Help with First Air Rifle Purchase

[Sprigs68]

Gentlemen,

I have caught the bug to get a quality air rifle and need some help.  The gun will need to be multi-purpose with the majority of its use being for target use / house sparrows and grackles to 40 yards.  However, I would like to use it for hunting grey squirrels as well.  In fact I believe the squirrel hunting aspects may be a large factor in what drives my decision.  I used to be an avid squirrel hunter (100+ / season) and use a 4x40 scoped .22 and have always shot subsonic ammunition.  I consider myself a fair marksman and with that set-up have a very high success rate with connecting on head shots up to 40+ yards.  Most of my hunting is in tall stands of hickories, therefore many of my shots are 20 degrees to almost vertical with most of them being under 30 yards.

With that said, I am only interested in a well scoped RWS 34 in a .117 or .22, or an RWS 350 in a .22.  My questions are:

RWS 34:  In chasing grey squirrels and only taking head-shots will I see much difference in the two calibers as it relates to clean kills?

RWS 34:  Do I need to be concerned with pellet trajectory of the .22 when hunting? 

RWS 350:  Is it realistic to get the extra power of a 350 to flatten the trajectory of the .22 without compromising accuracy?  (i.e. what good is power if you can't hit them)

And lastly, how are the compact versions of the guns. i.e. the RWS Model 34 Pro Compact .177 or the 350 Feuerkraft Pro Compact .22? 

Though I haven't shot spring air rifles in the past, I will be putting the time in to master and get the the most out of these tools.  My home office and back deck overlooks a three acre yard backed up by an 40 acre farm field.   

I understanding that I am asking for a lot and your input is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks in advance, Sprigs

[Pezzer]

Ok, from what my "peeps" tell me and for over 33 years of shooting springers I can tell you for sure;.177 is fine for sparrows and smaller pests but for any grey squirrels sized critter I would get the hardest hitting RWS you can get in .22 all the way. In fact if there was a RWS in .25 that shot over 800 fps I would say go up to .25 for squirrels for better, cleaner kills. But honestly no spring gun can hit that hard in .25 but some do come close. Anyway, in my opinion any hunting of small game larger than the smallest of pest birds and rats should be done with no smaller than .22 just for maximum humane harvesting. In fact I am a tad biased in this regard but unless you really feel the need for the slightly easier loading of a break barrel I would direct you towards the 460 underlever. Most including me feel you get a touch more consistency and accuracy with a fixed barrel setup versus the break barrel cocking method. Same weight but may prove a tad tighter in grouping potential. But of course for 40 yard hunting you just got to be able to keep them in one inch kill zone at those sized targets.

Good luck and you can't go wrong with any RWS honestly but do get a .22 for the hunting aspects of what you are interested in...

-Dave

[David.Soliman]

The 350 is an excellent choice, and if you zero your scope right you won't need to worry that much about the trajectory.  With the right hight scope mounts and pellets you can have a point blank range that stats from 15 up to 35 yds for the .22 350 magnum. I use chairgun to help me zero my scope depending on the ranges I intend to shoot at.

[mtsheron70]

I would opt first for caliber choice............

Killing potential squirrel I would go .22 for sure.  Shot placement is the key and if you are a deadeye a .177 to the noggin gets it done everytime.  But most are not deadeyes all the time so a .22 for sure.

D34 vs. D350:

D34 is $150 cheaper and has the T06 trigger
Can be tuned to take away the slightness of harsh shot cycle to make it one smooth operator
The savings in money will get you a one piece quality mount and scope
Both are break barrels

D350 is obviously more powerful but that power means nothing if you can't peoperly shoot the rifle
Also can be tuned to lessen the harshness of a magnum springer
Also has the T06 trigger
Break barrel as well

But if your looking to drop $430 on a springer and in the Diana brand I would look to the D48 fixed barrel side lever which is just about $20 higher and only weighs .3 of a lb more than the 350 and also has the T06 trigger.  The D34 is almost a pound lighter than both and if hunting will be the main thing a would opt light; money savings; and a great rifle in the D34.

So there is my 2 cents.

[GarthThomas]

Have you been shooting  a spring pelletgun lately or will this be your first one. It make come as a shock how difficult it can be to shoot springers as accurately as a powder burner, incase you are looking for head shots at 30yds right off the bat. Not to discourage you, just some thoughts.

[Mark 611]

well first off you don't need a cannon to shoot squirrels or any small game for that matter, the 34 will probably be all you'd ever need IMO, if you can shoot and use proper shot placement a .177cal will do the job easily, if your looking to shoot G-Hogs and coons {etc} then I'd look at a bigger caliber, people under estimate the power of a good air rifle! the 34 is capable of killing just about anything you should be shooting with an air gun as far as you can shoot it let me give you some examples, last spring my brother shot a coon with a 12lb spring gun a Webley Sting Ray with a 7.9gn pellet @25yds away right between the eyes this was a 30lb coon and it dropped right out of the tree and was done! that's a 7.9gn pellet @ 800fps by the way, birds are soft targets and a 34 running properly with a center mass shot on a bird you can easily drop them @100yds that's if you learn how to shoot the rifle! I tend to hunt bigger critters at further distances so I'm a big fan of the .22cal, I have taken many Ground Hogs with head shots at distances past 75+yds with my springer's, and have gotten complete pass thru's in there sculls, IMO if your looking for that kind of power in a rifle that is that's easy to shoot well you need to be looking at a RWS Diana 48 or a 460mag these are good field guns and have lots of power 23+ftlbs, the 350's do not really yield any more power them 48/460 and they have horrible recoil! that why they need to be tuned down! then you have taken way the power aspect of the rifle to make it shoot well which is not an issue with the other 2 rifles I've mentioned, JMO

[Acapulco]

If it were me...

I would buy a HW30 or HW50 instead of a 34 / and a HW95, not a  350. 

JMO

[tomykay12]

The 350 is also really long. It's easy to find in my rack, lol. Mr Acapulco is onto something here. Take a good look at the HW95; little more money, but it is one of those "if I could only have one" kind of things.

[palonej]

Welcome Sprigs!!
Not to confuse the issue, but I'm going with Tomykay on this one.
I have a 98 in 177 and don't have enough room to list the good points of this rifle! I have NO problem with nutters out to 65 yards with this beauty! Done it time and time again!!
50 yard quarter, and dime when I go easy on the coffee, size groups are the norm. Solid like a rock, not hold or pellet fussy and made extremely well!!
Just my 2 sense!!
One of the many 50 yard groups shot off a bench. This one is 10 shots with CPLs.

[Paul68]

I'll echo the option of a 48. Probably one of the best compromises between power and accuracy. They have both in spades, and they tend to be a lot less hold sensitive than most break barrels. They'll definitely outshoot either the 34 or the 350 accuracy wise, and with 20+- FPE average in 22 cal, will drop squirrels very efficiently. For consistent head shots, 48 all the way.

When it comes to head shots, I doubt you'll see much difference with a squirrel between 177 and 22.

Trajectory will be more curved with the 34 in 22. More hold over at longer ranges. Sighted in for 25 yards, I've seen about 5 inches of drop at 50 yards.

The 350 has more power, but it does compromise accuracy somewhat. This isn't the gun so much as the shooter. It's heavier, more recoil, and requires more attention to hold and trigger pull than the 34. It's just tougher to shoot.

Couldn't tell you about the compact, haven't shot one.


The 34 in either 177 or 22 will do the job quite well also. Trajectory curve will be more pronounced with the a 34 in 22. Consistent head shots shouldn't be too hard, but hold sensitivity is present enough to make it challenging.

The 350 is a great gun also, but takes some work to master. It is probably the most hold sensitive out of the three including the 48 and really needs a consistent hold and follow through to show its accuracy. Out of them all, as far as headshots on squirrels are concerned, I'd say #1 the 48, #2 the 34, and #3 the 350.

[JimL911]

A Diana 34 is all the power you need. The .22 will be easier to shoot, but if your willing to practice the .177 will do the job and ammo is cheaper. The shorter barrels on the compact models will increase the cocking effort 5-10 lbs.
If you were willing to get the 350, I would get the 34 in .177 and install a JM OS kit. It would be perfect for your needs.

[Sprigs68]

Guys,  thank you so much for your insight, it has been very helpful!!!  I am leaning D34 in a .22 but will be sleeping on it for a couple of more days.  What are some good scoping options in the $100 - $150 range?

Thanks, Sprigs

[Rodent Reaper]

I put a Hawke 3x9x40 on my 34 for $75.  It's a really nice scope.

[Chako]

where did you buy it?

[Chako]

Welcome Sprigs!!
Not to confuse the issue, but I'm going with Tomykay on this one.
I have a 98 in 177 and don't have enough room to list the good points of this rifle! I have NO problem with nutters out to 65 yards with this beauty! Done it time and time again!!
50 yard quarter, and dime when I go easy on the coffee, size groups are the norm. Solid like a rock, not hold or pellet fussy and made extremely well!!
Just my 2 sense!!
One of the many 50 yard groups shot off a bench. This one is 10 shots with CPLs.

lol, what happens when you go heavy?

[mtsheron70]

Guys,  thank you so much for your insight, it has been very helpful!!!  I am leaning D34 in a .22 but will be sleeping on it for a couple of more days.  What are some good scoping options in the $100 - $150 range?

Thanks, Sprigs

Sprigs...........I like the higher end Hawke scopes but at your price point a cheaper Hawke like the one linked here may be a possibility: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/hawke-sport-optics-vantage-3-9x40-ao-rifle-scope-ill-mil-dot-center?a=5007

But also never discount the Leapers/UTG scopes like this one for the money: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/utg-4-16x44-ao-swat-accushot-rifle-scope-ez-tap-illuminated-mil-dot?a=3900

I have the above Leapers on one of my rifles and it is great with the 36 colors for varying lighting situations.

Hey, the D34 is a great rifle you will not be disappointed in for sure.  If I had to rank my buy list given your criteria it would be as follows with all things taken into consideration:

1-D34
2- D48
3- D350

The Weihrauchs listed are much higher than the D34 but are well worth the money because I am a Weihrauch fan for sure.  My HW97 is a real treat to shoot and will spoil people for sure.  Yes I did a full tune of it but even stock it was a delight.

So for the money and ability to get a decent piece of glass with a 1 piece mount by BKL would be my path.  This is a first for you so the D34 is usually alot of folks first real nice springer!!  You will be following alot of great folks before you.

Good luck and let us know what you get!

[palonej]

Welcome Sprigs!!
Not to confuse the issue, but I'm going with Tomykay on this one.
I have a 98 in 177 and don't have enough room to list the good points of this rifle! I have NO problem with nutters out to 65 yards with this beauty! Done it time and time again!!
50 yard quarter, and dime when I go easy on the coffee, size groups are the norm. Solid like a rock, not hold or pellet fussy and made extremely well!!
Just my 2 sense!!
One of the many 50 yard groups shot off a bench. This one is 10 shots with CPLs.

lol, what happens when you go heavy?

You DON'T want to know!!!!
 

[triggerfest]

Guys,  thank you so much for your insight, it has been very helpful!!!  I am leaning D34 in a .22 but will be sleeping on it for a couple of more days.  What are some good scoping options in the $100 - $150 range?

Thanks, Sprigs

I have a Hawke Airmax 4-12x40 on my D34 .22 - great combo for me ! Buy some JSB 5,51 Jumbo's or RWS Super Domes with it and you'll be fine 

[GunnerAl]

Without reading any of the replies before mine and possibly compromising my own reply (but I "will" read them asap after), I'd say that your choice of the D34 would be a good one and I'd stick to .177 "if" you are going to shoot little vermin like squirrels out to about 40+ yds, huh, we don't even have squirrels here but I'm picking they don't put up much of a battle if shot in vital zone from the videos I have seen on shooting them.

The D350 (you guys call them RWS, we call them Diana's or "D" here, so you know what I am referring to) has more, much more, of everything that the D34 has, that includes energy, flatter tajectory, more weight, more cocking effort, recoil  and the ability to kill scopes at times etc etc, good with the not so good,, and,, it takes some getting used to in hold and firing technique. I've given mine a tiny tryout, nothing more, and most of what the GTA guys say about the hold technique is coming true, at least for me. They need to be practised with to get them to shoot well, that I am just starting to notice. The 34 however, is another kettle of fish. It is a much tamer animal, yeah that's a good way to put it - the D34 is an animal,, the D350 is a beast. The D34 is easier to use all-round. It is so much easier to cock/load and then aim and fire, very light in comparison, much less recoil and hopefully easier on scopes, and I personally can vouch for its potential accuracy, without a doubt. That however, does not mean it will be accurate for all but if I can shoot well with one, I'm sure you can do even better. The D350 is rated at approx 1250fps and the D34 at 1000fps (.177 of course).

The D350 would be best to shoot in .22, whereas the D34 may be better in .177 - both my own personal choices only and based on no particular facts - to get what I call the all-round best out of each.

This choice of calibres will be your only "stop and think" point with your choice and I'd recommend the D34 in .177 slightly ahead the .22 simply because of the flatter trajectory. Not that the .22 is any slouch, just that the .177 will be better. Energy-wise, the .22 would have it slightly over the .177 (give on one hand, take on the other) but I don't think that should be the one single reason to change your mind totally. First you have to know you can hit the target and I'm sure with the .177 you'll have a flatter trajectory, if only by a margin but where it may be needed at longer ranges, out past 30 - 35 yds. A one shot kill in the nut (head) might be slightly better taken with the smaller calibre at these ranges. Just stick to a known or good pellet in the 7.8 - 8.5gr range and I can not see you going wrong. I suggest starting off with one of the Crosman pellets. I use Premier Lites 7.9gr and have much joy with accruacy, for my abilities anyway. Many report the Crosman HP's to be the one to set the benchmark for the D34. Other pellets might include JSB Exacts 8.4gr which are a known all-round performer, RWS Superdomes or Super Fields both about 8.4gr and have given some fantastic results to others. I have yet to try my Super Fields but am in no hurry to stop using the Premier Lites just yet...

If you were to choose a D350, of course you would want to take a better advantage of the flatter trajectory (compared to the D34) and also the larger energy factor by using the .22 calibre. The D350's .22 cal trajectory might be very similar to a D34 in .177 only with loads more punch to seal the deal, but I'd warn you, you'd better be prepared to have to put up with more than you might bargain for if you find you can't master it straight up, first time. It's becoming more obvious that the D350 needs to be owned and operated with total respect to the choice you make and NOT just because it has more power. Looking at it as a powerhouse only may be the beginning or a long lonely road to walk...

[ronnieboy]

have great success with the 34 in 177 cal. I also have the 22.   would rather shoot the 177 with crow magnums. will eliminate ferrel cats easily.   22 cal likes meisterk's , very particular on pellets.  they are both very fun and entertaining to shoot. you'll hit better with your rimfire 22 after you learn the springers sop.   good luck