Thoughts on High Power Air Rifles Wanted

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FTSESQ

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Hi All,
After shooting my nephew's BB gun this weekend I was thinking of buying a high power air rifle, the RWS model 52 to be exact. I have wanted one since I was 12, and now I can afford one, but the thought of spending $450 on a pellet gun just doesn't sit well with half of me. The other half of me, the half that appreciates fine, well made things (ok, and loves owning odd ball crap, like the Browning 1910 in my safe or a 1911 upper in .41AE) is enamored with the idea of owning an Uber-fine air rifle. So, am I nuts? Should I buy a $450 air rifle? I have no idea what I would do with it. I guess I could use it for punching paper, dispatch pesky soda cans, or taking out garden munching hassenpfeffer.

As strange as it is, I am almost embarrassed when I think that I may have enjoyed shooting my nephew's BB gun this weekend more than anything that I have shot this year... Well ok, not more than the full-auto Tommy Gun I shot in Vegas, but I could shoot an air rifle for a decade for what it cost to shoot the Tommy Gun for a few minutes.

What are your thoughts? Should I go for the high end air rifle?
 
You answered your own question
I think that I may have enjoyed shooting my nephew's BB gun this weekend more than anything that I have shot this year...
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Personally I've never shot one of these high end BB guns so I can't give an opinion but from reading your words, If you thoroughly enjoy it who's to judge?
 
Consider that the high powered air rifle is no less a real gun to a sparrow or rabbit than the 30-30 or .30-06 is to a deer, and you may feel better about the $450 purchase. They are a different tool for a different job but no less valuable.

Also, the ammo costs are practically negligible compared to many center fire rifles. The cost is all upfront.

I'm looking at a high power air pistol currently and now that I've gotten over the initial expense and begun to see that there is a lot of potential value in shooting one I am ready to buy. Less legal hassle, cheaper ammo, quieter, and can potentially be used in an urban environment with the proper backstop.
 
If you liked shooting the BB gun and you don't intend to use it on anything that really needs the extra power, consider buying a low-to-medium powered airgun instead.

You can probably buy one for less, it will be quieter and easier to cock. It will be easier on scopes and it will still let you punch paper, dispatch pesky soda cans, or even take out garden munching hassenpfeffer with well-placed shots.

The Beeman R7 is a nice choice. If I had to get rid of all my airguns except one, my R7 would be the one I kept. For reference, I have several airguns that are similar in power to the RWS 52 and several that cost me far more than the 52 does. But I probably shoot the R7 more than the others combined.
 
Also, the ammo costs are practically negligible compared to many center fire rifles. The cost is all upfront.
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Great point. $8.00 for 500 rounds of "match quality" ammo is crazy cheap.

If you liked shooting the BB gun and you don't intend to use it on anything that really needs the extra power, consider buying a low-to-medium powered airgun instead.
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The Beeman R7 is a nice choice.
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I had fun shooting the BB gun, but know that I would still want something high quality, capable of good accuracy. I will definitely check out the R7.

A Sheridan & Benjamin Airguns in 20 0r 22 cal will do 98% of what the 450 dollar gun will do except for the High end target shooting.
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Thanks Delta boy. I had one of their old .20cals as a kid, but from what I remember, pellets were hard to find, but I'll check them out too.

Thank you all for the tips. I'll keep you posted.
 
If you buy pellets online you can get any caliber you want as easily as any other caliber.

If you're going to be doing primarily plinking then .177 is probably your best bet. It will still let you do light pest control and you'll benefit in cheaper ammo cost as well as less cocking effort and noise. If you want to do mostly pest control then moving up to a .20 or .22 makes sense.
 
I have a .22 air rifle that works fine to dispatch rodents and other small pests without having neighbors call 911 to report "Shots Fired" with all the accompanying flashing blue lights, filling out papers and the possibility of other legal action being taken against me. :uhoh:
 
I have owned a Gammo Hunter for a few years now. More than enough power almost scary powerful. Neighbors rots were trying to get into my chicken coup. I decided to shoot the dogs with my gammo. Range was approx 35-37 yards so I figured I would bounce it off his head it couldn't do more than sting the heck out him at that distance. Wrong it folded that adult rot like a dove hit with a 12ga.:eek:

Hunter Ed was given 6 Crossman Storm XT pellet guns by a local organization. These 6 pellet rifles are being stored at my house until a better means of securing them is come up with. Anyway they all came with a Center point scope 3-9x32 mill-dot scope. I have mounted scopes on two of the six and sighted them in. I am impressed by their repeatable accuracy and power. Seems like they are rated at 1200 fps with match pellets. The triggers are adjustable which is good because they are horrible out of the box. Cocking effort is more than the Gammo but these retail at $119 not $449. We have fun taking them out in the yard and target practicing and the kids have had a ball with them. We take them to boy scout camps and day camps and have a little imformal shooting and instruction.
 
I know at least one other person who's accidentally killed a large dog with an airgun while trying to chase it away/sting it. Airguns are pretty underpowered compared to firearms, but they're not harmless by any means.
 
My dad and I both have Gamo Shadow 1000's, mine's synth with a BSA 22Mag Scope and his is wood stocked and open sights... I think they were about $179 each, and I love them... Great for plinking across the back yard, and I spent a summer on a night job where we had to deal with snakes... that Gamo got 20-25 snakes and probably a hundred or more frogs in 6 weeks. I'd say groups were about 3" at 75-80'.
 
I have a Gamo Shadow Sport, 1200 fps w/3 by 9 scope. I have shot hundreds of turtles and some snakes. Right now I have it sighted in at 75 yds. It's amazing how powerful/deadly it is and how accurate. Gamo makes one with 1600 fps but it takes 56# to cock it, mine takes 30.
 
And to make shooting at home fun

Get a clipboard, about 1.50 at office max.

Lay it down on some partical board, draw the outline and cut it.

get some 1 x 4 board, cut it and screw it to the board to make a box.

Buy 4 blocks of electricians putty, it will fit crosswise in the box.
images


Place the clipboard on the box and screw it down, now cut a hole just about an inch around of the edges.

Clip a target on the board (printed off your computer)

You now have a silent pellet trap. Go to the basement and have fun.

Below is a nice one

aa_trap_ply_front.jpg
aa_trap_ply_inside.jpg
 
look into the gamo line of pellet rifles, they make quite a few slick hi tec rifles, including one with a built in silencer. often you can find them on sale at big5 sporting goods. i have worked with several of their rifles, and the wide selection of pellets for them. they are top notch. they aren't cheap, but they are reasonable and i feel they are worth the money they ask. air guns rock, they aint your ol red ryder anymore
 
The Beeman R7 is a nice choice. If I had to get rid of all my airguns except one, my R7 would be the one I kept.
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I totally agree. My R-7 is a real honey!!

I have two Beeman air rifles.
One is a powerful .22 that takes the fun out of shooting it after holding it up & cocking it a few times.

RWS model 52 cocking force = 39 pounds. Velo = 1,100 FPS.
Beeman R7 = cocking force = 18 pounds. Velo = 700 FPS.

Air rifle high velocity is vastly over-rated for fun plinking, accurate target shooting, & rifle practice.

I can shoot the R7 all day, or until I run out of pellets.

I guess there is a place for the big heavy hard to cock Magnum air rifles in hunting and long range field target shooting. But all of them require Mr. America muscles to get any enjoyment out of shooting them much.

rc
 
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I bought an old Daisey pellet/bb gun at a yard sale for ten bucks. The 10 pump deal. Great fun and deadly on critters.

Note to self- must upgrade!
 
Been shooting and hunting with airguns for years. What you should get depends on what you want to do with it. I also have a jr. rifle club that mainly shoot airguns. All kinds of rifles, calibers and power plants. Reseach, read and make a choice. It probably won't be your only one! Airguns are great for practicing shooting technique. But, keep in mind that some refles are very hold sensitive.
The best thing about airguns is being able to shoot when and where you can't with standard "firearms" like your basement or even a hall way (with proper safety measures of course).
Great info passing hands on Pyramid Air's blog site. Happy shooting.
 
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modern air rifles rock, they aint your ol red ryder bb gun. in some countries, firearms are banned, its air rifles if you wish to hunt. and now there are even restrictions in the UK for one, as to the pressure you can operate an air rifle at. The bandito by quackenbush is charged off a scuba tank to 3,000 psi and hits about like a 45 auto. i seem to recall some more powerful ones, but i understand its like carrying a small bomb when you get the pressure up beyond 3,000 psi. plus they were prone to leaks. Gamo for one makes a serious line of adult air rifles, the drawback is the price. i paid more for my gamo than i did for a marlin 22 mag.
 
Lar1911, where would I find the electrician's putty? I am looking to make something like that for an air pistol.

Also, any recommendations on the depth? I figure maybe allow for 3-4 inches of putty, but I don't have any first-hand experience to go off of.

It will make a good project when I finally move into my new place, especially if one of my neighbors has a saw I can borrow.
 
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