I have been looking for a new Airgun for hunting for a while now but cannot come up with a gun that is going to do what I need. I would like some suggestions on what guns you guys on GTA recommend under $350. Most of my hunting will be in the cold, sub 32 degrees, so a gas ram will be beneficial. most shots are in the 30-40 yard range if not closer and game will all be rabbit sized game or smaller. Id like to get a gun that is in .22 cal and is able to give great accuracy, 1" groups or better, at these ranges and in these conditions without tuneing. Any suggestions?
Quote from: Skunkarue62 on November 05, 2017, 12:00:46 PMI have been looking for a new Airgun for hunting for a while now but cannot come up with a gun that is going to do what I need. I would like some suggestions on what guns you guys on GTA recommend under $350. Most of my hunting will be in the cold, sub 32 degrees, so a gas ram will be beneficial. most shots are in the 30-40 yard range if not closer and game will all be rabbit sized game or smaller. Id like to get a gun that is in .22 cal and is able to give great accuracy, 1" groups or better, at these ranges and in these conditions without tuneing. Any suggestions? For 350 bucks you can get a couple different PCPs and a pump with money left over,Strictly for Hunting a pcp will just outperform any springer, More power, more accurate and also it will be much lighter and shorter too.I would look into the SPA base gun and a pump from Mrodair the complete package should be under 300 bucks.
"Most of my hunting will be in the cold, sub 32 degrees, so a gas ram will be beneficial. most shots are in the 30-40 yard range if not closer and game will all be rabbit sized game or smaller. Id like to get a gun that is in .22 cal and is able to give great accuracy, 1" groups or better, at these ranges and in these conditions without tuneing. " Those are pretty tough requirements. Under those conditions, perhaps a bigger part of the equation is the shooter. Even on a "controlled", Field Target range, once you get out to those ranges, even a little wind can throw things off, and that's sitting, with sticks for support! Are you sure that YOU can consistently hit 1" at 30-40 yards? After you pick a gun, you should go out under those conditions, set up some targets at those ranges, and see what you can hit. You may have to bring your ranges in a bit to make sure that you can humanely hunt the game.
An R9/HW95 in .177 is my small game tool of choice. Superb quality and accuracy, plenty of power, easy handling, relatively easy to shoot. I've never had a problem with a steel spring in any weather, although I do appreciate the gas ram lack of twang.2nd choice would be an RWS 34 or maybe 340 for pure hunting, or an HW50 if I wanted to hunt and plink. Accuracy is the name of the game. I've found the extra cash for a German gun amounts to accuracy insurance. Cheaper guns can be luck of the draw as to whether you get a good barrel. Have fun!
My choice would be to go German - either a Diana 34 or a Weihrauch HW95. More affordable may be a fully tuned XS-25 (a Chinese Diana 34 clone) from Flying Dragon Air Rifles. Be advised - with any spring piston air rifle there is a learning curve involved getting it to shoot accurately. You may find a one inch group at twenty yards off a bench to be a challenge.A PCP air rifle is easier to shoot accurately than a spring piston as it shoots like a standard firearm. There is a cost and extra equipment involved, though.After you purchase a bargain air rifle you may find yourself seeking a better trigger. As far as any scope included with a package purchase - it's the luck of the draw. They are generally lower quality scopes.Unless there is a heavy layer of grease on the spring a conventional coil spring should do fine in cold weather. Leaving it cocked while hunting should present no long term problems - just remember to uncock it before storing it.
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