Air Rifle vs 22

[Randall D]

I dove into the PCP air rifle game several years ago and really enjoy and appreciate them. Along with dispatching critters on my property, very handily, I also enjoy the Field target matches. Probably the 2 most important things that took place are 1, My centerfire shooting has gotten much better { Target acquisition, trigger control, and reading the wind } and 2, I shoot A LOT.
Hopefully Steve123 will comment here as well.

P.S. I have a much better understanding of scopes.

 

[justinp61]

I too shoot air guns, no PCP's though. Most of mine are old 10M rifles , 3 FWB 300S's and one FWB 601. To go along with the 10M rifles are a Diana 48 in .22 and a Diana 34 in .177, both are tuned with Vortek springs. The 48 is a hammer and also a scope killer, three so far. The 48 and 34 have a steep learning curve to shoot as they are finicky about the hold.

Most of my air rifle shooting is done indoors at 10M with the older target rifles, they are amazing. My gun club shoot 10M indoor (pre covid) during the winter. The 601 is just dead on the shot, no recoil or movement, it's accuracy can make it almost boring to shoot. The 300's are my favorites, IMO they are the Winchester 52 of the target airgun world.

There is no doubt that airguns have improved my rimfire and centerfire skills. Plus pellets are cheap, my practice pellets are $10 for 500 and my match pellets are $17 for 500. Pretty cheap trigger time.

 

[nilebartram]

I was wanted to mention my Feinwerkbau's take about 15 lbs to cock. My buddy with his RWS takes 30 plus to cock, he can't even keep up with me. Pellets were really cheap back in the day. A tin of 500 is still cheaper than a brick of 22LR. You get what you pay for. nilebartram

 

[Trashy]

I too, am going down this rabbit hole, but for pistols. I went with a custom crosman 2300s. I figured for my first air pistol that wasnt a walmart special, I should stay under 300$. Should be here tomorrow actually.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Hmmmm. My fire Department just took delivery of our new air trailer. I wonder if it is the same fitting as on SCBA packs. It does 4000 psi I believe with the diesel generator on board.

 

[DDriller]

Hmmmm. My fire Department just took delivery of our new air trailer. I wonder if it is the same fitting as on SCBA packs. It does 4000 psi I believe with the diesel generator on board.

If not they make adapters.

 

[DaveCo]

Check out Pilkington Competition. They handle Olympic level, as well as Sporter type air rifles (and pistols), When I needed an adapter to fill my SCBA (not SCUBA) tank at a local FD, I sent them a picture of what the FD had and what I had; they knew exactly what I needed. I think I remember it being a DIN 300 to DIN200 adapter, it's been awhile. Also SCBA takes approx 4000psi, so you get lots of fills out a tank. I paid with homemade cookies (at the FD, Pilkington required cash).

Like others, if you have questions, pm

 

[gambleone]

I have 4 FWB air guns, 3 rifles,(124, 300, 601) and a pistol,(65). I forgot to mention 2 RWS pistols, (5G, 6G). All German made, accurate, fun to shoot, targets, pests, match sticks, indoors and out doors. I think everyone should own a couple. I remember when I paid $125 for the 124, everyone thought I was nuts to pay that much for a pellet gun. At one time I was offered $750 for it. nilebartram

RWS are well made and price not bad. Love my .22 cal side cock with not bad accuracy.

 

[CharlieNC]

Based on all of the input from you guys and additional internet research I ordered a Diana RWS 54. Interesting design, a "recoilless" springer where the barreled action rides on a slide in the stock. Hector Medina, a champion field target competitor and rifle tuner, was very helpful to come to this choice. More fun to come!

 

[holstil]

I’d like to hear more about it when you get settled in with it.

 

[74Bronco]

Any updates on everyone's adventures into springer and pcp pellet rifles ?

I just jumped in head first and went for a hatsan bt65sb qe elite in .25 for a economical trigger time maker and challenge.
Got myself a new 1.6L cf tank, and a just expired 6.0L cf tank(you can self fill expired tanks only) from my brother who is a long term navy man.
A spare rifle 280cc cylinder.
A 100-170bar adjustable drop-in shot regulator
5) 9shot .25 rotary magazines
Athlon argos10-40x56 sfp moa glass
About 10 different pellet and slugs in various brands and weights from 20gr thru 40gr to try
And a velcro hpa 4500psi compressor.


Hoping this investment will help my fclass shooting along with getting my better half and daughter of 17yrs more interested in shooting and some good antiflinch training lol.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I jumped into the air gun pool. Not a. PCP but a springer. I want to be free off needing anything but pellets. Easy to obtain a lifetime supply once I settle on which one. After a couple of months of research I bought an Air Arms TX200 in .177. I shot it for a month and then after shooting a friend who has had is tuned, I sent mine out for tuning. No formal competition that I can find in my area but I may get something started, like 50 yard benchrest. I am good with my centerfireforo several years but depending on the gouging of components when I run out, I will still be good to go.

 

[DGP4]

This thread has spurred my interest so I've been looking at available options. I know form follows function but beyond that it looks like a lot of designers go out of their way to create ugly!

Am I the only one that thinks this way?

The Diana 34 EMS wood stock has appealing looks in my opinion.

The Diana 34 is a classic and one of the most accurate springers ever made. My 30 year old Model 34 will shoot 0.5 inch groups at 30 yards consistently with quality pellets. Many people get frustrated with break barrel rifles because it takes some practice to learn how to shoot them, Look up "artillery hold" for an explanation of the correct way to hold them. They also require a prolonged break in to settle down to shooting well. This is a lot shorter with a quality break barrel, but still may require a thousand pellets or so.

 

[CharlieNC]

I bought a RWS/Diana 54 side cocking springer which rides in a "recoil less" stock mechanism, which makes it easy to shoot using a bipod. It's capable of 1/4" groups at 25yd, and 1/2" at 50yd when I'm steady. Surprisingly I find it more forgiving of my inconsistencies than a 22. Great training rifle, fun, and cheap to shoot. I thought about getting a tune but reworking my Ftr instead.

 

[DGP4]

I bought a RWS/Diana 54 side cocking springer which rides in a "recoil less" stock mechanism, which makes it easy to shoot using a bipod. It's capable of 1/4" groups at 25yd, and 1/2" at 50yd when I'm steady. Surprisingly I find it more forgiving of my inconsistencies than a 22. Great training rifle, fun, and cheap to shoot. I thought about getting a tune but reworking my Ftr instead.

I guess I missed your post of your purchase. You have bought the Rolls Royce of springers so you definitely did your homework! enjoy!

 

[Adam in WI]

If you want an understudy for your center-fire with the associated recoil, or want to shoot cheap and whatnot get a springer. But for balls to the wall no-nonsense killing, get the pre charged pneumatic. Mouse fart quiet, ZERO recoil, and NUTZ ACCURATE!

Nothing like WATCHING THE PELLET arc into your target, hearing the WHAP, and watching the bird fall!

69 yards is my current best for pigeon kills. Hatsan Bullboss in .22 is a compact, accurate, and tuneable platform for not a lot of coin. Bought a Benjamin P-Rod in .22 for indoor, high volume, rapid fire pest control!

Having run both, I would never go back to a springer, IMHO...

 

[JEFFPPC]

If you want an understudy for your center-fire with the associated recoil, or want to shoot cheap and whatnot get a springer. But for balls to the wall no-nonsense killing, get the pre charged pneumatic. Mouse fart quiet, ZERO recoil, and NUTZ ACCURATE!

Nothing like WATCHING THE PELLET arc into your target, hearing the WHAP, and watching the bird fall!

69 yards is my current best for pigeon kills. Hatsan Bullboss in .22 is a compact, accurate, and tuneable platform for not a lot of coin. Bought a Benjamin P-Rod in .22 for indoor, high volume, rapid fire pest control!

Having run both, I would never go back to a springer, IMHO...

Pcps are very accurate and easy to shoot. That's all good, but just like any conventional firearm you have that tether. I really did not consider them, all I need is a tin of pellets.That is the whole idea for me.

 

[Adam in WI]

Pcps are very accurate and easy to shoot. That's all good, but just like any conventional firearm you have that tether. I really did not consider them, all I need is a tin of pellets.That is the whole idea for me.

I'll agree that PCP's have an infrastructure required. If hitting the field and hunting unencumbered is your goal, then a springer can work. But also consider, with one charge in my Hatsan I have over thirty good shots without recharging. That's quite the outing in my opinion.

 

[Schutzen2]

I bought a .25 RAW in a chassis this spring. Very nice PCP air rifle with a great trigger. I didn't want to jump into the air compressor thing yet without knowing more about them so I found two 60 min. SCBA tanks cheap. I got them re-tested and that's good for five years. I can fill with one and when it get's low I can top off with the other which provides for a lot of shooting.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I'll agree that PCP's have an infrastructure required. If hitting the field and hunting unencumbered is your goal, then a springer can work. But also consider, with one charge in my Hatsan I have over thirty good shots without recharging. That's quite the outing in my opinion.

Well, I have always been a no pain no gain guy so the springer is working fine for me. I view the pcp sorta like a rail gun. Interesting, impressive, not my cup of tea. At this point I will stay away from the dark side.