Accurate PAL-less rifle for a decent price

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Mammoth

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Okay, my dad and I think it would be fun for me to try some target shooting, he doesn't have a PAL and I doubt he'd apply for one just to buy me guns. So besides going to a range and renting, airguns are the way to go. So what I'd like to know is the most accurate (And customizable, I suppose) airgun with a reasonable price. I suppose the best in each price range (Less than $200, Less than $400, less than $750, unlimited) would be good to know. Any other things I should think about?
 
For target shooting, actual paper targets, the Daisy 853C (Canadian version, to get under the 500fps velocity) is about the cheapest price of admission, for a quality accurate shooter. Take a look at D&L Airguns site. Used by the Cadet's for their marksmanship programs.

For plinking, shooting at 'recreational' targets, on the other hand, look at the Crosman lines, particularly the 2289 carbine.

Cheers
Trev
 
Moo said:
Its $347 Canadian retail!

Are you sure its the cheapest decent air rifle?
Click to expand...

For target shooting, yes.

The other options start to slow down at about the $3000 mark, kitted out. For decent and better target air rifles.

How long is string? Same kind of question. Guy said he wanted a target gun, a decent one, and cheap. $350 IS cheap. Lothar Walther barrels are good! Target sights, even cheap (ish) ones, are not cheap to make, and in a word full of crappy grade plastic junk, this one has a wood stock on it, as well as a proven track record.

Like I suggested. If cheap and nasty, mod's and readily available, are the priorities, and "targets" is stuff like tin cans, then the Crosman 2289 carbine fits. CTire, about $120.

The QB target version would be OK, as would a lot of others, but the question lacks a whole lot of info, so he gets what he gets. More info (like a realistic budget, some idea of expected "targets", facilities available, etc.) would get better answers.

Maybe you and he would be better off hanging with the kiddies on the Canadian Airgun Forum.

Cheers
Trev
 
$347 isn't horribly expensive, maybe I'll get the Crosman first and ease my way into the better stuff.

By target shooting, I mean paper. If I'm good then I'll get a better rifle, but until then I'd like something to find out with.
 
DON'T BUY A PUMPMASTER FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!!!!!
:D:D:D



They look cool, but they are a big letdown. The Crosman pumpmaster was my first air rifle, and I was very disapointed.


Here is my opinion on a good rifle to get.

As I had similar priorities to you (low cost and reasonable accuracy and reliability, just to start getting into things), my second air rifle was a Hammerli 490 Express.

It is a break barrel air rifle, that shoots at 495 feet/ second, so it is totally legal even without a PAL.

It has iron sights, but also has scope mounts built in, so if you want you can put a cheap $40 scope on for a bit of fun. The solid feeling wood stock is a nice bonus.

Accuracy at 15 meters was about 1/2 inch groups with the cheap pellets, and 1/8 inch groups with match pellets.

At prices between $89 to $140 bucks, depending on where you buy from, it is a bargain.

There are plenty of suppliers of it in Canada, with Bass Pro being the biggest that I know of.


links (take out the space between the "h ttp" for it to work)


h ttp://airgunstyle.com/product_info.php?products_id=724

h ttp://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/01/hammerli-490-part-1-another-great-youth.html

h ttp://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/01/hammerli-490-part-2-another-great-youth.html
 
along the lines of the 853, for a little less he could get the cheaper version, the 953. same action with different sights, barrel, and stock.
PICT5645.jpg
 
Is there anywhere here in Calgary that sells junior Walther air rifles? Wayne from Paper Puncher suspects that the junior series don't require a PAL.
 
The Slavia 630 or 631 are excellent rifles for recreational target shooting.
If you want to go competition shooting the Daisy 853C suggested above
seems to be the way to go.

I would stay away from co2 guns as they aren't cheap to feed. Plus I don't
like storing them if not empty of co2. Not as practical as a spring gun or a
pneumatic gun.

Jocelyn.
 
i bought a Slavia 630 .177 cal break barrel air rifle a couple of years back from Canadian Tire it cost me about $190. It's a good rifle not that plastic junk and shoots just under 500fps. Its a very durable rifle and weighs about 5-6 lbs.
 
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Agree about the Slava 630. Another question I'd encourage you to think about is the powerplant involved. Do you want break barrel or CO2 or pump? (another option is the PCP pre-charged tank but there are not that many of those around). This is important to consider, in my view, as it will affect your enjoyment and depending on your strength and physique, your shot. I knew of a fella who was, in general, a great shot with CO2 rifles, but really had a hard time with break barrels. He thinks it is due to cocking effort and he's not the strongest guy in the world. I'm not either, but it's not much of a consideration for me, but I'd put a pump gun like the 2289 at the bottom of the three types since I just don't like pumping.

I had a Crosman Phantom that was a decent shot, but it had some latch issues.
 
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