So what if you were going to buy an air rifle for under $300

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JImbothefiveth

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Obviously, it will be up to the shooter. However, what are some good options if you were going to get an air rifle for a 15 YO for less than $300? He's pretty good, so it should be reasonably accurate. He says he probably wants a single-stroke pneumatic, and I don't have a scuba tank, so it's either that or a spring gun. Fianlly, it should be good size. He keeps complaining the daisy air rifles are too small, and he's about 6'2. Also, what about a flat trajectory? Apparently he'd like to shoot at range, maybe 20-40 yards if he can.
 
Even though I own a number of firearms, I am also in the market for an airgun. My personal pick right now is based on positive reviews and personal taste. I think the Benjamin/Sheridan pump airguns are really nice, and they're only about $160.

My eyes are on the Benjamin models 392 and 397. They're basically the same rifle, but the 392 is .22cal, and the 397 is .177cal.

Benjamin 392
Benjamin 397

You can also get them with all kinds of accessories, like optics or pump-assist modifications.

List of Benjamin airguns.
 
It's got to be .177, especially if I'm paying for the ammo. The benjamin appears good, although it should probably be slightly bigger.
 
The overall length of the Benjamin appears short, but if you look at the proportions of the gun, the length of pull appears to be fairly normal, not tiny... though it's probably in between "standard" and "youth size."
 
Take a good look at the Gamo adult air rifles am 5'8" and 15 years old and the air rifle has about the same weight as your average hunting rifle.
 
You're not going to get enough power for anything other than target shooting with a single stroke pneumatic. Most of those shoot in the 500 fps range and while they can be great target rifles, that's just not enough power for hunting anything other than mice. You could shoot it at 40 yards or more though. You'd just have to use some holdover. Daisy 953's have good reputations for accuracy.

If you go to a spring piston rifle, you could get a B40 and have a pretty decent rifle for around $250. They're a Chinese copy of a TX200, which is about the winningest spring piston field target rifle ever. They have gotten very good reviews on the various airgun forums. Apparently they're not quite as good as the original, but they come reasonably close at less than half the price. With one of those 40 yards will be easy. On a calm day there's no reason not to shoot it out to 100 yards.

The B40 is a big, heavy gun though. The original was designed for target shooting and while it makes a good hunting rifle as well, they were more interested in making a rifle capable of hitting tiny little targets at 50 yards than a lightweight rifle for packing through the woods.
 
I've been quite pleased with my Gamo Shadow 1000.
1000 FPS velocities with regular .177 pellets, fiber optics sights which are the bees knees and way more accurate than I am these days.
Bought mine at Walmart for $129.99 or .95, who knows?:confused:
Anyway, they are a single stroke spring/air model with a 35-37 lb. cocking effort.
I'm serious about the accuracy. It is pinpoint out to 25-30 yards. It's probably good for 20-25 more yards further out, it's just my neighbors don't appreciate me shooting into their yards.:evil:

Mine absolutely loves the Crossman Premier HP pellets (500 rd. pack) at Walmart. Also loves the Gamo Raptors* and that other Gamo load that looks like a HP with a BB filled tip, can't recall the name of those at the moment. Anyway, these are all very accurate from this rifle.
And, the Crossman pointed pellets (250 rd. pack) work great too. They are labeled as a "hunting" pellet.
Well, they all are, really.:eek::D


*A note about the Gamo Raptors. These are very expensive Gold Plated Alloy Pellets that scream out of the barrel at 1250 FPS. They are always accompanied by a supersonic CRAACK! that sounds like a .22 LR bullet. Fair warning if you live in suburbia.:uhoh:;)
 
there is only 1 to get in my opinion; Benjamin now makes a dual pcp/co2 rifle, that is the bees knees. For a long time, you could not ever hope to get a air rifle, that was pcp, for under 500. Benjamin or is it Beeman, comes along, and makes one that not only you can fill with an airtank, but also co2 cases, and not only that, but with a foot pump as well!!!! totally sick , very accurate, and becuase it is pcp, superquiet, and no recoil, because there is no spring or mechanical parts moving inside the rifle, just the release of air behind a tap and disc.

Really, if you plan to spend 300 bucks, this is the only rifle to consider. and you don't need a scuba tank, anyplace that sells paint ball equipment, with the small portable tanks, or even like around here, most of the army surplus stores sell the paintball tanks.
 
You need more than a paintball tank. If you want a PCP and you don't have the cash for a SCUBA tank, the cheapest way to go is with a pump. They're not exactly cheap, but they won't break the bank either. Stock paintball tanks don't hold much air and also don't have the right fill adapter.

The gun you're talking about is the Discovery and is a great gun for the money by most accounts. If he can do it though, they're going to be selling the Marauder in a couple of months and by all the early reviews it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. A little more expensive, but still about half the price of it's European competition. Unlike the Discovery it's a 10 shot bolt action repeater with a shrouded barrel complete with those little baffles inside that help make everything quiet.
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/Benjamin-Marauder-air-rifle.shtml

For a little less cash there is also the B50. It's priced the same as the Discovery.
 
for a powerful springer air rifle it's realy hard to beat a rws mod 34.... they are usually around $150-$170....... mine is accurate and hits HARD........................

LIFE IS SHORT.......................
 
The air rifle only for a reason? Just curious.
"...he's about 6'2..." Geezuz! Quit feeding him. He thinking serious target shooting, hunting or just shooting air rifles because its fun and cheap? Pellets and the calibre of the pellets come in match grade and not too. Target air rifle ammo is really no different that any other target shooting discipline. That is the place to start.
Air rifle target shooting is an Olympic sport. Anything that needs an air tank is a toy. Paint ball and Airsoft 'guns' are toys too.
Don't tell him about the Walther 1250. They run over a grand.
 
The Benjamin Model 392 .22 is a good gun, but I would recommend buying it in person somewhere and giving it a good looking over rather than ordering one online. The manufacturer does a terrible job packing the gun in the original box, and it tends to get pretty banged up during shipping. I bought one for my dad in person at Bass Pro for around $180 (Xmas present), fell in love with it and ordered myself one online from Dick's Sporting Goods for $165. There was a huge dent in the box on arrival, it was scratched to hell, had a dent in the rear sight, and one of the screws on the bolt housing was nearly sheared off. I sent it back, got a refund, ordered another one, which was still moderately scratched in 3 places, but I decided to give up and just keep it.

Only downside with this model of course is the pumping that is involved before each shot, but for a teenager that can be a good thing to build patience and discipline.
 
The air rifle only for a reason? Just curious.
Click to expand...
It's cheaper than .22 and can be sho indoors. I don't make him pay for his own ammo, so cheaper is better.

He thinking serious target shooting, hunting or just shooting air rifles because its fun and cheap?
Click to expand...
Serious target shooting.
 
How about the Ruger $99 special that comes with a scope and rings? My father has one and it's a decent rifle.
 
Ruger Air Hawk is a nice rifle. I have a gently used one that I am considering selling. Comes with 4 X 32 scope. Send me a PM if you might be interested in buying.
 
I am exactly that age and that height and have had some of the same problems/concerns. I picked out a Crosman Quest 1000x which is about $100 at Dicks or similar places. It shoots about 1000fps with good crosman pellets and has nice fiber optic sights, the scope is a little too small for my tastes though.
I've killed 30+ squirells and a fox with it, all headshots because it is so easy to do, though you have to lead the target really far when shooting at moving targets.
Or just get him a mosin 1891\30, that's what I got next:)




Marsh
 
RWS Pro 34 P $335. My brother just bought one ans as soon as I save my pennies I plan on getting one. Sweet shooting Air rifle.
The RWS Pro 34 P is built from the same reliable air gun as the Model 34 and 34 P. It operates from the same proven break barrel system and has the same all-weather synthetic black stock that's made for both right- and left-hand shooters. The 34 Panther Professional also has an ambidextrous automatic safety, rifled barrel and two-stage adjustable trigger. The difference is elegance. The 34 Pro's receiver and barrel have a matte finish that provides a rich look. At the front of this 34 Pro rifle is a large muzzlebrake that adds heft and a holding point for cocking the spring piston. In the box to top off this German made air rifle is an airgun scope and 1-piece mount. The air rifle scope is a 3-9x40 with an adjustable octive. Whether you already own an RWS or this will be your first, you won't be disappointed in the fine German rifle craftsmanship.
 
i just bought a crossman storm xt from walmart for $120...and i was VERY impressed. feels like a "real" rifle. heavy, nice wood, well built. the ONLY thing i don't like is the cheapo plasic sights...although they are fiber optic and are very easy to see.

i set up and sighted it in at 20yds, then walked out to 50 yds, free standing with no supports and was easily taking out soup cans, soda cans, apples and old CDs using only the sights. i never thought an air rifle could be that accurate. it comes with a scope but i didn't mount it yet.

i then set up about 8-10 yds from the target, and was taking out those big bumble/carpenter bees. talk about fast tiny targets! had a great time, can't wait to take it out again
 
The scope's not particularly impressive, but it is a good deal with the pump. I think I paid about $150 for my pump, but that was about 9 years ago. PCP's have even less recoil than rimfires, so the main reason for getting an airgun scope is for the close range parallax adjustment.

The only real downside of the Discovery is noise, but there are ways to overcome that. Since it's an airgun and not a firearm you can quiet it down with a shroud so long as it's permanently attached.
 
RWS model 34...great, great guns. I can outshoot my moded 10/22 with mine, and have eaten countless meals it has provided. About a dozen rifles later, it is still a favorite.
 
Dianawerk or FWB spring air rifles. You can go used or new. Beeman is where I bought mine.

These guns are exceptionally accurate. Particularly the target rifles. Remember the 10m Offhand bullseye in ISU shooting is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

beeman400.jpg


Here is my Beeman 400 made by Dianawerk. This rifle is exceptionally accurate. I am currently using a 2 onz trigger with it and have had it now over 30 years. Great gun!
 
The Beeman R9 in .177 or .20 caliber is in that price range. The .20 is rated at 800 fps and that is enough knock down for rabbit or squirrel if wanting to use it for hunting . It has one of the best triggers on a hunting stye air rifle adjustable for pull weight and is as accurate as any on the market.
 
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