Air rifle recommendation?

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PennsyPlinker

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Greetings all

Suppose I wanted an air rifle with which to plink. It would need to be relatively inexpensive, but with enough power and accuracy to knock over a tin can at say, 60-80 ft. Is there such a thing, and where would I find one?

Thanks.
 
What is relatively inexpensive?

For example RWS Diana makes some darn fine airguns for the money.
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/zoomed_model.pl?model_id=402

These are good little guns if you don't mind pumping it up.
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=205

All Things considered these ain't too bad for a run to Walmart gun.
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=441

If you have a tad bit more cash. :uhoh: You could pick one of these bad boys up.
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=992

In all honesty if I was going to buy an inexpensive, very high quality airgun right now I would pick up a CZ Slavia 634. It is a very good gun for the money.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=71588276

Here are my airguns. I have a CZ Slavia 631, a little older model that has been great. It is the rifle in the middle.
419939-big.JPG


These are not the airguns you used to shoot at each other as a kid and all of this will put a tin can down at 50 yards or so. Treat them as firearms. Use a proper backstop etc.

Chris
 
For the price, Sheridan-Benjamin guns are a good value. Enough power for small game hunting, accurate, lots of aftermarket stuff. I've been thinking about getting one for a long time, but the construction is unlike a real firearm and I've had a hard time getting past that. But they're great guns.

For your purposes a good European spring rifle in the $200 range probably would be an OK bet. Chris's Slavia is a good bet, so are things like the Diana 34. Keep in mind spring guns need special scopes to withstand the funky recoil.

Or if you prefer 10-meter target type guns (like that FWB) check out a Daisy 753 or 853 in the $200-250 range. Serious high-end used rifle start at around $400 for something like an FWB 300S or Anschutz 250.

I've been looking into 10-meter guns recently. Probably will be picking up a Daisy (by Gamo) 126 Super Match, an less-popular model that's fallen below $300.
 
Oh Chris, what's that stutzen stock rifle? Gamo?
 
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Stutzen rifle is a RWS/Diana. It is really a nice piece. It just feels and looks nice. I have a thing for full stocks.

Chris
 
If you just want something to plink with, I'd go with a Crosman 1077 CO2 repeater. They run about $65-$100 depending on if you want to be able to use the standard 12 gram cartridges or the 88 gram airsource cartridges. I've also seen some adapters floating around on net that allow you to use a standard paint ball tank with a remote coil, or a 3.5 oz tank hanging down. A standard 12gr will be good for about 40-50 shots from my experience. It's relatively accurate too, for an airgun in this price range. I can get 2" diameter groupings at about 25 yards(and I'm a lousy shot), so it's not horrible. I wouldn't suggest killing rabbits/squirrels with it, but I have done it with success from close range(probably 10-15 yards or so) with head shots.
 
All in all I personally wouldn't suggest C02 for a grab and go plinker as the mood hits you. You have to have C02 on hand, you have to be aware of how temp. affects C02 and rapid fire or just continued fire causes a slow drop in velocity and therefore POI changes.

I really think that a good springer or SSP is the way to go for a everyday plinker. They are just easy and consistent, if a little harder to make ready to fire.

I am not saying I am right..........even if I am :neener: :uhoh: Just kidding. Seriously there is no right answer you have to figure out what works for you. I am a casual airgun plinker and springers or SSP or multi pump work best for me.

Chris
 
I'm trying to justify getting into air guns, but I'm having trouble.

I can't see getting just a plain old cheap one when there are all the 1000-1100 FPS ones out there, but I can't really find anything I like in the sub-$200 range.

I just don't know about spending more for an air gun than a 10/22 costs, and the 10/22 is superior in every way except noise.
 
benjamin legacy $189
crosman quest $99
beeman r1 $350

all three have taken out doves/squirrels at 13yds all the way out to 40yds on iron sights.
 
Thanks for the links and recommendations everyone. It used to be I could plink out the door with just about anything I wanted, but now that we have neighbors downrange, I have to be a little more selective about what I shoot. For varmint dispatching, the .22 rifle is still the weapon of choice, but a nice air gun would be fun for those lazy summer afternoons where I don't feel like driving over to the range.
 
I'd have to say a crosman classic 2100, theyre relatively inexpensive and accurate. They shoot both pellets and bbs, and get decent velocity. I've had mine for about 9 years and it still works fine.
 
If you're not plannning to hunt, I'd think about a Daisy 953 ($80) or Daisy 853 (aroudn $200.) They're both versions of a match target rifle design. Very accurate, single stroke pneumatic.
 
I can tell you I love my 20 year old Sheridan Silver Streak, it is an American Classic just like a Remington 870 or a Winchester 94, you will never have to apologize for owning one. Nobody will ever say "You spent how much on that?" I use mine for general plinking and yard varmints. After 20 years it still packs a bigger punch than my 1000fps springer for dispatching the vermin in the garden, or I can tone down the power for plinking tin cans.

56836-IMG_1882
 
I realize I'm probably too late to this thread, but just in case...

I was in the market for an air rifle with decent accuracy and a decent trigger for backyard plinking and paper target shooting. I personally wanted a synthetic stock on mine. Since I already have an RWS 54 and like its quality, yesterday I ordered an RWS 34 Panther w/ scope at a cost of $200, shipped.

DYN216-6025-2.jpg
 
Visited a 30k acre So Texas ranch years ago. It had a grass run way for small planes. I was nailing rabbits from the bed of a moving pick up at night with that 397P..open sights. Hope you consider it.

Take care of the Sheridan..will last forever.

All mentioned here are superb..you couldn't go wrong with any of those suggested.

Did you get one yet? If so..what is it?
 
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