Daisy Avanti 853 for beginner target rifle?

[eldon519]

Hello,

I'm looking for a beginner target rifle for basement 10m practice. Probably unlikely I will ever formally compete, just a good way to practice during the week.

I've seen the Avanti 853s on CMP and they seem like a solid choice. I've read PCPs rule the day now, but I would imagine they are a good bit more expensive for one of comparable accuracy/quality compare to a single pump. Is that a reasonable assumption?

Also I've seen the 853C with the holder front sight and micrometer rear as well as the 853CM with the globe front, diopter rear. Can someone enlighten me as to the difference and advantages of each?

Finally, are there any other obvious contenders in the same price range that I should be looking at?

 

[ChaoSS]

I don't know about the sights, but yes, it would make a good beginner rifle, and no, you aren't likely to find something comparable for a similar price.

 

[Pete D.]

Avanti

Either the 753 or the 853 will work as a beginner gun or a back up if the shooter moves n to other styles.
The diopter rear and globe front, especially when the globe front encloses aperture on a post or a clear acrylic aperture provides automatic centering and extensive control over light entering the eye.
The big problem in match shooting with spring guns or pneumatic guns that must be cocked is, well.....cocking.
In a match.....air rifle and air pistol match shooting is very precise; they are games of 10s. Cocking means that the shooter has to interrupt position on the gun for every shot. In addition, the cocking effort in a 60 shot match gets old and tiresome fast. Are you going to be as accurate after the 57th cock as on the first? When everyone on the line was dealing with the same situation....no big deal but PCPs have changed the game....less effort expended per shot....more time on target.
Pete

 

[Kookla]

The 853c will have a more traditional stock


while the 853cm will have more of a target stock

 

[Bigdog57]

I have the Avanti 853 with wood stock (NOT the multi-shot 853C model). The skinny on the airgun forums is that the 853 singleshot is a bit more accurate and has slightly more FPS than the 853C, but for a beginner this would be unnoticed. Bought mine new, so I did pay full price. I am happy with it.
Excellent accuracy at ten meters or so, but not a powerhouse, so I'd not use it for small game hunting. It is a great little target rifle though. I have other more powerful AGs, so this one is simply a different class of air gun. A good golfer has many clubs in his bag, so we shooters have different guns for different purposes.

 

[eldon519]

Well as mentioned I'm looking mostly just to practice at home rather than compete. The 853 stock does look like it would work better with the diopter. Is the synthetic stock of decent quality?

 

[Kookla]

eldon519- I don't think the cmp has the synthetic stocks- they should all just be wood. I just used the synthetic stock pic showing the difference between the two stock styles. That being said, I had a 953 (budget grade version) and that had the synthetic stock and now have a 853 with the wood target stock. Both are fine. The synthetic stock was well made.

You can always order a replacement stock directly from Daisy if you wanted.

 

[Kookla]

Just wanted to add- the wood stock feels a bit beefier than the synthetic. Maybe the synthetic gets the job done with less?

 

[Bigdog57]

The 753 has the target style stock in wood, and they are available at Numrich, so you can change the stock on your 853. The 853 has a better barrel than the cheaper 953, but this wouldn't really matter for a beginner.
It really boils down to personal preference, and the best price you can get.