Advise on .22 Air Rifle Selection

[vincewarde]

I am considering purchasing an air rifle that will be used for two purposes:

1) Hunting - Here in California it is legal to hunt the thousands of turkeys infesting our suburban/rural neighborhood with airguns .20 Cal or larger.  Hence the requirement for .22 cal.

2) Indoor target shooting

I have been considering two models:

1) Benjamin 392

Advantages: Cost, can use standard optics (right?), variable power
Disadvantages: No noise suppression, must pump more than once per shot

2) Gamo Whisper

Advantages: Noise suppression, easier to reload/cock for next shot
Disadvantages: Cost (double), fixed power, must use air gun optics, may need to upgrade trigger and/or spring, quality not as good.

Does anyone have input for me?

Thanks!

[mcwoodduck]

I have a Gamo in .177 and it took a while to find the right pellets inorder to get the accuracy down to acceptable for me.
Personally,
I have changed to CCI CB longs out of a 22LR rifle for quiet and accurate.  The CB longs out of my Cz 452 is quieter than the 177 pellet rifle and with a flick of the wrist I can have a second round where it is a fumble to get the second round into the break barrel gamo.
I did find a cheap tube fed 22 rifle and had a 2X pistol scope on it and sighted it in for the 22 CB longs.
We call it CDG click ding giggle.  All you hear is the click of the firing pin, the ding of the steel gong, and everyone out at the range that has shot it starts to giggle.  But it kills rabbits and ground squirrles and can go to standard long Rifle ammo for larger critters like Coyote and the 40 grain match or the 60 grain aguilla SSS ammo is still really quiet.

[Graybeard]

The only .22 caliber air rifle I ever owned was a Crossman many many long years ago when I was still in my teens. That was in the days before all the big three became one. These days Crossman, Sheridan and Benjamin are all owned by the same folks. I don't think they even use the Crossman name anymore but am not sure.

I've owned several Sheridan Blue Streaks always in .20 but they are now making them in .22. I have to say that would be my first choice altho I think the Benjamin you mention really is the same as the Sheridan if I recall correctly.

[bilmac]

I have heard that the pneumatic guns have a limited lifespan, thatover time the seals will crack in them.

[lamerabbit]

Buy the best you can afford, as the difference is beyond what you can imagine.  the lowest price gun that I would buy is the RWS 34.  If you can find a used FX, or such buy that.  I had all the spring guns, and the gas rams, and the pump up, Bennie, Sher. and so on, but they cannot compare to a good precharged Daystate, Air Arms and so on. 

However, what ever you buy, get only the best pellets, JSB, domes, and or Crosman Premier's, don't waste your money on the other pellets, as they are not designed for velocity retention, BC value, and will not be as accurate at the longer distances, so don’t waste your money...

Jim

[tangob5]

If I were to buy a .22 cal air rifle it woud be a RWS either a 350 or 460.  I own 2 RWS's (aka Diana) and they are one of the best spring guns you can own.  As a friend once lamented after shooting my old style model 45 you could shoot through a keyhole and not mess up the lock.

[vincewarde]

I have used CB caps in the past and I know how quiet they can be - but both applications I have in mind seem to preclude them as an option.  First, shooting indoors in my townhome is probably a  bad idea.  If I had a basement, maybe.  Second, the game laws do not allow .22s for turkey - only airguns.  Fish and Game changed the regs specifically to allow hunting in built up areas.

At this point I think I will go with the Benjamin 392.  From what I have read the quality is better than Gamo, and all I would have to buy is an intermount and the gun.  Oh, I might have to pop for a cheekpiece too.  I have lots of optics that I can use on it, but I would have to buy something for a springer.  As far as pumping, I will keep the scope short (most likely a red dot) and only use 2 pumps when shooting inside.  Pumping the full 8 won't be a problem when hunting or sighting in for hunting.

What do you folks think of this plan?

Thanks!

[Totenkopf]

 Also a lot of folks don't tell you springers are hold sensitive. With the huge spring releasing and the time it takes for the pellet to get out it takes a while to get used to. It's kind of like resting the rifle on top of your hand instead of holding it. Barrel brake in may take 500-1000 rounds before they settle into a  fantastic group. The 392 is fine. Just store it not with 1 pump and oil with synthetic lube. It should last a few generations. They are tack drivers and powerful enough for hunting.
 There is a new Benjamin out that takes CO2, or you can buy the pump and all. It is about double. A bit pricey, but half the cost of it's competitors. Rated at 900 fps in 22. I'm going to pick one up after Christmas. If you decide to hold out a week or two I can give you a report.

[vincewarde]

I actually did learn about "springers" and their hold requirements - and that was a big factor in my decision.  The main reason I'm getting this air gun is to practice shooting skills that I can use on my conventional rifles, not learn what will be bad habits for firearms.

As for more air guns, although my wife is into shooting too (praise God!), we are pushing 30 guns in the safes and it might be hard to sell her on another air gun

Has anyone done business with Airgundepot.com or PyranydAir.com?  Feedback would be appreciated!

[JD]

 Not trying to be a smarta$$, but there is a lot of information available in the postings throughout the airgun forum itself.
 All the manufacturers have a line of scopes capable of withstanding the dual recoil of an air rifle. Just find your price point!
 It is recommended to store a pump up air rifle with 1-2 pumps in it. Use a good synthetic lube on the pivot points before a shooting session and NEVER use any kind of oil in the air hole.
 JSB Exacts, Crosman Premiers, and Beeman Kodiaks will likely be your most accurate pellets. Also remember that in a pump up; the heavier the pellet the better the gun will perform in regards to power(energy) produced.

I guess it is ok to mention other sites that are airgun specific so to find out more about Benjamins and Sheridans than even the manufacturer knows; try this site:

                                          www.mac1airgun.com

[Okie2]

You might consider up-grading to a pcp.  The Benjamin Discovery in .22 is a wicked little air rifle capable of 1" groups at 50 yards.... Is very effective on game & can easily be "quieted" down (legally).  The gun runs about $250 tuned & $400 with pump (high pressure "bicycle" pump).   Any gun you get should have optics for hunting purposes...you need to be accurate when shooting a 16 grain pellet.  Good luck. Scott