Help me Pick an Airgun

Hey there,
So I am not exactly a gun newb... I may own one or two and even post a picture to verify someday... but I am an airgun newb.

I know nothing about pellet guns and would like to pick one up for survival hunting, plinking, cheap shooting, quiet fun, etc.

I would like one that doesn't require cartridges (survival bit), hits hella hard (you know... 12 GA magnum power), and is quiet. I realize that some of these requirements might be conflicting. Please guide me with your sage wisdom!

Cheers!

 

Is the gamo socom any good? (For the record, the cheese factor is a large detractor... but the specs seem solid to me.) http://www.gamousa.com/family.aspx?family=Socom%20Series&familyID=82

 

Gamo Whisper, if noise is a factor. Other pellet guns sound a bit like a .22 short (Which migh be considered an option in a bolt action rifle). Come to think of it, I used .22 CB caps in a small Colorado town on skunks... never heard any complaints.

 

You should get into airsoft.

I don't know if Maryland has any clubs to play with, but you can visit www.c3airsoft.com and check it out!

Sorry, I play...and its fun. NOthing like shooting people with 6mm bb's!

 

Benjamin/ Sheridan pump. Comes in .177 and.22 calibers. Not a toy.

 

Get a break barrel air gun with at least 1000ft/second velocity.

 

Xlnt airgun!!
There are faster and more accurate but for the money you can't go wrong wit one of these babys!!

 

x2...I had a gamo for years and then handed it down to my younger cousin when I moved out here

 

i have an RWS Diana (made in germany so you know there good lol) and i love it. shot an armadillo and it went completely through it and tore his intestines out his side. powerful, accurate, and they dont look like a toy gun you would get at toys r us lol

 

Benjamin makes a break barrel air rifle that is powered by a Nitro Piston instead of a spring. Advantages are that it is extremely quiet, high velocity (1500 fps), and you don't have the "double recoil" that is common with most springer air rifle. You can get this in .22 or .177 cal. Down side is it is a little heavy and the cocking effort is a little stout!

Comes with a sling and a Center Point scope. Has a dual stage adjustable trigger and is very well crafted.

I have owned this air rifle for several months now and it definitely performs. It will take about 100 rds before it is broken in and shooting tight groups. This rifle has tons of knock down power and will not disappoint!

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_Trail_NP_XL/2052

 

this ^^^^ So worth the money. Very powerful and accurate. I slay doves off our back porch with it all the time. I could get you one for about 130 + shipping if you are interested.

 

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Feinwerkbau_700_Aluminum_Silver/1032

Wow..... I had no idea people took air rifles so seriously.

BTW, is a pump better than a break barrel? I think I like the idea of a break barrel...faster, more consistent, etc.

 

Ok.. the precharged rifles are so much cooler... (scratches head). It has been a while since I fired an air rifle. how loud are they at the loud end of the spectrum. The loudest is still significantly quieter than a .22 LR, right?

 

http://www.glbarnes.com/Justice_System.html

Why didn't someone tell me you could get 700 ft-lbs of energy from an air rifle!?

Too spendy though!!

Alos, gorgeous
http://www.daystate.com/mk4.htm

 

The Benjamin Trail NP looks like a well put together, quiet, hard hitter. This is definitely on the top of the list right now.

I'm leaning towards .22 over .177. Any reason not to go this route?

 

The precharged pneumatic rifles are awesome. They are definitely the most quiet that you will find. They also will not produce any recoil since there is no spring to worry about. The downside to them is price. Not only are the rifles more but you are also looking at a minimum of $300 just for a quality foot pump. If you look to invest in a compressor and tank, you are looking closer to $800 - $1000 not including the air rifle.

As far as going .22 over .177 its kind of a personal preference. You have to ask what are you going to be doing with this air rifle. The .177 will take small game with a well placed shot and is fun for plinking. Ammo used to be more readily available but the .22 is just as easy to find. Both are going to be roughly the same price.

The biggest difference is going to be velocity / ft lb. The .177 is going to have a higher velocity but less energy. It is rare to find a .22 that will shoot over 1000 fps but don't get locked in on just how fast it shoots. What it looses in fps in makes up for in energy and they perform. The .22 usually will be a little quieter due to the speed at which it is leaving the muzzle. There is a huge selection of pellet types out there to choose from and each will shoot differently in your rilfe as well.

Hope this helps!

Ike

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/guns-hunting/94593-anyone-have-pellet-gun.html

i had the same question not too long ago.

 

Yes,

Even the loudest air rifles are going to be quieter than a .22 LR. My Trail 1500 was louder that I expected it to be when it was new. The more I shot it, the quieter it got. When new, air rifles will have some oil in the barrel and will "diesel" or burn off the oil. You will notice smoke coming from the end of the barrel and it will eventually stop after 20 - 30 rds. You will also notice that your groups will not be consistant until you break the rifle in. This is true for any weapon!

I have a pellet trap set at 30 yrds and I setup a shooting lane between my house and the neighbors. I shoot at home all of the time and never have anyone complain! My wife doesn't hear it inside the house and neither do the neighbors.

 

I had a .22 benjamin, and I killed used to kill crows all the time with it. Very solid pellet gun.

 

Thanks I just finished reading it!