Another air rifle thread.

[OwenM]

Didn't want to hijack the other one, so figured I'd start another.

What are the biggest differences between the budget models, and the higher priced air rifles? Stock and finish, or is there more?

I'm in the market for a new air rifle. I have a cheap Gamo single shot that someone gave me, and it's actually quite accurate, stacking one on top of another at 20yds from a rest with plain old Daisy field pellets, but I think it's rated 525fps or something. Also, the trigger is horrible, requiring tons of concentration to keep every shot from being a flyer, the Gamo 4x32 scope sucks, the sights are plastic and wobble all over the place, and the power is pathetic. Actually had a ground squirrel run off after being headshot at 20yds.
btw, having squirrel and ground squirrel problems at the house, plus the warehouse at my work is infested with pigeons, which will all be dying shortly, since one made a horrible mistake as I was walking through, and, um...shat upon me.
Our management has installed speakers which emit predatory bird calls, and hung a big(very mean looking!) balloon version of an owl head to scare the pigeons away. They gather around the speakers and crap on the owl, and I was told I can kill them at will as long as it's at night, which is when I work.

So anyway, I need something better, but just reading the specs isn't doing much good.
For instance, I'm looking at several .177 models in the 950-1000 fps range.
They have adjustable triggers, adjustable sights, similar cocking effort, in the same ballpark weight-wise, etc.
I want iron sights, with a hooded front sight, and enough accuracy for headshots on squirrels at 40yds when I do my part(which means a good trigger, among other things). Might add a scope, might not.
RWS 34

and 94.

I don't know what sets them apart. $45 difference in price, though.
Beeman HW77 MkII carbine--the one I immediately wanted when I saw it, but $250 more than the RWS 34.
My head(singing in tune with my wallet) says an RWS320 @850fps for <$140 is "good enough", but a 94 for $196 is still justifiable. My heart says buy that gorgeous $500 Beeman

, or knowing it's out there will keep you from being happy with something less.
Since my heart doesn't work for a living, my head wants to know the $300 difference between the 94 and the Beeman, and any other suggestions.
I appreciate quality, and want something I'll enjoy owning, besides just killing stuff with, so I'm not too hung up on price but any suggestions over $200 or so will probably have to turn me on physically to have a chance:foot:
Where are those extra $$$ going?

Pics and prices are from www.airgundepot.com

 

[tallpaul]

Go Here.... http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/
I fing alot of guys like the rws stuff. I like the higher end "middle stuff" I find the feel better and look better. They tend to be a bit smoother to shoot to. The better guns are tunable and rebuildable if desired. Ask your question on the other forums and they who own the rws can answer. My first beeman type was a wheireich hw 50 and 27 years later I still use it and like it alot. Careful though airguns can be like knives. Different ones for different uses and ALL price levels. AAsk questions and try what you can.

 

[tallpaul]

also don't get so wrapped up in the high velocity thing.... for most uses in a spring gun you are making them harder and less smooth to shoot. Depends on the use you have in mind if you need to go that high. my 600-700 fps stuff has done me well for years...

 

[tallpaul]

I am sorry I did not look at the original post close enough. The ground squirell got away with a head shot because it was not a good hit- maybe a glancing blow... Why not look at a beeman r-9? It is the most popular gun out there and gets great reviews. It is priced about in the middle of the two you list. here is a review of sorts. You can also look around at their sight for other airguns and reviews. http://www.straightshooters.com/ourtake/otr9.html

 

[David Schott]

I have the RWS hunter 440


Its 1000 FPS, i have a decent scope on it and remove all the iron sights and love it. I actually wore out the main spring I used it so much, and they replaced, re-springed, re sealed, and shipped it back to me at no cost......not bad for a 150$ air rifle.

I used to shoot on the Jr. Olympic team with a 1000$+ air rifle....accuracy is a whole different monster. 99% of he highest end air rifles only shoot in the 450fps range, because all matches are held at 33 feet. Those air rifles will shoot through the same hole EVERY time. Much more accurate than even some of the best .22s in the world.

Its really your intended purpose. I always wanted 1000 fps minimum for plinking.

 

[Sid Post]

Go over to Straight Shooters and read up. I buy almost exclusively there because they offer superior service and support.

I started with a Beeman R-9. It has a lot of power and puts a real thump on things in .20 caliber. I like my Air Arms rifles much better. They are smoother and better built.

If you can afford a good air rifle, get it. Your dollars go lot farther in air rifles then they do in CenterFire. How often do you shoot a deer rifle? An air rifle gets used much more. A smooth shooting air rifle will do a lot for you killing potential because the shots aren't disturbed as much so you tend to "pull" fewer of them. A solid hit with a .20 or .22 will put most things down humanely if you do your part and shoot at reasonable distances.

 

[Temper]

I did a lot of field target shooting* in the UK when I was younger, granted things have changed but not much.

The Brits and Germans have the best airguns. This is because firearms are easier to get in other countries and thus, Brit & German shooters want the best they can have within the law.

If you are looking for a spring gun, get a HW80 (there is probably a Beeman number for that as they have some agreement) Its a 'full sized' rifle and the one that is the easiest to modify. The Weihrauch trigger (Record 2 stage) has a great reputation and is easily adjustable. A company called Theoben from the UK makes a gas spring that reduces recoil and offers a lifetime of performance without any degridation. Instead of a coiled metal spring, it has a gas sealed in a chamber. As you cock the rifle, it compresses the gas which is they used as a spring. It is excellent quality, it has been around for well over 20 years so its a proven technology and Theoben are the equivalent of Omega/Rolex of the Airgun world.

There are also the PCP (Pre Charged Pneumatic) guns that have a tank under them which can either look like a divers bottle or can be elegantly merged to give it an over and under look. Most of these are bold action, come with a rotary magazine of around 8 shots and are totally recoiless. You can charge them via a compressor, another bottle or with a Bicycle pump. I'm not too sure of the number of shots per full charge, but its reasonable.

Like anything, you only get what you pay for so the more you pay the better the rifle you get.

I just found the Beeman equivalent, its called the R1
http://www.beemans.net/odyssey_of_the_beeman_r1.htm

This chap is a well respected 'boffin' in the UK on airguns, if he speaks its best to listen

http://www.jonger.dabsol.co.uk/GC square section.html

Here is Theoben from Airguns of Arizona.

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Theoben.html


Good luck with the search

*Field Targets are life size metal cut outs of typical airgun quarry. They have either a head or heart kill shot area that is accurate to the particular animal. If you hit that the whole target falls down. If you miss it just goes 'clang'. There are then placed between 5 and 40 yards on a course and its usually the best of 20 that wins. It was really enjoyable until the snob value came in. People were buying PCP's in the days of 99.9999999999999% spring guns and wiping the floor with nearly everyone. If you couldnt afford a PCP (Then only made by one company and I can't remember the name now) then you were at a severe disadvantage. It was a shame too, I came second at age 13 at a big shoot in the UK and was hoping to continue but I couldnt compete with the guns the guys had.

 

[Normark]

Hey Owen...

Nothing more really I can add to this conversation that has't been said yet...

However I will say that magnum air rifles, well actually all springers for that matter,, but more so on the larger models,, you do need to re-learn how to shoot..

They are quite different than say shooting a .22 cal rim fire, as the recoil is quite a bit different.. The rifle tends to want to twist in your hand.. If you don't allow it to twist,, you will have flyers like crazy,,and your shot grouping willbe all over the place...

Anyway,, lots of that sort of info on the web...

Also if you plan on hunting with it,, go with a 5.5mm (.22cal) pellet...
As someone said before, they drop stuff dead.. The difference between being shot with a tennis ball or a bowling ball.. Both will kill you.. The bowling ball will kill you dead-er!

If you plan on scoping it,, get a good quality scope with decent zoom, and even more important than the scope is a good 1 piece base,,such as a Webley.
Without a good base,, the scope is worthless as the rifle will actually walk even a properly tigtened down set of rings..

Have fun,, and lets see some photos of Dead things!!

ttyle

Eric....