Author Topic: Hunting rifle selection - round #2. (Read 19129 times))

DWSmith · « **on:** June 21, 2015, 08:29:07 AM »

HW97K, 9.2 lbs.
TX200 MK III, 9.3 lbs.
Diana RWS 54 Air King, 9.9 lbs
R9, 7.3 lbs.
Benjamin 392, 5.5 lbs

See where I'm going with this?

I wasn't too concerned about weight in my first post but I'm new at this and didn't realize some of these guns are absolute beasts. And then there's the additional weight of a scope and mounting hardware.

What do you carry when walking around in the woods and fields hunting rabbits and squirrels?

Bullit · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2015, 11:23:54 AM »

I like the Diana 48 for hunting. Same power as the 54, (it's the same rifle), but is over a pound lighter, without the sliding sled scope mount. The sliding sled 54 is good for bench shooting. It's popular with target bench guys. But, since you will be walking about and shooting upwards and down, at steeper angles, you can have problems with it not working correctly. This leads to scope damage.
My 48 with a 3-9x Leapers UTG scope and UTG droop compensator mount (edit: & 4 screw UTG rings),,, comes in at just the 10# mark. The real beauty of the model 48 is how well it balances in hand. It's like a carbine

bmb · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2015, 11:33:40 AM »

I'm not the best free standing shooter so for hunting I will carry my Sheridan .20. I can rest it on a branch or against a tree for longer shots without effecting poi.

DWSmith · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2015, 12:41:58 PM »

Don't hurt yourself when you laugh at what I'm writing but on paper the Benjamin 392 with a peak of 685 fps and 5.5 pounds seems ideal for what I want to do. Throw a scope and mounting hardware on it and it's still a nice weight for carrying.

Consistency of where it throws a pellet is the main thing that concerns me. Reliability also concerns me. Then there's the idea of pumping it up to 8 times for each shot.

The Diana 48 looks pretty good at 900 fps but you have to add on 3 pounds. Can't have everything: pluses and minuses.

It's hard to come up with a decision but it's a lot of fun thinking/learning about air rifles.

I've seen where some members of these forums work on Benjamin 392 and other guns to 'tune' them. When they're finished with them are they more reliable and accurate? I don't want to try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear but the 392 seems to have quite a bit of potential for what I want.

Bullit · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2015, 01:16:56 PM »

With the true Magnum shooters, you'll find that the added weight is your friend. Light weight and Magnum Springs, is more times than not...a tough combination to be deadly accurate with. To me, a rifle that produces 18FPE or more, is a "Magnum".
I still hunt Squirrel and Rabbits quite successfully with a 12FPE rifle in .177. This rifle is deadly accurate and headshots are not a problem. I got rid of a few rifles, and still keep just (2)... a 12FPE and 18FPE rifle. Both are very accurate, fixed barrel rifles...both in .177. I have NEVER been "undergunned" for small game up to coons.
Understanding your hunting distance and field conditions, is IMO, paramount to rifle selection and your success.
It's unrealistic to expect a 12FPE rifle to perform at 50yds or more, with consistency.
By the same token... there is no power requirement, for a "Magnum" rifle, for taking rabbits and squirrels at 15-20yds.
I "Personally" have established that I am most ethically comfortable using the 35 yard mark as my limit. If you are in the woods or fields, you'll find that that's a good basic distance. At 30yds, I find that rabbits won't "spook", ...and in the woods you can get a pretty clear shot. Plus...if you can't hit dime groups at 25yds CONSISTANTLY...why shoot any farther out? That is unethical and irresponsible. It takes some practice out there. You will enjoy it

longislandhunter · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2015, 01:30:41 PM »

My choice would be in this order........

R-9, followed by 54 and finally the HW

Jeff

DWSmith · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2015, 01:43:38 PM »

Bullit,

Yeah, I still remember sighting in my Marlin 881 bolt action .22lr at 50 yds with a scope. Off the bench I could keep nearly all of the lead in a spot the size of my thumbnail. Went to the woods and found out I should have sighted in around 25 to 30 yds or should have had a mil dot scope and a LOT more practice.

Squirrels and rabbits are typically a lot closer than one realizes.

Jeff,

Yup, something about that R9 that seems very attractive. Seems to have a very loyal following.

LeadBreakfast · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2015, 03:47:50 PM »

I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices, but I (and countless others) can answer for capability of the 392. Plenty of power for rabbit and squirrel provided you can make the shot. My suggestion would be to pick one up, make sure it's a good shooter(if not, return until you get one that is) and save your pennies for a really nice gun in the meantime. The 392 can and will take squirrels with headshot accuracy and pass through power within 30 yards with just a peep sight...the squirrels around here will attest to that.

Bullit · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2015, 03:51:14 PM »

The Beeman R9 is popular as a choice as a breakbarrel rifle. At 12-14FPE muzzle energy...It isn't Magnum class, for sure... but combined with sufficient weight makes it popular as a pleasant shooting breakbarrel. You have 2 Fixed Barrel selections in your personal list of spring rifles...that are in the same powerclass, as the R9. I think you have plenty of power in this powerclass (12-14FPE), for short range (sub 50yd) hunting of small game. I would scratch the model 54 for this type of shooting. I have an old article that you may find interesting about FPE and hunting. Written by Dr. Beeman....before today's Magnum Spring Powerplants were even around.
Very good reading for the question "How much power does it Take"? question:
http://www.beemans.net/field%20use.htm

FWIW: I limit myself to the yardage that I still have at least 7FPE of energy on target. With my 12FPE rifle (old Gamo CFX...but the new Gamo ACCU 177 is the newest offering) This rifle is still kills easy at 40-50 yards in 177 !!!! Depends on the wind and clearing to make the shot. And if I am comfy to take the shot... The rifle&pellet will ...
But again...my accuracy and comfort for ethical hunting in the field, does limit me to around the 35 yard mark. I have taken some rabbits at around 50yds (spooked and wary),...but truly, that is very rare to get that shot available. Jackrabbits aren't very prevaient in the North USA. Squirrel shooting is very rarely a long distance game... I HTH

Bullit · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2015, 05:37:29 PM »

If you would be interested to see the 12-14fpe rifle that I use today, in it''s newest model..here is a link. The price will surprise you. Backweighting and filling the stock is very cheap and makes a big difference. Great for custom balanced fitting. I have posted on this many times...as have others...it is tooo easy and cheap to figure out. The SAT trigger is a big improvement...but adding a &35.00 GRT Gold trigger makes this rifle tournament worthy. The CFX has much respect for accuracy. Ask any elders... Hey... they are still offered and evolved after 10yrs... The CFX started in 2005.
The "ACCU", is the latest model of this "CF" series. They have always been good quality and accurate. One of few air rifles today that still offer good ironsites. Great for the Hunter, if your scope dies out on you.
http://www.airgundepot.com/gamo-accu177-combo.html

EDIT: If you like a sexier and more adjustable stock....Check out the Gamo "CFR"... Same rifle...different dress.
Check out the total weight of this rifle. You will see why I like it to carry...as it doesn't require a heavy scope. These rifles are very docile shooters. I have had a neat little liteweight "Hammers Compact" 3-9x Mildot, on mine for 10 years. I have posted on this many times... This is a good Compact scope for docile shooters.

Nomadic Pirate · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2015, 06:37:06 PM »

I would look into this little baby

BSA GRT Lightning XL SE

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/bsa-grt-lightning-xl-se-air-rifle?m=3216

WolfyW · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2015, 08:50:30 PM »

I've had no complaint carrying a scoped Diana 34 through the woods.

anuthabubba · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2015, 03:55:24 AM »

For years I carried barrel cocking FWB124s, HW35s, R10s, R9s and R1s (12 to 21 fpe .177 and .22) around in the field. Nowadays you're more likely to find me with a vintage Sheridan .20 pumper at about 13 fpe max. It is more compact, much lighter and more versatile. There is no good reason to pump 8 times for every shot unless every shot is 40+ yards and your quarry is the biggest thing you would ever try to shoot with a 'generic' airgun. At 4-5 pumps it will kill birds, snakes, rats, rabbits, squirrels, etc. at ~25yards all day long. At a full 8 pumps it can kill a nutria at 50yards! You have to make the shot though. No matter what you carry.

wimpanzee · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2015, 09:24:03 AM »

The clacking of pumping a 392 in the woods has a bad habit of scaring game away.

I have an R9, and at it's weight, it's not bad to carry at all. Get a gamo loop sling, and you can put it on your shoulder. Plenty of power to 50 yards, and laser beam accurate.

DanD · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2015, 09:52:30 AM »

I've tried hunting with pumpers and they are easy to carry, but I'm just too poor a shot with iron sites. I tried a peep, but found it ineffective in low light situations, such as aiming at a squirrel in the shadowy branches of a tree. I have never tried scoping a pumper. I've had the best success hunting with scoped springers such as the R9 and Lightning XL and settled on the R9 because it is against regulations to hunt with a sound moderator in my state.
If you are a good shot with irons, though, a pumper would be fine. I admire the folks who do well without the crutch of optics.

ericnel · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2015, 12:31:04 PM »

Try a Daisy 880 with silicone filled stock and a piece of felt where the pump lever hits the action to silence it. Easy to scope if you get a pellet pen to insert pellets under scope. I also filled the BB feed hole in the action with a little epoxy, as I never shoot BBs in mine.

DWSmith · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2015, 06:24:55 PM »

I have a real problem that's getting bigger with each passing day. My list of candidates for a first air rifles is getting longer and longer instead of shorter and shorter. That's why this can become an addiction!

What's the best .22 caliber pumper that I can buy new at a reasonable price?

bmb · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2015, 06:28:36 PM »

Benjamin 392

DWSmith · « **Reply #18 on:** June 23, 2015, 06:31:39 PM »

That's the one I keep gravitating towards.

Heck, it's just the first of many, right? I'll just get one and start saving up for the second rifle.

DanD · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2015, 08:43:51 PM »

Quote from: DWSmith on June 23, 2015, 06:31:39 PM

That's the one I keep gravitating towards.

Heck, it's just the first of many, right? I'll just get one and start saving up for the second rifle.

Yes! Good choice! Many happy shooters with that rifle- aftermarket parts available, easy to work on, much info on do it yourself mods if you are into tinkering.

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Hunting rifle selection - round #2.

Author Topic: Hunting rifle selection - round #2. (Read 19129 times))

Nomadic Pirate