Author Topic: Looking for a decent rifle. (Read 2718 times)

B. Miville · « **on:** December 26, 2010, 09:44:32 AM »

Hey folks,

I am don't get down to the range as much as I like to keep me sharp. So I was thinking that since I live in an area where I can safely and legally shoot an air rifle, but not a centerfire or rimfire rifle, I might get one to plink with a few times a week. I have a set of powerlines behind the house where I can shoot, so I am looking for something I can hit from 0-50 yards, and maybe 100 (pushing it maybe???) For a budget I would like to keep around $200 if possible. Would like it scoped, but it is not an absolute neccessity since I have an old BSA that is rated for airguns. So I am looking for comments on these rifles I am looking at on Pyramid Air and MidwayUSA (where I get a discount), as well as suggestions of others that you may think I should be looking at:

Gamo Hunter Sport (scoped)
Gamo Big Cat 1200 (scoped)
Gamo Rocket (scoped)
Crosman Titan Nitro Piston (scoped)
Crosman Quest 1000X (scoped)
RWS 34 (not scoped)
Ruger Airhawk (scoped)
Beeman Elkhorn with RS2 trigger (scoped)
Gamo Whisper (scoped)
Remington Summit (scoped)

Your comments are much appreciated!

Brian

nova71 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2010, 12:16:51 PM »

How about the Sheridan C9 ? I have a new one I bought this spring, shot it four or five times and realized my old shoulder can't handle the pumping anymore

doesn't have a scope but has a red dot sight that goes with it. I'll take $130 for it TYD in lower 48. I can take a couple pics if you are interested..........thanks......... Larry

teamnelson · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2010, 12:48:19 PM »

I picked up a Ruger Air Hawk Elite (scoped, fancy wood) at Sports Authority on 50% clearance for damaged box; very accurate ... very heavy, so very accurate.
Were it mine to do over, I'd have like the sights on the barrel too as a back up. I see now they have a version that's scoped with sights too. It's fun to shoot!
I've tried several different GAMO pellets - picked up the variety pack on sale also at SA. Each one has a slightly different point of impact, so once you dial your scope in, stick with the same pellets.

del1964 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2010, 04:52:32 AM »

My son and I picked up 2 Ruger Air hawks and they are a blast. They feel like a "real" rifle complete with a slight recail. Gonna zero them this afternoon.

Mustache · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2010, 06:11:15 AM »

I was at Cabela's Yesterday with a pocket full of Christmas cash. I picked up a Gamo 440 scoped and a tin of mag. ammo It is a bargain cave buy but
I left the store for $80.00. Zeroed in this am every thing works well. Hope this helps I always shop the Bargain Cave before the rest of the store
Never know what will show up

Good Luck

Mustache

B. Miville · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2010, 01:22:41 PM »

nova71, thanks for the offer, but I am looking for a one-cocker. I remember shooting a couple multi-pump air rifles when I was younger, and it lost it's charm when we realized we were spendign like 10 times longer pumping than shooting.

The Ruger was one of the first ones I looked at when I started casting around for ideas. I origionally thought that it was too good to be true...a fairly nice air rifle for a reasonable price! But I keep seeing it get good reviews. I did see one review on MidwayUSA where a guy said he broke his mainspring after about 500 shots and a replacement is hard to find....but it was just one bad review among the many. What is nice is that being available at MidwayUSA I can get it at discount price. But I will take Mustache's idea and see what the bargain cave at Cabela's has to offer up.

Brian

ClarkB · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2010, 02:46:09 AM »

I would suggest a new Diana/RWS model 34 in either .177 or .22 which will run you ~$200. Very well built rifle that will out-shoot you and you can pass it on to your kid one day. If that's too much you can call up Umarex and ask them if they have an refurb units, I think they go for ~$140 now. If you really don't like the gun you can turn around and sell it for a slight loss, something you'd have a hard time doing with most Crosman, Gamo's or clones thereof.

The model 34 has been around for 20+ years and has sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide. It's a proven design. It readily accepts peep sights or a scope. The aftermarket is very supportive if you want to change your gun in the future (new spring, guides, stock or muzzle brake). I don't know much about Gamo and Crosman air rifles, especially what sort of support is available to their owners. I do know that Diana stands behind their rifles and even makes parts for guns that have been out of production for decades.

The Ruger AirHawk is a copy or near copy of the RWS 34. I don't know the relationship between the two but I'm guessing you'd be getting a decent gun with the Ruger.

Clark

B. Miville · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2010, 01:38:26 PM »

ClarkB, thanks, I did not know that about the RWS and Ruger. Some food for thought. But one thing I think is that the scope on the Ruger would probably get chucked right away for something a bit better. For the money I expect to get what I pay for. But in the end I may go with the RWS 34 just for the reputation.

Brian

S.S. · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2011, 12:36:12 PM »

Crosman Titan in .22 Cal seems to be a good shooter.
I have had one for several months now and have been quite pleased.
It is almost as accurate as my QB78 and substantially more powerful.
Deer season just ended so I will be after tree rats with it tomorrow
if the weather is decent. Will try to post what I get.

B. Miville · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2011, 01:47:58 PM »

Excellent S.S., good to know you like the Titan. I do have some time to make this decision. I won'tbe buying a rifle until income tax check time, which usually means aout mid Feb. for me. So far I am getting good advice here.

Brian

PeashooterJoe · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2011, 06:46:04 AM »

I second the RWS 34 with TO6 trigger, that is one you will be passing down to your grand kids. Why buy a copy when you can get the original, home tuning can also be done by you. Several of my Dianas are over 30 years old and still going strong. Good Luck on your selection..PeashooterJoe..

Airsporter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:13:49 AM »

I don't believe any of the 'big name' firearms makers actually produce airguns. They are 're-labelled' from airgun makers. Personally, if buying a spring gun, I would stick with a quality Euro airgun make like HW, RWS, Air Arms, etc. Beeman doesn't make airguns either, they have stuff made for them to their specs. For example the Beeman R9 = HW95 - a very nice airgun. HW's are more $ than you mentioned but most have Rekord triggers that are outstanding.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:53:37 AM »

I have the Gamo 880 Hunter.
Bought it from Cabela's in 96 or 98. Have put thousands of pellets though it.
At first it was not working. then after trying more and more pellets I found it liked the heavy ones from RWS. 9.3 grains or the Gamo gold alloy pellets.
The BSA scope it came with died. I shot it loose inside and replace it with a Bushnell 3-9 air rifle scope.
Great little rifle that has taken small game, pests, and many plinker targets.

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2011, 06:03:56 AM »

Just bought this for myself.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gamo174-Whisper-Deluxe-Refurbished-Air-Rifle/1156217.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dgamo%2Bwhisper%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=gamo+whisper&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2011, 09:13:23 AM »

$:-\$ I am looking at an air gun for vermin around my home..so far I have looked over the Gamo Whisper and Bone Collector...from what I see they are both spring type arms..I would like a good arm, but don't want to waste $ for something I don't need...Any thoughts on these arms.??/ Also, what about 177 vs. the .22..which do you prefer??

b

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2011, 05:50:20 AM »

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on February 12, 2011, 09:13:23 AM

$:-\$ I am looking at an air gun for vermin around my home..so far I have looked over the Gamo Whisper and Bone Collector...from what I see they are both spring type arms..I would like a good arm, but don't want to waste $ for something I don't need...Any thoughts on these arms.??/ Also, what about 177 vs. the .22..which do you prefer??
I only have a 177.
For 22 Pellets I use either the Aquilla Super Colibre bullets (20 grain bullet in a long case with no powder) works well in a couple of my rifles. Or I use 22 CB longs (again a long case with 29 grain bullet and some powder) Both have taken a few pests around the house.

b

scout4 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2011, 03:49:52 AM »

Do your self a favor. Stay away from the cheap made in china junk. I learned my lesson the hard way. Save up more money, and buy a air rifle worth having. An HW 30 S is an excellent starter. scout4<><

poncaguy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2011, 06:02:56 AM »

I have the Crossman Nitro Piston Titan GP 22 cal. Love it, accurate, smooth, low noise and recoil.........like it much better than any of my others, including my Gamo Big Cat which is my favorite springer...

poncaguy · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2011, 06:05:19 AM »

forgot to add, about $135 at Wal Mart for the Crossman Titan

james · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2011, 06:30:44 AM »

I like the RWS 34 but had to get a cheap Daisy 25 too so I could shoot sparrows in the barn w/o shooting holes in the roof.