air rifles

greg setter

greg setter

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I've been thinking about getting an air rifle for a while, and have decided now is the time. I have no idea what is out there. I would say that I want something that can shoot a couple of inch groups at 30 yards or better. I may hunt squirrels with it, but probably would mostly use it for target shooting. I don't need the top of the line, but don't want the bottom either. I really don't know much about what is out there. Anyone here have experience with these or can offer any guidance?
 
I have an RWS 48, that fits your description pretty well as mid-range and I got it to pretty much do as you are saying. Shooting an air rifle is not like a rifle, it requires a different form and shot process to get consistency. It is more like shooting a bow than a rifle. For example, grip tightness can move shot impact an inch or two at squirrel shooting ranges and follow through after the shot makes a big impact too. For target practice a .22 is where I'd go, having both. The only reason I still have the air rifle is vermin control, but a .22 with quiet loads like CB caps is probably quieter or at least not louder.

A suppressed .22 is where I'm headed.
 
Just a tip to a fellow New Jerseyan you must be careful that it does not have a built in slencer
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/airgun_info.htm
even though some stores sell them.
 
I have a Gamo Whisper, this model to be exact,

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/gamo-whisper-fusion-mach-1-air-rifle-with-scope?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Nb%7CGeneric%7CCatchAll%7CDSA&gclid=CjwKCAjwmK6IBhBqEiwAocMc8o0Sa9V3Kv2f3KP_Hg-gUfiiGUMe32CFnXxjXho2_JT3BkGy94suUxoC2YkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I wanted it for squirrel patrol around the house. It's okay....not great, but okay, especially when trying to shoot 30 yds +/- It does do better at shorter distances. I will say that it kills what it hits. I found the scope that comes with it is junk, I currently shoot it with fire sights. I also found the type of pellet that you shoot will make a difference. I bought this variety pack to test with,

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/gamo-performance-pellets-combo-pack

I found the rocket to shoot best out of mine. As Tod mentioned, it's not a rifle per say, and does take a little getting use to. I simply do body shots and not head shots. It gets the job done for me during the summer when vacationers and seasonal people are here on the lake, but for the other 3 seasons, I use my 10/22 with sub sonic rounds.

I hope this helps.
 
Following this thread, we are plagued by squirrels and .22 is not an option.
 
Greg,

I found an RWS model 34 on clearance and put a Hammers air rifle scope on it. As Troy said, Pellet selection makes all the difference. Gamo Match work well in mine, 3 pellets in a dime size group at 30 yds. 3 things i've learned... barrel droop on a break barrel makes sighting in a scope a challenge, Hand placement on the forearm is critical, because of the spring "jump" i had to put a stop behind the scope mount to keep it from working back. Spring guns do take some getting used to but i'm really happy with this one and a lot less varmints around.

George
 
Also remember .22 caliber in NJ is the largest air gun you can hunt with. I would look into PCP over a springer. The Benjamin Sheridan discovery is a budget pre charged pneumatic but shoots quite well. The down side to PCP is pumping it up or spending on a high pressure tank. All suppressed air guns such as a gamo whisper are not NJ compliant.
 
These are great idea's and I appreciate the input. Living in NJ, using a 22 for hunting is not an option. If you want to hunt with a rifle during small game season an air gun (or a muzzle loader) are the only ways you can. Target shooting/plinking off my duck shack deck is the prime motivation here. With 3-1/2 miles of salt marsh in front of me, there isn't a safety issue. I think if I get one, I will squirrel hunt a couple of times a year with it. I never had a desire to shoot them with a shotgun, nothing wrong with that, I just like the challenge of a rifle. I also appreciate the comments on the noise suppression, that's something I hadn't considered and need to make sure that whatever I end up getting doesn't have that feature.
 

Greg,

I'd say yer solution is a muzzle loader, especially cap and ball, if legal. There are some mighty fine muzzleloader squirrel guns to be had, but not cheap. Watch out though, cuz once ya get to usin' em they can become addictive. A very rewarding way to put good food in the pot. Open sights, and a good hold work just fine.


Best regards
Vince
 
The daisy 880 has always worked great for me. Many of squirrel is taken with that in my youth. I will say that I bought a new one couple years ago and they are certainly not like the ones built in the 80s... but they are plenty accurate and for 40 bucks... What do you expect
 
If you are serious about airgun hunting you will need good equipment. Because of the low velocity of airgun pellets or slugs there is a whole different list of equipment that is needed to shoot well. Regulated airgun, chronograph, range finder and probably most important a good scope. I suggest you go on Airgun101.com and review the videos.
 
Target shooting/plinking off my duck shack deck is the prime motivation here.


Hi Joe

Thanks for your input. I may hunt once a year with this for squirrels for something to do in February. And there is a good chance that wouldn't happen. It's really for fun shooting targets of some sort, be that a can, a piece of paper, or a dead crab shell in the parking lot(there are lots of those). It would be an inexpensive way to have some fun without disturbing anyone.



 
I have a RWS 460 Magnum and it has worked great on small animals and evasive birds. I picked up a new FX air rifle and it blows the RWS out of the water. It is a pneumatic one and I have an additional air tank to fill it. I get tight groups out to 60 yards and can shoot it accurately out to 100 yards. Definately worth taking a look at if you want a very accurate air rifle. I turn the power down slightly for shooting pigeons and can get between 50-60 shots before I have to refill it again.
 
Some things to consider...

If you get a pellet rifle that shoots faster than the speed of sound, it is going to be loud.

I have found that the best shooters are Spring Piston rifles and .22 or .20 cal pellets seem to be available in a lot of larger stores.
Any pellet that comes out faster than the speed of sound is going to experience tumbling as it slows down to below the speed of sound and that will affect its accuracy, which is why it is hard to beat a .22 pellet at subsonic speed for its consistency and knockdown power.

If you want something that is going to give you the ability to scale your pressure on each shot, then a pneumatic air rifle is the way to go. Benjamin and Beeman used to be good for that, and their quality used to be good.

For around entry level, a crossman 760 pneumatic is cheap and fun and reliable.
 
Thank you Todd, those are good ideas and more along the lines of what fits the bill for me to have something fun to shoot inexpensively
 
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