Value oriented air rifle recommendation

[gdubya]

My sister wants a mechanically charged (not co2) air rifle for target shooting and very small varmint hunting. She will probably not use it much, so it doesn't need to be the best. Looking to spend under $150, are there some decent options?

[bummey]

Daisy 953 or one of the CMP Daisy air rifles.

[Rip Van Winkle]

+1 on the CMP. They also have these used refurbished rifles.

Pyramyd also has these refurbished rifles.

[gdubya]

Those look like perfect for target shooting. But I wonder if one would humanely take a squirrel at about 25 yards? Rabbit?

[CZscout]

Those look like perfect for target shooting. But I wonder if one would humanely take a squirrel at about 25 yards? Rabbit?

Keep it simple!

Small price + value + performance (for me) = break barrel Crossman Quest 1000X or Crossman Optimus 1200. These are single shot, break barrel, mechanical spring .177 pellet rifles.

http://www.crosman.com/airguns/rifles/b ... rel/C1K77X
http://www.crosman.com/airguns/rifles/b ... rel/CO1K77

They can be found at almost any sports / farm store (even Walmart) and start around $69.

The the Quest 1000X with .177 hunting ammo has no issues with rabbit and squirrel at 25 yards. I believe 1000fps or faster is right for hunting.

The accuracy with the stock fiber optic sights is absolutely amazing, no scope needed.


Good Luck!

[Vashjir]

I would want something more powerful for small game. My personal minimum would be 800 fps in a .22 cal projectile, with a max distance of about 40 yards. I wouldn't trust a .177 (even at 900fps+) to kill in one hit at anything over 25 yards. If she's actually going to use this for hunting a few extra dollars will translate into a far more humane weapon.

Edit: CZ's suggestions are a better suited to hunting than the previous ones, and crosman is still a well built brand, but I'd still prefer the added power and range of a .22 vs the .177.

[yuppiejr]

With good marksmanship the difference is irrelevant, though out of the same basic rifle the 22 is slower than the 177 so using a pellet that dumps energy rather than passing through is probably smart for hunting with the 177. Think 17 hmr vs 22 mag.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[2in2out]

My favorite budget air rifle of all time is still this one:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Daisy-Model-880-BB-Carbine-Air-Rifle-with-Scope/15730096

Break barrel rifles are potentially quite a bit more powerful, but more difficult to be accurate with, in my opinion. For a beginner, I would start with something that will allow her to be successful, and then work up to a small game rifle.

[gdubya]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. Sis is a wild food foraging expert and now wants to take squirrels and rabbits at short distances, so I will look at the 1000-1200fps models or a reasonable priced 22. (Edit: .22 pellets are all over the place, once I opened my eyes.) If my Wally world or Gouger Mtn have that Crosman Optimus for less than the $85 it is on Amazon prime, that'll work.

[Ironbear]

Those look like perfect for target shooting. But I wonder if one would humanely take a squirrel at about 25 yards? Rabbit?

For a mere order of magnitude jump in price, you could have a 6-shot repeater in .50 cal!!!
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Evanix_Max_ML_Bullpup/3394
Should handle rabbits!!!

... I really shouldn't have gone looking.....


They do have some in your price range, with fair ratings, in .22 and.25 caliber...
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Hatsan_1000S_Striker_Combo_Air_Rifle_Black/2673

[gdubya]

Thoughts on Gamo silent cat?

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Gamo_Silent_Cat/1860

[shooter115]

My last residence had several black walnut trees and a massive squirrel infestation. It was so bad that they would destroy the yard if left unchecked. I can say without a doubt that a .177 pellet will flatten a squirrel almost instantly if hit in the boiler room, as I've killed hundreds of them. When you think about in terms of scale, it's the likeness of taking a whitetail with a 1,000+gr bullet.

[gdubya]

Came home empty handed.

These both looked interesting, but since there were multiples of both on the shelf I didn't feel compelled to pick up either, with no research other than google on my smartphone.

Beeman Silver Kodiak X2 Dual Caliber Air Rifle Combo with 4x32mm Scope: $100
•Break-barrel action
•Fires .177/.22 caliber pellets
•Velocity: 1000/830 fps
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Beeman-Silver ... e/27944720

Gamo Silent Cat 0.177 Cal. Break Barrel Air Repeater: $130
•Sights: Fiber optic front and rear sights
•Optics: Raised Rail - 4x32, air rifle scope with 1 piece mount
1000fps or 1200fps w/ aluminum pellets
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gamo-Silent-C ... e/12537971

[Back In Black]

Not my ad. I have the Gamo Big Cat. It gets the job done nicely.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/3842024/m ... owermaster

[gdubya]

Realized that with my Sister's bad back, weight was a concern so went with the Gamo Silent Cat. After looking now, considering something else for myself...