to be good folks to deal with.

Pat
 
My memory goes tilt sometimes. The web sites are correct.
Also correct he does work on spring guns and does a steroid tune on the sheridans pumps. This tune is not really neccessary,but does give added power. I just think the Sheridan is the most bang for the buck if you are just starting out. It will always preform well and hits hard. It is $150.00 well spent.<><
 
Ran acroos a book titled "American Air Rifles" at Barnes and Noble. I had my 2 year old son with me, so I didn't have time to do more than flip thru it, unfortunately. There was an excerpt of it in last Month's Backwoodsman Magazine. Long and short of it was that the author thinks the 392 is the best bang for the buck, only better than the sheridans due to the more readily available .22 pellets vs the .20. Having the steroid tune is just gravy :)

Pat
 
I checked out my local stealers and found a RWS Model 34 that I liked and bought it up. I got the .22 version as has been said the amount of availabe pellets. I like it so far.

What about break-in?
Cleaning?

Gadget
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top