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

[sillymike]

Is it that much cheaper?Not like shooting a .308 at a buck a bang.I will have a look at the rifles you have posted

No... But still, I know in the last decade I've sent a whole lot more pellets down range than rifle bullets.
- Being able to shoot in the basement/backyard is kind of nice.

Using $ from nikkonos (Cible Target Canada on Ebay), that's where I buy most of my H&N pellets. 177 VS 22, price for 5,000
FT Trophy (500tin) . $13 / $16, $130 / $160
Baracuda (500 / 200) $13 / $9, $130 / $225

*-*-*-*-*

In my somewhat twisted logic, I have a cost per-shot formula used to rationalize the purchase of some $$ guns
It goes something like this: Cost of the gun + cost of the ammo / number of shots

Therefore, the more I shoot something, the less expensive it becomes.
- A $1,600 30-06 that has only seen +/- 60 shots = $425
- A $2,500 airgun that has seen 5,000 shots = $0.50

 

[hawkgt]

No... But still, I know in the last decade I've sent a whole lot more pellets down range than rifle bullets.
- Being able to shoot in the basement/backyard is kind of nice.

Using $ from nikkonos (Cible Target Canada on Ebay), that's where I buy most of my H&N pellets. 177 VS 22, price for 5,000
FT Trophy (500tin) . $13 / $16, $130 / $160
Baracuda (500 / 200) $13 / $9, $130 / $225

*-*-*-*-*

In my somewhat twisted logic, I have a cost per-shot formula used to rationalize the purchase of some $$ guns
It goes something like this: Cost of the gun + cost of the ammo / number of shots

Therefore, the more I shoot something, the less expensive it becomes.
- A $1,600 30-06 that has only seen +/- 60 shots = $425
- A $2,500 airgun that has seen 5,000 shots = $0.50

You do make me chuckle.Almost as thrifty as I am.I tend to not buy what is always the best or what I would deem affordable.I tend to buy quality budget items and then work at improving them to my liking.It dosen't always work out to being less expensive especially if you include the time spent.Plus the odd set back.Guess that is why I will purchase what is termed as new to me.Example.I bought a 17 ft kevlar canoe this summer that I managed to get for $500.Had to drive to Timmins to get it.So all said and done it was almost a day there and back.Does need a bit of refreshing,but I'm capable of doing it.What I can't do I have friends that are willing and able

 

[sillymike]

Thrifty, or being good at creative accounting and knowing what will make you happy. Driving halfway across the province for a canoe seems like a perfectly rational things to do.
- Who doesn't like a road trip! Add a hike and a fun restaurant... and even the wife will want to come along...

I like to shoot (airguns among other things) and I'm not really into tinkering/modifying, unless there's something broken.
- Buying and old gun, and fixing it up. Sure, it will be fun.
- Buying a newer gun, knowing that I'll have to change this or that... Nope.

When it comes to airgun, I often wonder where all the "older" guns went to hide? There ought to be plenty if nice guns from the 60s-70s-80s-90s floating around. Whether it be a Feinwerkbau Sport/ BSA Ssuperstar/ Webley & Scott Tracker/ Theoben Crusader... you (at least I) seldom see them for sale anywhere.

Speaking of airguns we don't see anymore, I wonder what happened to Xisico BAM?
- A Chinese company that manufactured pretty-much-copy of the TX200/ R9/ RWS model 48

 

[hawkgt]

Thrifty, or being good at creative accounting and knowing what will make you happy. Driving halfway across the province for a canoe seems like a perfectly rational things to do.
- Who doesn't like a road trip! Add a hike and a fun restaurant... and even the wife will want to come along...

I like to shoot (airguns among other things) and I'm not really into tinkering/modifying, unless there's something broken.
- Buying and old gun, and fixing it up. Sure, it will be fun.
- Buying a newer gun, knowing that I'll have to change this or that... Nope.

When it comes to airgun, I often wonder where all the "older" guns went to hide? There ought to be plenty if nice guns from the 60s-70s-80s-90s floating around. Whether it be a Feinwerkbau Sport/ BSA Ssuperstar/ Webley & Scott Tracker/ Theoben Crusader... you (at least I) seldom see them for sale anywhere.

Speaking of airguns we don't see anymore, I wonder what happened to Xisico BAM?
- A Chinese company that manufactured pretty-much-copy of the TX200/ R9/ RWS model 48

I think a lot of these are hiding in basements,garages etc forgotten about or maybe I'll use this again one day.
I have looked for some of the higher end air rifles and there are few to be found except for those where one might as well purchase new due to asking prices.At least with new you will get warranty and factory support.
Should have mentioned I'm up in the North Bay area,so a drive up to Timmins is a good distance,but still reasonable .My mother and brother are both down in Durham so if I do happen to find something down there it's also time for a visit

 

[sillymike]

If you're just punching paper, a sub 500fps rifle can be a whole lot fun.
- Used FWB 150/300 and Walther LGR are relatively common, and are a pleasure to shoot.
- Same can be said for the Daisy 853/953

To me, the only difference between the higher/lower velocity airgun, is the difference in distance.
- With the sub 500fps, there is plenty if challenge to be had shooting between 10-20m

Have you got any kid? Grab a bag of plastic toy soldier from the dollar-store and have a mini sniper match... I've yet to find anyone who doesn't enjoy knocking them down. Heck, even the wife will join in.

 

[hawkgt]

If you're just punching paper, a sub 500fps rifle can be a whole lot fun.
- Used FWB 150/300 and Walther LGR are relatively common, and are a pleasure to shoot.
- Same can be said for the Daisy 853/953

To me, the only difference between the higher/lower velocity airgun, is the difference in distance.
- With the sub 500fps, there is plenty if challenge to be had shooting between 10-20m

Have you got any kid? Grab a bag of plastic toy soldier from the dollar-store and have a mini sniper match... I've yet to find anyone who doesn't enjoy knocking them down. Heck, even the wife will join in.

Kids are all grown up and living in Alberta.When we do get out there usually my son in law and I will hit the local range.Sometimes my son will tag along even though it's not high on his list.But he does seem to have fun when we are using the rim fires.Last couple of years have been tough with all the travel restrictions etc.Do mist of my paper punching on my own right now.So I thought an air rifle would be fun and a little quieter if I used it closer to the house,plus more trigger time.I am really thinking about the Synergis multi feed bottom lever.Not the best especially the scope,but should be a good introduction

 

[sillymike]

Interesting design, can't say I'm familiar with it. Interesting design and not that much $

Looking at the review on AirgunSource
- Weird that they didn't have o-rings available, with a 3 years warranty?

Not the most accurate Umarex, tried 3 different scopes put 600 pellets through it. Inner breech seal shredded. Umarex does not have replacement parts. Easy to disassemble .found O-ring that works fine accuracy a little better now. The power is outstanding

 

[hawkgt]

Interesting design, can't say I'm familiar with it. Interesting design and not that much $

Looking at the review on AirgunSource
- Weird that they didn't have o-rings available, with a 3 years warranty?

I've been in touch with one dealer in Orono.He says they have a number of them out there with no returns or issues that he is aware of.He hasn't tried the .22 but did say that .177 works well.Any of the early reviews shortly after the release they had some problems,but it appears to be sorted.Also the .177 seems to like some of the heavier pellets so a slower twist,not sure.And the scope is far from the best.Has a wire reticle so some were prone to breakage and no AO but there is a hack for that.To bad they wouldn't sell it with out.Appears that Umarex owns the rights to many of the rifles out there.From what I can gather they are not just a Distributor.The local dealer won't price match.Cabela's has it right now around 3 with free shipping.I also like the idea of a rail vs a grooved receiver.

 

[hawkgt]

Just to add if it does like the heavier pellets then the .177 would be a good choice.I'm still a little stuck on which one to get.It also appears that the newer versions have a better trigger..Down around 3 lbs to 3.5 lbs.But a little work with some 1000 grit cleans them up

 

[Grantmac]

Xisico XS46U is considered one of the better Chinese guns. Needs the power dropped down and some simple tuning all of which is well documented online.
Usually run around $250.

 

[hawkgt]

Xisico XS46U is considered one of the better Chinese guns. Needs the power dropped down and some simple tuning all of which is well documented online.
Usually run around $250.

Thanks I had looked earlier for one with no success,Also tried to find the Browning leverage with the same result.
As you said the information I did find on it seemed promising

 

[sillymike]

If you live in a "urban" environment, some of the high-speed airguns can be a little noisy.
- As in, nail-gun noisy.

 

[hawkgt]

If you live in a "urban" environment, some of the high-speed airguns can be a little noisy.
- As in, nail-gun noisy.

I have 100 acres out my garage door so should.t be a problem

 

[hawkgt]

I have 100 acres out my garage door so should.t be a problem

So I just purchased a Synergis .177 with 3 different styles of pellets.Once I get some trigger time I'll post a quick review

 

[sillymike]

 

[hawkgt]

Just want thank everyone who replied.
Gave me a lot of choices that I was never aware of and made me look a lot harder.
I have learned a fair bit and am hoping that the choice I made to start getting into this rabbit hole was a good one

 

[Jmcc]

Reviving this thread.

Insane Ammo prices have me seriously looking at adding an air rifle to the mix
Much like the OP besides a Red Ryder and a princess auto $45 break action i don't have much air experience

Anything new to the market since this was started?

Reading through this, these are the requirements i have landed on

.177
-break action
-ability for optic
-PAL (I have one so why not enjoy the extra distance i can get)
-Ready out of the box (no new trigger or other stuff required)
-Price under $500 (before glass)

 

[Maple57]

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

I've been playing around with some of the heavy .177 pellets that weigh about the same, or more than common 22 pellet's.

The advantage of heavy .177 is they have a smaller drag factor and retain speed better than 22, so flatter trajectory with comparable impact energy.

As for terminal performance, as long as it does not pass through, the damage should be comparable.

I have found the 16.2 grainers tend to have more vertical dispersion if you dont run them hard enough, but the 13.4 grainers run well even under 500 FPS with excellent accuracy.

 

[chanman]

Reviving this thread.

Insane Ammo prices have me seriously looking at adding an air rifle to the mix
Much like the OP besides a Red Ryder and a princess auto $45 break action i don't have much air experience

Anything new to the market since this was started?

Reading through this, these are the requirements i have landed on

.177
-break action
-ability for optic
-PAL (I have one so why not enjoy the extra distance i can get)
-Ready out of the box (no new trigger or other stuff required)
-Price under $500 (before glass)

Weihrauch HW30S / Beeman R7 (they're the same gun, with different branding) fits your list to a T. Easy cocking, 600-700 FPS, well-balanced and light. It feels a lot like a sporter .22 in the hand. Grooved for optics, although it does recoil enough that you should look for spring airgun rated scopes.

Adjustable open sights with 4 different notches, and a front sight tunnel with a few different inserts. The only thing is that Weihrauch shipments can be a little sporadic (D&L seem to get a shipment or two a year) and prices seem to change with each shipment as inflation is factored in. D&L Airgun have a synthetic stock model in stock right now at $450ish and I think many people have had good experiences with them, myself included.

The Canadian Airgun Forum store supposedly has wood stocked models for $325 (possibly old stock?) but I've never purchased from them before. Airgun Source has the Beeman R7 listed for $530 and are out of stock.