PAL Req'd Airguns

[djmay71]

So, I don't know what happened- but I got a sudden hankering for airguns. Since I've owned an air rifle for 2 years, I took it out and shot it a little.
As fun as it was to shoot for pennies per round, I felt like I wanted more out of my rifle: better styling, better accuracy, more power....

Which got me posting this dual-pronged question here:

Where on CGN could a person post an ad to sell airguns? Is it still in the "All Other Stuff" or did you guys finally get your own dedicated section yet? As well, can you reccommend me a good PAL req'd airgun in the $200-400 price range for plinking, and maybe even reaching out for some long distance nuisance animal shots? Preferably something semi-auto, but I'd be able to accept a single action.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Personally, I'd either get a 22 cal RWS Diana break action spring gun ($350.00) (the simplest one stop solution) or a Hatsan At-44 precharged pneumatic ($350 gun, $150 used scuba tank, $50 adapter and hose). There's also the Benjamin Discovery and Hammerli Pneuma, all around the same price. I went with the pcp gun and think its the greatest. Light trigger, no recoil, extremely accurate. 970 fps with a 22 cal pellet, and no pumping or cocking.

 

[djmay71]

Personally, I'd either get a 22 cal RWS Diana break action spring gun ($350.00) (the simplest one stop solution) or a Hatsan At-44 precharged pneumatic ($350 gun, $150 used scuba tank, $50 adapter and hose). There's also the Benjamin Discovery and Hammerli Pneuma, all around the same price. I went with the pcp gun and think its the greatest. Light trigger, no recoil, extremely accurate. 970 fps with a 22 cal pellet, and no pumping or cocking.

Forgive my ignorance, but how the heck does a PCP work again?
Its 0520 here, and I have two hours to go....

BTW- Hearing crickets much in the Airgun section- sheesh!

 

[rugerjack]

X2 on the Diana or HW they are great just grab a tin of pellets and go also a a good work out if you shoot the whole tin.
I like your Hatsan how many full power shots per fill and how many fills per tank do you get?
Can you adjust those rifles for less power more shots per fill?

 

[Grizzlypeg]

ON a pcp gun, that large diameter tube you see beneath the barrel is holding high pressure air as the source of propulsion. You fill it with either a scuba tank or pump to approx 3000 psi. Depending on the gun and the configuration for feet per second,you get anywhere from 40 - 150 good velocity shots per fill. Mayby 8-10 fills off a scuba tank that cost $5 to fill.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

X2 on the Diana or HW they are great just grab a tin of pellets and go also a a good work out if you shoot the whole tin.
I like your Hatsan how many full power shots per fill and how many fills per tank do you get?
Can you adjust those rifles for less power more shots per fill?

When I count shots, I'm counting chronographed shots that fall in a decent range of velocity of no more than 10 percent variance. When you fill the tank to 2900 psi, the initial velocity is actually lower, and it rises as pressure drops, then eventually falls as pressure falls below 1000 psi.

With the lowest velocity valve stem, you can easily shoot 150 shots. That would be at a velocity of around 350 fps. Great for indoor target shooting, even at 20 yards.

Bumped up to around 700-800 fps, you can get 70 shots that fall in that range.

Bumped up to peak power, peaking around 970 fps, you can get 30-40 shots that fall within 10 percent variance, but a whole lot more if you don't care that velocity is falling below 800 fps.

There's 2 easy ways to vary the power. One is irreversable, and involves modifying the valve stem. It gives the greatest boost in power. The second method is changing the tension on the hammer spring, and is easy to adjust with an allen key or two, and is also needed if you want the maximum power.

 

[djmay71]

ON a pcp gun, that large diameter tube you see beneath the barrel is holding high pressure air as the source of propulsion. You fill it with either a scuba tank or pump to approx 3000 psi. Depending on the gun and the configuration for feet per second,you get anywhere from 40 - 150 good velocity shots per fill. Mayby 8-10 fills off a scuba tank that cost $5 to fill.

Thanks for the info Grizz.
I think I'm going to lean towards the high power break barrels or side levers. The NPSS (from Crosman or Remington?) looks interesting, although I'm not going to eliiminate the PCP as an option.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

The spring powered guns are just so much simpler, so I can see the appeal. Get reviews of the one your interested in before you buy it. Me, I already had a scuba tank, so that made the decision easier.

 

[vangarreth]

I'm looking into the Benjamin Trail NP XL for my first PAL req. airgun. Seems pretty solid, got to hold and fondle the 495 fps. version in wholesale sports the other day and it seems like a quality platform. D&L Airgun and Airgunsource.com both have them. Rated at 1100 fps. comes with a 3-9X 40mm AO scope. They've got a nice bull barrel too, ambidextrous stock with a raised cheek piece and nice checkering. Only thing I've heard bad about them is the trigger, but apparently Charlie de Tuna makes an upgraded trigger.
I'm curious if anyone has experience with this model airgun...

 

[djmay71]

I'm looking into the Benjamin Trail NP XL for my first PAL req. airgun. Seems pretty solid, got to hold and fondle the 495 fps. version in wholesale sports the other day and it seems like a quality platform. D&L Airgun and Airgunsource.com both have them. Rated at 1100 fps. comes with a 3-9X 40mm AO scope. They've got a nice bull barrel too, ambidextrous stock with a raised cheek piece and nice checkering. Only thing I've heard bad about them is the trigger, but apparently Charlie de Tuna makes an upgraded trigger.
I'm curious if anyone has experience with this model airgun...

Currently digging the non-XL version, the Benjamin Trail NP All-Weather, with the black thumbhole stock from D&L. Haven't been able to fondle 1st hand, but a buddy of mine says he loves it. My only worry is that I won't like the thumbhole stock, as I've never handled a thumbhole stock before.
BUT- there's always a first.
BTW- vangarreth: you looking at the 22C version? I was considering a 22C, but seeing as I currently have nearly 5000 rounds of 177C ammo (of various makes), it'd be the most economical.
Also- check out my WTS ad in the applicable section of the EE for my sub 500fps airgun, so I can fund and justify buying a new one.

 

[canadiansurvivor]

Just ordered my first PAL required airgun.

I ordered the Gamo silent stalker in .22. I've got a benjamin in .22 at 495 fps I've had for years but shooting past 40 yards there's quite a drop.

Anyone have/hear anything about the Gamo silent Stalker in .22 (975 fps)?

Anyone like or dislike the New Inert Gas Technology used in these rifles?

Wanted the socom extreme but didnt have 500 bucks to spend considering my RPAL just showed up in the mail and I've got some purchases to make

EDIT: I heard the stock scope is bad, I will just put the one on my benjamin on it instead.

 

[regulate34]

all i will say is dont waste time with ruger airhawk's. first one the barrel would not come to vertical for lock up and with the scope maxed i was 8in low at 15yrds. took it back and got another one. got it close to being sighted in and the cheep scope rings break. finaly got ned rings and go it dialed in. trigger is crappy and it heavy as hell

 

[vangarreth]

Nope, just the standard .22 is the one I'm after. Considerred the .25 but it's hard to find ammo, worst comes to worst I can always pop down to Crappy Tire and I've got .22 pellets. The thumbhole stock feels more like a pistol grip the way it sits. Very ergonomic. The wooden one seems less so. But I've got a hard on for the XL, advertising 1100 fps... probably closer to 1000 with 16 grain pellets.