Best choice in Air Rifle?

MikeyT

MikeyT

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I'm looking for an air rifle for my dad and I have no experience with the various brands and models.

Reasonably powerful (he wants to shoot squirrels) and accurate; price isn't a huge deal but good value is a plus. If I can get it somewhere that sells appropriate optics that would also be good.

I think a spring-actuated gun will be better than gas powered as he's not going to want to be stocking-up and replacing CO2 cartridges.

If you guys can point me in the right direction I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks!
 
I have a Benjamin Trail .22 cal 950 fps that is nitrogen charged and love it. A lot less kick then a spring gun and quiet a bit quieter. Another thing I like about the nitro piston is that it can be cocked and left ready for some time. If a spring gun is cocked and left sitting for much time it will weaken the spring over time.
Crosman has nitro models also for less money and if you take a close look at them I believe it may be the same rifle.
The lowest price at the time I bought mine was at Lebaron Sports for about $250 with a scope.
 
imo a under 500fps pellet gun isnt enough on squirrels. if you hit them in the head its ok. but if your off and get the body your gonna be looking. not humaie either.
 
What is your budget including the scope. If you get a .22 under 500 fps it will take out a squirrel, but as it is with shooting any thing it always comes down to accuracy and picking the vitals for a clean kill.
 
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regulate34 said:
imo a under 500fps pellet gun isnt enough on squirrels. if you hit them in the head its ok. but if your off and get the body your gonna be looking. not humaie either.
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Hadn't thought of that. At 500FPS what would be a better cal for squirrels; .17 for better penetration or .22 for more energy? Does it make much difference at these speeds?


garmic said:
What is your budget including the scope.
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Probably around $300, but could go higher if necessary for good value.
 
MikeyT said:
Hadn't thought of that. At 500FPS what would be a better cal for squirrels; .17 for better penetration or .22 for more energy? Does it make much difference at these speeds?




Probably around $300, but could go higher if necessary for good value.
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.22 unerd 500 would be the better choise. more energy.
ihad a 495 fps .177cal first and if i got them in the head the were done. but body shots they would run a little. when i got my 177cal at 1000fps if i hit them anyware it was game over.

if he wants to get a PAL i would sugest a .22rimfire and shoot 22shorts.
 
Probably one of those Benjimans would be nice, DL has a Weihrauch HW30 in .22 that would be very classy. Although with a scope could be around 4 bills for sure.
 
MikeyT said:
What is the FPS limit for no license? Dad doesn't have a PAL.
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For $129 at Canadian tire, you can get the Crosman Optimus. VERY well built, comes with fiber optic sights and Scope. Its 495 FPS so any one can buy it..NO Pal. The best thing about it is....after you get it home you can order the "repair kit" for it.It makes shooting more accurate. PM me if you want to know more about the accuracy and dependability of it, and how I enjoy it.
 
Interesting topic...my sons got me a Crosman Phantom .22 pellet gun (495fps) from Walmart for about $100...I added the $7 Crosman scope to it...just wanted something to keep the crows at bay...let's just say they don't come too close anymore! It's a heck of alot of fun up at the cabin...
 
For my money, I'd get one of these Euro rifles.

Either this non-PAL CZ631 (I got two of these rifles,very accurate and so easy to ####):

http://www.dlairgun.com/Air-Rifles/Slavia/002_630.html

or this non-PAL Diana 240 (I got the Diana 45 and it is quite powerful)

http://www.dlairgun.com/Air-Rifles/Diana/037_RWS_240.html
 
Buy German.........HW or RWS/Diana Specialty Shooting Sports in BC has the best RWS prices around......Harold
 
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