Next Rifle?

[AHMSA]

Hello Everyone,

I've been having the itch to buy a new gun and I have some gift cards from PA.

I would like recommendations for my next gun.  See my signature for an idea of what I currently have.  Here is what I'm looking for:

.22 magnum springer
Synthetic stock
Priced under $200 - might be able to stretch it a little more.
Available at PA
Hunting accuracy out to 35+ yards
Not a monster to cock

The ones I'm thinking about are and some of the drawbacks:

Hatsan Edge - I don't love the skeleton stock.
Ruger Air Magnum - Seems not well built in general (cheap Chinese?).
Hatsan 125 Sniper - HARD to cock (I already have one in .25) and a little over my budget.
Gamo Big Cat 1250 - Not as powerful.
RWS 34P - Over my budget and not as powerful but very accurate (based on what I hear people say).

Am I looking for a unicorn? Or does it exist?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[BenjiHunter]

RWS 34P.

[Methuselah]

Maybe add the Hatsan 95 to that list, the ones with a spring...

Why not consider a flyingdragon tuned rifle?  Or a used that has been tuned (watch the classifieds)?

People have had very good luck with the wood stock Remington Express too.  Mine had issues but I chose not to send it back, and I got it for a good price and in .22 caliber.

Also, the D34's sometimes sell as refurbished for under your budget.  Problem is if you live in the USA, Umarex doesn't honor warranties...

[mobilehomer]

Here is what you are looking for. Honest 21fpe and accurate. 25 to 28 lbs. cocking force. Very quiet.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/benjamin-174-steel-eagle-jim-shockey-signature-series-air-rifle/1954591.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsteel%252Beagle%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts&Ntt=steel+eagle

[AHMSA]

RWS 34P.

Plain and simple??!! *smile*... I've heard a lot of good things about those rifles.  It's tempting.  Thanks for the recommendation.

[AHMSA]

Maybe add the Hatsan 95 to that list, the ones with a spring...

Thanks for the recommendations.  I already have a Hatsan 95 and I love it.  I'm looking for one in synthetic stock unless it's something too nice to give up and only available in wood stock.

People have had very good luck with the wood stock Remington Express too.  Mine had issues but I chose not to send it back, and I got it for a good price and in .22 caliber.

That might be a good option as well.  Do you know if the advertised velocity measured with lead pellets or lightest non-lead pellets they could find?

Why not consider a flyingdragon tuned rifle?  Or a used that has been tuned (watch the classifieds)?

I'm only interested in guns available at PA because I have few gift cards to use.  I want to buy a fully-tuned FlyingDragon rifle but that will have to wait.

Problem is if you live in the USA, Umarex doesn't honor warranties...

Does that apply to new RWS guns? I thought they all have lifetime warranty.

[AHMSA]

Here is what you are looking for. Honest 21fpe and accurate. 25 to 28 lbs. cocking force. Very quiet.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/benjamin-174-steel-eagle-jim-shockey-signature-series-air-rifle/1954591.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsteel%252Beagle%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts&Ntt=steel+eagle

Thank you for the recommendation.  The NP2 line of guns all seem interesting.  PA has a sale on the Trail NP2 with an upgraded scope for $200.  However, I don't trust gas pistons too much.  I hear that they fail a lot more often than a good old metal spring.  I had one fail before and Hatsan's customer service were nice enough to switch it, at no extra charge, to a metal spring for me on my Mod 95.

I really appreciate the suggestions and the help.

[Methuselah]

People have had very good luck with the wood stock Remington Express too.  Mine had issues but I chose not to send it back, and I got it for a good price and in .22 caliber.

That might be a good option as well.  Do you know if the advertised velocity measured with lead pellets or lightest non-lead pellets they could find?

Below is a cut and paste from an e-mail I sent to Remington when I asked if they minded me tightening the pivot bolt and sending or selling me a seal (in case I messed it up taking pressure off that pivot):

Chrono Connect
 10/31/2015


 RWS SD          Avg fps                      Premier HP              Avg fps
 14.5 Gr           776                             14.3 Gr                   801
 771                                                 794
 779             avg fpe                         781                        avg fpe
 793             19.4                              806                          20.4
 761                                                 802
 780             Std Dev                         813                        Std Dev
 774             10.7                              810                          11.8

                   Span                                                             Span
                    32                                                                 32

 It says 19 FPE on the Remington Express box.  Despite the issues I'm seeing with mine I do still recommend it but think you need a safety net (return policy, just in case).

Why not consider a flyingdragon tuned rifle?  Or a used that has been tuned (watch the classifieds)?

I'm only interested in guns available at PA because I have few gift cards to use.  I want to buy a fully-tuned FlyingDragon rifle but that will have to wait.

I jumped in too quick, should have noted you were not a beginner and knew what you were asking for - sorry!

Problem is if you live in the USA, Umarex doesn't honor warranties...

Does that apply to new RWS guns? I thought they all have lifetime warranty.

Diana has a lifetime warranty on guns stamped with RWS, but the administrator of that warranty in the USA, well, just look at all the complaints on the BBB against Umarex.  It's OK to use words like Umarex, honor, integrity, and doing the right thing, but I would not normally expect these words to appear in the same document, and this may be the only time in history you see them in the same sentence ...

[AHMSA]

People have had very good luck with the wood stock Remington Express too.  Mine had issues but I chose not to send it back, and I got it for a good price and in .22 caliber.

That might be a good option as well.  Do you know if the advertised velocity measured with lead pellets or lightest non-lead pellets they could find?

Below is a cut and paste from an e-mail I sent to Remington when I asked if they minded me tightening the pivot bolt and sending or selling me a seal (in case I messed it up taking pressure off that pivot):

Chrono Connect
 10/31/2015


 RWS SD          Avg fps                      Premier HP              Avg fps
 14.5 Gr           776                             14.3 Gr                   801
 771                                                 794
 779             avg fpe                         781                        avg fpe
 793             19.4                              806                          20.4
 761                                                 802
 780             Std Dev                         813                        Std Dev
 774             10.7                              810                          11.8

                   Span                                                             Span
                    32                                                                 32

 It says 19 FPE on the Remington Express box.  Despite the issues I'm seeing with mine I do still recommend it but think you need a safety net (return policy, just in case).

Why not consider a flyingdragon tuned rifle?  Or a used that has been tuned (watch the classifieds)?

I'm only interested in guns available at PA because I have few gift cards to use.  I want to buy a fully-tuned FlyingDragon rifle but that will have to wait.

I jumped in too quick, should have noted you were not a beginner and knew what you were asking for - sorry!

Problem is if you live in the USA, Umarex doesn't honor warranties...

Does that apply to new RWS guns? I thought they all have lifetime warranty.

Diana has a lifetime warranty on guns stamped with RWS, but the administrator of that warranty in the USA, well, just look at all the complaints on the BBB against Umarex.  It's OK to use words like Umarex, honor, integrity, and doing the right thing, but I would not normally expect these words to appear in the same document, and this may be the only time in history you see them in the same sentence ...

Thank you very much for the information.  I will look into the Remington.

[AHMSA]

I'm still open to suggestions.  Please keep them coming.

[GP2004]

I bought two Remington Express when Midway had them on sale. I really like the stocks on the Remington. One required quite a bit of work to make it good and the other just needed a break-in. It would be good to have a return privilege.

[AHMSA]

I bought two Remington Express when Midway had them on sale. I really like the stocks on the Remington. One required quite a bit of work to make it good and the other just needed a break-in. It would be good to have a return privilege.

Are you referring to the wood stock or the synthetic one? The wood looks beautiful but I already have too many (if there is such a thing) wood guns.

[Methuselah]

I bought two Remington Express when Midway had them on sale. I really like the stocks on the Remington. One required quite a bit of work to make it good and the other just needed a break-in. It would be good to have a return privilege.

I thought I dug up that you spoke of a breach seal, and a barrel?  I'm working on mine soon and would love to know what all it took to get your "bit of work" one shooting?

Prolly got mine same sale...

[SteveP-52]

Go back to PA and look for the Hatsan Striker 1000S....comes in spring or gas ram, the S is for synthetic stock...same rifle as the Edge without the skeleton stock. Rated for 800 fps, my Edge version with the Vortex shoots around 755 average with H&N FTT 14.66gr so the Striker springer should be real close.

[Charles Outdoors]

Another option is a  Walther Terrus.  Made in German. A liitle less than a RWS 34. Power about the same as a 34. 

[GP2004]

I bought two Remington Express when Midway had them on sale. I really like the stocks on the Remington. One required quite a bit of work to make it good and the other just needed a break-in. It would be good to have a return privilege.

Are you referring to the wood stock or the synthetic one? The wood looks beautiful but I already have too many (if there is such a thing) wood guns.

Actually both. I bought a synthetic stock version from Amazon when they had it on sale to give it away to my friend so we could shoot in his back yard. I understand how you might prefer synthetic to wood, or the other way round, but I don't understand the 'too many'. I guess I not close enough yet.

[19Sheridan57]

I also recommend Hatsan. A lot of gun for the money. You state that you want a .22 with Magnum power. That can be a trick to find, but not with Hatsan. they are pretty true to their advertised FPS rating, unlike so many others that may advertise at 1000 fps, & the best they will do with lead pellets is 750 , etc !

[SteveP-52]

I just found out I have to take back considering the Hatsan Striker in .22 at least from PA as they only show the rifle in .177 and .25 which is strange because AGD shows it in  a .22 caliber version. Maybe if you call PA they can say why??

It also brought the Webley Spector to mind because I have the .177 version and Ed aka Old Corps has one in .22 he says he really likes. That one also has a screwy side as PA wants $149.99 and you can buy that same rifle on Amazon for $69.17.

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/webley-spector-air-rifle?m=3624

[mobilehomer]

Here is what you are looking for. Honest 21fpe and accurate. 25 to 28 lbs. cocking force. Very quiet.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/benjamin-174-steel-eagle-jim-shockey-signature-series-air-rifle/1954591.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsteel%252Beagle%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts&Ntt=steel+eagle

Thank you for the recommendation.  The NP2 line of guns all seem interesting.  PA has a sale on the Trail NP2 with an upgraded scope for $200.  However, I don't trust gas pistons too much.  I hear that they fail a lot more often than a good old metal spring.  I had one fail before and Hatsan's customer service were nice enough to switch it, at no extra charge, to a metal spring for me on my Mod 95.

I really appreciate the suggestions and the help.

I have a Trail NP2 with over 10000 through it. No problems at all with the ram. Plus, I spoke with Crosman CS, it is only $8.00 for a new one. And with very little preload, it is easier to tear down for maintenance. 

[Old Corps]

I just found out I have to take back considering the Hatsan Striker in .22 at least from PA as they only show the rifle in .177 and .25 which is strange because AGD shows it in  a .22 caliber version. Maybe if you call PA they can say why??

It also brought the Webley Spector to mind because I have the .177 version and Ed aka Old Corps has one in .22 he says he really likes. That one also has a screwy side as PA wants $149.99 and you can buy that same rifle on Amazon for $69.17.

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/webley-spector-air-rifle?m=3624

Didn't realize they had the .22 at that crazy low price again. FOR THE $$$ it's a steal. I managed to get mine for $61.XX the last time they had the price down--it actually started at $57.XX that time, then the price continued to rise until it ended up somewhere close to that PA price. It was a good shooter out of the box and after running a 100 or so rounds through it, it quieted down and the shot cycle smoothed out a lot. Filling the stock with silicone took care of the "twang" & replacing the adjustment screw with one a bit longer made the trigger very acceptable. It's powerful and very accurate with just the open sights.

Ed