Which air gun is the best?

[Striderman]

Hey everyone new here and was looking for some info.  I looking to pick up a good air gun, break open type and was wondering who are the top dogs.  I do not want to go broke.  Looking to spend $200 to $300.

Thanks for the help

[jamaldog87]

it's not a Spring Piston but the  BENJAMIN 392  is a good gun for 100-139 $. It's a .22 and can make kills on squirrel and rabbits out to 40-50 yards and it very well made. the GH1050 Air Rifle from beeman is good to or the QUEST 800X from crosman or for the most power the STINGRAY by Webley & Scott Ltd. in 25cal is the most power there is. you can look on http://www.reviewcentre.com/consumer_reviews54.html to see what works the best. if it was me i would get the BENJAMIN 392 because is a long lasting gun, can put any scope you want(like the one's for .22LR), and is easy to pump-up and use. Some Spring Piston take up to 50lb to cock.
 

[Questor]

Good springers are expensive, but you might try some of the RWS rifles. Some are under $300. You may also consider a Benjamin/Sheriday, which is a really good buy, although it's not a springer.

[Victor3]

Can't really go wrong with a Beeman R7 or R9. The Ruger 10-22's of the airgun world - Many airgunners have them and love them. Plenty of aftermarket stuff for them. Great triggers, high quality and in your price range. I doubt many who own one of them would tell you different...

[swampthing]

Only draw back to a springer is the recoil, that demands a good quality scope [there not cheap at +$150] so it will stay together for a long time, and not force you to buy enother one when the first one brakes.
I like the virtual, zero recoil that pnuematics give. With them, a cheap scope won't come apart, same goes for pump guns.
 One shot kills with peep sights will make you a superior marksmen.

[AirCajun]

It depends on what you intend to do with it. 

Spring guns.
If you want a good back yard medium-power plinker, I like the RWS 24 at around 160 bucks.  Others prefer the Beeman R7 at almost 300 bucks but my RWS 24 is more accurate than my R7 - luck of the draw I guess.  If you are looking for a quality rifle in the Magnum class (for hunting), I have the .17 Cal RWS 94 (around 160 bucks) that shoots and honest 940 fps with 7.9 CPLs. and RWS 350M (around 300 bucks in .22 cal).  Check Sunshine Airguns and Midsouth Shooters. My favorite and most accurate rifle is the RWS 46 (it is an underleaver).  It is between the medium and magnum class and mine shoots 7.9 CPLs at 840 f/s.  I also have a RWS 300R mult-shot.  While it is accurate, I am not crazy about this one.  You can also buy the RWS 34 which many folks just love for 167 bucks a Midsouth Shooters Supply.  I do not own one but may try one some day in .22 Cal as others seem to really like this one.  I also have an RWS 93 that is one of my most accurate shooters.  It only cost 106 bucks and while not the best looking rifle (kind of chunky looking) mine is a real shooter (mid 700's).  This is a highly regarded gun in Europe and mine is outstanding.  The RWS 94 and 93 are made in Spain by Cometa (their models 400 and 300) and are very well made, however not quite as spiffy as the German made Diana RWS guns.  To me, they are much better than the Chinese and Turkish made guns.

Co2 Gun
A tuned QB 78 or 79 will easily fit in your budget and are usually more accurate than a springer.  Check with Mike Melick or Mac1 for tuned Co2 guns which are also much easier on scopes so that can save you a few bucks.

You can also go with pumpers or PCPs.  I have two pumpers (Benjamins) but I'm not thrilled with pumping.  They can be powerful and accurate, but scoping one can be a challenge.  PCP's are another issue and I do not own one or want one.  To much hassle and cost for me, but that is just my opinion.  Others love them for their accuracy and power.

My 2 cents,

Jim

[Bobber]

I also like the Benjamin 392 or the Sheridan in the pumpers.The learning curve is shorter than with the springers , especially the magnum class ones. Just recieved my LE392  from Crosman and it is quite a value for the money. The grooved reciever and the scope on it are worth the extra they charge for it. My Sheridan is over 20 years old and I have a reciever sight on it, its never failed, and never been worked on. Both are my first choices for hunting small game, but pumping does wear you out, especially with the scoped Benji. In springers I shoot an R-10, a RWS 320, and a Crosman Quest, all in .177, and all scoped.The R-10, is a wonderful airgun, A lighter version of the R-1, and a joy to shoot. You might find one used somewhere, it would be worth looking. The RWS 320 is a Chinese knock-off of the R-9  and rough, but not bad after you break it in, and has been a good value for me. It is actually faster than the R-10 and likes heavier pellets. My recently aquired a Crosman .177 Quest  is very pleasant to shoot, easy cocking and came with a 4X power scope. It is a Chinese made Gamo knock-off, from what I can see. I have put more than six tins of pellets through this gun, and I really like it. The heavy pellets shoot best, which is contrary to what some report. The best pellets for for it have been Beeman Ramjets and of all things the kodiaks. My testing has shown that the kodiaks will penatrate a 3/4" pine board every time at 33 feet, from this gun.  Gamo Rockets have also done well, and in light pellets the hobbies and lasers work well. Crosman 7.9's oddly did not. This inexpensive rifle is just as much fun to shoot as the R-10 and believe it or not , just as accurate and powerful . Bottom line is ,you don't have to spend alot of money to get reasonable performance.   

[buffermop]

How about the American made Daisy "powerline" model? They do 1000fps. Got mine at Walmart and not a bit of trouble for around $110.

[jamaldog87]

the best airgun is one for were you live. if it's very flat and shots will be long get a high power gun, if you live some were like were i live FL then shot are short and a low power pumper or any gun would do. Also what you use it for, if you shoot rats and birds then most guns 500fps or in .20cal and up would do or if you are hunting game like rabbits that you would get a good powerful gun. Lets put it this way. If you were going to shoot pdog what kind of gun would you use or if you were hunting hogs in deep woods then what kind of gun would you use. Use the gun that would used for that game.

[jlbeebe]

I have an RWS mod 48 .22cal. I really like this gun and I have taken alot of crows with it.

[jamaldog87]

then use that gun. if it 600fps then keep your shots under 40 yards on rabbits. if it's 700fps or faster 50 yards or 55 on rabbits you can do.

[woodnbow]

Striderman the "top dogs" in spring guns these days seem to be BSA, Beeman/Weihrauch, and RWS/Diana. The BSA Lightning XL is a very nice gun and sells for $340.00 and up. Beeman R9 and R7 are both very good guns and sell for around $400.00. RWS starts at $150 for the M24, 170 for the M34 and M34 Panther variant, the M350 Magnum  and sidelever M48 can be had for $300.00. Gamo has earned a loyal following these days but currently doesn't offer a .22 springer of any description to the US market.