SS Nickel .177, XL 1500 .177, SS Blue .22, or NP Hardwood .22? Which one to buy?

[ran007]

Howdy All,

Found this forum a little while ago and been sifting through and have found some great info from you all!  I'm new here, and an aspiring air gun enthusiast - target practice only.  At 34, I'm looking to buy my first high power air rifle no more than $250-$300.   I'm researching the differences and models, and have come down to these 4 I think:

SS Nickel Spring .177
XL 1500 Piston .177
SS Blue Spring .22
NP Hardwood Piston.22

Can anyone lend a hand on experience with these and if you bought again which would you choose?

Thanks again!
Randall

[Rico14]

Welcome to the GTA. If you are target shooting only, the XL might wear you out. It takes 47# to cock. Not the AG I would want to be target shooting with. .177 pellets are less expensive than .22 so that might influence your decision also. The NP is a fun gun to shoot. Mine likes CPHP's available at Wally for $7/500 pellets

[ran007]

Thanks!  I didn't really think about the strength needed to cock that 1500 every so often.  Seems like most who buy the XL seem to be hunting.  I think I'll go with the NP 950 and enjoy it.

[Alan]

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,5624.20.html

[ran007]

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,5624.20.html

Thanks for the link, but with respect, what does it tell me?

[ezman604]

That link takes you to page 2 of the thread.
Go back to page 1 and start reading from the beginning. I think what he is trying to tell you is consider an NPSS.
I personally own a Benjamin SS in blue and have both barrels for it. I keep it and shoot it as a .22 though. I have also converted it to NP. I also have an XL1100 and XL1500. I love them all but they are beasts to haul and cock. They are not for youth or smaller framed folks for sure. I have found my SS to be a tad lighter than the XLs. I have a custom shroud on my SS also that makes it quieter than the standard SS.
And a .177 is better suited for target shooting and .22 more for hunting but both can be successfully used for either.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[ran007]

Thanks Dave!  After reading everything here and thinking about it, I went with the Benj NP 950.  Now to find the right pellet.  =)

[Rico14]

Thanks Dave!  After reading everything here and thinking about it, I went with the Benj NP 950.  Now to find the right pellet.  =)

Break in your NP with CPHP's from Wally. There's no need to shoot expensive pellets during the break in. Who knows, your NP might like them the best. After you've shot a tin or two of the CPHP's you might want to order a pellet sampler to find the one your AG likes best. My NP likes H&N FTT's and Predators

[Joshua A.]

if you want the SS nickel buy it here. wayyyyyy less expensive. I don't even know how they can charge this price. its half of what they charge everywhere else.

http://www.fedtactical.com/ambidextrous-thumbhole-hardwood-stock-scope-nickel-p-15275.html

Joshua A.