I'm not talkin' about the $49 walmart special, I'm talking about competetion grade pellet guns.


I figger its a good way to get some practice for my highpower shooting, without PO-ing the neighbors.

I'm completely unknowledgable, so any info you got will be appreciated, as to what to buy, pellet choices, gun choices, action types, etc etc etc.

A question about adult air rifles?  Cool!  Most of my experience has been with the sporter variety of airguns.  That is, large wooden stocked rifles rated at the highest power available.  All are spring-piston powered with an accuracy rating of .15 ctc to .25 ctc (field grade accuracy good enough for game taking).  

If you're planning on using an airgun for competition or competitive practice, the three major manufacturer/importers that stand out are Beeman's, RWS, and Walther.  They all feature airguns that are completely recoilless, nearly silent, and capable of same-hole accuracy (.04" ctc).  They may even include a sample target to let you know that if you don't achieve the rated accuracy, it's not their fault.  All such airguns will be .177 caliber.  Powerplants can be either spring piston, pre-charged pneumatic (big air tank filled from a compressor), or single pump pneumatic (like the old Daisy's and Crosman's).  

As for brands, I'm mostly familiar with Beeman because they are pretty much the Ferrari of high performance airguns.  And as you'd expect, they command a premium.  Their line of match air rifles (made by German firm Feinwerkbau) easily run over $1000.

RWS model 48 is a nice way to get rid of feral cats and rogue dogs!
Lynn  [sniper]

I've been thinking about getting a NICE airgun for backyard shootin' fun. I just wish they made rifles that looked like AR's or at least a modern military rifle version. Anyone know if these are offered?

What's a good airgun cost? Any links?

Not legal for a gunshop to sell airguns?  How about mail order?  I've got a Beeman RX-1 (.20) for $455 dropshipped to my door.

Possibly helpful airgun sites:

http://www.airgunsusa.com/pdf.html

http://www.straightshooters.com/ssmenu.html

http://www.airgunstore.com/FRAMES.HTM

Depending on what you're looking for, sporters with good muzzle velocity (900 fps and higher for .177 caliber) are available as low as $150.  BTW, I'm not talking about low quality Chinese crap.  RWS, Beeman, Gamo, and Webley all offer quality products.  With the right ammunition, all are capable of dispatching vermin at 50-75 feet.

The internet has been wonderfully useful for finding shops speciallizing in adult air rifles at less than retail.
===============================================

BigDozer, thanks for that link.  I'd forgotten about them.  And damn, I guess I've been out of the loop on prices for too long.  An RX-1 retails for almost $600?  Ouch.  

The used gun and blemished gun section can be a great source for airguns.  My first real airgun was a Beeman/Webley Vulcan from Beeman's blemished list in 1981.  I still have it to this day and still can't find where that blemish is.

Try [url]www.airgunexpress.com[/url]. They have the best selection and prices that I have seen.
Lynn   [sniper]

Anyone ever heard of a Brocock??

I was going to be a distributer...

Never panned out... [:(]

oneshot1kill,

     Lets make a deal.

I get you a pellet gun and you get me an AR.

Deal?

I've had/have a couple of nice airguns.

Had a Beeman R-8 and P-1 (made the mistake of selling them).

Have a BSA Supersport and FWB 300S.  The 300S is about a 15-20 year old Olympic level match design (the newer guns are pneumatic instead of spring piston) but is capable of phenomenal accuracy.  The Supersport is very accurate and fun to shoot.  

It is an excellent way to practice trigger control, etc.  

Get a box (heavy plastic or wood, about the size of a Shoe Box).  Fill it with plumbers putty, and you have an excellent pellet stop.  

Precision Sales usually has good prices on the BSA guns--

[url]http://www.precision-sales.com[/url]

If you really want to get serious about it, and spend the bucks on a custom made big bore air rifle, check out this guy.

[url]http://www.glbarnes.com/index.html[/url]

Another Custom Shop.

[url]//www.mac1airgun.com/[/url]

I got interested in air rifles a while back.  There are forums out there with guys just as involved in their hobby as the guys around here.  These guys take it dead serious.

[url]//www.delphi.com/n/main.asp?webtag=maccari&nav=start[/url]


I have a bunch of additional links, if you get bored.  :^)  I was on the verge of spending some big dough on this hobby, when all of a sudden I realized that I would prefer to spend the cabbage on the real deal.

[url]//www.straightshooters.com/[/url]
[url]//www.pyramidair.com/site/[/url]
[url]//216.122.173.107/AIRGUNS.htm[/url]

Same here.  I love my RWS.  I have put more rounds through it than I can imagine.  Sent it back to RWS about 6 years ago and they completely rebuilt it, free of charge. They even paid for return shipping. Can't say that I have shot cats or dogs with it, but squirrels and crows are no problem.  

OK, GOOD INPUTS. BUT ONE QUESTION IS STILL PLAGUEING ME -

Cocking mechanisms. What's the best???

I have a cheapie barrel break, but it is nearly impossible to cock it while prone.

One guy tells me side cockers are usually inaccurate.

Right now I'm thinking it'll either be Beeman R9 or the RWS 46. I've got about $250 to spend.

Keep feeding me info - I'm learning.

Sidecockers not accurate?  Depends on the manufacturer.  The outstanding FWB 300S that AFARR has is a recoilless sidecocker.  The Beeman R9 or RWS will work.  You know, they used to say the same thing about barrel cocking airguns; they're not accurate because barrel might be on a different plane from the receiver.  Either idea is moot given the advances made in airgun manufacturing.  The only other thing I can think of is cocking force.  Some of these suped-up airguns have cocking forces in excess of 40 lbs.  While I'm not suggesting that you're a wimp or anything, cocking it 50 or 60 times, especially prone, might become bothersome.  

I use a Hammerli AR50 air rifle with an aluminum stock. Cocking is not an issue as it runs on a 3000 psi air tank that screws into the stock. With a full tank you get about 200 shots. It came with a target that had a 10 shot group the size of one pellet.

Airguns are great practice and lots of rainy day basement fun.  Crossman used to make an inexpensive set of steel silhouette targets that will last a lifetime, and are great practice.

They (airguns) have another very useful purpose.  Getting people addicted to shooting.  This is how I got my father-in-law hooked.

People who would never accept an invitation to spend an afternoon at the range with you will step down to the basement and give a "BB gun" a try, especially women.  It's very non-threatening.  

Here are a few hints:

Start with safety.  Don't assume they know.  Newbies will be more likely to relax and enjoy if they feel secure.  Give 'em the same lecture (short form) you would for any firearm.  Use eye protection.  Make sure the newbie understands the controls of the gun, and how to make it safe.

Before the first shot is fired make sure they grasp the basics.  Sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control.  Don't overload them with a long lecture on natural point of aim, and breath control.  They should be shooting from a rest, so just the basics will do.

Set 'em up for success.  Let them sit, and give them a rifle/pistol rest.  The objective is not to test strength, but to provide a positive experience.  Have a variety of target sizes available.  Start on a large "can't miss" target, and as they get better progress to the next size smaller.  Don't skip a size.  A feeling of progress is a powerful motivator.

Use reactive targets.  Punching paper is great practice, but the significance of printing a small group is frequently lost on the newbie, whereas a target that falls over/down, spins or rings provides instant positive feedback.  If you're shooting in a place where you can stand a little mess, try shooting Necco candy wafers.  They are cheap and very reactive.

Be very complimentary and encouraging.  Compliment a string of hits, even if it's just three.  As the string of hits grows (remember start on a can't miss size) grow more excited.  Your enthusiasm will be infectious.  Stress their progress.  Make at least a mental note of progress during this first session.  For instance; if the newbie was hitting 4 out of ten times on the middle size target at the beginning of the session and was hitting 8 or 9 out of ten by the end, make a big deal of it.  

Keep it light, it's OK to joke about how good the newbie is.  Remember this is the "County Fair Shootin' Gallery" not the sniper duel of Stalingrad.  Refrain from using terms like "number of kills".  Lots of people who would love to plink would never hunt.

Quit early.  Leave 'em wanting more.  Quit at the first sign of fatigue.  Finish on a positive note.

Invite the newbie to the range for a little 22lr action.  

Have fun!

I have an old Sheridan pump from the 70's. POS or worth keeping?

I have a Gamo Hunter 440, This one will give those RWS, Beeman and Walthers a run for there money. Quality air rifle. Accurate too. Alot of people do not realize the skill required shoot and air rifle. Follow thru is important. I kinda miss shooting my Air rifle it just has a great feeling to it.


Six

If the Sheridan works okay, you might as well keep it.  I seem to recall that either Sheridan or Benjamin used a proprietary pellet size.  Instead of .177, it was more like .180.  

I remember the good old days as a teenager shooting my Beeman in the basement.  Trying to hit a bullseye the size of a pencil point proved maddening sometimes.

================================================

Golgo-13??  The Professional?!?!

I have a Webley Tempest that I enjoy shooting in the game room or on the deck.

I only use them to shoot cats[:)]

Wadman, the Sheridan uses a 5mm pellet. It's been sitting in my closet for 20 years along with an old Charter Arms AR-7. Too many guns, to little time. :)

I used to shoot a Benjamin .22 pellet rifle that my friend had.

oneshot1kill,

Get him a Chipmonk .22.  I got one for my boy, He's 2yrs but I'm taking care of it for him.
8 yrs he ought to be old enough to shoot it with your supervision.

Mattja;

5mm in the Sheridan?  Well you're in luck then.  There's lots of styles of 5mm/.20 pellets now.  The only downside is that your airgun takes something like 15 to 20 pumps to achieve full power and might not look as sexy as the newer models.  But for plain old plinking fun, it'll get the job done.

If you want the best deal on Air Rifles and Pellets this is the sight.


http://www.airgunsusa.com/

Very good company. By the way does anybody know the rules regarding Air rifles in Canada?


Six

Have been majorly into airguns for years, I have upwards of twenty, and have owned quite a few more in the past. Some costing three times what my AR cost me. Have a complete shooting gallery in my backyard, with dozens of spinner targets of various designs. I also have reccomendations for guns that are ideal for practising position shooting, and highpower. First, check out the following talk boards and sites, do some reading, and if you have any questions, email me, and I'll try to answer them best I can.

http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/79537

http://forums.delphi.com/n/main.asp?webtag=maccari&nav=start&sigdir=maccari

http://www.straightshooters.com/chat/

http://talk.shooters.com/room_9/topics.cfm

http://groups.google.com/groups?oi=djq&as_ugroup=alt.sport.air-guns

http://www.airguns.net/

http://www.airgunletter.net/

http://www.delphi.com/n/main.asp?webtag=FieldTarget&nav=start

http://www.mac1airgun.com/

I have more, but these should be a good start, these have loads of airgun info to absorb.