Dragon's claw

[mikwa]

I'm interested in what air rifles what they have become since I was a kid, 50 cal? I want to know what people drop on a set up, what they hunt, shoot, is it getting traction as a sport. I grew into powder and set my toy down never looked back. I guess I'm behind in the times. Is it all coming out of the UK?

 

[CapnMac]

Is it all coming out of the UK?

No, there's some US development, too.
There are cal..30 air guns out there--if into four digit prices--specifically for game hunting.
See here: https://www.airforceairguns.com/The-Texan-by-AirForce-Airguns-s/118.htm

 

[LoonWulf]

Quackenbush and others has been building large bore customs for quite some time as well.
http://www.quackenbushairguns.com/

Crossman as well has some heavy duty .357s


I wonder if the UK with their FAC requirements dosent has less high power air rifles in use than we do over here.....no data either way.

 

[mikwa]

Ear protection? my-oh-my I'm behind the times 1000 fps but 650 fp is on the low end. with a good placement I can see taking white tail with a Air Force.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive killed a pig and a sheep with my .357 Bulldog, worked fine.
145gr bullet at 900ish fps about mimics a .38 Special+P.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd really like one of them bulldogs, but can't use it for much here. Ny was going to vote on there use but got turned down or something.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I had some of the Big Bore '44's a few years ago. Korean made, 45 cal actually. Powerful for an air rifle, loud also.

They have stepped up the game a fair amount. As Wulf points out above though, most are still around handgun power so understand the limits of them. I think they are great in some instances and would possibly get back into them if they fit for me, but get concerned when people don't understand their power limits.

Check Pyramid Air, they are my go to for air stuff. Rifle, correct scope, air compressor or step up compressor, tank possibly, etc. Can get pricey. However, if you also got some smaller caliber ones it spreads some of that cost out some. Precision pistol is the reason I keep looking back at the PCP concept, they are they way to go there.

 

[mikwa]

so we are looking and 50 yards max for distance right? so maybe hunting would be more like bow distances for your first shot? I assume you lose energy with each shot.

 

[LoonWulf]

so we are looking and 50 yards max for distance right? so maybe hunting would be more like bow distances for your first shot? I assume you lose energy with each shot.

Id say 50yds is probably about as far as I would take a shot with my bulldog on game. I shot the sheep in the head at about that, the pig I shot much closer. The guns themselves are much more accurate tho, and the bullets pack enough mass to penetrate a decent ways out. If you were selective, you could probably stretch that a ways. The super powerful ones can extend that range noticeably as well.

If your running an unregulated air supply you will see a curve in your velocity.
Your power curve, because usually your first shot will be slower than your next, and next, until you peak and drop back off (valve has to open against pressure, so dwell increases as the pressure in your supply drops), can be tuned to either provide more power for less shots, or a flatter string, so less max power but more useable shots.
On my bulldog I have it tuned for 3 shots, with about a 20fps spread between fastest and slowest. I can still fire out a magazine, but velocity drops by 50-60fps per shot.