Looking for a .177 cal "hunting" spring-piston rifle .....

Game would likely be rabbits, squirrels, grouse, quail, pigeons or similar-sized prey. What would anyone recommend if money wasn't limited?

If one had a $450 budget?

$250 budget? THANKS.

I would get a R9. Light, accurate, power enough for every game you mentioned, and not hold sensitive.

A fiend of mine recently bought a Ruger airhawk and says he's been pretty impressed with it's power and accuracy. He's an experienced airgunner so I don't take his endorsement lightly and have been seriously considering buying one myself.

First of .22 for fur, and .177 for feathers

Second gamo is fine for most application, Sheridan or diawa of you have too much money

RWS magnum 350.

I've killed some stuff with mine, in .177. Decisive on grouse, snowshoe hares, and squirrels. And maybe on larger critters as well..............

Stick with the German made guns. The R9 that was suggested is a great shooting rifle and not as touchy as the magnums. For pure hunting the RWS350 is a cannon. The .22's are better for hunting but I've used .177's to kill squirrels, cats, and even groundhogs. You just have to be more careful with your shot selections and ranges.

R9 for the under $450. You can save a few bucks by getting the HW95 version (same gun as R9). RWS/diana model 34 for the under $250 budget. A tune kit makes either of these guns very, very nice.
regards, Scott

I have an rws 48 and have taken ferrel chickens at a measured 60 yards resulting in instant death. Mine really likes heavy pellets. It does get particular about how it recoils when not picking at range. I beat on a homemade gong at 60 yards very often.

All the "name brands" make good products
22 cal is MUCH better for most "hunting" though

Over the past few years I have shot lots (1,000+) rock chucks with air rifles. From underlever RWS .177 @ 800 fps, to .22 cal RWS 34's, Benjamin pumper and Beeman R7 .177 @ 500 fps. For a hunting gun the bigger .22cal is a much better killer, from birds to critters as big as a porcupine, the .22 flat works better. - Now as for what gun? Nice R-9, cheap but good RWS 34. Be sure to put on a good scope and great mounts.

I have to totally agree with the 22 V 177. Crows shot w/ the HV(1000fps) 177 go "pip" and ususally fly off in a rapid decline, while those hit w/ 22 (from RWS 48) go Whack and fall immediately. Squirels the same. Unless you head shoot every one w/ the 177. Even then its gotta get the brain. I just did get a RWS 350P(1250fps) in 177 and Ill say its not your usual air gun. I was always impressed w/ the 48, but this is a serious piece of hardware, flat shooting to 60yds, and accuraate for a spring thumper. Mine was on clearance from Midway and I couldn't resist. The are available for under $400 from several sources, even Amazon. If you need a 177, my limited experience with this one is very impressive.

THANKS everyone. Great comments.

The arguments for .22 bores for a serious game killer are persuasive.

Never dispatched a crow with an airgun, but have with a CB Cap at at 40yds. Bird took 5-6 seconds to just topple over!

Another time took a chance-shot at a circling crow with a pattern of #4Buck, 100plus yards (waiting for the pheasant opener). Somehow put one in its heart! Crow went "erratic" for several seconds before folding and falling.

Thanks Centershot! You're indeed an inspiration!

SD, You have me thinking about a new air rifle now - if your interested in the M34 pictured above (bottom pic), let me know. FWIW, my eye is on a new R-9.

Everything has it give and take. Low to moderate powered springers shoot quite a bit flatter in .177 than .22 versions in same and make range estimation less of a issue. But .22 do kill more better.
Magnum springers are heavier, harder to cock, and have more recoil but do throw .22 pellets at very pleasing speeds.
I've had quite few springers and their use revolves around hunting.
I have a Marksman Model 72 .20 that would be the last to go. It is a re-badged R9 and about as good a blend of power,weight, ease of cocking, and flat shooting that I have experienced in a springer.
The suggestion of a R9 was a good one. I'd recommend considering the .20 caliber as a good compromise between the speed/flat shooting of the 177 and more whack of the .22 when compared in the same power plants.
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The .20 is an interesting caliber for air rifles. Beeman seemed to think it was optimal - a large enough pellet to have decent weight and a longer profile for better BC's. I think he was right, but it really never seemed to catch on. Beeman and Sheridan were the only readily available .20's and most places still do carry a tin or two of .20's but they tend to be a bit more expensive and the variety of pellets is very slim unless you buy them on the internet. I'm seriously thinking about getting a new R-9 but I think I'll go with the .22. The larger diameter is better when it comes to killing with a low KE gun in my experience and the availablity of ammo along with the price has me leaning that direction. Last check at Sportsmans they had one type of .20 cal @ $11.95/500 and 4 types of .22 @ $8.99 /500.

The R9 has the power for the .22 and is only rated 50 FPS slower than in .20.
I give local availability of pellet choices zero consideration.
If a tin doesn't say JSB on it I seldom have interest though I still like Kodiak pellets for my Patriot.
As you mentioned the internet shipping is a 3 day thing anymore, variety at your finger tips, and prices as good as it gets. In most cases the 20 cal is cheaper as there is less lead in the pellet and it isn't a novelty caliber for the players.
If you aren't keeping a couple tins ahead of your shooting, you should,IMO.
They are all good.