looking at buying a pellet rifle

[superdown]

I am looking to buy a 17/22 cal single pump break style pellet rifle for target practice / varmint controll around the yard etc. I have been looking at the beeman 17/22 combo with a 4x32 scope and the crossman 17cal 1200 fps with a 3-9x40 scope. The one thing I am curious about is the crossman says it gets 1200fps with the lead free pellets and the beeman doesnt say that but it advertises 1000fps , so what i am thinking is that the beeman would do same as the crossman with the lead free pellets ? Anyone have either one or have any other good suggestion for an under $200 gun thats all my budget will allow me at this time. thanks

[securitysix]

I don't have either one, but I will say that the Beeman should be able to do the same as the Crossman with the lead free pellets.  The 1000 FPS with the Beeman is with some particular lead pellet or another, though I wouldn't even try to guess which one.

[jamaldog87]

don't use those lead free pellest. Some are so light they break up on impact with the game or wounds the game. also unless you use very heavy pellets if you go faster then 1000fps you lose all accuracy.  I would choose the the gun with the 3-9x cuase some time you need more power and i have not hear good things about the beeman 17/22 combo.

[mcwoodduck]

I have one of the Gamo rifles in .177.  I had to change the scope to a Bushnell from the BSA that came with the gun.  The rifle killed the scope as it was not made for it.  What ever scope you want make sure it is an air rifle pump or you will have to replace it after a short time.
I have shot the different pellets.  the Gamo pellets were pretty good.  the lead sabot with the plastic skirt were not as good for me.
It did take me a while to find the right pellet.  Mine likes the heavy 9.3 grain RWS pellets.  But even the crossman 760 or daisey 880 will kill small game and vermin.  The 1000 FPS is based on the standard 7.2 grain pellet.  Heavier pellets will be slower and lighter will be faster.  That is how the no lead pellets or the plastic skirts will be faster.  They weight 5 to 6 grains.
I have never shot mine through a chronoghaph to see how fast the pellet was moving but wanted to see how consistant the shots were to each other.  mine is pretty good.  about 10 to 12 FPS difference in the big swing.  I think that has more to do with the pellet than anything else.

[S.S.]

I have several air rifles including the  Beeman mentioned above.
The .177 shoots fast but not nearly the impact of the .22.
It has taken over 500 shots to smooth the trigger up but it is now
a great shooter.. Just tighten the barrel retention screw regularly,
it will vibrate loose after a couple of dozen shots enough for accuracy to suffer.
I too have not been impressed with the lead free projectiles. The Raptor
pellets from my beeman are as loud or louder than a .22 short! I am an accuracy
fanatic though and Speedy is not always better for this. The air rifle I have
had the most success with is a Co2 Crosman Pellmaster 700 in .22 Caliber.
Muzzle velocity is less than 500 fps but those pellets go exactly where they are
supposed to go. A serious Squirrel killer.

[fatoldfool]

I spent a few more bucks for an RWS Diana model 46. It is deadly when I do my part. I have a straight 4x Russian 1" tube air rifle scope on it. It has been dependable through over 1500 shots. I have had good luck with the Chinese "Viper" pellets, but can't find any more of them in .22

[jamaldog87]

i have been doing good varmint hunting with pump up guns. I have used a 760,2200,766,664  and they do the job for me up to 40 yards.  Still i would go with the crosman cuase from the people i have talk to it's a very good gun.

[superdown]

what do you guy use when going after rabbit as far as pellet size? i see that the 22cal may be the way to go also what is the effective range you have been able to get out of your rifle .

[mcwoodduck]

Rabbits I use the standard load for my rifle.  With me its the .177 9.3 grain target pellet.
As far as range.  I have shot at crows in the trees 30 yards away that went down.
And crows are really hard to kill with all of the feathers and the wings that cover the vitals.  A good hit on a rabbit will have them down on the first shot.

[S.S.]

I use the Daisy "Precision Max" flat nose pellet in my .22 calibers
and the Cylindrical pellets in my .20 caliber Sheridan.
I have made some pretty long shots with my Sheridans. I am not
going to put the distances because I had no witnesses or proof..

[superdown]

I went to a local sporting goods shop (sportco) and was looking at the gamo big cat 177 with a scope for a little under $150. that's the one i like the best so far for the the money . anyone have first hand experience with this model ?

[S.S.]

You will probably not be able to keep the scope that comes with it zeroed.

[scout4]

Try looking at www.reviewcenter.com scoll down and click on shooting sports in there you will find many reviews on airguns. scout4<><