Best magnum springer under $500

[Yogi]

I always take "out to 50 yards" as more like 20-30 yards.  With 50 yards being a max distance shot that is rarely taken.  Where I am from you rarely could even find a small game animal that far out. 

Everybody new to airguns comments "out to 50 yards".  Also even discussing firearms and large game animals, everybody still seems to talk "out to 300" or "out to 400" even though I have only met a couple people in my life that ever attempted a shot past 150 yards or so. 

So I don't get too emotional over stuff like that.  Friendly advice is one thing, shaking your proverbial finger at the new guy is completely different.  It only serves to push them away. 

I would argue that inside of 25 yards, about a 15 fpe, accurate springer with good quality domes is enough gun for anything up to/including a mature raccoon.  Given a brain shot of course.

Jeez,

i thought Texas was big wide open country.   Come to Cali if you want to shoot at distance.
I guy I shoot with at the range hits a 2inch bell set at 120 yards 9 times out of 10 with his .25 FX.  100 yard shots are very doable with a PCP, not with a springer.
Anyway, since the OP has not chimed in about his normal hunting distance all of this is just conjecture.....

-Y

[HectorMedina]

Totally bed-ridden with a real bad flu. My body aches all over and my head is about to explode, so I am trying to rest and not get railed up, I am also trying to understand the motives of each and every answer here, and while yes, there's a bunch of conjectures, the truth is that it has been an interesting read to understand the diversity of airgunners in the forum.

Now, talking from MY experience:
Aguila SSS's need a special barrel to be accurate (fast twist), not always in the shooter's plans or possibilities.
CB Caps and other "Flobert" style of loads are ridiculously inaccurate at anything past 20 yards from sporter guns. SOME match guns shoot them well out to 30 yards, but they are also rare and far between. Remember Flobert loads were born to shoot inside parlor rooms (ZimmerStutzen), not outdoors. They are also expensive, when you can get them.

I don't know the size of our friend the OP's backyard, but if he uses a shotgun now and then, I have to assume he has a clear 150-200 yards straight out. Otherwise, usage of a shotgun (in ANY gauge) would border on the highly irresponsible.
SO, he WANTS to shoot long range (50 and over), BUT he has expressed his desire for a spring gun. He has also placed a cap at $500, so that rules out the more refined/expensive ones, and leaves us with true "sporter" guns.
From teaching shooting and coaching shooters experience, I would tell the OP that going to a spring gun is a complete change in shooting habits (at that price level). Gone is the cheek weld, the tight forearm control, the pull by the trigger hand into the shoulder.
He will venture into a completely new world. He says he has read about this, but how much he has "digested" that he will have to relearn how to shoot, is still to be discussed.

The price cap, also means that  once you take into account the initial expenses on HPA supply, there is not much room for a quality PCP. Those who mention FX's are clearly out of contact with this person's reality.

At that price level, he would do well to look into a Stormrider or a Gauntlet. Different beasts, but basically in the same price bracket. The Discovery is a 12 year old technology that has not kept the pace. Yes it can be updated (and Crosman's efforts and failure) have shown that it is not that easy to make it an "Optimum" rifle. Yes it is workable, and yes it MAY provide endless entertainment (IF that is what the OP is looking for) in the tinkering phase. Choosing the GAMO Urban or Coyote, would leave precious little money for the sighting system.

IMMHO, the proposal of a 460 (used) is the most meritorious, as long as we make a complete proposal. Just suggesting the OP to purchase one would be delinquent on our part. So, let's flesh out the whole process:

IDEALLY, he should get a gun that has been used already this will save him the time and effort of shooting it in and will provide SOME level of benchmark. IF he can get one that, for any reason, is shooting at around the 12-14 ft-lbs ME, he has scored a first victory.
With this rifle in hand, he can then sit down and learn by direct first-hand contact, the reality of springer shooting.
He should invest in a ZR mount, and the best scope he can buy, because everybody has been talking "power", but few have said that the "Emperor is naked" in the sense that power in airguns is a "hygiene" factor (A minimum has to be there, but it is not the over-riding factor).

SO, let's say it clearly: "AIRGUNS KILL BY PRECISION OF SHOT PLACEMENT"  Anything else is rubbish.

You need 3 ft-lbs to break a mammal's skin, then about 1 ft-lb per inch of penetration in organs, 2 ft-lbs per inch of penetration in muscle. Using a 0.22" pellet, 3 ft-lbs will break most bones (exception being an O'Possum's skull in a raking shot). So, do your maths: A well placed  0.22" pellet that LANDS with  8 ft-lbs will kill a Raccon, a Groundhog, a Badger, and most other small/noxious animals. Yes you need to shoot accurately, but that is the threshold. And that power level is well within the possibilities of a 14 ft-lbs / 16 grs. DIANA 460 well out to about 70 yards.
Now, I am not saying that the OP should even ATTEMPT a 70 yards shot, but I am just saying that the "Hygiene" factor is there and with some leeway to boot.
The other advantage of buying a used 460 in the 14 ft-lbs yield region is that, as the OP skills grow, the gun can grow with him.
A change in spring/tune, and he is at the next level. Something you cannot really say about RF's, and only up to an extent with PCP's.
I am somewhat used to shooting 1.5" targets at 55 yards, part of being an FT shooter, and I do it at 12 ft-lbs with a 0.177" cal, yes it takes practice, but it is doable, and therefore, rewarding.
The 460 is a mature and stable platform, technologically speaking. And there are plenty of experiences/kits/accessories/information about them.

By advising, not only the entry point, but also the process of advancement, we might be doing the sport some good because, AFAIK, most people that quit airguns after trying them, quit them because their expectations were too high to start with.

JMMHO










HM

[Roark]

I am guessing the poster wants to avoid the extra equipment needed for a pcp.Why would a seneca aspen,nova freedom not fit his needs.Pcp acurate power no extra equipment required and in the price range.

[fwbsport]

I have faith in PCPs for ease of everything. I especially enjoyed using the .22 Tarantula and the .22 Black Widow--my first two PCPs from FX.  It was an $800 investment just in the rifle back in the late 90s.  I went through many PCPs and all of them no matter how reliable or unregulated or regulated needed attendance without long spans of being left alone.  They fail in seals and all sorts of things.  I only have one PCP and that was around $1000 or more in the days I got it, the Beeman Falcon R-x .25.  It still works ever since 2006.

The springers do have a way of introducing anyone into another kind of air shooting unique to the sport.  The Diana and HW series showing the way with new additions along the way.

Well every springer has an accurate range it CAN be relied on to utilize whether short or long range.  Fifty yards was always my limit even with the Theoben Gas ram--and it's because the hollow pellet can only go so far to do what it is intended to do and then it is off to the wind. 

The .22 LR is quite impressive clear out to 100 yards with open sights on any rifle made for it.  I went through a few and kept a USSR Vostok Ural 1 (24" Heavy barrel left hand twist) and a Remington 513 Matchmaster (27" barrel, right twist) with Redfield Globe sights.  These two are target rifles and they do much better than any pellet rifle in my inventory for accuracy and range.

Shooting a .22 Match Rifle is how a springer must be shot.  Yes the bullet version goes faster with powder but the gun is so heavy little is felt in recoil.  Pellet rifles also move and have vibration sweet spots that moderators can be used to exploit, but that takes a bit of shooting practice with a moderator in place.

Most muzzle ends are sans "muzzle brakes" unless one is there to GRIP and handle the barrel while cocking--darned if I know why they aren't also made to SILENCE. 

I used moderators on the Tarantula and Black Widow and those moderators were actually functional as silencers.  That is what made the .22 PCP the big bang for me in those days, quietness.

Well, I can achieve that today with a regular break barrel springer and short barrel with Weihrauch Moderator I did not have to install to find out about in performance.  The idea sounded "cool" and the look on the chopped and canned HW80 turned it into a special ops or covert mission rifle look--more dangerous in the right hands--but I wasn't expecting much more than what I already knew the HW80 does.

Turned out to be a success!  The Canned Twenty Two is much more silent than the uncanned versions, and accuracy to me seems to be the same or better with the can on. 

I can see that Hector's view from the bedded down flu position is on target.

Hope you get well Hector,

J

[Mark 611]

Just for u all's info I have shot plenty of G-Hogs @75yds with a 460 in .22cal and their just as dead as if I had shot them with a .22lr, I only take head shots! and the 460 has more then enough power to do the job!!!!

[Hoosier Daddy]

I did not see ANYTHING in the OP that mentioned 50 yards.
 That was brought up later by another member if I am reading this correctly.
He simply asked "Best Magnum Springer for under $500" in compariosion to a 22lr.
 Just as a refesher...

Hello everyone! I have come to ask you for some advice. I am in need of a pellet gun that is as close to a .22lr as possible. I have been researching pretty hard trying to decide what route to go. But there are so many options. This will be my first “real” pellet rifle. I do have experience with a cheaper .177 springer but now I’m looking for something capable of dispatching larger animals. Possums, coons, armadillos, squirrels basically everything short of whitetail ends up in my yard eating my cats food or chewing up my cars wiring.

For the past year I have been dealing with the problems with either a 12ga, 5.56, or 17hmr. The issue is noise though, my cats now have the 1000 yard stare going on and I’m afraid I might have to get them some ptsd counseling if I keep it up with the big guns 😂 so I’m trying to dial it back a little, but I still need something with power to dispatch things quickly and humanely.

The rifle that has really caught my eye is the rws 350 magnum in .22. But I’m curious, it seems the spring powered version of this rifle has been out for a long time. I haven’t had much luck finding anything that has much better specs though. Gamo seems to have a rifle that is a little more powerful but tbh they just don’t really do it for me.

So in short, I’m looking for a spring powered, user serviceable, high quality, high power .22 caliber. Is there anything out there that will beat the rws 350? Thanks for reading my book 😂.

Just to note, I do understand that magnum springers are more difficult in every area. I will accept the steep learning curve and harsh lessons if it means that I will eventually end up with a weapon that would take the place of a real rifle.

I have a pre-war Mossberg that holds sub 1/4" with CCI SSV's WAY out there...but that is not what he is asking for.
 So in retrospect, my answer is as off track as many.... If you want the best, Go German!
A Diana 460 is an underlever, To me that alone beats a break-barrel by spades.

[Yogi]

Totally bed-ridden with a real bad flu. My body aches all over and my head is about to explode, so I am trying to rest and not get railed up, I am also trying to understand the motives of each and every answer here, and while yes, there's a bunch of conjectures, the truth is that it has been an interesting read to understand the diversity of airgunners in the forum.

Now, talking from MY experience:
Aguila SSS's need a special barrel to be accurate (fast twist), not always in the shooter's plans or possibilities.
CB Caps and other "Flobert" style of loads are ridiculously inaccurate at anything past 20 yards from sporter guns. SOME match guns shoot them well out to 30 yards, but they are also rare and far between. Remember Flobert loads were born to shoot inside parlor rooms (ZimmerStutzen), not outdoors. They are also expensive, when you can get them.

I don't know the size of our friend the OP's backyard, but if he uses a shotgun now and then, I have to assume he has a clear 150-200 yards straight out. Otherwise, usage of a shotgun (in ANY gauge) would border on the highly irresponsible.
SO, he WANTS to shoot long range (50 and over), BUT he has expressed his desire for a spring gun. He has also placed a cap at $500, so that rules out the more refined/expensive ones, and leaves us with true "sporter" guns.
From teaching shooting and coaching shooters experience, I would tell the OP that going to a spring gun is a complete change in shooting habits (at that price level). Gone is the cheek weld, the tight forearm control, the pull by the trigger hand into the shoulder.
He will venture into a completely new world. He says he has read about this, but how much he has "digested" that he will have to relearn how to shoot, is still to be discussed.

The price cap, also means that  once you take into account the initial expenses on HPA supply, there is not much room for a quality PCP. Those who mention FX's are clearly out of contact with this person's reality.

At that price level, he would do well to look into a Stormrider or a Gauntlet. Different beasts, but basically in the same price bracket. The Discovery is a 12 year old technology that has not kept the pace. Yes it can be updated (and Crosman's efforts and failure) have shown that it is not that easy to make it an "Optimum" rifle. Yes it is workable, and yes it MAY provide endless entertainment (IF that is what the OP is looking for) in the tinkering phase. Choosing the GAMO Urban or Coyote, would leave precious little money for the sighting system.

IMMHO, the proposal of a 460 (used) is the most meritorious, as long as we make a complete proposal. Just suggesting the OP to purchase one would be delinquent on our part. So, let's flesh out the whole process:

IDEALLY, he should get a gun that has been used already this will save him the time and effort of shooting it in and will provide SOME level of benchmark. IF he can get one that, for any reason, is shooting at around the 12-14 ft-lbs ME, he has scored a first victory.
With this rifle in hand, he can then sit down and learn by direct first-hand contact, the reality of springer shooting.
He should invest in a ZR mount, and the best scope he can buy, because everybody has been talking "power", but few have said that the "Emperor is naked" in the sense that power in airguns is a "hygiene" factor (A minimum has to be there, but it is not the over-riding factor).

SO, let's say it clearly: "AIRGUNS KILL BY PRECISION OF SHOT PLACEMENT"  Anything else is rubbish.

You need 3 ft-lbs to break a mammal's skin, then about 1 ft-lb per inch of penetration in organs, 2 ft-lbs per inch of penetration in muscle. Using a 0.22" pellet, 3 ft-lbs will break most bones (exception being an O'Possum's skull in a raking shot). So, do your maths: A well placed  0.22" pellet that LANDS with  8 ft-lbs will kill a Raccon, a Groundhog, a Badger, and most other small/noxious animals. Yes you need to shoot accurately, but that is the threshold. And that power level is well within the possibilities of a 14 ft-lbs / 16 grs. DIANA 460 well out to about 70 yards.
Now, I am not saying that the OP should even ATTEMPT a 70 yards shot, but I am just saying that the "Hygiene" factor is there and with some leeway to boot.
The other advantage of buying a used 460 in the 14 ft-lbs yield region is that, as the OP skills grow, the gun can grow with him.
A change in spring/tune, and he is at the next level. Something you cannot really say about RF's, and only up to an extent with PCP's.
I am somewhat used to shooting 1.5" targets at 55 yards, part of being an FT shooter, and I do it at 12 ft-lbs with a 0.177" cal, yes it takes practice, but it is doable, and therefore, rewarding.
The 460 is a mature and stable platform, technologically speaking. And there are plenty of experiences/kits/accessories/information about them.

By advising, not only the entry point, but also the process of advancement, we might be doing the sport some good because, AFAIK, most people that quit airguns after trying them, quit them because their expectations were too high to start with.

JMMHO
HM

Sorry to hear you are under the weather, next year get a flu shot!

-Y

[rjp]

IMMHO, the proposal of a 460 (used) is the most meritorious, as long as we make a complete proposal. Just suggesting the OP to purchase one would be delinquent on our part. So, let's flesh out the whole process:

IDEALLY, he should get a gun that has been used already this will save him the time and effort of shooting it in and will provide SOME level of benchmark. IF he can get one that, for any reason, is shooting at around the 12-14 ft-lbs ME, he has scored a first victory.

I agree with the logic of starting low power and working up, but the OP did specifically ask about magnum springers, which is why I recommended the 460.

The 460 (in .22) out of the box is more like 25 FPE. Why would someone detune it down to 12-14 FPE? Wouldn't a nice Model 34 be better for that range?

[SpiralGroove]

Lastly ...
If you really must have a Springer, get a HW80 in .22 caliber from Krale for $425 (shipped to you in 3 days) or a Diana 460 in .22 from PA for $440 (including tax).  They both will give you ample power and accuracy; the Diana is a lighter, Under Lever, while the Weihrauch is a more highly finished, break barrel.

[SpiralGroove]

Totally bed-ridden with a real bad flu. My body aches all over and my head is about to explode, so I am trying to rest and not get railed up, I am also trying to understand the motives of each and every answer here, and while yes, there's a bunch of conjectures, the truth is that it has been an interesting read to understand the diversity of airgunners in the forum.

Now, talking from MY experience:
Aguila SSS's need a special barrel to be accurate (fast twist), not always in the shooter's plans or possibilities.
CB Caps and other "Flobert" style of loads are ridiculously inaccurate at anything past 20 yards from sporter guns. SOME match guns shoot them well out to 30 yards, but they are also rare and far between. Remember Flobert loads were born to shoot inside parlor rooms (ZimmerStutzen), not outdoors. They are also expensive, when you can get them.

I don't know the size of our friend the OP's backyard, but if he uses a shotgun now and then, I have to assume he has a clear 150-200 yards straight out. Otherwise, usage of a shotgun (in ANY gauge) would border on the highly irresponsible.
SO, he WANTS to shoot long range (50 and over), BUT he has expressed his desire for a spring gun. He has also placed a cap at $500, so that rules out the more refined/expensive ones, and leaves us with true "sporter" guns.
From teaching shooting and coaching shooters experience, I would tell the OP that going to a spring gun is a complete change in shooting habits (at that price level). Gone is the cheek weld, the tight forearm control, the pull by the trigger hand into the shoulder.
He will venture into a completely new world. He says he has read about this, but how much he has "digested" that he will have to relearn how to shoot, is still to be discussed.

The price cap, also means that  once you take into account the initial expenses on HPA supply, there is not much room for a quality PCP. Those who mention FX's are clearly out of contact with this person's reality.

At that price level, he would do well to look into a Stormrider or a Gauntlet. Different beasts, but basically in the same price bracket. The Discovery is a 12 year old technology that has not kept the pace. Yes it can be updated (and Crosman's efforts and failure) have shown that it is not that easy to make it an "Optimum" rifle. Yes it is workable, and yes it MAY provide endless entertainment (IF that is what the OP is looking for) in the tinkering phase. Choosing the GAMO Urban or Coyote, would leave precious little money for the sighting system.

IMMHO, the proposal of a 460 (used) is the most meritorious, as long as we make a complete proposal. Just suggesting the OP to purchase one would be delinquent on our part. So, let's flesh out the whole process:

IDEALLY, he should get a gun that has been used already this will save him the time and effort of shooting it in and will provide SOME level of benchmark. IF he can get one that, for any reason, is shooting at around the 12-14 ft-lbs ME, he has scored a first victory.
With this rifle in hand, he can then sit down and learn by direct first-hand contact, the reality of springer shooting.
He should invest in a ZR mount, and the best scope he can buy, because everybody has been talking "power", but few have said that the "Emperor is naked" in the sense that power in airguns is a "hygiene" factor (A minimum has to be there, but it is not the over-riding factor).

SO, let's say it clearly: "AIRGUNS KILL BY PRECISION OF SHOT PLACEMENT"  Anything else is rubbish.

You need 3 ft-lbs to break a mammal's skin, then about 1 ft-lb per inch of penetration in organs, 2 ft-lbs per inch of penetration in muscle. Using a 0.22" pellet, 3 ft-lbs will break most bones (exception being an O'Possum's skull in a raking shot). So, do your maths: A well placed  0.22" pellet that LANDS with  8 ft-lbs will kill a Raccon, a Groundhog, a Badger, and most other small/noxious animals. Yes you need to shoot accurately, but that is the threshold. And that power level is well within the possibilities of a 14 ft-lbs / 16 grs. DIANA 460 well out to about 70 yards.
Now, I am not saying that the OP should even ATTEMPT a 70 yards shot, but I am just saying that the "Hygiene" factor is there and with some leeway to boot.
The other advantage of buying a used 460 in the 14 ft-lbs yield region is that, as the OP skills grow, the gun can grow with him.
A change in spring/tune, and he is at the next level. Something you cannot really say about RF's, and only up to an extent with PCP's.
I am somewhat used to shooting 1.5" targets at 55 yards, part of being an FT shooter, and I do it at 12 ft-lbs with a 0.177" cal, yes it takes practice, but it is doable, and therefore, rewarding.
The 460 is a mature and stable platform, technologically speaking. And there are plenty of experiences/kits/accessories/information about them.

By advising, not only the entry point, but also the process of advancement, we might be doing the sport some good because, AFAIK, most people that quit airguns after trying them, quit them because their expectations were too high to start with.

JMMHO ... HM

Great Job Hector ... in fleshing out the process a shooter should think through on a Springer.  Nothing worse than being sick for the Holidays ......

[north country gal]

Hector, sorry to hear about the flu. Tis the season. Get well, soon.

[truck driver]

Totally bed-ridden with a real bad flu. My body aches all over and my head is about to explode, so I am trying to rest and not get railed up, I am also trying to understand the motives of each and every answer here, and while yes, there's a bunch of conjectures, the truth is that it has been an interesting read to understand the diversity of airgunners in the forum.

Now, talking from MY experience:
Aguila SSS's need a special barrel to be accurate (fast twist), not always in the shooter's plans or possibilities.
CB Caps and other "Flobert" style of loads are ridiculously inaccurate at anything past 20 yards from sporter guns. SOME match guns shoot them well out to 30 yards, but they are also rare and far between. Remember Flobert loads were born to shoot inside parlor rooms (ZimmerStutzen), not outdoors. They are also expensive, when you can get them.

I don't know the size of our friend the OP's backyard, but if he uses a shotgun now and then, I have to assume he has a clear 150-200 yards straight out. Otherwise, usage of a shotgun (in ANY gauge) would border on the highly irresponsible.
SO, he WANTS to shoot long range (50 and over), BUT he has expressed his desire for a spring gun. He has also placed a cap at $500, so that rules out the more refined/expensive ones, and leaves us with true "sporter" guns.
From teaching shooting and coaching shooters experience, I would tell the OP that going to a spring gun is a complete change in shooting habits (at that price level). Gone is the cheek weld, the tight forearm control, the pull by the trigger hand into the shoulder.
He will venture into a completely new world. He says he has read about this, but how much he has "digested" that he will have to relearn how to shoot, is still to be discussed.

The price cap, also means that  once you take into account the initial expenses on HPA supply, there is not much room for a quality PCP. Those who mention FX's are clearly out of contact with this person's reality.

At that price level, he would do well to look into a Stormrider or a Gauntlet. Different beasts, but basically in the same price bracket. The Discovery is a 12 year old technology that has not kept the pace. Yes it can be updated (and Crosman's efforts and failure) have shown that it is not that easy to make it an "Optimum" rifle. Yes it is workable, and yes it MAY provide endless entertainment (IF that is what the OP is looking for) in the tinkering phase. Choosing the GAMO Urban or Coyote, would leave precious little money for the sighting system.

IMMHO, the proposal of a 460 (used) is the most meritorious, as long as we make a complete proposal. Just suggesting the OP to purchase one would be delinquent on our part. So, let's flesh out the whole process:

IDEALLY, he should get a gun that has been used already this will save him the time and effort of shooting it in and will provide SOME level of benchmark. IF he can get one that, for any reason, is shooting at around the 12-14 ft-lbs ME, he has scored a first victory.
With this rifle in hand, he can then sit down and learn by direct first-hand contact, the reality of springer shooting.
He should invest in a ZR mount, and the best scope he can buy, because everybody has been talking "power", but few have said that the "Emperor is naked" in the sense that power in airguns is a "hygiene" factor (A minimum has to be there, but it is not the over-riding factor).

SO, let's say it clearly: "AIRGUNS KILL BY PRECISION OF SHOT PLACEMENT"  Anything else is rubbish.

You need 3 ft-lbs to break a mammal's skin, then about 1 ft-lb per inch of penetration in organs, 2 ft-lbs per inch of penetration in muscle. Using a 0.22" pellet, 3 ft-lbs will break most bones (exception being an O'Possum's skull in a raking shot). So, do your maths: A well placed  0.22" pellet that LANDS with  8 ft-lbs will kill a Raccon, a Groundhog, a Badger, and most other small/noxious animals. Yes you need to shoot accurately, but that is the threshold. And that power level is well within the possibilities of a 14 ft-lbs / 16 grs. DIANA 460 well out to about 70 yards.
Now, I am not saying that the OP should even ATTEMPT a 70 yards shot, but I am just saying that the "Hygiene" factor is there and with some leeway to boot.
The other advantage of buying a used 460 in the 14 ft-lbs yield region is that, as the OP skills grow, the gun can grow with him.
A change in spring/tune, and he is at the next level. Something you cannot really say about RF's, and only up to an extent with PCP's.
I am somewhat used to shooting 1.5" targets at 55 yards, part of being an FT shooter, and I do it at 12 ft-lbs with a 0.177" cal, yes it takes practice, but it is doable, and therefore, rewarding.
The 460 is a mature and stable platform, technologically speaking. And there are plenty of experiences/kits/accessories/information about them.

By advising, not only the entry point, but also the process of advancement, we might be doing the sport some good because, AFAIK, most people that quit airguns after trying them, quit them because their expectations were too high to start with.

JMMHO










HM

Sorry to here that your felling poorly and hope you get well soon and I'm glad you didn't have it Monday night()
A used 460 or a used 48 in .22 will do everything the OP wants and not break the bank.
When you look at the numbers the 48 is only slightly behind the 460 in energy and velocity. A couple of FPE will not make a difference on most game if the pellet is placed right.
I have killed G-hogs with my 430L at 30yds with 8.6gr pellets that were all one shot kills but then I was choosy where I placed my shots which were head shots usually in the ear area which is a natural soft spot.

[Rick67]

Yeah, go for the higher end springers.

If someone would give me a Hatsan or a Gamo springer I will just donate it--not kidding.

[BeeZee]

There is a RWS 460 TO6 22 cal. in Members Classified right now.

[066logger]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to this! Sorry busy few days at work and the rest of the time researching has left little time for typing 😂. To start with, I own several .22lr’s but as has been mentioned truly consistent ammunition is almost as expensive as .17hmr so that’s why I use it currently in my cz452. Believe it or not I have killed a prairie dog at 247 yards in SD. Took 30 rounds or so to get lucky and connect but it did happen with witnesses lol. Also connected with another at 675 with a 220 swift. I have been through just dang near every .22lr round out there but I’m looking for something new. A new challenge I suppose lol. I also appreciate the pcp advice. Thank you but I dealt with scuba tanks, hydro testing, driving 1 hour each way to fill, screwing with orings and leaks and grouchy firefighters that wouldn’t fill my tanks at the station when I played paintball. I don’t mind working for my hobbies but that in itself became a second job. And 4500psi compressors are extremely expensive. I looked into it lol. Nah, those aren’t for me. A self contained springer is my game I think. Just deciding the model now.

Gamo meh, doesn’t do it for me. Hatsan meh, kinda more of the same. I guess my German heritage must be influencing me... I suppose I drive a vw for a reason 😂. The rws/Diana rifles tick the boxes for me. Soo now, on to the models, 48/52 seems interesting. I’m not sure I like the clicking sounds when cocking but otherwise it’s good. Seems to me most of the specs list it around the 20-21 lb range though. The 460 isn’t bad either, but I read some reviews of the cocking handle vibrating in the plastic clamp when firing. Anybody here experienced that? Also still seems like most put it in the same 20-21 lb range with someone stating the chamber is the same size between the 48/52 and the 460, with the 350 being the same diameter but a little longer.

So that brings us back to the 350, long sleek, most put it in the 24lb range. Some people talk about it being very hold sensitive. I’m okay with that if it’s just something that with lots of practice can be overcome. I’m okay with working for it. I think of all the actions I like the break barrel the best. But if the 350 is a terrible vibrating beast that’s just not at all useable I wouldn’t be completely opposed to a 48/52, 460 if they are far and above better... are they really that much better? Even if every other spec and price was the same between the 3 I think I would pick the 350 out of the bunch. But you guys know the guns. Do the cons make the 350 far worse than the other two? Even if it were “tuned” to have slightly less power but be smoother?

My front porch is 120 yards from my food plot. The groundhogs love to dig it up in the summer. My 50yard max range is definitely on the short side of what I actually shoot varmits at on a regular basis. But I also realize that would be an unrealistic expectation for an air rifle. Not for the .17 though 😎

[066logger]

Just to clarify 247yards was with 22lr out of cz455. 17hmr would make that shot fairly easy.

[rjp]

But if the 350 is a terrible vibrating beast that’s just not at all useable I wouldn’t be completely opposed to a 48/52, 460 if they are far and above better... are they really that much better? Even if every other spec and price was the same between the 3 I think I would pick the 350 out of the bunch. But you guys know the guns. Do the cons make the 350 far worse than the other two? Even if it were “tuned” to have slightly less power but be smoother?

No I wouldn't say far worse, but the 350 definitely shakes a bit more, which makes it a little harder to shoot consistently. It is still excellent, and I think it is the best looking of the bunch. Beautiful Checkered stock! The only way to know for sure is to shoot it for a while and see what you think. That's why I have so many.  I remember when I first got the 350 noticing right away it was so much smoother than the Hatsan, and the 48 was smoother then that of course, but now I find I prefer the 460 over both, but that may just be personal preference. They are all great guns in their own way. I plan to sell my 350 and 48 eventually and just keep the 460 and the 34. Then I can buy more stuff

As for the 460 rattle, I haven't noticed it yet, but there seems to be an adjustment at the tip for tension on the cocking lever retaining ball that might tighten it up. I've also heard several stories of the cocking pins breaking, but so far all has been well.

[066logger]

I like the idea of a new challenge, kinda like why I let my perfectly good $1200 compound bow that I spent several months truly learning to shoot a back tension release after 15+years of standard trigger releases set and gather dust and instead shoot a recurve instinctively with a tab. I am definitely interested in this whole new world of shooting lol. The picture is of a group I shot with my .17 awhile back. It’s a pretty good time as well.

On the $500 I try to stay at a reasonable buy in price to start with on new hobby’s until I’m sure it’s something I want to invest more in. I did not include an optic in that price. But if I can do far better raising that up a little I can. Is there another group of springers out there that I have missed over these prices? Sporting rifles that is. I don’t really have much interest in a bench gun. I have one of those in the safe gathering dust now 😂

[DanD]

If you like the 350, I say go for it.
I had a 350P in .22 and lube tuned a regular 350 in .22 for a friend, both T06.  They both shot great and grouped tighter than I expected for the power. They were pretty rough out of the box. Here's a thread on my 350P:
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=111135.msg1062036#msg1062036

[066logger]

Thank you both. I think I’m going to pull the trigger on a 350 at the beginning of the week. Midwayusa has one in stock that I could drive to pickup and have it a little sooner. But then again another busy week is already in the making so I might just order one to hopefully have by next weekend. I’m thinking I’ll just go plain Gun and break it in with iron sights to make sure I can tolerate it haha. Then I’ll go about driving myself nuts deciding on an air Gun rated scope lol.