I think I want to get an air rifle for target practice and dispatching rodents but I don't know much about them. Anyone have any knowledge that they would like to share?
Gmule- power plants - spring, single stroke compressed air, multi stroke compressed air, Co2, Compressed air ( 3-4500 psi) . Hardest to learn to control are the spring units due recoil and spring torque. these are also the most common units ranging in price from say $ 50 - 1000 units in the velocity range of 700-1200 fps will work for small varmints ( note velocity figures on any of these are attained with the lightest projectile typically about 6 grains in .177 or about 10 grains in a .22 ) I can give you recommendations based on real world but need to know how much you are willing to invest. As Wildwest listed the Benjamine- there are some choices there, first up is the multi pump unit in 177 or .22- or the Sheridan version in 5mm( basicly .20 cal) then there are the pcp units but that get pricy with extra need equipment. Gamo has a bunch of units wide price range all barrel cockers , spring power. My particular favorite in the springers are RWS units 48-52-54 very well made side cocking spring units ( the 54 is felt recoiless , but is another discussion).
I like the break barrel models, but you have to have some strength. They reload quickly and are high velocity.
My budget is 300-500 dollars. I like the idea of a single pump with high muzzle velocity. I am most concerned with the guns reliability and accuracy. I have been looking at the Benjamin Trail NP XL 1500 .177 Caliber
And you are sure a .22 rifle won't work in this situation? I use my air gun around the yard, but it's because I live in town.
I currently use a .22 for this type of work. I just want something a little different to play with and learn about
Much as a lot of people like barrel cockers- I don't. just can't see how manhandling the barrel to cock said item cannot mess with accuracy- course I spent a lot of time in competition so I am very biased. The gun used in springer class of field target with the most wins is an under lever. Outside your price bracket though ( Air Arms TX200 MKIII). RWS 48 sidelever fits $wise( I had one in .22 my bud liked it so much he bought it off me, still running strong some 20 years later) Go to pyramyd air dang near everything under the sun that is available. I am going to put this down here as a statement not a bash- Crossman seems to run hot and cold on product quality. They also can be extremely innovative, right out there on the leading edge, but tend to drop the ball afterwards.
Thanks for the link. I really like this one http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Walther_Lever_Action_CO2_Rifle_Black/2445
Will not work for varmints under powered- only 600fps in .177 ya need to stay in the 900+ range on 177 and 700+on 22. Also when below 60 degrees the co2 doesn't gas off very well and those little cylinders don't last long. It will take little critters if you are close enough like 10 yards or less. to give ya an idea I put 4 shots at about 1100 fps 10 grain .177 in to a racoon awhile back that was always raiding the trash cans That ended the raids and that varmint. This was with a high powered pcp unit. ( works out to about 16 ft pounds of energy) about 25 yard shots. Full moon late at night I could just make it out in the scope on the lowest power. 22( air) would have been a better choice but it wasn't handy at the moment. I was out of the rimfire CB shells at the time ( cci calls them "quite zone" now) 40 gr at 700fps they are fairly quite in a long barrel as compared to a standard velocity ( apx900-1100 fps ) shell, they get a bit barky in a short barrel like my 16" TC. I have a big ravine behind my place and it acts like an amplifier for sound. Springs are not as noisy as Co2 or PCP as the propellent barks quite a bit when it exits the muzzel, Springers are one long push so you really don't get the crack of propellent going super sonic.
I have one of the gamo break barrels. It used to be pretty accurate but has fallen off a lot. Not sure if it is because of being a break barrel or not but I think that has a lot to do with it. They are very hard on scopes as well.
there is a rws 34 around here somewhere that has not been used much , im not saying its bad but its long ,heavy and because of the velocity loud ,it has a bounce to it when fired but will deal with rodents just fine ,there are also 2 daisy 880 pump guns around ( these are more bb gun than air rifle ) but there fun for targets there fast , light and with 8-10 pumps will do in rodents they takes pellets and bbs and there inexpensive , the rws was expensive and its good quality but just never gets used , maybe it would if i had more space , but if i had the space id likely use a 22 with cbs because there not as loud as the rws.
have you cleaned the barrel. The high velocity units tend to lead up a bit which in turn send accuracy out the window. On spring guns it is necessary to use scopes rated for air rifle recoil which is reverse of a centerfire.
I've got a Gamo, it's got plenty of power but accuracy is only around 1" at 25 yards, which is poor IMO. A buddy of mine has more experience with air rifles, he claims they're pretty hard to keep sighted in with a scope. He says the vibrations of the springs does a lot more damage than a single kick from a firearm, even if it's a much harder kick, and those vibrations tend to wreak havoc on your scopes alignment. I look at air rifles as more of a novelty. To get one that has the power of a .22, they are almost as loud, have half the accuracy, and there isn't such a thing as a follow up shot. If I need to be quiet, I'll just use a .22 subsonic or .22 short round now while the air rifle collects dust in the safe.
yea its been a little while since i did though. I don't shoot it much. The scope is a air rifle scope but can't remember what it is offhand. Anymore I mostly just use it to dispatch trapped critters. Will fool with it some more one day.
Egg stealing rat that I couldn't trap in the hen house. $100 "Ruger" from WM. Shoots nickel sized groups at 20 yards, I was hoping for a little better. .22 or .177 cal. 1200 fps.
