A little help please.New to air rifles,well sort of

hawkgt

hawkgt

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So,as the title states I could use a little help choosing an air rifle.Last time I owned one was many years ago a Crosman break barrel 177 and Crosman double action CO2 22 cal.I'm a Boomer so draw your own conclusions.
I had decided to buy my self a Xmas present for a little additional trigger time and to have some fun.
I'm not looking for a competition grade air rifle,but would like something reasonably accurate say 1 " at 25 yds and enough power to take out smaller critters.I'll leave my 22 mag or 223 to take care of beavers etc.
I hadn't realized just how overwhelming the choice is now and how many manufacturers there are.I have read numerous posts and am now at the point that I am more confused then when I first started looking.
So where do I start?Springer or Nitro?I don't think I want to go the PCP or CO2 route.Break action,side lever,bottom lever?Weight isn't a real issue.Caliber will probably be either .177 or .22.Manufacturer?Seems like a number of them are all based on the same Chinese actions.Wood or Synthetic stocks aren't a priority though I do like the look of wood.And it would probably be scoped.Also,I don't think I want to go for the CDN version.Like most of us here I do have a PAL.
Personal experiences with particular models and make would be a great asset to my final choice.
As to budget.I don't wish to spend a fortune on one as I really don't know if it will be become a thing for me,but who knows.Lets ay 300 to 400 to start.Less is also good.
I have also perused many of the used ones,but seeing that I don't know most of the model numbers,it can take a long time to scroll through the listings.
I realize this is all subjective to personal tastes,but any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Regards Bill
 
If you intend to use it for pest control or hunting, I recommend the .22 over the .177. I have a Haenel model 303 break action single shot that is 55 years old and just needed a new piston seal replaced.
On the used market Webley, Haenel, Crossman are good makes. There are new models that use an air reservoir and are over 500fps also .25 calibre. So many choices very hard to suggest which one will fit your needs
 
DATAM said:
If you intend to use it for pest control or hunting, I recommend the .22 over the .177. I have a Haenel model 303 break action single shot that is 55 years old and just needed a new piston seal replaced.
On the used market Webley, Haenel, Crossman are good makes. There are new models that use an air reservoir and are over 500fps also .25 calibre. So many choices very hard to suggest which one will fit your needs
Click to expand...

That's the problem I'm having.To much to choose from.But,what makes or OK and what's so so
 
I've dealt with Canada Shooting Supply for many years without any issues.

Very helpful too. Had a few question on different models, call and he took the time to answer all my question, a real pleasure.

Very professional, didn't feel rushed, just two guys sharing knowledge like it should be.
 
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I recently picked up another springer, a Diana Model 48 side cocking lever in 22 caliber from an estate sale & topped it with a Hawke 2-7x32 Vantage.

It's awesome.
 
Welcome! Lots to get into with the airguns- but I find them pretty rewarding.

If you want to stay away from gas your only option is a springer- either Nitro or steel. Springers can be challenging to shoot accurately (google artillery hold) but reward good technique. 1" at 25yrds with a good springer should be easily achievable. For critters the .22 is much better, for targets/competing the .177 dominates.

The nitro piston rigs are nice- it would be where I would start. Unfortunately some of the cheaper ones come with a pretty uninspiring trigger. There are trigger updates (GTX) which can be added to significantly improve things. The better rigs will have nice triggers- either single or dual stage. For instance the Hatsan quattro trigger can be adjusted to give a nice trigger in a package that is affordable.

Personally my favorite springer is my Weihrauch HW97. I bought it as a non-PAL version but added a Vortek 12FPE kit and it hits all the buttons for me- highly accurate, nice trigger, smooth firing (ok- less so than a nitro, but still pretty good). There are several manufacturers of nice springers- Air Arms is another premium brand but for your budget will be a bit over. For the budget you want to spend the Crosman Nitros (GTX trigger recommended) or something like a Diana 34 would be tough to beat. Definitely avoid a Non-PAL rifle... I did it because I got a deal, but the 495fps limit is for plinking only.



The break-barrels are easier loading (especially with a scope) but there is something about an underlever that I personally like. There are a few airgun retailers in Canada.
 
Well one point you missed - was long term reliability.

I have a 1988 Diana 45, purchased brand new.

Although the factory sights are excellent, and worked well for over a decade++, my aging eyes had me install a fine Hawke scope aboard a few years ago.

I have taken perhaps 10,000+ shots with it over the years...living on a large acreage in AB and then moving to the bush ensured(s) a never ending supply of rodents and unwanted critters.

>> Not one incident of failure and zero maintenance other than cleaning

Today it operates as it always did, which means it still makes easy kill shots at 50 yards(ish) on squirrels and such....and the Hawke scope has greatly reduced my ammo consumption. One important point - if you go with a higher power (800FPS +) ensure you use a heavier pellet for hunting. I use an 11.2grn specifically. Try out a number of different pellets, weights and brands, since they all shoot & group a little differently.
Enjoy!
 
Thank you.A couple I've considered is the Stoeger Sport though it's in .177 https://www.cabelas.ca/product/1386...l-grey-synthetic-high-powered-air-rifle-combo on sale and the Umarex Synergis in 22 cal https://www.cabelas.ca/product/148438/umarex-synergis-high-powered-22-cal-air-rifle.I think I like the bottom or side lever idea over the break barrel,but it,s not a deal breaker by any means.I'm also not sure how well the auto loader feature would work,though from what I have read so far they are reliable.
I've been on a couple of airgun forums and have done lot of reading and trying to absorb some information.One of the things I picked up on is many of the CDN spec air rifles have a vented piston to bring them down to 495 ft/sec.So I would think plugging the vent hole should bring them back up ti their original spec.Not that I would want to do this to a new one and void the warranty,but a new to me used wouldn't be a problem.After all I am a tinkerer.Also then there is the matter of finding what pellets work,but that's no different then using a powder burner
 
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NHunter said:
Well one point you missed - was long term reliability.

I have a 1988 Diana 45, purchased brand new.

Although the factory sights are excellent, and worked well for over a decade++, my aging eyes had me install a fine Hawke scope aboard a few years ago.

I have taken perhaps 10,000+ shots with it over the years...living on a large acreage in AB and then moving to the bush ensured(s) a never ending supply of rodents and unwanted critters.

>> Not one incident of failure and zero maintenance other than cleaning

Today it operates as it always did, which means it still makes easy kill shots at 50 yards(ish) on squirrels and such....and the Hawke scope has greatly reduced my ammo consumption. One important point - if you go with a higher power (800FPS +) ensure you use a heavier pellet for hunting. I use an 11.2grn specifically. Try out a number of different pellets, weights and brands, since they all shoot & group a little differently.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
That's my big question reliability and it really seems hard to find that info.It appears so far that the newer ones are using synthetic seals instead of leathers on the piston.Better or worse I don't knowAnd as many have said spend the dollars Buy once Cry once,but is that always the case.I would think that for the average user needing to spend big bucks is not needed.I do have a Hawke 3 to 9 x50 HD on my old Lakefield Mark II.That may see duty on what ever I choose as we all know most package scopes aren't the greatest
 
Nothing wrong with the Gamo line, have a limited addition 177 that I bought in 2004 and is a very accurate gun and quiet, their newer ones with new piston are super quiet and are a reasonable price, I paid $425 when I got mine and put a Bushnell Red Dot from day one.
 
cartwheel said:
Welcome! Lots to get into with the airguns- but I find them pretty rewarding.

If you want to stay away from gas your only option is a springer- either Nitro or steel. Springers can be challenging to shoot accurately (google artillery hold) but reward good technique. 1" at 25yrds with a good springer should be easily achievable. For critters the .22 is much better, for targets/competing the .177 dominates.

The nitro piston rigs are nice- it would be where I would start. Unfortunately some of the cheaper ones come with a pretty uninspiring trigger. There are trigger updates (GTX) which can be added to significantly improve things. The better rigs will have nice triggers- either single or dual stage. For instance the Hatsan quattro trigger can be adjusted to give a nice trigger in a package that is affordable.

Personally my favorite springer is my Weihrauch HW97. I bought it as a non-PAL version but added a Vortek 12FPE kit and it hits all the buttons for me- highly accurate, nice trigger, smooth firing (ok- less so than a nitro, but still pretty good). There are several manufacturers of nice springers- Air Arms is another premium brand but for your budget will be a bit over. For the budget you want to spend the Crosman Nitros (GTX trigger recommended) or something like a Diana 34 would be tough to beat. Definitely avoid a Non-PAL rifle... I did it because I got a deal, but the 495fps limit is for plinking only.



The break-barrels are easier loading (especially with a scope) but there is something about an underlever that I personally like. There are a few airgun retailers in Canada.
Click to expand...

So you are suggesting any of rhe Crosman Nitro line are decent rifles.?With a trigger upgrade and non pal o course.I would think with a little home bench work ie de-burring and polishing the trigger could be improved.Read that they have a long stroke,but not a lot of creep.Also noticed that are a few of what is termed as entry level PCP rifles.Curious on how difficult it would be to recharge the tank with their supplied pump.
 
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Johnny G1 said:
Nothing wrong with the Gamo line, have a limited addition 177 that I bought in 2004 and is a very accurate gun and quiet, their newer ones with new piston are super quiet and are a reasonable price, I paid $425 when I got mine and put a Bushnell Red Dot from day one.
Click to expand...

Seems there is a love hate relation with Gamo.There are those that love them and others despise them.No in between.Why is that?I'm in Central Ontario(more North)So my access to a LGS is limited.I believe one of he places in North Bay carries Gamo,so will have to take a look.The next closest is Sudbury and Orillia which are both two hour rides
 
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hawkgt said:
So you are suggesting any of rhe Crosman Nitro line are decent rifles? With a trigger upgrade and non pal o course.
Click to expand...

Unless you're well funded getting into PCP could be a deep rabbit hole.
Once setup properly money spent is worth the rewards.

Did I read this right, you are looking for something under 499 fps? Non-PAL?

Picked up a Benjamin Classic 33000.22 with scope @ 495 fps a few years ago from CTC..

wh8Yw2a.jpg


With a simple main spring change ($12 back then) it bumped it up to 970-980 fps.
Okay for a break barrel, but not near as accurate as my PCPs.
 
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HuskyDude said:
Unless you're well funded getting into PCP could be a deep rabbit hole.
Once setup properly money spent is worth the rewards.

Did I read this right, you are looking for something under 499 fps? Non-PAL?

Picked up a Benjamin Classic 33000.22 with scope @ 495 fps a few years ago from CTC..

wh8Yw2a.jpg


With a simple main spring change ($12 back then) it bumped it up to 970-980 fps.
Okay for a break barrel, but not near as accurate as my PCPs.
Click to expand...

We do OK financially,but I'm thrifty or as some people call it cheap.So,I like to try and get the best bang for my buck.I'm also not afraid ti dig in and get my hands dirty and mod things,even though it dosen't always go as planned.Just found it interesting that one could get started into PCP for not much more then a good springer,but I sure can see the rabbit hole thing between bottles,compressors etc.
If I'm buying new I will get in something in the 8 to 1000 ft/sec range.If I find something used that is worthwhile then it dosen,t matter.I'll spend the time and effort to as you guys like to say Give it a Tune.But what little bit I have seen out there that is used is either priced almost like new or pretty sad,so I may as well buy new.The only used one I have seen in my area that appears to be reasonable though I haven't seen it is a Hatsan M33 for 150.
I like to tinker.This is what I did to to an inexpensive Stevens 305 22 WMR.It's been bedded,pillared,restocked,trigger reworked etc.Shoots pretty good for a mag.I can usually get under 1 1/2 at 100 yds using 40 grain Maxi Mags.Dosen't seem to like the 30 grain stuff.That's an older picture.It now has a Dip rail,trigger guard,and bolt knob,and bottom metal.Had a Mueller APV,but is now sporting a Bushnell 4-12X40 AO XLT
IMG_0433.jpg
 

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I just want to agree about the 'lower-cost' rifles like Crosman or Benjamin being the best to re-introduce you to pellets. The gas-piston will give you a bit smoother recoil compared to old-style springers. I have a Crosman Vanguard Nitro in .177-PAL and I polished the trigger as you have mentioned; it's now ca 3#, good for low-cost rifle. I do wish I would have bought the .22 since the extra pellet weight gives a longer accurate 'reach' and more impact for pests. The .177 is fairly accurate at 25yds but over that the pellet drops a bit and goes astray. Best thing is I got mine for $120+tx a couple years ago, I think prices are higher now.
 
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