Best everyday air rifle for the common fan?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Big JJ

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
145
I don't know enough about air rifles to ask the right questions so please forgive my ignorance.
I shoot everything but air guns but I am seeing a need for one in my safe.
Cali just opened Eurasian dove year round with no limet.
We just can't get rid of them and they are taking over.
I have the Eurasions and rabbits and squirrels within 20 to 50 yards of my house.
I need an every day air rifle recommendations and caliber recommendations to eleminate these pest.
The rabbits and squirrels eat the wiring off of my trucks.
I would like to keep the total package price under $300.
Lets here your thoughts on this.
Thanks
 
If you can stretch 100 bucks get a HW95 in either .177 or .22

You will be getting a real rifle in terms of feel, build, materials etc. the triggers are fantastic and the accuracy and power to about 50 yards is very good.

Again you are looking at around 400 but that extra 100 really puts you into a different league.
 
The spring piston powered, single cocking barrel versions are good choices.
The Gamo company makes very reasonably lower priced models that will do the job.
Check the video reviews at pyramydair.com.
 
Lots of options, like standard vs magnum, PCP vs springer, noise level, caliber, and more. I think PCP is sweet, but it's generally much more than a break-barrel springer which are the most popular. I would get a break-barrel for sure, but which is the question. An RWS/Diana like a 34 or 350 is nicer than most cheap airguns. I just bought a refurbished one from airgundepot for $240. The Benjamin Trail XL is <$300, the regular Trail is ~200, and many guns much less than that. The 350 and XL are considered magnums, but std powered guns can still easily kill rabbits. Standard guns are also cheaper, lighter, smaller, and easier to cock. By small I mean more like a normal firearm, magnums are larger and heavier than most any firearm. A Titan, which is basically like a base model Trail, can be had for as little as $82 for a referb on sale. Referbs are the way to go imo, if available. Good as new but cheaper, but the warranty is much shorter if that's important to you.
One problem with all these cheaper guns, usually $400 or less, is quality, which is one reason there are referbs thanks to all the returns. I take all my cheaper guns apart for an overhaul/tune because they all need it. If you're not interested in doing that then the guns are more of a gamble in getting one you consider acceptable. If you want one that is virtually guaranteed to work perfectly out of the box and be accurate, then I'd go straight for Weihrauch. They start at $400 and no scope. Check out airgunsofarizona.com. I'd consider the HW90, 80, and 95. The 90 and 80 are rather big heavy magnum sized guns, but with power mid way between std and magnum. The 95 I haven't tried yet, but one will probably be my next gun. The 95 is $406 delivered right now, and considering the quality it's a steal. The quality of this brand is day and night better than those <$400, like comparing a Mercedes to a Yugo. The RWS/Diana guns are more or less in between, so while a 350 or 34 will be nice, it still doesn't compare. I don't know how powerful the 95 is, but I suspect it's equal to or lower than typical $80-200 guns of the same type, like the Titan.
cslinger: Details please, I'd love to hear about power and the cocking effort. I'm guessing it's ~15ftlbs and 30 to cock, but I really don't know.
Some people may recommend guns that are side or under lever cocking, but they're harder to load, more expensive, and imo finger guillotines disguised as guns.
Another option which I would seriously consider before buying an airguns is Aguila Colibri 22 rimfire ammo. It's rather low power for rabbits, but they also sell Super Colibri which is more powerful but louder. They're basically like converting a 22 firearm into an airgun as far as power and noise. Actually the Colibri is much quieter and weaker than a typical airgun, and the Super Colibri is closer to a low powered airgun. You really have to try them to appreciate them. They're not like CB or other low power/quiet ammo, they're in a class all by themselves. The Colibri is quieter than any of my airguns and I use them for shooting rats at night so I won't wake the neighbors, neighbors whose bedroom window is often within maybe 50', so that's quiet! The low power also makes then very safe to use. Fyi...
 
If you can stretch 100 bucks get a HW95 in either .177 or .22
Click to expand...
I agree about the HW95, and even the HW30S would be a good choice for up to 50 feet. But whatever you get, I would highly recommend .22 cal over .177, it just has more punch.

I would also agree with saving up $100 and getting a better rifle. It's right at that threshold where the extra money can make a big difference.

Lou
 
Guys
I just saw a Winchester 1400CS.
It has a sling,scope and bipod as stock.
It is a .177 cal running 1400 fps at airgun depot for $199.95
What do you guys think about this gun?
 
I own several Weihrauch airguns and have been nothing but pleased with all of them.

My HW95 is in .22 and shoots a 14ish grain pellet around 690-700 fps so basically around 15 ft lbs. It currently wears a rear aperture sight. I really couldn't describe cocking effort. I don't feel its bad at all. I mean its no HW30/Beeman R7 but honestly the hardest part is breaking it open.

My HW30 is also in .22. Awesome all day plinker. I have shot it out to about 35-40 yards with good results but I cannot imagine it would be a very good hunter (I am not a hunter) since it is fairly low powered. It also wears a rear aperture.

My HW77K SE is in....wait for it.... .22:eek: Same power plant as the HW95. Easier to cock (fixed barrel / under lever) at least feels so to me. As was said above care must be taken when loading. Keep hold of the under lever while loading. It is rare as hell for one to let go and chop a finger but I have read about it happening.

My HW35e is scoped and in .177 This is a super sweetheart of a gun. Walnut stock, smooth as butta, accurate out to 40-50 yards, looks fantastic. It is however very expensive all things considered.

I also own CZ Slavia's (631 and 634) both in .177 The 631 is comparable to the HW30/Beeman R7 in power. Super accurate but crappy trigger. The 634 is a bit more powerful just as accurate but just as crappy a trigger.

My Diana 430 Stuzen .22 has a good trigger T06 model (not as good as the Weihrauchs) and is a very pretty and accurate rifle. Fairly powerful but fairly hard to cock. Much more labor then any of the above. Hits hard though and I am a sucker for a full stock.

That pretty much covers the air rifles. I would recommend any of them but the Weihrauchs really are in a class of their own. Good bluing, good steel, smooth, FANTASTIC triggers, great stocks. They are just really good guns period. I mean that in terms of ALL GUNS not just airguns. My air rifles are by in large better then most common .22 rifles on the market.

We can talk about the air pistols next :D I have a passion for shooting and anything quality with a trigger I will enjoy. Air, powder.......nail gun. :D
 
Last edited:
There are a couple of things to consider when buying an airgun, assuming you don't have experience with them.

1-They will be louder then you expect. The higher the power the louder. Some of the PCP guns sound like powder burners. All the guns I listed above are fairly quiet, but will be louder then you expect. I totally agree with the statements about the Colibri ammo above. I have run .22 colibri ammo through my bolt action CZ's and it is way quieter then the airguns while giving greater power. Not indoor safe though and likely not legal in the back yard in most places.

2-Spring guns require a technique to shoot well. They are hard task masters and reward consistent technique. You need to use a light touch with them. They can be hard for new shooters / especially folks used to powder burners to master and can be frustrating at first.

3-The cheaper spring guns exacerbate the above. Not only will they likely not be made as well they will be much harder to shoot in general.

4-Spring guns vibrate the bejeezus out of the gun. Blue loctite is your friend. You may want to appy some to stock screws as they can vibrate loose. My HW95 was notorious for doing this until I loctited.

5-Like powder burners you may have to find a pellet that works best for you. Don't buy the cheapest crap you can find. I find Crosman Premier pellets to be a good do it all budget pellet. I really like H&N stuff though.

6-Don't get hung up on FPS. Especially with the cheaper guns touting 1000+fps. A a pellet traveling that fast tends to lose accuracy. B. Like flashlight manufacturers who don't tell you out the front lumens or stereos that only tell you peak wattage the cheaper guns are usually fudging the numbers in some way. Don't get hung up on power. A decent .22 moving at 600-700 fps is putting out decent power. If you need more you really want powder burner. IMO


A good budget airgun is the Ruger Air Hawk which is basically a Chinese copy of the Diana 34 (which is a great gun).

Chris
 
Last edited:
No question, a Diana Model 34 in .22 cal!
It does everything well!
HTH,
ZVP
 
Air guns can and are addictive. You may wind up going cheap at first but then if the bug bites, you just wind up spending a lot more because like most, we never learn.

You, me and they will often take the next step up but that will not be enough so you go to the next level.

By the time you are done ( and you may never be ) you are down over $1000 and still going strong.

Soooooooooooo my suggestion is simple. If you want a spring air gun that is on the top shelf, easy to shoot and moderately powerful, buy and Air Arms TX200. It will set you back about $600 but if yu don't like it, lets say, in 10 years (because you will love it now), you can sell it for about half what you paid or more and you will monetarily ahead of the game.
 
I like my Hatsan 95 in .22. It's a springer that comes with a decent scope for around $150. Accurate out to 50 TSS if I do my part. The "artillery hold" takes a while to get used to. So far h&n pellets around 16 grains have been most accurate. Waist sold me on the Hatsan was obviously the price and the beautiful walnut stock. Good luck and shoot straight.
 
Weihrauch HW95.
Weihrauch HW30S.
Benjamin 392
Benjamin Marauder.

Gamo air guns are cheap garbage, compared to European and American made air guns.

If you get a spring piston airgun, don't leave it cocked for extended periods and don't dry fire it.

I used to hunt squirrels and even took a few doves with a Crosman 2100.
These days, I mostly prefer a .22 airgun for hunting, but my Weihrauch HW85 in .177 does the job very nicely. Especially with Beeman Crow Mag HPs. It pushes them at about 830 fps.
 
cslinger: Thanks for the reply, it was helpful :) While I didn't get hurt loading my only sidelever, an RWS 52, it came very close to getting me. If it had released a quarter second later I'd be deformed. Most people love their side and under levers, but they're a pita to load imo and not even remotely worth the risk to me. Glad you've tried the Colibri, they're really cool. I bought a Marlin 925R just for that ammo. They like the rifling, the longer barrel makes them quieter, and they feed perfectly unlike autos which most people have.
 
Alright that is enough.
You guys are overwhelming to a novice like me.
Thanks for the advice but it was a little bit TMI for me.
Please understand I am not offended in any way it just that you guys are much greater experts that I want to be on this subject.
For the first time in my life I would like to keep this gun simple.
So let me rephrase my questions.
Hunting birds,rabbits and squirrels out to 50 yards.
22 or 177 cal?
Guns complete with scope under $300?
Where to buy this type of gun?
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Hunting birds,rabbits and squirrels out to 50 yards.
22 or 177 cal?
Click to expand...
Both will work for those game, although I would probably chose the .22 for a bit more punch.

Guns complete with scope under $300?
Click to expand...
I'd go with the Benjamin Trail NP XL. Nitrogen piston, CenterPoint Optics 3-9x40AO scope, sling studs, $299.99 at Pyramid Air.
 
Big JJ said:
Guys
I just saw a Winchester 1400CS.
It has a sling,scope and bipod as stock.
It is a .177 cal running 1400 fps at airgun depot for $199.95
What do you guys think about this gun?
Click to expand...

Too fast, and exaggerated velocity to begin with. The rebranded "Winchester" stuff for the most part is pretty low quality, although I can't speak specifically for that gun, I would expect the same.

It will not hit close to that with lead pellets, but it likely will break the speed of sound which means pretty poor accuracy with a pellet. You want to stay sub sonic, and many guys say lower at about 900 for best accuracy.

Go with a .22 caliber rifle, as you will have a bunch more hitting power. You could go .25, but the pellets cost more, and there is not quite the selection.

There are a few decent break barrels, but if the budget allows, I would sooner get a side/under lever. They are a little more money, but you won't have barrel droop to deal with. Not sure why Chevota does not like them. The springers, or gas pistons (especially) are a little quieter than the compressed air/gas guns, but are more demanding to scope, and harder to shoot.

I am a fan of the PCPs and the Benjamin Discovery with the pump package is pretty nice. They hit hard, are easy to pump up, and you can leave it cocked for long periods with little worry about spring fatigue. You could also buy just the rifle, and a CO2 bottle and feed it from there, for more shots, a quieter report, but less power. Or both for that matter. Easy (and cheap) to scope, as it opens up a lot more possibilities and not having to worry about loc-titing everything, or shaking apart a scope. The package is a little more than $300, but you will probably want to go PCP eventually.

A pump up Benjamin 392(?) is also pretty cheap for what you get. Hatsan makes some decent guns for a reasonable price.
 
Honestly to squeeze the best rifle for the dollar for your needs IMO
RWS 34 .22 T06 trigger. pyramydair. 279
Airguns of Arizona 252

Hawks 2-7 or comparable leapers airgun scope 50-70

Inexpensive rings 20

So for around 320-350ish you get a GREAT do it all rifle with a good trigger that will last a lifetime and have more then enough juice for short range small game 30 to 50 yards or so. It's a hair over budget but a quantum leap in quality and performance vs the cheaper or local source stuff. If you so desire you can buy a better scope later and always have irons to fall back on

My uneducated opinion

Also I have owned the cheaper non German beemans and they range from Chinese crap to marginal Spanish stuff.

Chris
 
I would go with a simple C02 powered Crosman. You can design a custom pistol or carbine with the features you want - .177 or .22, 10", 18", or 24" barrel, hardwood target or sportsman grips, iron sights or optics.

I like these because you don't have to pump them or compress a big spring. Just load another pellet and shoot. I get 40+ shots per small C02 cannister, and they cost about 60 cents each if you buy in bulk.

http://www.crosman.com/custom-shop
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
Help me out - first air rifle
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
3Crows
3Crows
S
  • Locked
Air Rifle Scope question?
Replies
24
Views
1K
Termite I
Termite I
H
  • Locked
Air Rifle, Firearm, and Discharge in VA
Replies
8
Views
4K
hipoint
H
troy fairweather
  • Locked
First pcp?
2
Replies
42
Views
2K
troy fairweather
troy fairweather
S
  • Locked
Hunting with Air Gun
Replies
14
Views
1K
Twycross
T
Back
Top