Thoughts on the Gamo Big Cat 22 cal?

[Muskyhunter1]

I am looking to spend about $200.00 for a 22 cal springer to keep at camp for hunting and pest control. I have a beautiful RWS Diana 48 springer in 177 cal that is a really nice rifle, but heavy and too nice to leave at the cabin.

I have been eyeing the Gamo Big Cat Combo .22 Cal and the Ruger Air Magnum and can't decide which one.

The Gamo Big Cat usually comes with the following for about $200.00:

950 ft/sec - that is rocking.
Single-shot
Breakbarrel
.22 calibre (5.5mm)
2-stage adjustable trigger
All weather synthetic Monte Carlo stock
Includes 4x32 scope and mount
Includes PBA Platinum ammo

The Ruger Air Magnum Combo .22 Cal has the following for about $220:

1200 ft/sec - that is screaming.
Ruger Air Magnum
.22 calibre (5.5mm)
Spring-piston
Breakbarrel
All-weather synthetic stock
Ambidextrous - love this fact.
Rubber recoil pad
Automatic safety
Two-stage adjustable trigger
Fiber optic front & rear sights
Integrated Weaver/Picatinny scope rail
42 lbs cocking effort
Includes 4x32 scope & rings

I like the fact the Ruger is Ambidextrous and the FPS.

For those who have either, what was the accuracy like (keeping in mind I am not a formal target shooter)?

Being left handed does the Monte Carlo stock of the Gamo create a problem?

I am looking for a work horse rifle so are they fairly well built?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[idontknowjack]

Keep in mind, that is "950 with PBA ammo". The last thing I would be shooting in any springer is PBA ammo. Might as well dry fire it. Specs don't look too bad, but I would consider parts availability should something break.

On sale you can grab a crosman phantom .22 for $99. Simple spring upgrade can get you in the 700fps range and parts are available from Gravel.

Edit: This copy/paste from pyramyd will answer your stock question... "The Monte Carlo buttstock has a raised cheekpiece on each side, making this gun ideal for right- or left-handed shooters."

 

[Muskyhunter1]

Thanks idontknowjack.

 

[kodiakjack]

Well, I guess somebody's gotta be "that guy" so why not me?

If you like the specs of the crossman, but not the price, why not just pick up a .22lr rifle for half the cost?

Both are non restricted firearms, and need to be stored/transported as such. Both throw a .22cal piece of lead up to 1200fps. Both are just as loud.

Some benefits of the .22lr:

-cheaper
-more availability/variety
-fewer moving parts (reliable)
-diverse ammo (from weak sauce CBs to minimags and even shot shells)
-more accurate for the layman (springers get harder to shoot as the fps goes up)
-not as hard on scopes (single, linear recoil vs back/forward/back)
-throws a heavier .22cal piece of lead than the springer at the same speed or higher
-.22 can be quite a bit quieter if using CBs or CCI Quiets


So why not a .22lr rifle?

If your answer is "because I want a pellet rifle. Not a .22rl rifle", that's a totally legitimate and understandable answer. I'm just throwing the question out there.

Cheers, and good luck in your search.

 

[Muskyhunter1]

Kodiak,

I hear you loud and clear but I have a number of 22 lr. I went air rifle hunting pigeons in the fall with my Son and we had a ball. I have a cabin with other cabins in the area. A really quiet, yet powerful air rifle would be something that would be a lot of fun at camp.

I was at shop today eyeballing a Benjamin Trial NP and the Clerk asked if I wanted to fire it? I went to the back of the store and fired it a couple of times and nobody in the store heard a thing. There is a reason why they are so popular in Europe.

Thanks for your feedback.