Help me out - first air rifle

[MJD]

Thought the group could inform me on the latest and greatest for my use case and hoping you can bring clarity to the rabbit hole that an internet search leads you down....

I'm interested in plinking (with reasonable accuracy) out to 60 yards. Don't need Olympic accuracy but not beyond "pie plate".
I live on 2 wooded acres with a good backstop.

Squirrels in the 25-30 yard range.

Easy maintenance and good longevity. Replacing small parts at regular maintenance intervals is fine.

Under $150-$200 dollars?

A scope is nice but not mandatory.

Any recommendations appreciated. I don't shoot air rifles currently nor does anyone I know!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would go to Pyramid Air and look at options, they have some good ways to break them into categories there.

Do you want a 177, 22, or different caliber? I would go with 177 for plinking but not much hunting. 22 if you do want to hunt some with it.
Figure out the power system you want. PCP is likely out at the price range. Also, I wouldn't get a scope with it in that price range either as it will be a low end (and likely frustrating deal).

I would almost always go up in price and get one from a European company.

60yds (for me) is a pretty long run for an air rifle.

If you are near a CMP store and like the Daisy rifles they have, that could be a great option (or order one from them). If you want something very accurate, but won't be great for hunting. They are very good deals for the $$ though. https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/sporter-air-rifles/

 

[Atavar]

I’m sorry but you are trying to buy a tool for the price of a toy. You are going to need to up your budget considerably to get something that can work at 60+ yards.
If you get a springer (pump or break barrel) be sure to get a scope rated for air rifles. The reverse recoil of an air rifle will destroy even good rifle scopes.

 

[Spats McGee]

Airgun Depot has a very handy air gun selection tool: https://www.airgundepot.com/air-rifles.html

As for me, I don't know what it would take to get "better than pie plate" accuracy at 60 yards. Then again, I haven't tried. I recently got a Hatsan 87 with which I'm very happy. That said, I haven't shot it over about 20 yards. It's currently running $214 ($129 for a refurb) at Hatsan's site, but they occasionally run specials where you could get it cheaper.

 

[MJD]

I’m sorry but you are trying to buy a tool for the price of a toy. You are going to need to up your budget considerably to get something that can work at 60+ yards.
If you get a springer (pump or break barrel) be sure to get a scope rated for air rifles. The reverse recoil of an air rifle will destroy even good rifle scopes.

Thanks- to be clear, that 60 yards is for general plinking at larger cans/jugs in the backyard.....not for hunting or for single hole accuracy. I'm not implying this needs to be a laser.

 

[MJD]

Airgun Depot has a very handy air gun selection tool: https://www.airgundepot.com/air-rifles.html

Thanks for the link and recommendation. I've gone through with that tool amd of course gotten a few candidates.....problem is I don't know anyone with any of them nor have a place close enough to handle myself.....so will go that route and take a chance possibly but wanted to poll this fine group of folks for more specific, personal recommendations based on experience!

 

[MJD]

would go to Pyramid Air and look at options, they have some good ways to break them into categories there.

Do you want a 177, 22, or different caliber? I would go with 177 for plinking but not much hunting. 22 if you do want to hunt some with it.
Figure out the power system you want. PCP is likely out at the price range. Also, I wouldn't get a scope with it in that price range either as it will be a low end (and likely frustrating deal).

I would almost always go up in price and get one from a European company.

60yds (for me) is a pretty long run for an air rifle.

If you are near a CMP store and like the Daisy rifles they have, that could be a great option (or order one from them). If you want something very accurate, but won't be great for hunting. They are very good deals for the $$ though. https://thecmp.org/

Thanks! Will give that a look.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Benjamin maximus / Dianna Storm II; in your budget. Very, very easy to use a hand pump to fill. (YOU DON'T need a compressor with air cylinders under 220cc) accurate enough to BR 75-yard squirrels. (If they stay still, lol) LAST: get the pcp in .22 cal for squirrels N such. trust me. .177 sometimes takes multiple good shots even with perfect hits.

 

[WVGunman]

I recommend .22 caliber or bigger if you plan to kill anything. If you go with a single-cock rifle, get a gas piston (also called Nitro) instead of a spring-powered gun. A decent gas-piston rifle can be had in your price range that was stated. I bought a Benjamin Prowler .22 a few years ago and it has done the job for me. It might be low-powered for YOUR purposes, but it's in the ballpark of what you're looking for.

 

[3Crows]

If you are looking for a NASCAR dad break barrel spring/nitro piston air rifle you will not find one that can reach out to 60 yards with any accuracy or power left. There are a very few higher end spring/nitro guns that might can do that but they cost as much as a PCP rifle sans support equipment of course.

If 60 yards is your criteria then a PCP is the only way you will get there and a realistic entry price is more like $1000+ for a rifle and very basic support equipment. This is the Gamo Urban. It is a .22 PCP made in the UK by Gamo's BSA subsidiary. It is not a China gun and is superbly accurate, mid power PCP. It will have nearly twice the power of a spring gun and it might, on a windless day, get you 60 yards.



I have two of them (plus some other stuff):



Up to skunk/raccoon size you are golden inside 30 yards plus or minus, squirrels etc maybe out to 60 yards. This one I removed the factory suppressor, carbon fiber sleeved the barrel and upsized the transfer port for about 30 fpe at the muzzle.

 

[Spats McGee]

FWIW, I took my Hatsan to the range today. I only have maybe 50 rounds through it, I used the iron sights (which I have not ever adjusted) and my are over 50. Even with all of that, I’m not sure my Hatsan would meet your requirements, OP. This was at 25 yards.

 

[MJD]

If 60 yards is your criteria

Thanks for all the info. 60 yards happens to be the extent of how far I can reasonably plink in my backyard. Sounds like some Kentucky windage and appropriate expectations are in order!

 

[MJD]

FWIW, I took my Hatsan to the range today. I only have maybe 50 rounds through it, I used the iron sights (which I have not ever adjusted) and my are over 50. Even with all of that, I’m not sure my Hatsan would meet your requirements, OP. This was at 25 yards.

Spats, thank you for all the info....exactly the feedback I was hoping to receive.

 

[3Crows]

For a comparison, a Marauder .25 at 30 yards in the Kansas wind:



I think this was a windless day at 50 yards with my (modded) Marauder .25:



A rare not so windy day, the .22 Urban at 40 yards:



No PCPs here, 25 yards, top left a Savage Target with CCI Quiet, next Stoeger spring air rifle .177, next older pump Benjamin 392 .22, and then a new (still with paint in the barrel not yet cleaned) 392 and below that a early 1960s Crosman 140 I have had since a child:

 

[MJD]

Thanks all for the responses. I think for dipping my toes into the water, this Nitro Piston Crosman Shockwave (Link) seems to fit the bill. Now to decide .177 or .22!

 

[jmorris]

I have taken out varmints as far as 98 yards with my RWS 34 springer thats over your budget and further than I can hit with certainty all the time with it.

PCP’s bring another level but get even further from your budget. It’s easy to run my plate rack at 60 yards, with one of them.



It can shoot a lot smaller than the targets at that distance though.

 

[cslinger]

If 60 yards is your criteria then a PCP is the only way you will get there and a realistic entry price is more like $1000+ for a rifle and very basic support equipment.

While a PCP rifle will make 50+ yard shooting far easier, shooting a spring gun at this range is certainly not out of the question. I rarely stretch my airguns out past 20-25 yards and my skill level drops past 40 (lack of practice really) but a decent spring gun can certainly shoot 60 yards.

Now keep in mind shooting a spring gun at ANY distance is challenging and a new discipline. While you can shoot a PCP or pump gun like you would a firearm (for all intents and purposes) a spring gun requires a far lighter touch and you must allow it to recoil how it wants. (There is more to it but that is the basic idea of the artillery hold).

Both of the guns below will shoot better than what I personally can put up.
HW97K .177 at a tad over 55 yards.

TX200 .177 at between 50 and 60 yards.

Now that said both are mid to high end spring guns but both are coming in at far less than a grand with scope.

I do think you need to raise your budget a bit to the 350-400ish range. An HW50s will easily take squirrel at 20-25 yards and plink at 50 to 60. I mean an HW30s can do that but the 50 would be better suited. Keep in mind hunting with ANY airgun in .177/.20/.22 (The normal calibers) is TRULY about shot placement. (Yes there are PCP rifles that will take deer etc., I am not talking about those).

.177 will shoot flatter but the wind will play hell with it. .22 will drop but is more resistant to wind. Either will pest, both require shot placement.

PCP-is shooting with cheat mode enabled and you will easily come up to speed with them but they require ancillary equipment to keep them charged up etc.

Multi Pump Pneumatics are easy to shoot like a PCP and can be pumped up to whatever power level you want but are kind of a PITA IMO. YMMV.

I don't care for Nitro Pistons. I find them loud and they tend to put them in cheap guns and over power them.

 

[illinoisburt]

FWIW, I took my Hatsan to the range today. I only have maybe 50 rounds through it, I used the iron sights (which I have not ever adjusted) and my are over 50. Even with all of that, I’m not sure my Hatsan would meet your requirements, OP. This was at 25 yards.

View attachment 1163267

Shooting a springer off a bench with a rest generally isn't going to be the best for accuracy, so I would call that group very acceptable.

 

[Spats McGee]

Shooting a springer off a bench with a rest generally isn't going to be the best for accuracy, so I would call that group very acceptable.

What about gas piston?

 

[illinoisburt]

What about gas piston?

Piston guns (both spring and gas ram) have reverse recoil that will cause movement before the pellet exits the barrel. If the gun is resting on a hard surface it will bounce or jump causing vertical stringing. The general recommendation is an artillery hold to get the best accuracy for any piston gun.

 

[Spats McGee]

Piston guns (both spring and gas ram) have reverse recoil that will cause movement before the pellet exits the barrel. If the gun is resting on a hard surface it will bounce or jump causing vertical stringing. The general recommendation is an artillery hold to get the best accuracy for any piston gun.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[cslinger]

Just use a soft rest or put a towel over your rest.

 

[JerkyFreak]

Another method is to rest your support hand on the rest and then the rifle on your hand.

 

[wesmonster]

For a beginner I think a Crosman 362 is a pretty good starter with lots of aftermarker options if you want to upgrade, although it's fine out of the box for $120.
If you have more money in your pocket then a Seneca Dragonfly II is optics ready with a nice wood stock. And has reliable rotary magazines for fast reloads.
I also have some good springers and CO2 rifles but to me the variable pumps are simple and reliable and the easiest for beginners to run. Springer recoil is different and can affect accuracy, an issue a pumper doesn't have. Although a springer can also run just about forever, even on weak seals.
CO2 is fun but the only inexpensive CO2 rifle I'd recommend is a Diana Chaser, which is VERY accurate with the long barrel, and comes with a whisper quiet moderator.
I run moderators on a few of my air rifles for plinking in the back yard so as not to annoy my neighbors. The Chaser takes the prize for quiet and doesn't start losing accuracy til I'm 2/3rds thru a cartridge.
Both the Chaser and the Dragonfly use the same rotary mags as a Diana Stormrider. If you go this route, there's a guy overseas who 3d prints mags that are MUCH better than factory.

 

[3Crows]

Just a general observation of mine is that the expensive side lever cocking springs guns can be accurate and the break barrel type cocking spring rifles much less so. The barrel just does not always return to exactly the same position and the scope is not on the barrel but on the spring housing. I might would buy a side lever rifle but no more break barrels for me. Both are heavy and have reverse recoil.