Author Topic: Hunting rifle (Read 2281 times))

MadDelver · « **on:** December 02, 2019, 11:38:21 PM »

Hello, new to the forum hence the newby question. If this has been hashed out before can someone direct me to a thread?

I'm looking for a good hunting rifle for small game that won't break the bank since I'm on a limited income. I have a survivalist/prepper attitude, so I want something simple to maintain and is durable. I like the simplicity of a spring piston, but have read they wear out due to spring compression over time. Multi pumps are recommended, but I know they can spook small game while being pumped, and because they take time, reduce your chance of a follow up shot. PCP from what I have seen are expensive and I would have to have one with a hand pump. I think I have settled on 22 as being the best round, being in between the 177 and 25 and rather available.

Are there any important points I'm failing to consider? Are there any good rifles out there for less than $200?

Roy

Gertrude · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2019, 12:07:21 AM »

Bearing in mind your parameters of budget minded, small game capable, and "prepper friendly...
A QB78D will do you well down to about 70 degree temps.
But you are dependent on having Co2 cartridges on hand.
A decent pumper is not temp sensitive, bit requires several pumps per single shot.
A Benjamin Discovery has a operating pressure of only 2000 psi which is very do-able with a $50ish dollar hand pump and will give you about 30 good shots per air fill.
Hope this helps.

Back_Roads · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2019, 12:58:35 AM »

This is probably the best option for a pumper only needs 6 pumps to get small game has a magazine, basic construction/easy to repair, I have pumped these while a squirrel 15 yards away wondered what that clicking sound was, then he found out

There is a LDC/ moderator sold on ebay from froggy that will quiet down the pop it does make on higher pump shots.
https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/seneca-dragonfly-multi-pump-pellet-rifle/

Another option would be a mid power spring break barrel like a Hatsan 95, springs can go for over 10.000 cycles before failing maybe more. springers are not as bad as people make them sound, though one has to practice the craft to stay sharp.

https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product-category/closeouts/?orderby=price

About 250 would get you into pcp range with these sales.

DanD · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2019, 01:00:51 AM »

This might be a good choice:
https://www.fieldsupply.com/rws-meisterschutze-177-cal-pro-compact-air-rifle-combo-refurb.html

Or here's a .22
https://www.fieldsupply.com/rws-model-34-p-22-cal-air-rifle-refurb.html

Wayne52 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2019, 01:18:05 AM »

There's so many great guns out there to choose from it's unreal, the Disco is a good choice but it's only a single shot and right now is a good time to be shopping for a new one. I personally love a multishot myself but since getting into the pcp thing I've got pretty much everything that I need for filling a pcp.

Here's a dandy fox squirrel that I shot this morning at 50 yards with my Airmax Dominator.

Nomadic Pirate · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2019, 01:32:02 AM »

Aspen ?..... a bit more of the bat than you probably want to spend but.......

MadDelver · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2019, 03:14:34 AM »

Quote from: Back_Roads on December 03, 2019, 12:58:35 AM

Another option would be a mid power spring break barrel like a Hatsan 95, springs can go for over 10.000 cycles before failing maybe more. springers are not as bad as people make them sound, though one has to practice the craft to.

Now that you mention it, I heard of Slavia ZVP finally failing after 50 years of use. They never gave an estimate of how many times it was shot, but the potential is staggering. It also occured to me that I could just keep extra springs in storage anticipating possible failure. Either way, 10,000 shots is a lot.

A.K.A. Tommy Boy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2019, 06:23:22 AM »

Hi Roy !

Most PCP's are easier to hunt with and PCP's are easier to shoot well.
PCP's are more Powerful. more Accurate and will give you a Longer Range.
Many PCP's have Magazines and will give you a Quick Second Shot.
PCP's are capable Larger Calibers for Large Game.

Multi Pumps are great guns to hunt with too....I just recently sold a 20 cal. Sheridan Silver Streak and it was a nice rifle

That being said...here are the rifles that I hunt Small Game with.
They are break barrel rifles. My guns are Harder to shoot Accurately with.
They are a lot like learning to shoot a Recurve Bow and some folks never never get the hang of it.
My rifles either have gas ram's or they have spring powered pistons.
I have spent about $370 for all of my rifles..... combined.
My rifles are simple, self contained and dependable. They can take a lot of punishment and still function well.
They have held up to Very Sever Harsh Environments & Rugged Backcountry Conditions with Extreme Cold, Snow and Ice.

I am a hunter and not much of a target shooter and these are what I use to hunt with.

25 cal. Hatsan 125 TH Spring Piston
22 cal. Hatsan 125 Spring Piston (Walther Talon Magnum) *A Gift From SteveP-52*
22 cal. Crosman Summit Ranger NP2 Gas Piston
22 cal. Hatsan Edge Vortex Gas Piston
117 cal. Hatsan Striker Vortex Gas Piston

MadDelver · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2019, 08:41:38 AM »

Wow, thank you for the responses so far. One thing I realized is I don't need just one, I can have multiple air guns, imagine that. I'm a bit slow sometimes. So my game plan is to buy a NP now, then save my pennies for a nice PCP and multi-pump down the road.

I also did some research on NPs off and on during the night(my sleep is often disturbed several times during the night by nightmares due to PTSD). I was under the mistaken assumption they were unreliable and would leak a lot. According to my research they are at least twice as reliable as Spring Pistons, with several other advantages.

Local Walmart has some Ruger 22cal NPs, what's everyone's opinion on Ruger. I'm also considering a crosman(Benjamin) NP2. Thoughts?

Lastdog · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2019, 09:27:47 AM »

I have a crossman F4 at Walmart about a year ago and can highly recommend it. Very accurate, built tough and simple to operate. Save up some cash, watch the sales and get an aspen/ nova freedom.

Back_Roads · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2019, 09:37:57 AM »

I have a few rugers, and also Crosman NP's, I prefer the Fit and finish, triggers and shot cycles/ accuracy of the Rugers out of the box performance, from my experience.
Though Hatsan is my prefered brand, despite what many may say.

dave2288 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2019, 10:26:28 AM »

Im a big fan of the np2/npelite. Crosman has a sale on the .22 wood stock for 96.xx

a1rgunz · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2019, 11:01:26 AM »

This might sound crazy, but I would recommend a Daisy 880. Purchase a couple of reseal kits and a spare pump handle directly from Daisy. Top it with an inexpensive, lightweight 4x32 scope. Tape mod the barrel if needed, fill in the dish on the piston, and take out the pump retaining spring. It is hard to find a lighter rig to carry in the woods. You'll have less than $100 in the whole setup and parts to keep it running strong for years.

Plenty of power and accuracy for squirrel and rabbit hunting. All of the 880s I've tested shoot RWS Superdomes well. Loaded with 10.5 grain Crosman dome pellets, it has enough juice to dispatch larger animals like groundhogs, possums, and coons in a live trap.

In 2017/2018, between small game hunting with my 880, trapping, and fishing, my family of 4 bought almost no meat from the store. We combined that with foraging for mushrooms and plants. Food and entertainment all in one!

EMrider · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2019, 11:25:56 AM »

I hunt small game fairly often and have tried most everything in the world of airguns. Pumpers, springers and PCPs.......everything from low cost options (Gamo, Daisy 880) to high cost PCPs (Taipan).

If I had to pick one gun to cover all of my needs, it would be a .177 Weihrauch springer shooting at between 11fpe and 13fpe. The hw95, hw97k and hw50s are all excellent options and are very accurate out to 50 yards. .177 pellets are cheap and plentiful and available in sizes from 7gr up to 13gr. They deliver plenty of energy to take small game out to 50 yards.

Any of these HW spring guns should give you 5,000+ shots on the factory spring and replacement springs cost about $15.

Good luck choosing.

R

MadDelver · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2019, 11:31:09 AM »

Quote from: dave2288 on December 03, 2019, 10:26:28 AM

Im a big fan of the np2/npelite. Crosman has a sale on the .22 wood stock for 96.xx

That would have been perfect, but it looks like I just missed the sale, they are out of the 22.

JeffB1961 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2019, 11:39:27 AM »

if you're interested in PCP ..... a .22 or .25 gauntlet can be had for $243 at sportsman guide and a chinese hand pump can be had for $40 on amazon and other places , i got mine from wally world . i'm 58 with a replaced knee , replaced hip and back issues and i use the cheap yosoo/hivbee pump . so for under $300 you can have a LOT more power with farther killing power , faster follow up shots and zero recoil typically resulting in better accuracy . the .25's have barrel bands

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/productlist?k=umarex+gauntlet

https://www.walmart.com/search/?grid=true&page=1&query=PCP+hand+pump&sort=price_low

Nomadic Pirate · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2019, 12:00:44 PM »

I had several Crosman/Benjamin NPs and NP2,.......very, very happy with all of them.

Extreme .457 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2019, 02:00:44 PM »

You might look into the used Airguns also. Many members here will
Part with a gun, do your research and purchase a good gun from the start. One that will
Last and be low maintenance. If you consider a spring piston gun get the best you can afford. The Aspen Is a great hunting gun with an on board pump. Look at the Discovery.22 with pump combo. Affordable and great gun, I own two that my grandsons keep at their home. Many options.
Good luck My Brother

MadDelver · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2019, 02:37:27 PM »

Extreme 475, I've browsed the for sale stuff and found nothing. Was kind of hoping to find a used PCP because thats the only way I could afford one right now.

BigBird · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2019, 03:43:59 PM »

https://www.fieldsupply.com/airguns/crosman-f4-classic-nitro-piston-177-cal-air-rifle-combo-refurb.html
Here is a good deal on NP that you can modify the trigger very easily to make it a pretty good gun. I've got one and it has good accuracy but with these Crosman and cheap break barrels you cant shoot it off a rest or anything solid. You have to improvise with a double layered ballon or soft pillow or use the "artillery hold".

For a cheap PCP I'd say a QB chief if you can find the first version for about $150. Or a Guantlet:
https://www.fieldsupply.com/airguns/umarex-gauntlet-22-cal-air-rifle-black-refurb.html

A QB 79 to hpa conversion would also be a great choice. See here:
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=49943.0
The last 3 have about the same trigger and it is pretty good when adjusted.

However, I'd wait until one pops up in classifieds or bargain gate cause you'll kick yourself later for buying retail if you do.

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Hunting rifle

Author Topic: Hunting rifle (Read 2281 times))

Nomadic Pirate

Nomadic Pirate