Any body into air rifles? Need a recommendation

dball · Post by **dball** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:00 am

Thinking about getting an air rifle and haven't had one for the past 25 or so years. I like this one, but I don't really want to drop $100+ on this.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_397/206#sSpec

I'll be using it for basic target shooting and to eliminate/discourage garden pests - one of which I'd like NOT to kill. So, anyone have any recommendations? I'm not attached to any brand/type/etc. I do want it to be good quality and dead-on accurate.

TIA,

Dball

Post by **guncrank1** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:05 am

That isxa good vrand

Post by **JustShootIt** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:18 am

Not sure about this exact model, but I had a Benjamin Sherridan rifle growing up that was a great gun.....took tons of abuse and it was very accurate.....

Post by **Livewire** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:41 am

I've shot a Benjamin and it was a very nice air rifle.

It was a .22 caliber and accurate. We did some 50 yard shots with it and it really surprised me.

I guess since I'd only dealt with crossman's and daisy rifles I didn't expect much.

Post by **etownguy** » Mon May 07, 2012 10:51 am

RWS makes some really good ones. But they are above the $100 range. Pretty much all the spring action types now are close to 1,000 fps. I'll check the brand of my dads but it is s cheaper one and you can shoot golf balls at 100 yards if conditions are perfect.

Post by **nemo** » Mon May 07, 2012 11:20 am

I own two Beemans, C1 .177 and a R1 ,20. These are older models and work great. You get what you pay for.

dball · Post by **dball** » Mon May 07, 2012 12:31 pm

Hmmm, might just end up getting the Benjamin after all. I looked at the Beemans, pretty nice, but I didn't see one that was variable power. Pretty sure a pellet at 1000fps would kill most of what I need to convince to stay out of the garden/yard. Maybe I'm asking too much from a pellet rifle to be able to scare/dissuade some small animals, but also kill them at times. Might need an air rifle and a slingshot - it'll be like I'm twelve again!

Post by **Next** » Mon May 07, 2012 2:05 pm

You might look at a Red Rider, it is easy to use and not very powerful so it shouldn't kill pests.

Post by **gruntmedik** » Mon May 07, 2012 2:42 pm

Or think about an airsoft gun if you just want to run the pest(s) off.

That being said, the website you posted is awesome for all things air gun.

Post by **nemo** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:14 pm

I shoot the cleaning felt pads at things I don't want to kill. They hurt pretty bad but do not penetrate.

dball · Post by **dball** » Mon May 07, 2012 11:01 pm

nemo wrote:I shoot the cleaning felt pads at things I don't want to kill. They hurt pretty bad but do not penetrate.

How much range can you get with those, Nemo?

Post by **nemo** » Mon May 07, 2012 11:28 pm

20 yards gets a good yelp from a stray dog.

Post by **Tyler** » Tue May 08, 2012 12:02 am

You might want to try bitter apple spray for the plants. You should be able to find it at most pet stores. It's not harmful to the plants or animals, but they can't stand the taste.

Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Tue May 08, 2012 2:23 am

http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/5913356 most wm have this in stock in the store.its a pump so you can vary the pressure.(i know you said rifle but these are fun.& you can get a "rifle stock" add on) http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001BR1NE8

dball · Post by **dball** » Tue May 08, 2012 8:23 am

Thanks, Guys! I'm going to ride by Walmart and Dick's today and look at a few. I've got a recipe around here somewhere for a cayenne pepper spray that's good for most 4 legged pests - I'll post it when I find it.

ccviper · Post by **ccviper** » Tue May 08, 2012 11:52 am

I have a Beeman with interchangable .177 and .22 barrels. Pretty nice and very accurate

Post by **KYgundude** » Tue May 08, 2012 8:25 pm

FWIW I was at TG&G tonight and they now have a bunch of air rifles for sale now. Not sure if they prices or brands are worth a shit. Not even sure if they are regular or airsoft. Just thought I'd mention it.

dball · Post by **dball** » Tue May 08, 2012 9:34 pm

Thanks, KYgundude - I'll check that out. Saw the beeman with interchangeable barrels at wally-world today. It was pretty nice. They also had a Ruger around the same price that was nice too.

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