OT, which 22cal Air Rifle to buy?

[RB211]

Want something that will take out game with a headshot. Want quality.

[Doozer]

Like the ones at the Carnival with the air hose that you try and shoot the balloon with ? ? ?

-D

[RB211]

Like the ones at the Carnival with the air hose that you try and shoot the balloon with ? ? ?

-D

Pump action, not CO². Something with real knock down power, accurate.

[QSIMDO]

You can get into a Walther LG 300 for like $1900.

[skunkworks]

Benjamin? Are they any good still?

[RB211]

I have a lot of research to do...
something 500$ or under.

https://www.airgundepot.com/air-venturi-avenger-wood-air-rifle.html

[skunkworks]

Actually - my dad gets rid of a ton of squirrels with his rugar .177 break barrel pellet gun... (he has a thing against them since they ate some car wiring..)

[BCRider]

I have a lot of research to do...
something 500$ or under.
https://www.airgundepot.com/air-vent...air-rifle.html

That one has a 935fps muzzle velocity for the .22 size version It's also a pre-charged air cylinder style rather than a pump up style. It does list the option of a manual pump but I would venture that pumping up the cylinder before you can make a few low power shots will get old pretty quickly. And a manual pump that permits you to hit the 4K psi range for higher power will be even worse what with taking a long time of pumping and lots of effort to reach that pressure.

Plus I've been around some higher velocity .177 and a .22 air rifles. Up my way the velocity limit is only 500fps before it is classed as a "firearm". And even at that muzzle velocity they are LOUD. Like subsonic rimfire cartridge loud. I can only assume that a 930 fps air rifle will be as loud as .22LR HV rifle discharge. If quiet is what you want I don't think you're going to get it.

[ikdor]

I bought a Weihrauch HW90 with a pneumatic ram in .22 twenty years ago. It was pretty decent at the time and I guess Weihrauch is still good value. Problem with all the break barrels is they are fairly loud. You can get suppressors for them here but probably not easy where you live and the ram hitting the end stop can not be silenced. Get a scope rated for the reverse recoil if you get a spring rifle, otherwise it'll break.
The PCP ones with integral suppressor are much better if you want something quiet, but better get a compressor or scuba tank as I think pumping by hand will get old pretty quick. The PCPs are more expensive as well.

Funny how airgun rules differ per country, it's almost impossible to get a firearm in the Netherlands, but air rifles are unrestricted and I could just grab a 9mm from the shop....

[Ed ke6bnl]

That one has a 935fps muzzle velocity for the .22 size version It's also a pre-charged air cylinder style rather than a pump up style. It does list the option of a manual pump but I would venture that pumping up the cylinder before you can make a few low power shots will get old pretty quickly. And a manual pump that permits you to hit the 4K psi range for higher power will be even worse what with taking a long time of pumping and lots of effort to reach that pressure.

Plus I've been around some higher velocity .177 and a .22 air rifles. Up my way the velocity limit is only 500fps before it is classed as a "firearm". And even at that muzzle velocity they are LOUD. Like subsonic rimfire cartridge loud. I can only assume that a 930 fps air rifle will be as loud as .22LR HV rifle discharge. If quiet is what you want I don't think you're going to get it.

That's what I have in 25 caliber, deadly but you need the higher pressure pump to charge it. WINNER

[gellfex]

Actually - my dad gets rid of a ton of squirrels with his rugar .177 break barrel pellet gun... (he has a thing against them since they ate some car wiring..)

Goddam tree rats! One ate through a pex water line in the attic that was running to the fridge of the top floor apt. I have an ancient Daisy I would use to snipe at them from my basement window as they attacked my zucchinis decades ago. Being NJ, neighbors would not take kindly if I were seen. Made a few jump but never offed one. Google says those Daisies are 800 feet per second using BBs and 665 feet per second using pellets.

[RB211]

Hmm, my friend is a diver, perhaps a PCP rifle is a good way to go.
In Florida I have an ancient Sheridan Silver Streak .20 cal that is pretty accurate, but I want to keep that in Florida, this new one will be for Maine.

[Ringo]

I like the break barrel models, German makers.
Diana, Weihrauch
Beeman R9 looks good in the ad

https://www.airgundepot.com/diana-rws-350-magnum.html

https://www.airgundepot.com/beeman-r9-air-rifle.html

I have tried the pumps, the CO2 air charged ones, and break barrel.
The pumps are like stroking your machine to make it go, clumsy an noisy.
The CO2 runs out when you want a good shot
I'll keep my break barrels, simple, dependable, consistant, accurate.
There is also a variant on the spring/piston, and that is side-lever, very nice. (german)

[Doc Nickel]

A few years back, I briefly had a Webley & Scott PCP rifle with an integral suppressor. Only a two shot bolt action, but wickedly accurate. I got it with a hand pump, and roughly 100 strokes brought a low (but not empty) tank up to roughly proper shooting pressure. 'Course, I have access to HP compressed air, and usually fill it that way.

One "fill" lasts quite a while, and while I never chronied it, I was given to understand that at full power, it was just over 1,000 FPS. For a .22, that's approaching Long Rifle territory.

Never shot a living creature with it, but I'd have no doubt it'd kill a squirrel or even rabbit, and probably a small dog, cat or fox with a well-placed headshot.

No idea what the original cost was, I got it very lightly used for $400, and I considered it worth every penny. Not by any means "silent", but far quieter than a .22LR, excellent trigger, and almost boring in it's accuracy. With a good, clear 4X 'scope, I had to really screw up to miss.

Doc.

[CalM]

Peruse through the offerings . Pyramid Air covers them all. Like Airgun Depot.

"Game" ? Now there is a trick question.

I've got a pair of PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) Evanix air guns that will send a 28 grain .22, or a 18 grain .17 pellet out with a supersonic "CRACK"
Do the math on the energy and make your choices regarding "ethical kill".
I have several spring guns as well. A side lever that is fun to shoot but a bit on the heavy side. A "little guy" chicom .17 that might have sold for $20 when new.
The Crosman pump up is a handi size , and sends 14 grain .22 pells out around 740fps. It's a real chippy getter, but LOUD! and pumping six strokes every shot gets old.

My favorite, for "yard pests" like chippies, squirrels, and birds in the berries?

A CO2 powered rifle, It was a called an "Industry brand" AR2078 from the QB line. I got it from Archer Airguns

https://www.archerairguns.com/chinese-airguns-s/1.htm

Now marketed by Beeman . I have modified the "works" for gas efficiency and cut back on muzzle velociity . Just about 650 fps for the 14 grain .22 pell.
Scoped and with a bit of a "Lead Dust Collector" fitted, the shot sounds about like reading this "fffittt" I've shot it enough to know hold overs and unders at differing range out to 30 yards (my scope zero) Minute of squirrle head? No Problem. ;-)

My second favorite is the Crosman CO2 pistol. Pretty much the same as the above mentioned rifle, but "American Brand" and only a single CO2 cart.
I've got that fitted with a red dot. It's as deadly on rodents as I can hold it steady. ;-)

PS, The hi power Evanix rifles are "six shooters" . Realy quick on the follow up shots, and very accurate with heavy pellets. A ground hog was put away a couple years back, and would not hesitate to use it for coons or skunk (if far enough away ;-)

I feel fox are a bit too much to ask, but it would depend on getting a clean shot.

Airguns are JUST FUN!

ps

I hand pump the PCPs. 60 pumps returns about 25 good full power shots. The air valves are quasi self regulating.