Spending 1000+

[Dehouser]

I'd buy a Theoben Rapid MKII in .22cal and call it a Day!

This, or a Daystate Air Ranger in .25.

[Bryan Heimann]

With a budget of a grand or more, for me it would be a tough choice between a whole lot of different airguns.  I'd probably go with the Beeman RX-2.  Even then, choosing a caliber and scope would be very tough.  Probably either in .20 or .25, and as for optics- I wouldn't know where to start.

[PakProtector]

hey-Hey!!!,
The optics on an RX2 are important. I wish I chold get a firm answer like this, " xxxx will stand up to the RX2's recoil". I just ate a Bushy Trophy XLT scope with mine and now I'm gettin' a bit twitchy... Probably going to try a BSA Stealth Tactical with AO and 3-9 power...or maybe an 8-32x44 with a side wheel...or...and so on and so forth.

If you want a .22 RX2, go now to Yellow with $575. If I didn't have my 20 cal already, that beast would be MINE!
cheers,
Douglas

[Plekto]

If I was looking for the best airgun, period, I would give a long look at FX.  MOst of the models can be had or ordered in .25 cal as well, which is a huge advantage at long ranges.

[PakProtector]

If I was looking for the best airgun, period, I would give a long look at FX.  MOst of the models can be had or ordered in .25 cal as well, which is a huge advantage at long ranges.

Look at ammo selection. area v. mass for one. Then see what comes in the Match graded sizes. I believe .22 leads that parade...not sure there is a big advantage to .25 guns.
cheers,
Douglas

[Pete]

Theoben....
both in springer & PCP

[Plekto]

If I was looking for the best airgun, period, I would give a long look at FX.  MOst of the models can be had or ordered in .25 cal as well, which is a huge advantage at long ranges.

Look at ammo selection. area v. mass for one. Then see what comes in the Match graded sizes. I believe .22 leads that parade...not sure there is a big advantage to .25 guns.
cheers,
Douglas

Yet a .25 cal Marauder will have nearly double the residual energy at 50+ yards of the .22.  Accuracy is pretty close between the two, so why not be shooting something with about the same power as a .22 CB round if you can get away with it?

(check out Youtube - there's a nearly hour long video of the .22 & .25 Marauder and about 20 pellets) 
Long story short, at 60 yards, the velocities between the .25 and .22 were nearly the same.  Obviously, the power wasn't given the average weight of the .25s being usually twice as heavy.  39:15 in that video lets you hear the difference in the impacts.  Basically the .25 is in the 25ft-lb range at the target, and that's more than some of the .22s do at the muzzle.

The .25 is a clear winner for long-range hunting.  Yes, the pellet selection could be better, but you only really need to find 1 or 2 that work and stick with them.

Note, for $1000, a highly tuned. 25 cal Marauder would be ideal.  Quiet, powerful, and that would give you a "do anything" gun.

Pyramid Air has theirs for about $480.  Figure another $150 for a mid-size nice pony tank and another $50 for a good valve and $20 for a short hose.  Add in mounts and a good scope and you're looking at around $800-$1000 depending on the scope you choose.

[PakProtector]

and with the Maurauder you won't have to worry about finding the most robust scope on the planet to live under the springer's destructive recoil either... I have to say that the m-rod with a disco hand pump would suit me and my tastes pretty well. 

And I need to be a better shot, more practice there will be ov great use.

and on the pellet size; I was mistaken in part. Take the Kodiak for example. 13.35 for 20 cal, 20% larger area 22 cal is 21 grains, and the 25 cal at 56% more area than a 20 cal comes in at 31 gr. Sectional density ( and balistic coefficient ) goes to the 25 cal by a not-small margin.

Now to the small bit I wasn't wrong about...there are more graded sizes in 22 v. 25....
cheers,
Douglas