Best magnum springer under $500

[066logger]

Sorry to keep the suspense going guys, I’m kinda impatient and there was a 350 mag locally that I could have this weekend lol. I paid more for it than I needed but I got to shoot while it is sooo nice outside so it was worth it.

Now on to the fun stuff! I am seriously impressed with this 350. You guys were right about it. A tad harsh in cocking effort but from my very limited air rifle experience it’s plenty accurate for my uses! 50 yards is stretching it a tad but it’s minute of squirrel at 25 for sure! I’m about 300 pellets in at this point. Since yesterday afternoon 😂 the gun seems to do its part though. The trigger 😍 gosh I did not expect that at all. It’s so much better than I remember on my old gun. There is a little twang when the shot breaks but my cats don’t even flinch. So that’s a plus! I have been shooting rws superdome and superpoint 14.5 gr pellets. Thanks to everybody who gave advice on here. It really means a lot to me and I think it prepared me for what I was getting myself into.

[066logger]

The first photo was my 1st shots at 10 yards with open sights on the bottom dot, then the top dot was at 10 yards with a scope. Both off a rest. The next photo is a 25 yard group with scope off a rest. The next photo is a 50 yard scatter from a rest with scope 😂 in my defense the wind was whipping pretty good at that point. The last photo is an off hand group at 25 yards with scope. This gun definitely lets me know when I don’t do my part. But that’s okay! Practice practice practice! Lol

[066logger]

Missed a pic

[Bryan Heimann]

Off to a good start with your 350!  Congrats

[DanD]

Glad you're digging your new gun.
If you have a Tractor Supply nearby, it might be worth picking up a tin of Crosman Premier Ultra Mags. They shot well in my 350.
Have fun!

[mpbby]

Nothing like fun!

If/when you try to disassemble the D350 (always with a spring compressor!), remember this:

- NEVER try to cock without the stock in place, because you will damage the OEM spring sleeve.

[Bladebum]

You obviously got plenty of answers here but as some have stated springers dont come close to 22lr, and if you wanted to get max power from an air rifle pcp is where it's at.

 With that said, I own a d460 that will easily dispatch any of those critters and I have it tuned to a smooth and accurate 20fpe. ANY of the recommendations you recieved here will work excellent. 

[Hoosier Daddy]

 With that said, I own a d460 that will easily dispatch any of those critters and I have it tuned to a smooth and accurate 20fpe. ANY of the recommendations you recieved here will work excellent.

Josh, seeing this is your 4th post I commend you!
 You will find a group here that recommends PCP and another that defends Springers.
It is a constant "bantering" back and forth.
 Personally I love both.... but pick my replies one way or the other.
When some one bashes Spingers, I can defend them... when someone calls out PCP's for thier high price, I can show it CAN be done on a budget.
  Guess it is all what you want from the hobby.
Christ, I started out with a multi-pump! 

[Bladebum]

 With that said, I own a d460 that will easily dispatch any of those critters and I have it tuned to a smooth and accurate 20fpe. ANY of the recommendations you recieved here will work excellent.

Josh, seeing this is your 4th post I commend you!
 You will find a group here that recommends PCP and another that defends Springers.
It is a constant "bantering" back and forth.
 Personally I love both.... but pick my replies one way or the other.
When some one bashes Spingers, I can defend them... when someone calls out PCP's for thier high price, I can show it CAN be done on a budget.
  Guess it is all what you want from the hobby.
Christ, I started out with a multi-pump! 

I appreciate that Scott! Definitely agree way too easy now a days to get wrapped up in bigger badder better(which I'm guilty of as well) when we really need to ask ourselves which tool is the right one for the job.

[Bryan Heimann]

Whats the matter with a good multipump?

[fwbsport]

The problem with multipump is after you've accustomed yourself to the one shot springer you hate having to recock and recock to get a plug of air sufficient to drive the pellet out the barrel!  How many pumps could I handle with this attitude? Zero!  I just want one snap of the barrel and another round on it's way.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Whats the matter with a good multipump?

Not a GOSH DARN thing!
 I was just mixing up the break-barrel / PCP choices.

[aaronc]

The problem with multipump is after you've accustomed yourself to the one shot springer you hate having to recock and recock to get a plug of air sufficient to drive the pellet out the barrel!  How many pumps could I handle with this attitude? Zero!  I just want one snap of the barrel and another round on it's way.

I've got a Lpold VariXlll riding on a Diana 46. How is yours holding up and that HW80 hammer you got listed ?

[Yogi]

Clean the barrel, check the stock screws for tightness, same with scope ring screws, practice the artillery hold. 
Some people never learn to shoot a magnum well.

-Y

[HectorMedina]

Whats the matter with a good multipump?

ROFL!

Best animated .GIF I've seen so far.

Coming back to airguns, the BASIC difference is the one between HUNTER and SHOOTER.

;-)

Now, dig that one out . . .







HM

[fwbsport]

The problem with multipump is after you've accustomed yourself to the one shot springer you hate having to recock and recock to get a plug of air sufficient to drive the pellet out the barrel!  How many pumps could I handle with this attitude? Zero!  I just want one snap of the barrel and another round on it's way.

I've got a Lpold VariXlll riding on a Diana 46. How is yours holding up and that HW80 hammer you got listed ?

Good question!

I'm shooting HN Target Long Range pellets which weigh 2 grains heavier than the Piranhas, and accuracy is even better!  The problem I have with switching out the HN Sport rings they (AOA) gave with the HW 3-9X scope is whether I really need to.  The scope, being Leupold mark this number that is of course more "shock proof" than an HW China scope, I would think, but for how long should I leave this mount before "saving the scope" forever in a Zero Recoil Mount?

What I really want to do is end up putting a Bushnell Elite 3200 type of scope on it and now they have Nitros and weird names there in Bushnell and I'm not sure any dial down to 10 yards like the Bushnell Trophy 4-12X I've got on my FWB Sport.

Recoil to me doesn't feel like it's there high enough to worry, but Hector's right about putting Zero Recoil Mounts on his air rifles.  Even on his recoiless Diana 54 .20 had a Zero Recoil Mount to house a nice 4-12X Traditions scope which is now not made anymore.

How's it shooting? It just keeps getting better and I have to try it out somewhere else than here at 50 yards and beyond!  The rifle looks evil and subversive like a special operations silent rifle!

[B67]

At the end of the day, I suppose I am a Diana guy...I have owned multiple 34's both in .177 and .22...I tend to favor .22 because I'm a hunter at heart...I also own a 48 in 22 and .177.They are TO 1 triggers...The .177 does very well with heavy for caliber pellets...I also own a 460 in .22. The Diana rifles are inherently diamonds in the rough..For the average person though, a Vortek tune will give you a fine hunting rifle...I always tell people to buy a Diana/ RWS 34 and a Vortek kit and they will be happy....Now I have a Benjamin Marauder in .25 that is boringly accurate....PCP is like that. I haven't shot it in two years...

[B67]

Oh yeah, I forgot the 350 in .22 that was the point here...It is one of my favorite rifles...I also have a B28 in .25 that is a short range hammer...They both have a learning curve to shoot well but it is easier with heavy pellets...

[066logger]

I came across some 14.3grn crossman hollow point pellets and I’m not sure if my gun really dislikes the rws pellets or just really likes the crossmans. maybe I’m just getting used to the gun but whatever is going on I’m happy. My 50 yard groups have improved significantly! I am really enjoying this gun. $.014 per shot is pretty hard to beat for this much fun. I’m definitely addicted 😂

[fwbsport]

I came across some 14.3grn crossman hollow point pellets and I’m not sure if my gun really dislikes the rws pellets or just really likes the crossmans. maybe I’m just getting used to the gun but whatever is going on I’m happy. My 50 yard groups have improved significantly! I am really enjoying this gun. $.014 per shot is pretty hard to beat for this much fun. I’m definitely addicted 😂

That is a very nice 50 yard group and you've proven to me your rifle is worthy of 50 yards!
That is the distance I consider "maximum range" for my more powerful springers.  To get a group like that is my aim but shooting only off hand precludes me from impressive groups like that!  I just keep shooting upright at 25-35 yards here in my backyard and when I can find a place to take my time I'll try the offhand shoot at 50 and report.  But for now I need more practice.