What type of air rifle should I get?

mauiblue

mauiblue

Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
730
After reading a few posts here about air rifles, I started to become interested in them again. I have an old Benjamin pump air rifle but I really want to upgrade now. I've been shopping around at Pyramydair.com and found that in addition to my old pump Benjamin air rifle, there is the break barrel, spring piston, precharged pneumatic and a few other styles air rifles. It is a bit overwhelming. But I finally narrowed my choices to the RWS 54 (spring piston), Webley Patriot (break barrel), and the Weihrauch HW100T (precharged pneumatic). All of these rifles are if the .22 caliber flavor. I will be doing a lot of target shooting and plinking. I definitely will be doing some hunting (birds mostly). I like the idea of the precharged pneumatic BUT there is a considerable start up cost to this time of rifle. I understand that the Webley Patriot does take a bit of effort to cock but I don't know if the RWS 54 also takes a bit of effort to cock. I will be making a day of shooting and I plan to shoot quite a few of pellets. So it seems like the Weihrauch would be a bit easier to deal with BUT if you don't have a filled scuba tank you would have to use a foot pump to get you back in the game when the rifle's pressure subsides.

I would appreciate some pro and con feedback on what I have already posted and I will go from there in determining which style of shooting I will be getting in.
 
Most high powered spring powered air rifles like the RWS or the Webley are not that difficult to cock. They are not easy by any means but the average 15 year old should be able to do it so I don't imagine that you would have any problem. Of the rifles that you mentioned I prefer the springers. The pre-charged always seemed to be a pain in the backside to get filled. With a springer the gun is always ready when you are.
 
I have a RWS model 48 .22 cal with a red dot scope. It is a thumper. I shoot crow magnum pellets in it and dump pidgeons with 100% instant kill. They fold up and fall out of the rafters at the lumber mill we shoot at.

They are one hell of a lot of fun, and very well made.

John
 
There are many factors with them. PCP guns are much easier to shoot with, and maintain. Although they require more $ to start with. Spring powered guns are touchy and you need to have the same hold time after time for good accuracy. Some of my long range kills are over 200 yards with pellet guns. Many of us in the large bore niche hunt deer, pig, coyote, elk, buffalo, kudu, axis deer and many more with great result. Feel free to email me and I will send you my tele # if you want more info. You have some great guys where you live, one is an orthodotist that hunts rats in the sugar cane fields with night vision and such.
 
Update:

I appreciate all that had posted on the thread I started. I finally settled on the Webley Patriot. I just received it the other day. I did some research and owners of this rifle did say it is a heavy beast which takes some considerable effort to cock (50 lbs pull). But the selling factor for me was that it is one of the most powerful spring piston rifles out there. The fit and finish of this rifle is outstanding. I was amazed at the effort it took to cock it. I was also a little dismayed at the weight (9 pounds without scope) but that's what I get in getting a powerful air rifle. Topping off the Webley Patriot is a Leapers 30mm scope. When I first shot a pellet off I was shocked:eek: at the report and recoil! I heard that some PCP rifles are even louder! Looks like this will take some getting used to including the weight of the rifle. My old Benjamin is puny compared to this animal:D. I am considering getting a PCP in the future when I figure out where I am with the Patriot. If this gun works out, I will add a PCP to my arsenal.

BTW, thanks MBWirenut for your consideration and time on the phone the other day. I really appreciate it.
 
mauiblue said:
Topping off the Webley Patriot is a Leapers 30mm scope.
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Make sure that any scope you put on a spring piston airgun is specifically designed to handle the unique type of recoil these guns produce. The internals of most scopes are reinforced only to absorb the rearward recoil typically associated with firearms. Spring piston airguns recoil in both directions and, as a result, this whiplash can damage even very expensive, well made scopes not intended for airgun use.
 
Aloha Bill. Yes, the Patriot is a very hard recoiling air rifle. That's why the sales rep suggested the Leapers TS model (TS is for "True Strength"). I went target shooting on Friday to try out my new air rifle and the Patriot is a BEAST. It took a few shots to get my cocking technique down but the effort to cock the air rifle is pretty strenuous. To hold the rifle's weight of 9 pounds steady also took a bit to get used to. I was shooting on a porch so I was able to use the porch railings for some stability. I was able to get about sixty rounds off before I had to run and I was very happy with the accuracy of the scope after shooting all those rounds. The scope mounting rails did get a bit loose and I tightened them up but looks like I will be needing a recoil block to really snitch the scope down (just placed another order for it). My overall take on the whole shooting package is very good. The Leapers scope definitely looks very sophisticated and refined like a firearms scope and the air rifle is also a work of art. I may opt to get the walnut stock later on.

BTW, my old Benjamin model 342 (circa 1986) will get a makeover with a new scope and rings. The Benjamin is an oldie but still can crank out those pellets accurately and powerfully. Look out varmints, here I come!:D
 
I would go with the RWS Model 48 to tell you the truth. The 54 even though it says that its recoiless, really isnt all that much. Its not worth it. The 48/52 is a really good gun, works off the same platforum as the 54. The 48 is cheaper just because it doesnt have a checkered, monte carlo stock, but thats nothing special. I own one and highly recommend it. If you do buy it, get yourself a nice scope rated for springers and some crosman premier 10.5 grain pellets, these work best in this gun, ive tried a bunch of different weights and styles and that is best. Good luck!
 
The Patriot is sure a BEAST.

I'm quite happy with my modified Crosman 2250 (a CO2 carbine) but it's only got about 15 powerful shots (due to power mods) so no go for lots of target shooting without a bulk tank.

Enjoy your patriot!
 
If it were me I would go with the RWS 54. WOW! What a gun. I have owned two RWS48`s. One in .177 and the other in .20 cal. I wish that I had gotten the .22 cal. But that is in the past. RWS are good guns. If you get the 54 make sure that you get a GOOD mount and scope.

Contact Pamona Air guns, talk to Steve. He knows air guns.
 
Update:

I've been having a "blast" with my Patriot the last couple weeks. I am really getting in the groove with it. So now that I've cut my teeth on it, I've decided to get a PCP rifle. My new FX Cyclone should be here this week with a fiberglass air tank and Bushnell Legend scope. I was thinking of getting a hand pump but decided to see how it goes with the the air tank for now. My Webley Patriot has power, accuracy, and character to it. The FX Cyclone will add style, panache, and grace to the mix. The Ben Taylor walnut stock is beautiful. I may just give in and order the optional walnut stock for the Patriot also.
 
I've got a RWS 54 in .177, its a well made gun but I found that mounting a scope and keeping it mounted was quite a task due to the strange recoil associated with air guns of this type.
 
Hey guys, I've been thinking about getting a pellet rifle for accuracy shooting in the back yard. I'm not a killer so hunting isn't my thing but I love pin point shooting! All of you sound very satisfied with your rifles! What speed do they fire the pellets at? I've had my eye on a Gamo, yeah I said Gamo Shadow, that's cheapo to you guys, lol! It fires at 1200 fps which sounds pretty good. It sells for $189. Should I go for something a little higher up the scale?
Thanks!!!
 
Yikers, just did a web search on the Webley air guns. I'm poor, I'll have to go with the Gamo!
 
my $.02
i've owned a Beeman R1 for 20yrs w/scope...they get better with age and use...i'd buy a used one before any other brand. my son has the R9.
cry once...buy the best.
ulua
 
L6steel said:
What speed do they fire the pellets at? I've had my eye on a Gamo, yeah I said Gamo Shadow, that's cheapo to you guys, lol!
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Most spring powered air rifles .177 cal will be from 800 to 1200 fps. The really accurate ones will be going out at 600 to 900 fps. I love most anything from Beeman, RWS or Finewerkbau and yeah, I would plan on spending about $200 or so.
 
nitrox1 said:
I have a RWS model 48 .22 cal with a red dot scope. It is a thumper. I shoot crow magnum pellets in it and dump pidgeons with 100% instant kill. They fold up and fall out of the rafters at the lumber mill we shoot at.

They are one hell of a lot of fun, and very well made.

John
Click to expand...

Double that. I have a .22 scoped RWS 48. Lethal hits are not a problem on birds, and even larger animals such as groundhogs. I recommend only headshots on groundhogs, though. As much as I find those animals to be useless, there's no point in making them suffer.

Andy
 
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