My first post and question

[Boonie]

hello everybody a newbe from middle Tn. here.  i am new to the sport of air power but not new to guns. my question is what is a good all around air rifle that wont break the bank. i am looking for used or mabey new gun. I am looking at the ruger air hawk elite. although i found out it is made in china i want a good gun that i could do some competitions and some  target shooting. I dont think there is anybody around here that does shoot at comp. but just in case i would like to do so i want have to buy another gun.. Thanks

[dk1677]

Welcome to the "New" GTA! I am sure you will get lots of ideas from the guys here ( great bunch) Have you ever shot springers? They do take some getting used to, lots of good info in the GTA Library( top tool bar)

[robbo1103]

Welcometo the forums!  I'm sure someone will chime in.

[s10gto]

Welcome! I would suggest a RWS 34. The ruger is a clone of it. The 34 is made in germany. Very nice shooter with tons of aftermarket tune kits if you decide to tune it later. I have the .22. Out of the box it shot very well. Later I tuned it with a JM GRT kit and now it is super smooth to cock and fire. You can get them new for aroud $200-$225.

Another great shooter is the RWS 52. Airguns of arizona has them on sale now for $279. I also have this one. Also a awesome rifle with same kits available.

[TCups]

Welcome Boonie!

There are many good air rifles out there and you have a couple of good suggestions for starters.  Regarding "competition", as with firearms, there are a number of types of competitive shooting with air rifles.  10-Meter, Field Trial, silhouette, etc.  And with each, one type of air rifle may be much more appropriate than another.  For starters, in your price range, a good springer is probably the way to go.  The Diana 34's are a good all around choice.  If you think that strictly target shooting is your thing, then you might consider a single pump pneumatic like the Daisy Avanti 853.  These are generally more accurate than springers, but would be underpowered for general plinking or small game/varmint shooting.  Also, .177 cal is the dominant target shooting caliber whereas .22 cal is generally preferred for varmints.  You might also look into a Beeman R9 in .20 cal or an HW30S in .177 cal.  Both are excellent springers.  If you won't be shooting in cold weather and don't mind the cost of CO2 cartridges, check out the QB78 and AR2078a.

Mike Melick of Flying Dragon Airguns does a good job selling Chinese clone air rifles after he has thoroughly cleaned and properly lubed them.  A Mike Melick B26 (Chi-clone of the Beeman R9) in .177 cal, fully tuned and with trigger work will be right in line with your budget and IMO, makes an excellent "first" air rifle.

Be sure to check out the GTA Mall link in the title bar (above).  Mike Melick is listed there.  Also, Straight Shooters is a vendor with a lot of good comparison data on many of the quality air rifles.

[Mark 611]

If you want a good all round gun get an RWS M48 .22cal JMHO!

[Jay]

Welcome Boonie to the G.T.A.,Your already getting some great advice,just really take your time an look over as many AG's as you can, cause really once you get one they grow on you then it's two an then so on an so on!!!Over all Boonie Welcome to your new addiction once you start .

[longislandhunter]

Just wanted to welcome you to the GTA,,,,, nice to have  you with us....

As for rifle suggestions...... there are quite a few nice rifles out there to start with but my suggestion would be get a Beeman R-9 in either .177 or .20 caliber.  For mostly target shooting the .177 would be my preference... if you plan on doing any pest hunting or small game hunting I'd go with the .20 cal. ,,,, that way you get the best of both worlds between the .177 and .22 cal.  I have two R-9 Goldfingers (.177 and .22) and I have to say they are my favorite 2 springers out of my entire collection.  Beautifully made in Germany, shoot like a dream and are absolutely a thing of beauty to look at  

One of these days I plan on getting my .20 cal R-9 and completing my R-9 collection   

Jeff

[famine]

WOW..............how long has AGA been selling the RWS 52 for 279!?!?! I am sooooo tempted to pull out the debit card and order one right now!

[s10gto]

I think about a month maybe a month and a half or so.

The 52 is a super nice shooter. Mine is .177 and shoots smooth. I don't even feel a need to tune it.

Not to make temptation worse but...................................

[famine]

gracious!!!!! ARGGHGHHHH!

God I want this so bad but there is no way to sneak this by the old lady!!!!

[VINNY]

Welcome to the GTA! Its a GREAT PLACE TO BE!  ;Dglad you found us!!

[Atchman2]

There are a bunch of competitive air gun shooters over in Middle TN.  They even have a range down near Lynchburg I think.  Listen to these guys they won't steer you wrong!

Atchman
Knoxville, TN

[Mug08]

Hey Famine - get a co-worker to get it sent to their house . Works for one of my co-workers, there's always something on my front porch when I get home - lol.

      Mark

( I bought one of the AOA Model 52's also -really accurate guns)

[Boonie]

thanks for all the info. does anybody know the shooters in middle tn. and do they holding any comps soon.  i would like to go and check out a compition. kinda get my feet wet if you know what i mean.

[Boonie]

Well i may have screw up. i know the rifle i bough is not the best in the worl but i figured if it sucked i could return it. i went to walmart and bought the Crosman Titan gp .22 rifle. let me say it is holding a really good shot patteren. my only complaint is the scope is moving with about 15 shots. but other than that it is great. I think i will try some black tape around the scope and use loctite on the screws any ideas? i could install a bushnell scope that i have laying around. what would be some better scope mounts? I do want to know how far away should i be from my targets? Just overlook me for all the questions. Thanks Boonie

[Jay]

Clean the scope rail area real well Boonie an if you use the electric tape I'd put it on the ring's instead of on the scope it's self. I've really never had the scope move on me, mount's yeah. An shoot Bro. I have to talk myself out of buying a wally's Titan every time I go in,I've heard some good thing's so far on them(I will most likely end up with one soon haha).OH an distance(forgot) any where from 10 to a long 100 yd's? I shoot 20 to 35 most of the time an if you look at wally's on line they have a Hawke mount they will deliver for I think a dollar to your house or free to store.

[gene_sc]

Tommy, Mike M. no longer has his own web site. You can find him at Best Air Guns in the Mall.  And you are right about the B-26.. A good tune and you have an excellent springer.

[Boonie]

if you look at wally's on line they have a Hawke mount they will deliver for I think a dollar to your house or free to store.

Does anybody know which one i need for my gun?

[Jay]

Stick with the one piece mount's,I only saw the one Hawke on there? But Boonie there is a ton of other maker's, BKL is a top of the line to name one,better just go in the mall(top right of page) an take a look at what everyone has to offer.An if it was base size you wanted to know? It's 3/8"/11mm an most likely 1" ring's.