Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ok...its time to purchase an airgun...Input?

Got some starlings that moved in and won't leave. Want to start blasting them. Used to run a Daisy 880 as a kid, but it wore out after thousands of rounds.

Now I see these new fancy one cock rifles, that are pushing 1000fps+. Are they worth it, or just grab another 880?

PS, any real advantage to a 22 cal airgun?

Thanks.

Still an RWS Slut here................

RWS model 34. .22 caliber kills good but I am not sure there is any advantage over the .177 on birds.

Dink

Still cain't hate speed. If a .177 is "lacking",I've already long been in CB Cap or similar Mode.....................

S&W 77A.

The most fun pellet rifle that I've ever owned.

JEff

sheridan blue streak was my critter gitter when i lived in town. 10 pumps kills rabbits, groundhogs, birds, etc. nowadays its a rem 7615 223.

Just buy one that is accurate. I liked my Benjamin. I don't like the spring pistons much because of the sound they make.
The 22 will def kill wabbits, while the 17 is more limited.

I just bought an RWS 34 (my first also) in .177 on the advice of a friend who has had quite a bit of experience with air rifles.

I didn't want to spend a ton on my first one, and I think I made a good decision based on what I see. I just got it and haven't sighted it in yet, but I did fire it and was quite impressed. I think it looks well made, and has nice lines.

It's a springer and takes about 33 lbs of cocking effort..a little stiff to initiate, but I'm hoping that will improve a little with time?

Beeman R7.

Look for an older Benjamin in good shape, plenty fast and accurate.

I had an RWS Diana, powerful but it was louder than a .22

Remember the pellet rifles are a lot like rimfires, in that they often work better with their pet pellet. You might consider buying a sampler pack from Straight Shooters. When I got my S&W 77A back in 2003, I bought a sampler pack and found that the Beeman Kodiak 21.1 grain pellets shot better groups than any other style, while the RWS SuperHPoint 13.9 grain were the fastest.

www.straightshooters.com

JEff

Cool, thanks for all the input so far. Didn't realize the newer ones were loud. Cannot wait to blast some starlings, not to mention the eurasian doves that have moved in...

I wouldn't chase speed but I would get a springer. Sort of like magnum rifles, the tradeoffs in noise and effort to cock the things increase out of proportion to any real benefit gained by extra velocity. If it's rated for 1000-1100 fps, it'll be fine and then some for starlings.
A decent springer is one cock easy and usually pretty consistent on point of aim. My old Benjamin moved poi pretty dramatically with different mounts of pumps. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how much more accurate a decent springer is as compared to the Daisy. It's not that Daisy's are bad, it's just that any barrel big enough to shoot BBs and pellets is not going to be as accurate as a choked pellet only barrel.
If you can find a springer that's a little less powerful- say 700-850 fps- it'll be quieter. Gamo makes a rifle now that has a simple suppressor to reduce noise. If I were going to get something new, I'd look hard at that one myself.
22 vs 177- On birds, a .177 will do just fine and it's easier on your birdhouses. On bigger stuff like rats, squirrels or opossums a .22 justs thumps them better.
I've seen a couple of rifle packages on sale lately that come with two barrels- one of each. One was for a Beeman at about $100 for the package.
If money is not an object, the newer compressed air pneumatics are something to look at.

Should be fun to go air-gunning again, haven't done it in a long time. Money isn't an issue, just don't want to drop a few hundred if they aren't worth it.

Gamo sucks. They puke fast/easily and float.

Hint.................

PCP's rule...

I have loaned my Dads' RWS which is very well made and very accurate however, it costs as much as a nice 10/22. If you want a serious air rifle I would suggest a RWS. I have a Gamo .177 which gets the job done but pales in comparison to a RWS when it comes to accuracy and punch. All I needed was a 25-30 yard cottontail killer. It works but nothing fancy. Never tried the PBA ammo either, any guys use this stuff? How does it compare to the old lead pellets for killing power?

They is the Ultimate and if a guy is looking for that,then that's the route.

If a springer don't do it,I'm in Stealth Mode with 39A launched CB's...............

My Dad bought one of those Ruger air rifles to pop the squirrels and starlings off his feeders. He's moved to the burbs, so he brought it out here for me to sight in for him...dammm that thing was loud!

Couldn't be much quieter than a standard .22lr. .22 shorts are alot quieter and CB's beat 'em by a long shot!

I'm feelin' it...............(grin)