Hey guys~I used to be a pretty enthusiastic airgunner before I got into rimfires. (and shotguns, and varmint-caliber centerfires 
) However, I find myself on allot of farms in recent years and get asked if I could deal with the pigeons, or try. So, years ago...I bought an Industry Brand QB-79 (fed from a 9oz CO2 bottle) in .22, that had already been modified to shoot a little hotter. I don't own a chronograph, but was told around 600fps. Anyhow, worked great in the summer but being CO2...once the temps drop a bit things get problematic. Ordered some parts from Archer in the US and had the gun upgraded to shoot HPA from 3000psi Ninja bottles. No issues with cold weather now, but even with 2 bottles...not enough juice for the amount of shooting I often do. Back to the dive shop to re-fill, etc. SO....I'm seriously considering going back to a springer, but have never owned one in .22. I do know they're not the ideal cold weather gun, but it's rarely completely exposed/outside and even if it is...maybe 10-15 minutes before it's back in the car.
What gun to get?
Most shots are 25 yards +/-, most of them shooting upwards to sitting pigeons inside barns/hay lofts, etc. A 22cal pellet (no matter the weight/type) traveling over 400fps is good medicine for pigeons at those distances, and a small/light gun is handier than a big magnum springer. Idea is to anchor the pigeon, and not leave pin holes in tin roofs! I'm leaning towards a Diana 24 in 22cal. Price isn't a huge issue, but I just have no interest in HPA/PCP and all the fuss that comes with it. Any options I should consider that are better -500fps springers for the $? I'd honestly rather get a Crosman 1322 pumper and wear my right arm out than get involved in air bottles, pumps, regulators, etc.
Thanks for taking a moment to consider. My QB may be on the blocks...
) However, I find myself on allot of farms in recent years and get asked if I could deal with the pigeons, or try. So, years ago...I bought an Industry Brand QB-79 (fed from a 9oz CO2 bottle) in .22, that had already been modified to shoot a little hotter. I don't own a chronograph, but was told around 600fps. Anyhow, worked great in the summer but being CO2...once the temps drop a bit things get problematic. Ordered some parts from Archer in the US and had the gun upgraded to shoot HPA from 3000psi Ninja bottles. No issues with cold weather now, but even with 2 bottles...not enough juice for the amount of shooting I often do. Back to the dive shop to re-fill, etc. SO....I'm seriously considering going back to a springer, but have never owned one in .22. I do know they're not the ideal cold weather gun, but it's rarely completely exposed/outside and even if it is...maybe 10-15 minutes before it's back in the car.What gun to get?
Most shots are 25 yards +/-, most of them shooting upwards to sitting pigeons inside barns/hay lofts, etc. A 22cal pellet (no matter the weight/type) traveling over 400fps is good medicine for pigeons at those distances, and a small/light gun is handier than a big magnum springer. Idea is to anchor the pigeon, and not leave pin holes in tin roofs!
I'm leaning towards a Diana 24 in 22cal. Price isn't a huge issue, but I just have no interest in HPA/PCP and all the fuss that comes with it. Any options I should consider that are better -500fps springers for the $? I'd honestly rather get a Crosman 1322 pumper and wear my right arm out than get involved in air bottles, pumps, regulators, etc.Thanks for taking a moment to consider. My QB may be on the blocks...
