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

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And you had only 4 requirements : Not PCP, because I can't afford a scuba tank, 1.2 foot or so LOP, .177 caliber, and can consistently hit the 9 ring on a 10 meter air rifle target? Spring rifles might be avoided as I hear they are very difficult to shoot accurately, is that true?
 
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raise your top end up a tad and seek out a used Feinwerkbau 300
picked up one online for $270.00 a few months back, bought a 300S off another this last week for $375.00
These are classic 10 meter recoiless springers that remain competitive today...read one ragged hole.
Another option in the $300.00 range are Walther LG55 rifles. Not quite as slick as the FWBs but capable of the same performance.
You will need to hunt for awhile to dig up a FWB under $400.00 and it will probably have seen some use but you will be money far ahead of buying Chinese or US trash
 
What do you want it for?
That is a very important part of the equation.


There is excellent European models as listed above. However many nations have low power limitations that reduce effectiveness for hunting. It also means those models never need to be designed to contain pressure or be designed with the ability to scale up in power.
For 10m accuracy they excell.
The price difference of a rifle that makes one ragged hole about the diameter of the pellet and one that makes consistant 1/8th inch groups is also huge. No deviation at all is allowable in competition class guns because winning is often decided by a millimeter, but that comes at both a monetary cost, a practicality cost, and a durability cost that is out of balance to a plinker or hunter.
Further because of the drag stabilization of diablo pellets, projectiles over the speed of sound lose significant accuracy, more than the difference between rifles.
With a powerful rifle you compensate with increased mass, using a higher grain pellet, but in most 10M super accurate guns they do not have the energy to spare for that.
They operate within a limited window.
They also are tuned for absolute accuracy not durability and often make a poor field gun.


So are you looking for a really accurate paper puncher at 10M or do you have some other specific use in mind?
The best 10M paper puncher within a price range is not the best hunting rifle.
 
There are a lot of good spring piston air rifles out there for under $300. With a decent air rifle scope and good ammo, they can be very accurate.

My Gamo Big Cat 1200 was $119 with a scope and it's pretty accurate. I don't know if you get twice the rifle for twice the price.

If I was to get an air rifle for hunting, I think I opt for a .22 cal rifle over the .177.

Here's a few links to check out.

http://www.airguns.net/
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/
http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/
http://www.pyramydair.com/
 
If I can't find one used, or am worried about problems with the seal on those, are there any options new?

As for the use, it will definantly be target shooting. If anyone tried to hunt around here they might get the cops called.
 
I really like my Gammo Hunter it has dropped many rabbits and tree rats. Very accurate and ran around $249
 
The couple of times I have had the oppertunity to shoot one (Borrowed), I have found the Avanti 853 to be very comfortable and accurate. Offhand, I had no problem keeping shots in the 10 ring of a 10m international air pistol target with the aperature sights. Cocking/loading is very easy, though I you would probably have to break position to pump it when shooting prone.
http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DayAvanit853C&click=2
 
I really like my Gammo Hunter it has dropped many rabbits and tree rats. Very accurate and ran around $249
Have you ever shot it for groups? By my calculation, the 9 ring is about 1.5-2 MOA. If it can shoot that well, it might be what I get.

As for the 853, how did the stock compare to a 10/22? Although I'm pretty sure that the competition ones like the 853 are accurate enough, most daisys stocks are too small, and the shooter I'm getting it for ends up with his face on his hand.
 
At 25 yards it shoots around 5/8" to 3/4" groups. Not what I would call a target gun but plenty accurate for what I use it for. It came with a 4-12 BSA scope that is still on it. It may shoot better with match pellets I just have not ever bought any.
 
As for the 853, how did the stock compare to a 10/22? Although I'm pretty sure that the competition ones like the 853 are accurate enough, most daisys stocks are too small, and the shooter I'm getting it for ends up with his face on his hand.
I'm 6'0", and it was comfortable for me. I don't know whap the LOP is, so it might be prudent to check the feel before buying one.
 
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