First off, I am going into information overload so please keep it simple here! I want to buy an air rifle sometime in the next few months. I will be moving from California to Michigans' UP next year so I think my winter shooting sessions are going to be few and far between. I want to practice in the winter with the air rifle. Should I get a spring powered rifle (RWS 34?) or a pneumatic? I'm leaning towards a springer because you only have to break the barrel and compress the spring once to fire it. The problem is that I have heard that the "recoil" is very different and that they can be hard to shoot. Since this would be mainly for indoor use I would get a good trap but I would like it to have enough power to dispatch pests and maybe for the occasional bird or squirrel to go in the crockpot. I've have done some research and posted over on Rimfirecentral, this is the only other forum I trust enough to ask a question on.
Air rifle questions.
- Thread starter dm1333
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I don't know why your shooting will diminish in the UP. Dress for the weather and you can stay out shooting all day. It's colder than most of California. But it's a dry cold 
The springers recoil in both directions and harshly, so you have to get a good airgun scope to withstand it. For the shooter, the recoil is not severe at all. It may be sharp, but it's small. For accuracy, you have to be very consistent in how you hold the gun, hand placement, grip pressure (if any), etc.
I have a RWS (350 IIRC). It has a nice trigger. It will easily punch holes in little animals. I don't care for the front post. It has the pointy post, like an old Mauser. That must be a German thing.
Regards.
The springers recoil in both directions and harshly, so you have to get a good airgun scope to withstand it. For the shooter, the recoil is not severe at all. It may be sharp, but it's small. For accuracy, you have to be very consistent in how you hold the gun, hand placement, grip pressure (if any), etc.
I have a RWS (350 IIRC). It has a nice trigger. It will easily punch holes in little animals. I don't care for the front post. It has the pointy post, like an old Mauser. That must be a German thing.
Regards.
I'm not sure that my shooting would have to be curtailed in the winter. There is one outdoor range where I will be moving and I don't know if they stay open year round. I just want to be prepared. I've gotten too used to living in areas surrounded by state and national forest where I can shoot pretty much anywheres.
Here is another question. If you have to be very consistent when shooting a springer it sounds like it would actually increase my accuracy in rimfire competitions. Would you say that statement is valid? Any advice on a rifle to choose? I have been thinking of the RWS 34 or maybe a Beeman.
Here is another question. If you have to be very consistent when shooting a springer it sounds like it would actually increase my accuracy in rimfire competitions. Would you say that statement is valid? Any advice on a rifle to choose? I have been thinking of the RWS 34 or maybe a Beeman.
The Beeman R7 is a HW ( German ) air rifle. very well made, great trigger medium power, perfect for indoor use. If you want more power, the R9 or even the R1 will be a little heavier. These rifles are good to go right out of the box, but can be tuned even further with aftermarket springs, guides, and lubes. Either of these rifles are classics and will be handed down for generations.
I am right below MI here in Indiana and during the next several months I will shoot a lot indoors. The indoor range has the added benefit of being able to shoot at night since the daylight is getting shorter by the day. I am one that just does not spend a lot of time at the outdoor range when it is 19 degrees out!
I also decided that an air rifle made a lot of sense. I went with a Beeman R7. Not super powerful but nice and compact , easy to cock at 18lbs , very good trigger and excellent accuracy.
As far as being consistent in your hold that should be a goal for whatever you are shooting. While it may hold true even more for springer air rifles I believe air rifle shooting will only improve your skill when it comes to shooting rimfire.
I also decided that an air rifle made a lot of sense. I went with a Beeman R7. Not super powerful but nice and compact , easy to cock at 18lbs , very good trigger and excellent accuracy.
As far as being consistent in your hold that should be a goal for whatever you are shooting. While it may hold true even more for springer air rifles I believe air rifle shooting will only improve your skill when it comes to shooting rimfire.
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