Author Topic: .22 Caliber Air Rifle And Scope For Small Game Hunting? (Read 8145 times)

KNIFE_NUT_1981 · « **on:** October 18, 2012, 04:51:04 PM »

I am seriously considering a good quality, accurate, high-velocity .22 caliber air rifle for small game hunting (mostly squirrels and rabbits). I would like it to be one that I could fit with a good scope. Regretfully, I am not very knowledgeable on the subject of air rifles, and the special scopes disigned to stand up to their bi-directional recoil. I owned a Benjamin pump-action .22 caliber many years ago, and realize that airguns have evolved tremendously since those days... Any educated advice on a make/model of both, an air rifle, and scope to pair it with to suit my intended purposes? I am looking for quality, head-shot accuracy, and knock-down power out to 50-75 yards or so, and would be willing to spend up to about $500 if necessary.

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2012, 04:59:42 PM »

A friend has one of these in a 17 cal and it is very accurate. I will give you his report next week when I get together with him as I think he purchased a 22 cal. Here is the link

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/AirForce_Talon_SS_Precharged_Pneumatic_Air_Rifle/135

Good luck on your decision.

Bulletstuffer

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2012, 05:18:44 PM »

I have had good luck with a Gamo break barrel 177 caliber for squirrels, rabbits, rats, Crows, and opposium.
I picked the 177 as it has a little farther reach than the 22's of the same designs.
The 177 move the bullet about 1,000 to 1250 FPS and the 22's are about 850 Fps.
The faster the speed the less the bullet drop and the longer the effective range.
I have been drooling over a 22 caliber Side lever RWS for years for a target rifle but other things keep comming up before I cna put aside the better part of the substantial amount of money for a pellet gun.
But the 177 guns and some have 22 versions are about 100 to 400 depending the brand and the scope package.
I would suggest getting it with out the package scope and buying aspring air pellet gun scope.
I killed a BSA rifle scope that came with mine and the rifle was hard to keep zeroed toward the end. Once I found the heavier 9.3 grain target ammo by RWS for my rifle and the Bushnell scope mine is a tack driver to 35 yards.

444eee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2012, 05:19:27 AM »

The two main classes of airguns are pcp and spring. For $500 you are limited to springers mostly because the pcp rifles are more expensive on average and you need a pump or tank to fill them. The pcp's are better in almost every way-accuracy, power, repeatability, weight, etc. A good pcp choice would be the Benjamin Discovery. It sells for $400 with a pump at pyramidair.com. Because there is little recoil and no bidirectional recoil with pcp's you can use any kind of scope on them. The higher the caliber the better for killing effectiveness. Check out the youtube channel edgunusa on that.

rzwieg · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2012, 05:31:54 AM »

From my experience a good scope will cost you as much as a good air rifle. I've shot a couple BSA scopes apart. A really good luftgewehre and scope may cost $700+. If you can do less expensive, more power to you.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2012, 07:38:52 AM »

50-75 yards is QUITE a poke for a air gun!! 50 is a max for some most its closer to 30.

Have you given any thought to a CB 22RF? OR a Calibre from Aguela ammo?

I have used CB's for head shot squirrels for too many years to remember. Quite much more than a hi vel Springer. The Calibre are nearly silent and super calibre like a silenced pistol. CB and the new CCI quiet ammo is pleasant to shoot and NONE require hearing protection. ALL offer better killing power because the lightest uses a 20g bullet. Probably twice the heaviest offering g for a air gun of same caliber.

The CB's from a long barrel rifle are even quieter then from a short barrel making multiple kills very real possibility.

Just throwing it out there.

CB

KNIFE_NUT_1981 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2012, 07:44:36 PM »

Thanks for all the great advice guys, but I am still just as lost as I was when I began this endeavor... Yes, CW, .22 rimfire is what I have hunted squirrels with since I was juts a little tot, and here lately I have been shooting them with a pistol. I am looking for more of a challenge. There are so many different makes, models, and types of air rifles out there these days, I am just lost... I have borrowed a Ruger Air Hawk in .177 (break-barrel spring type rated at 1000fps) from a friend, and will try that for now, then maybe borrow something else until I figure out what I like. I picked up a 1000 rd pack of Gamo hunting pellets from Wal-Mart this evening, and plan to go to the range tomorrow evening with that, and a fancy new Savage Mark II FVXP Fluted .22LR I recently picked up as well.

keith44 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2012, 02:50:35 PM »

I just got in from a successful squirrel hunt with my Beeman RS-2 in .22 cal. My model has been super tuned by Beeman and launches 14.3 grain pellets at an average speed of 837 fps. Out to 40 yards it will shoot through a squirrel, and hold 1" groups when I can do my part. I can hit cans at 60 yards, but the group size (with "field or hunting" shooting positions) is too big to try on game.

Here's a good book on hunting with air rifles:

http://www.amazon.com/Air-Rifle-Hunting-John-Darling/dp/1852230630/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350778915&sr=1-1&keywords=air+rifle+hunting

This is a decent model for beginning with:

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Beeman_RS2_Dual_Caliber_Air_Rifle_Combo/1334

Scope and both .177 and .22 cal barrels so you can try both and decide for yourself which is best.

However this one is more powerful, and if accurate enough (each gun is a law of it's own) would extend the range to near where you want it.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Diana_RWS_350_Magnum_Striker_Combo_22_TO6/2530

And this book will tell you more about air rifles than you could ever want to know

http://www.amazon.com/Airgun-Odyssey-Steve-Hanson/dp/1931220158/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350780566&sr=1-1&keywords=air+gun+odyssey

rjw1991A1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2012, 06:34:35 PM »

In my recent search for an air rifle intended for the same purposes as you describes I found this site to be very informative: http://www.airgunweb.com/
Got through the archives for great videos of all sorts of air rifles, and advise.
My final choice was a Benjamin trail NP All Weather in 22 caliber. I'm still in the "break in", sight in, and learning to shoot an air rifle stage. Yes, they are a bit different to shoot, and a little learning of the technique is needed. Although what I chose is a break barrel gas piston powered gun, at your price point you may want to look into the PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) models like the Benjamin Marauder. [size=78%]http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_Marauder_Air_Rifle/1774?gclid=CLni7Zurm7MCFaOaPAodlhEACQ[/size]

Dand · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2012, 08:17:45 PM »

I haven't been on it much for a while but I got a lot of good air gun hunting info off this forum site: http://www.straightshooterschat.com/forumdisplay.php/2-General-Discussion Poke around by search and there were some great stories of field shooting and some late night rat safaris in old barns.

rjw1991A1 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2012, 12:50:45 PM »

Here is also a good air-gun dedicated forum with lots of great information: http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=forum

Mckie Hollow · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2012, 01:53:13 PM »

JMO- All production air guns can use a tune. Check out a RWS 350 mag .22. or 34 .22. Also the Chinese clones - Tuned from Flying Dragon

KNIFE_NUT_1981 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2012, 01:16:48 PM »

Thanks again guys, for all your great advice and links to some great information. I have done some paper shooting with this Ruger Air Hawk, and am not at all satisfied with the 3" (or more) group I am getting at ranges anywhere past 15 yards, and it has to be under 10 yards to get the 1" group I am looking for. I think most of my problem is the cheap Gamo brand "hunting" pellets I am shooting, because after close examination, I notice they are not exactly uniform in size or shape. I think I will hand-pick a few, trim the excess slag off, and weigh them to try to get some uniformity, and if that improves the group like I think it will, then I will pick up a box of the more expensive "match grade" pellets next time I make a trip to town, and see how they do. I think this air rifle selection process is going to take even longer than I expected. It seems that pellet selection for the one I borrowed is the issue at hand for now...

rjw1991A1 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2012, 04:31:20 PM »

As I stated in my previous post I am still in the break-in, and learning stage. Is the rifle you borrowed relatively new? Most say an air rifle takes 100+ shots to "settle in" to it's best accuracy. Also, I have learned they can be quite sensitive to how they are held. Most say the best way is the "artillery" hold. Look it up on one of the sites mentioned. It's basically only resting the forearm on your open hand, and barley holding the pistol grip with the only pressure being your trigger finger.
Also, how was it shooting for the person you borrowed it from?
Many air rifles need to be tuned for best performance. Things like aftermarket triggers, "seasoning", or lapping the bore. Making sure the screws are tightened, and stay that way. Re-crowning of the barrel is also often done to improve accuracy. The barrel steel is not the high carbon, hard steel used in powder burners. It can easily be nicked, and the manufacturing processes often leave the rifling somewhat rough, and the muzzle crown not in perfect shape. Another problem often occurring with spring powered air rifles, and even NP models is scope creep. the rimfire style grooved receiver lends itself to allowing the scope to move during the shot cycle. that is one of the big reasons I chose the Trail NP. It has a Weaver style mount welded to the receiver to eliminate scope creep.
I'm finding out that there is a whole new world out there when it comes to adult air rifles. They sure ain't Ralphie's Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time! LOL

keith44 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2012, 07:09:54 PM »

Quote from: KNIFE_NUT_1981 on October 28, 2012, 01:16:48 PM

Thanks again guys, for all your great advice and links to some great information. I have done some paper shooting with this Ruger Air Hawk, and am not at all satisfied with the 3" (or more) group I am getting at ranges anywhere past 15 yards, and it has to be under 10 yards to get the 1" group I am looking for. I think most of my problem is the cheap Gamo brand "hunting" pellets I am shooting, because after close examination, I notice they are not exactly uniform in size or shape. I think I will hand-pick a few, trim the excess slag off, and weigh them to try to get some uniformity, and if that improves the group like I think it will, then I will pick up a box of the more expensive "match grade" pellets next time I make a trip to town, and see how they do. I think this air rifle selection process is going to take even longer than I expected. It seems that pellet selection for the one I borrowed is the issue at hand for now...

A 3" group indicates either hold issues, loose stock screws, or poorly fitted pellets. Try crossman premier pellets or RWS superdome. Those two shoot best in my Beeman.

Dand · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2012, 08:15:21 PM »

Yep Knife, I see you're getting some good advice. I too was wondering about those Gamo Pellets. My son has a 22 Benjamin Nitro pellet gun. He's taken several grouse with it this fall. But on several occasions he's had to hit them more than once as he was trying to use pointed Gamo pellets. Finally got him to try some Beeman Trophy, round nose pellets. He took 1 grouse yesterday but still it was a 3 shot thing. I wasn't close to see his shooting. He needs a lot more practice and more patience to go for head or neck shots. Body shots on grouse require going thru a lot of heavy feathers. I like the Beeman Trophies but also the JSB exacts and other middle weight round nose pellets. The holding advice and the screw checking advice sounds very good and consistent with what I've been told. In the past when I was more practiced, I took a couple grouse with a .177 Beeman R7 which is a very (too) light powered gun. Pellets would bounce off the wings but head shots worked great. Now have a BSA spring gun in 22 that is better but these days I'm usually letting the boys shoot and I'm way out of practice. I usually try for head / neck shots. Good luck. Another "moderatley" priced gun that I've heard to be decent for small game is the Beeman R9. And some folks swear by .20 cal for a balance of speed and weight. But the pellet variety is much reduced and can be harder to find.

sub-sonic · « **Reply #16 on:** November 01, 2012, 09:48:11 PM »

PCP rifles are the way to go,if you are looking for accuracy.The sam yang sumatra is what I use.These are avalable in.22 or.25cal.My .25cal.sumatra shoots 43gr.pellets 1/2in.or less at 50yrds.With my cast 50,52,or 58gr.LBT bullets the same.My 52gr.bullets do 900fps,for 93ft.lbs.This weapon has a power wheel with 12 settings.Out to 100yrds.It will do the work of the 22lr.

KNIFE_NUT_1981 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2012, 06:27:55 AM »

Man, sub-sonic, that sounds GREAT! How much did it hurt your pocketbook though?

rjw1991A1 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2012, 07:15:51 PM »

Here is some info to help you. Certainly the way to go if you are really serious about it!
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Sumatra_2500_Carbine/463/1295

Sub Sonic, how do you charge your PCP gun? I see tanks advertised at Pyrayd that cost from $130 to nearly $700. As I understand this is in addition to the $650 for the gun. Does anything come with the rifle to charge it?

KNIFE_NUT_1981 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2012, 06:29:28 PM »

That thing sure is UGLY! Does it's performance make up for it's gruesome homliness?

keith44 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2012, 07:20:09 PM »

Quote from: KNIFE_NUT_1981 on November 03, 2012, 06:29:28 PM

That thing sure is UGLY! Does it's performance make up for it's gruesome homliness?

not in my book, but the power is undeniable

White Foxx · « **Reply #21 on:** November 04, 2012, 05:08:05 AM »

Well the 500 is a good start, when you are talking air guns remember that you are also buying the power the fires the gun. I love pre-charged guns for so many reasons that I don't know where to start. Most of the better spring piston guns are over 500 in price!!!! While you can buy one a whole lot cheaper you can roll the dice as they say, but I have had them all, and the pre-charges win hands down! No and's if or butts.

The Marauder is the winner as far as price for what you get. However Buy a 177 caliber, and shoot the crosman Premier 10.5 grain pellets and you should have no problem shooting 3/4 of an inch groups at 50 yards. I have only see a couple of spring guns that could do the more often that not. The heavy pellets in the 177 caliber will do the same job as the 22 with light pellets, more power than that you don't need unless you are going after something bigger than you have stated.

Some of the 22 caliber one have had bad barrels and would not shoot, I know cause I had one! The other advantage of the 177 is shots per-charge! You can set one of these guns up to needing to be filled every ten shots, while it is no problem to get 30 shots per-charge with the 177 and the heavy pellets.

Buy what you want but I am just going on 50 years of air gun shooting experience, with mostly with euro air rifles…..

White Foxx

Victor3 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:36:00 PM »

One thing I'd suggest staying away from are "magnum" spring guns. The power figures are enticing but with the garage-door spring required to get that power, they'll rattle yer fillings loose.

Due to cost and hassle, I don't generally recommend a PCP for someone contemplating getting into adult airguns. I have a very nice Daystate, scuba tank, Leupold and various goodies that cost me ~$800..... In 1994. One exception would be the Benjamin Discovery. Friend of mine has had one in .22 for two years now and still uses it regularly. With its 2000psi fill pressure it's fairly easy to charge with a hand pump. Unlike the clunky Marauder, the Discovery is easy to carry around if you want to hunt. It's not quiet though, if that's what you're after.

If you were to reduce your range expectations ot say 30 yds max, I'd recommend an HW50 in 177. Same maker (Weihrauch) and very similar to a Beeman R9 but without the price hike. Same powerplant and excellent Rekord trigger...

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Weihrauch_HW50S_Breakbarrel_Rifle/2152

keith44 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 05, 2012, 04:42:10 AM »

Magnum Springers are easy to master, AFTER tuning the gun. Out of the box and trying to get them to shoot ultra light pellets, I agree.

Victor3 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:51:59 PM »

Without 'tuning' a Beeman Kodiak, RWS 350, etc. to reduce power substantially (some end up doing do so because they're so harsh at stock power levels), you'd probably be hard pressed to find an airgunner who'd honestly say that they're real pleasant to shoot. And a ~50# cocking effort doesn't make for a fun day at the range either IMO.

Note that the OP is just getting into the game. Many guys not familiar with them get discouraged with magnum springers soon after they buy them. Few will actually go to the trouble/expense of sending them off to be tuned by an expert.

keith44 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 06, 2012, 05:08:31 AM »

true enough, but those springers that develop 15 to 18 pounds feet of energy are still in the magnum class, cock easier, and shoot fairly well with heavier (lead) pellets when the break in is allowed for. These are powerful enough and accurate enough for hunting and are affordable. Cocking efforts should never exceed 30# IMO

Harsh recoil (ie not smooth) and excessive dieseling are the reasons to tune a springer. The slightly reduced power is from dampening the spring with grease, and reduced combustion.

rjw1991A1 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 06, 2012, 06:36:05 AM »

What little I have shot my Benjamin Trail NP All Weather has proven that it does have great potential. Far less than the suggested break in shooting has been done, and I'm still dialing in the scope. But so far, at 20 yards it is certainly within minute of squirrel head accuracy. I am confident that it is going to do nothing but improve. Especially after I have time to install the CDT GRTIII after market trigger, and remove the barrel shroud to check the muzzle and see if it needs work. I'm not even to the point of trying a variety of pellets to find the most accurate yet. Range time, even back yard range time, has been scarce in the weeks since I got the Benji. Daughter's wedding, home improvement project, Branson trip, and now the up coming firearms deer season have all taken their toll on my air rifle experience. Hopefully soon I'll get it all dialed in, and can give a full review of what I find. As for now all I can say is optimistic, very optimistic!

BTW, I chose the Benjamin because it fit in my budget, I like the gas piston power plant, and the many reviews I read, and videos I watched were very favorable of the rifle.

ironglow · « **Reply #27 on:** November 06, 2012, 06:56:30 AM »

First off; I am not the air gunner some of these guys are, but I bought my first serious air gun about 2 years ago (.17 cal). http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Ruger_Air_Hawk_Combo/1504
It came as a package with the 4X32 scope labeled RUGER. Since I was using it for short range work only..and the Tru=Glo style sights worked so well, I put the scope on an H&R .22 mag, where it has worked well. I didn't want to have to compensate so much as a scope required.. If they were plain irons, my old eyes could not use them well..but the glo sights work great.
My grandson has a Beeman switch barrel .17/.22 ...for longer range the .17 works well, but when it comes to dumping a possum or coon..he will switch to the .22. He says with his usual headshots, the .22 kills cleaner & faster.
So far I have used RWS>Diablo, RWS>Superpoint and Crosman Premier>Hollowpoint.. So far I like the Crosman's..just as accurate as the RWS..and I think, a bit better killing power.

JonnyReb · « **Reply #28 on:** November 07, 2012, 01:42:48 AM »

Lots of good advice here, not much I can add to it but I will 2nd the opinion that a crosman/benjamin discovery pcp is a good way to start out. The springers can be very tough to get shooting consistently and have many many variables that have to get figured out before your happy with your gun. I've had dozens and only one came out of the box shooting match type groups, a Beeman/HW97. The rest took various tinkering with and many never shot the way i'd want them to. Scuba tank charged pcp's are usuallly about like a .22rf to get set up. Very simple. Very accurate. Check out www.yellow forum.com Go to their classifieds and its often simple to pick up a disco rifle and a pump for 300.00 or less. J

sub-sonic · « **Reply #29 on:** November 15, 2012, 08:43:10 PM »

I bought my sumatra.25 for $450.I love this weapon.It has replaced the.22LR for all my shooting.With pellets or LBT bullets the accuracy is great 1/2in at 50yrds.Adjustable power &good weight for accurate shooting.It is worth every penny.Yes it is ugly,but shoots like a beauty.The perfect"subsistance hunting"tool!