Air Rifle Suggestions

I have had a blast the last couple of days shooting my old BB gun off the my new back porch. My BB gun leaks though and won't hold pressure longer than a couple of minutes (it's 20 years old or better). What are your recommendations for a new rifle? I want one that is reasonably accurate and powerful.

gamo would be a pretty good choice

+1 on a gamo. You can spend as much as you want when it comes to an air rifle, but you can buy a good one for about $100-200. This is on my list of things to buy also.

I want to spend <$100. I probably should have stated that in my original post. I have seen some foreign air rifles in Shotgun News, are any of those any good?

Ive shot the one they sell at the bulk tool sells it's foreign made and shot ok but if it breaks good luck getting it fixed.

That is what I am afraid of!

I had a Chinese made one that was $25 dealer cost back when I had my FFL. Shot a little paper with it and gave it to a friends son. I was surprised when the little guy killed a couple of squirrels with it.

Hell, even if it lasts 10 years and breaks, that's a lotta fun for cheap LOL.

That is what I am hoping for, a lot of fun for cheap! We bought one for my father in law for Christmas, I think it was about $60. I have been fairly impressed with it the few times I have shot it. I am just curious what some others like.

i have always had trouble with the spring piston rifles in the accuracy department

The bigger box stores sell a Chinese Beeman rifle with two barrels, one 177 and the other 22 cal. Replace the seals and you can get very good velocities from it. Benjamin has an American made springer out but I hate the thumbhole stock it has. Good rifle just not for me. Both are right at $125.

Shooting a springer, spring-piston air rifle, is different than shooting any other rifle. It takes some effort to no let the rifle ride through the recoil. Your natural instinct is to control the rifle through recoil. If you find the rifles sweet spot you can get some great accuracy with them.

Benjamin Pump

pretty close to your price range

http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/Benjamin_air_rifle_airguns_s/64.htm

Re: Air Rifles


I have a scoped Gamo Big Cat. Bought it from Sportsman’s Guide, I think, with which I wage war on local varmints of one kind or another. It’s very satisfactory and really snaps the pellet down range...a much sharper crack than you’d expect.

It’s my opinion that the secret (big secret!!) to successful air gun usage are the pellets you use. Stay away from the garden variety lead .177 pellets and look toward Gamo PBA Raptor or Armor .177 cal. Pellets. Gamo says 1200fps with those PBA’s.

As an aside, I have a pair of CO2 pellet pistols that I use in the shop in lieu of dry fire practice. It’s more fun that way.

I have a Benjamin that I got probably 8 years ago and have loved it. I needed to solve a squirrel problem around my house, which is in a very populated neighborhood, and it looked like a good choice. It didn't take but a few minutes to get it dialed in and I have killed squirrels, snakes, possums and 'dillos with it. That little jewel is deadly. If memory serves me correct, I got it at Walmart. I've shot a friend's Gamo and it's nice but I like my Benjamin better. I hate that some people discount these things as toys. They can do some serious damage.

I have a Crossman that was 100 something and is rated at 1000 FPS. The trigger is heavy and gritty, but if you can get by that it will do good. I shot a Ibuprofin bottle in the neck of the bottle with the PBA pellets, and it penetrated at the neck and almost went thru the other side.

I also had a squirrel problem around my house, so I bought a Gamo Hunter sport. Launches a pba .177 pellet @ 1200 fps. I no longer have a squirrel problem or any other vermin for that matter

I have a spring-piston RWS that works well. Velocities around 1000 f.p.s. not sure about model off of the top of my head. If I remember, view are a bit over the $100 you were wanting to stay under tho.

go to pyramydair.com and look around. They have some really nice ones.

msredneck wrote:Benjamin Pump

pretty close to your price range

http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/Benjamin_air_rifle_airguns_s/64.htm

I've got one of these that I've killed countless birds and squirrels with. Is the .177 cal model and needs new seals, I've had it for probably at least ten years.

I know these are way above the price range you mentioned, but I just spoke with someone that has one of these this past weekend and thought someone on here may be interested in them. http://www.airforceairguns.com/

Made in the U.S., and very impressive overall (accuracy of 1" or better at 50 yards, and 1" or better at 75 yards on the Condor, which may be the most powerful airgun available, fill with a scuba tank or hand pump, etc).

Less than $100. Try the Crossman Phantom 1000 break action with scope. 90 bucks. I bought one for my nephew a while back and its a good air rifle. For that you get fiber optic sights, polymer stock with pistols grip, ambidextrous with two stage trigger and up to 1200 FPS.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=401802&pdesc=Crosman_Phantom_1000_177_Break_Action_Air_Rifle_With_4_x_32_Scope&aID=512B1&merchID=4006