New to pellet rifles - looking for advice

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Potashminer

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So, not new to firearms, shooting or reloading; usually get in from 200 to 500 centerfires rounds a year (mostly 7.62 NATO, 30-06, 8x57, 338 Win Mag, 9.3x62, and lately 375 H&H) but my last use of a "pellet gun" was a break action .177 on magpies at my uncle's farm during the 1960's. I am thinking I would shoot more, especially in winter, if I had a "good" pellet rifle.
I would want real decent trigger - say breaking at 3 pounds or so - single or two stage won't matter. I can still see a 1/4" dot across the area I would be shooting - my heated garage - so I would be needing 1/4" or less group capability at, say, 8 or 9 meters (25 to 30 feet). I would likely shoot outside on nice days other than in winter - I live in rural Manitoba, but don't really want to bother neighbours with noise from rimfires or centerfires. The rifle won't be scoped - must be set up for rear aperture sight - as a dedicated paper target rifle, I would probably want an aperture front sight. I am envisioning mainly standing offhand shooting.
So, with a budget of, say, $C 500-ish, what am I looking for?? PCP or springer or ??? .177 or .22 or ??? Brand and models, please, and why you recommend that. My dollar limit is flexible, within reason.
Thanks for your time to reply.
 
I like my Weihrauch HW50, and hear good things about the smaller HW30.

These are German spring guns with nice triggers and moderate power.

I chose .177 because of the flatter trajectory at the 35 yard distances that squirrels come around the house.

I was happy enough with the open sights that came on the rifle, but have recently put a medium power scope on top. The optic was from a long forgotten build, so it was 'free'. Not all optics are springer friendly, so use caution.

I got mine from a mail order shop called D&L, and have used AGS also.
 
Daisy (Avanti) 783 is made for the type of shooting you've mentioned, aperture rear/front sights. Accuracy is very impressive with these. Single stroke, compressed air but not a PCP rifle.
 
I have the HW30, love it, very small and light, great trigger. I have many other bigger quality guns but I usually grab the HW30. Why? Virtually no cocking effort, you will not get tired cocking and holding it to shoot like you will with some of the bigger guns. Also great for the wife to shoot and any kids. It .177 for flatter shooting, Im only shooting out to 25 yards. Handy for that odd pesky squirrel that might be bothering you.
 
I second the Daisy Avanti. It fits what you want to do exactly.

A full powered springer is overkill for the ranges you wish to use and lead dust will become a concern at higher velocities. They are also heavy for offhand shooting.

If you go PCP route get one with adjustable power so you can dial it down. 500-600fps is where Olympic 10m competitors live. Google 10m air rifles and you will get an idea... but you are into $$$. The Daisy is huge value in this space.

I have a few air rifles. For the 10m work I use my Hatsan AT44 non-PAL (<500fps) PCP. Quiet, lots of shots on a fill and more accurate than I am. Get a .177 as ammo is a bit cheaper and for paper punching it doesn't make a difference. My favorite air rifle is my HW97- but it doesn't come out inside. Too loud, too hard to #### and too hard to stop pellets. My $0.02.
 
I'm a springer (or nitro-piston) fan. PCP's have a lot of great qualities, but a completely self-contained gun like a springer just fits my idea of what an airgun is. Old-fashioned, I guess.

And, while I agree that .177 is at least as good as .22 for close-range targeting as you describe, I'll just suggest that the .22 is much easier to handle with cold hands, or with gloves on, if you think you will be shooting outside in winter a lot.
 
Springers are good but can be frustrating, they are hard on scopes and have a learning curve to get the proper hold for best accuracy. Compressed gas rifles are easier to shoot accurately but co2 come with temperature concerns, pcp are best for high power but need more investment to get that air in the gun. Sub 500fps guns are good out to maybe 35yds max for consistant accuracy.
For basement or garage shooting sub 500 is best and although Ive never handled one those Daisy Avantis sound pretty good.
I am in the processs of building myself a Crossman 2240 based carbine for indoor and warm weather shooting.
Money talks with airguns, they are generally already more expensive than powder burners in the first place and you usually have to pick the good ones up on line, if you lived near Peterborough you could go to Airgun Sources store and handle some good ones.
They are also on line. Here are some links.
https://www.airgunsource.ca/en/
https://www.airgunforum.ca/store/
http://www.scopesandammo.com/storefront/
http://www.canadashootingsupply.ca/
https://dlairgun.com/
Ive dealt with them all and they have all been good to me, however contacting them about actual delivery and return costs beforehand is a good idea.
 
I just picked up a diana chaser. Very light weight pistol/rifle in .22 cal. It is co2 powered. Extremely accurate and a really fun gun. Easily modified to get more power. My rifle is 650 fps now. Not expensive. I am so happy with it.
 
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