Alternatives (Airguns) w/updates
- Thread starter MikeT49
- Start date
That statement is not false, not at all, it "might" be inclusive to you in your small world but Mike has it more right than wrong. Most spring piston airguns have POI shifts if shot from a rest, as well when sighted in from that rest, and are not hitting the same place they were before when shot offhand, or any other position. It's called "hold sensitivity" and is commonly known to happen with most springers.
Furthermore, most springers can't hold a candle to most PCP airguns when it comes to accuracy or precision.
Springers aren't used in Olympic events hardly at all anymore.
Nor are they competitive in Field Target events going against PCP's
Nor Benchrest events against PCP's.
Nor long range for air rifles.
The reasons are fairly obvious. POI shifts and hold sensitivity.
But yes they can be fun and enjoyable.
wedgy
Gold $$ Contributor
I was having problems similar with the break barrel type guns and finally figured out it was the hinge mechanism. If it doesn't close in exactly the same position it will be off because the scope is attached to the receiver and the barrel can be pointing slightly off unless it closes in exactly the same position. The Ruger 10/22 takedown has the same issue it not locked up the same every time.
. Now I don't need new glasses. I may just have to leave the current indoor air gun range in place for a while.
Take a look at the FX Impact rifles. I can’t decide if I want to get a new optic for a precision rifle rig or get the Impact. They’re crazy expensive, but guys are shooting unbelievable groups with them at 100 yards.
I ran a RWS Panther for several years & then put it away...I got back into air-rifles again back in the .22lr shortage days. Got bit by the PCP bug, got a Disco .22 & then had to have a M-Rod in .25. Used the M-Rod a few times for coons that year. They can be addicting!
MikeT49
Gold $$ Contributor
My Disco's poppet started leaking and in the process of repairing it I got sucked into the air gun rabbit hole. I now have four PCP rifles. A while back there was a thread about using a high end air rifle for both varmints outside and targets indoors. I was pretty sure one of my not so high end air guns could fill that niche. I got some 22 cal 25.4 grain pellets, Shot 'em over the my MS Sporter chrony. Got 977 fps. I couldn't find ant 33.9 grainers. Finally got some in Friday. They shot at 861 fps. It will also shoot the 33.9 grainers @ 351 fps and 13.43 grainers at 562 fps. So if you got one of those 'better half' things you might be able to shoot those indoors. My dog don't care. I'm working on getting more out of the heavies. I've got some parts coming. ( Hollow bolt probe and a more opened up transfer port) Hoping to get over 1000 fps with the 25.4s and 900 fps + with the 33.9. We'll see. Here are pics of the rifle and a sample target:
edit to add: This gun is capable of running any pellet from 25.4 grains on down in the sweet range for Diabolo pellets, 800 fps to 950 fps. You can tune just about any pellet to the barrel.
edit to add: This gun is capable of running any pellet from 25.4 grains on down in the sweet range for Diabolo pellets, 800 fps to 950 fps. You can tune just about any pellet to the barrel.
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JayHHI6818
Silver $$ Contributor
My son and daughter would shoot IZH 46 in our basement in the winter time. When tired of shooting paper I would blow up balloons about size of golfball and tape them to pellet trap. Big cardboard box filled with cardboard.
When we shot outside.
When we shot outside.
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Adapt and over come - that's what they taught me in the Army.
Anyway, I find myself doing more dry fire rifle practice in the basement these days trying to stay sharp and conserving components for varmint and predator hunting. When I do go to the range I'm rationing my range practice off the sticks to five rounds at 100 and 5 at 200 yards.
As the virus gets worse here I'm anticipating another range closing soon.
Anyway, I find myself doing more dry fire rifle practice in the basement these days trying to stay sharp and conserving components for varmint and predator hunting. When I do go to the range I'm rationing my range practice off the sticks to five rounds at 100 and 5 at 200 yards.
As the virus gets worse here I'm anticipating another range closing soon.
I wanted to get an air gun but didn't want to spend much money so a few months ago I bought a refurbished Daisy 853 from CMP for $120 shipped. It is a single pump .177 caliber with dual aperture sights. At 10 meters in my basement it will group pellets touching with either Crosman Premier hollow point 7.9 grain or RWS R10 Match 7.0 grain pellets. The trigger is almost like a 2 stage with a little initial takeup and an ~ 2 lb final pull. The lack of recoil will defintely let you know if you have any trigger control or flinching issues. The rear sight is plastic but works reasonably well. I drilled out the rear aperture to 3/32" for better light transmission and can get a good sight picture with the largest front aperture ring in place. I use the NRA 10 Meter target available online from several sources. I'm an NRA High Power shooter and use it for offhand practice. I think the muzzle velocity is only in the 400 FPS range so probably not much good for hunting.
I'm really happy with the performance, especially considering the cost.
I'm really happy with the performance, especially considering the cost.
MikeT49
Gold $$ Contributor
One of the issues with PCP airguns is finding an affordable fuel source. You can use a handpump, but what if you are not interested in developing arms like legs and a beer barrel chest? A while back there was a Bulletin article featuring electric PCP compressors. For me, at $600, a little too expensive. Also they are not intended for filling large SCUBA tanks because they are air cooled. Last summer, I stumbled across the air pump (compressor) in the pic. $285 @ Amazon. It is water cooled. Uses a simple aquarium pump to circulate H2O. I can top off a Benjamin Disco, M-rod or Maximus in less than a minute. I can fill my 88 cu ft SCUBA tank from 1800 psi to 3200 psi in about 17 minutes. The temperature of the unit never exceeds 140F (60C). I have filled my 88 cu ft SCUBA about 50 times. So far, I have not had to add any oil to the unit. I use a 5 gallon bucket of water with a frozen 2 liter bottle added for cooling. After filling operations are done, I run the unit with no load and the bleeders open for a few minutes before shutting the pump off. I let the H2O continue to run for while, then turn it off. There are some CONs: It is very loud when running, ear protection is recommended. Setting up the H2O supply is a PITA. They are made in China.
Mike
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MikeT49
Gold $$ Contributor
Amazon and eBay both have similar units available for as low as $230. Make sure the unit you purchase has a warranty and it's water cooled. I actually got one from eBay first. The outside of the box was stained with oil (they come w/o oil). On top of the unit was a Ebay return slip. Reason for return; defective. Tried it, didn't get up to pressure. Good part is I had the vendor by the shorthair. Got a full refund and they didn't want to pay for return. It's sitting in the corner of my garage. FREE to anybody that thinks they can fix it. Just pay shipping. My bud got his from eBay, zero issues. My unit has already paid for itself. No trips to the dive shop, no $10 fill fee. The units come w/o oil. A little research and we came up with Kobalt compressor oil from Lowes. They are fairly simple to operate. Just remember HP air is dangerous chit. Be careful. I will give an example: A temporary service hp air compressor for a nuclear submarine in drydock, blew off a end fitting. It went thru the 3/4" plywood wall of the temp building and knocked a hole in the side of a brick building 20 yards away you could put your fist in! Ended the debate on bite tite or 37 degree fittings for HP air. I can't tell you the pressure on account it's classified, but it's less than PCP airguns. Operational hints: Start the cooling water before you turn the unit on. For filling/topping off an air gun, hook fill hose to fill nipple. Start unit, close the air relief and condensate drains (if present) on the pump. Closely watch the fill pressure. When you get to the desired pressure, open bleed screw on unit, the check valve on your gun fill nipple will shut. Disconnect gun. For a SCUBA tank fill. Hook up to tank with compressor off. Leave the SCUBA tank main valve shut. Start H2O, start pump, shut pump bleed screw(s), shut fill assembly bleed screw. SLOWLY open SCUBA tank main valve. If you open it too fast it will trip the breaker. Ask me how I know. Fill tank, keep an eye on the compressor temp gage. When you get to desired fill pressure, close SCUBA main valve. Open bleed screws. Disconnect tank. Let the compressor run unloaded for a bit to allow internals to cool a smidge. Leave the water running for 5 minutes or so then turn it off too. For H20 supply, I use a 5 gallon bucket filled 3/4 full to allow room for a 2 liter frozen water bottle. They actually make units for ~$50 more that have auto shutoff when you reach pressure. The pumps are rated to 4500 psi. However I have only filled to 3200. YMMV. Mike
Here is a coyote rifle for you It's a Daystate Air Ranger 25cal air rifle it was a 80ft model, now after some lovin it is over 110ft it sends a 40gr pellet 1111FPS. The little tank on the front of the stock is filled with a scuba tank to 3500 psi, I just mounted my Sightron 10-50X60 "old pic" and am going to go varmint hunting tomorrow morning.
Dean
Click on pic for larger size picture
Dean
Click on pic for larger size picture
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Boss pcp rite there. Fantastic trigger
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