Why do people spend $300+ on a pellet rifle?

deucelee · February 15, 2014, 11:13 PM

Hi all. I noticed that airgundepot and other shops have some very nice pellet guns for $300-$500. For those of you that have a very nice pellet rifle, can you tell me why you're spending $300+ on a pellet rifle when you can get a very nice 22LR rifle for the same $?

Maybe you have enough 22LR's/17HMR's/22WMR's?

You want to shoot indoors? Or outside without a lot of noise?

I have a CZ 455 and it's a gorgeous rifle. I'm considering buying a pellet gun for practice indoors. Contemplating how much I should spend before I regret not just buying another nice WMR or something similar.

thanks,
deuce

B.L.E. · February 15, 2014, 11:54 PM

Think about it. An air rifle is actually more complicated than a firearm. Why should it be cheaper?
You get what you pay for, if you demand cheap, that's exactly what you will get, whether you are buying an air rifle or a fire arm. You want a hard trigger with a mile of creep and backlash instead of a crisp target trigger, then buy a $99 dollar .22 rifle or air gun.
You want plastic parts and a poor fit and finish and a cheap look? Then buy a $99 dollar .22 or air rifle.
You want a wood stock that looks like it belongs on a AK-47, then buy a $99 dollar .22 or air rifle.

CCCLVII · February 16, 2014, 12:14 AM

I think its like buying an expensive pocket watch. Sure a cheep watch from walmart will tell time and may even work better for some applications but some people like pocket watches. Just like some people like air rifles.

p.s. there are some cities that allow you to shoot air rifles with in the city limits but not centerfire or rimfire guns. I lived in such a town for many years. We used a 22 caliber pellet gun for taking birds/squirrels that would harm our garden.

Personally I would like one of these. http://www.crosman.com/croswords/?p=1595

its a $1500.00 air rifle that shoots a 9mm sized bullet.

1stmar · February 16, 2014, 06:37 AM

Pretty cool, was just looking for something I could shoot in my yard. Can't see spending $1500 on it though.

Hawg · February 16, 2014, 07:17 AM

I'd rather have an old school Benjamin.

deucelee · February 16, 2014, 07:41 AM

Ok thanks for the input guys...and BLE, you need to relax bro...i never said in my post that i was after dirt cheap stuff. Obviously I'm after some quality. Then again I'm also looking for a good bang for the buck. That's why I bought myself a CZ instead of 2x as much for a Ruger 77/22. Definitely not "demanding" cheap there.

It wasn't clear in my original post but I'm wondering if there's that big of a difference between a $200-$300 air rifle vs a, say, $350-$500 air rifle. I concur, if I want a nice stock, most guns under $200 are cheesy. Anyway, i'll keep my eyes open for a nice referb of a quality gun then. airgundepot sometimes has the RWS 460 Mag for a good deal for referbs.

B.L.E. · February 16, 2014, 08:38 AM

I'm not up tight about it, I'm just saying that being an air rifle doesn't make it cheap to make, when you consider what's in an air rifle.
If I was to buy an air rifle tomorrow, it would probably be an RWS 54, most likely in .22 simply because the 1100 fps of the .177 is too close to supersonic for quietness.
The whip crack noise of a .22LR comes from the supersonic speed of the bullet, not the muzzle blast. If an air rifle shoots supersonic, you get that same whip crack noise.

MrBorland · February 16, 2014, 09:12 AM

When I shoot an air rifle, it's because I want to be able to work on my rifle marksmanship in my backyard. A plinker won't cut it, and it's just an exercise in frustration. I don't need an olympic-level air rifle, but a decent accurate rifle with a good stock and really nice trigger will cost some coin.

Factory target (HW55):

5 shots, standing, 10 meters:

Jimro · February 16, 2014, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Maybe you have enough 22LR's/17HMR's/22WMR's?

You want to shoot indoors? Or outside without a lot of noise?

As someone who's dropped more than 300 on a Crosman Challenger, and is saving his pennies for a FWB500, I'd say that you can never have enough 22's, and that if you actually compete in air rifle, you need a good rifle.

Quote:

I have a CZ 455 and it's a gorgeous rifle. I'm considering buying a pellet gun for practice indoors. Contemplating how much I should spend before I regret not just buying another nice WMR or something similar.

If you want a proxy for a rimfire or centerfire, consider a pre-charged pneumatic "sporter class" air rifle such as the Crossman Challenger, Air Arms 200, or Air Force Edge. The trigger pull for sporters is 1.5 lbs minimum, so it helps work your trigger control as well.

If you want a good air rifle for training and not competition, get a Daisy 853 refurbished model from the CMP. Just over 100 bucks if you pick it up in the store, a little more if you get it shipped. Triggers are longer and stiffer from the factory, but the sights and Lothar Walther barrel will let you repeat 10s at 10 meters, even if you have to break position to pump once for every shot.

The Daisy 853 new is one of those "300+" cost rifles, so getting one refurbed through the CMP is a real bargain.

Jimro

g.willikers · February 16, 2014, 12:39 PM

There are very good air rifles in the under $150 range, too.
Look at the Gamo brand, for some ideas.
Some of the cost has less to do with how it shoots, and more about the quality of wood, sights and scope mounts.
Just like firearms.

Jim243 · February 16, 2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Why do people spend $300+ on a pellet rifle?

Because a $1,500 pool table just takes up too much room in the basement.

Jim (LOL)

Major Dave (retired) · February 16, 2014, 04:11 PM

kill squirrels, quietly, in my backyard, in a residential subdivision in a city - for less than $150, in the Cabela's catalog.

I don't care about quality of wood stock, or fit/finish. Decent trigger is necessary to make head shots.

Best candidate?

Jimro · February 16, 2014, 04:50 PM

Major Dave (retired),

Based on your criteria, I recommend this: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Webley...ifle/2980/5778

The gas system is multi-pump, so you will not have to deal with break barrel springer vibration issues affecting accuracy, is 22 caliber so you get to shoot pellets with twice the mass of a standard .177 caliber air rifle, and the price point is in the range you quoted.

Now air rifles aren't silent, but they are much quieter than rimfires, generally quieter than even subsonic 22 shorts.

If you can add 20 dollars to your top price, it is really hard to beat a Benjamin 392 for what you ask: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjam...Specifications or http://www.cabelas.com/product/Benja...h-All+Products

Jimro

brad_wp · February 16, 2014, 05:18 PM

Have you tried to buy any .22LR lately? There are still lots of pellets on store shelves. Also, even expensive pellets are less than 5 cents/shot...

Colt46 · February 16, 2014, 06:49 PM

You can use them for small game, pests, practice the basics of marksmanship and even do it in your basement if you want to.
Just as much engineering and skilled labor involved in building them as for a conventional firearm.

PetahW · February 17, 2014, 02:16 PM

.

Another excellent reason is that it's not a firearm............ Which means someone wanting quality shooting, but living in a gun-unfriendly area or country, can shoot w/o jumping through legal hoops.

.

spacecoast · February 17, 2014, 03:05 PM

Sometimes spending a lot more for a "good" pellet gun doesn't justify the results. I regularly beat guys using $2000 Feinwerkbau air pistols at our matches using my $55 Crosman American Classic 1377C. They laugh at me pumping it between shots until I beat them (25 yards, standard NRA outdoor targets).

If you can hold it steady it shoots straight.

Jimro · February 17, 2014, 03:36 PM

Spacecoast,

Using my Challenger I was withing 30 points of a shooter using an FWB at my last match. Of course I was wearing sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt instead of a 500 dollars worth of competition boots, trousers, and jacket. I picked up an Izh-53M for 10 meter pistol shooting, which is my first break barrel airgun. It shoots tighter than I do, but I bought it because I specifically need to work more on pistol marksmanship.

As Col. Cooper said, "Good shooting can make up for poor gear. Good gear will not make up for poor shooting."

Jimro

Erno86 · February 17, 2014, 04:08 PM

I just bought a recoilless RWS 54 in .177. It goes at 1100 fps, and it does not give off any sonic boom/crack. It is a heavy rifle --- but I enjoy shooting it --- and it is reported to be the most accurate air rifle under $3000. Our indoor range --- AGC at Marriottsville --- will only allow air rifles under 700 fps, so I shoot it at our outdoor 100 yard range at 25 and 50 yards.

Where I can shoot metallic spinners only at 100 yards with a 22 rimfire...I'm allowed to shoot metallic spinners at 25 and 50 yards with my air rifle, though the 22 pellet might make a louder ping on the spinner.

Slopemeno · February 17, 2014, 06:55 PM

Considering what ammo is going for days, every shooter should own a quality airgun.

Cheapshooter · February 17, 2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

For those of you that have a very nice pellet rifle, can you tell me why you're spending $300+ on a pellet rifle when you can get a very nice 22LR rifle for the same $?

1. Target/Practice shooting in areas where powder burners are not allowed.
2. Small game hunting in areas where powder burners are not allowed.
3. The price of pellets, even expensive ones, is much less than 22 rimfire ammo.
4. No shortage of pellets
5. They're FUN!

Garycw · February 17, 2014, 07:32 PM

You can't go wrong with RWS in any model. I bought one about 20 years ago for $200. 1100fps. A model 60 I think?? Nice wood stock, blueing, two stage trigger & very accurate. I would strongly suggest a single pump in whatever you get. Last year a bought a Steoger X20 with suppressor & scope in 22cal. for $160. Not as nice of finish as the RWS, but still a good , but economical rifle. 900fps
While you're at it...get a beemans cleaning kit & Stock up on pellets too. jic.

jason_iowa · February 17, 2014, 08:29 PM

Because they are awesome. 300$ is a pretty low end one. I can buy 10k of pretty awesome ammo for a couple hundred bucks too so its cheap shooting.

jlbpa · February 17, 2014, 08:41 PM

Beeman R1 .22 makes just one ragged hole from 45 ft. with a Leupold 3 x 9 adjustable objective and a rest.

I started out with a benjamin silver streak on MAC1 steroids. But they are not real conducive for scopes. It sort a gets in the way of pumping. I tried a scope but gave up on that. I have williams peep sight on it but I don't see so well anymore. So hitting a target as small as starling at about 45 feet was a struggle. But I still like my silver streak for bigger targets because it packs a wallop and doesn't recoil like the spring piston R1.

Can't use a .22 rim fire ...or better even better yet a shotgun ...where I live in greater suburbia.

But get me out in the country I'll leave my R1 at home and fire away at those pesky flying rats with my shotgun. That's the only wing shooting opportunity I have.

1stmar · February 17, 2014, 08:47 PM

Pcps seem to be pretty expensive to get started and maintain, $400-$500 for the rifle, another $300-400 for the tank.p, then refills. I got this right? is there something else that can keep 1-1.5 inches at 50yds, quietly and be =< then $300? How about that daisy jimro recommended?

February 15, 2014, 11:13 PM	#1
deucelee Member Join Date: December 26, 2011 Location: WI Posts: 28	Why do people spend $300+ on a pellet rifle? Hi all. I noticed that airgundepot and other shops have some very nice pellet guns for $300-$500. For those of you that have a very nice pellet rifle, can you tell me why you're spending $300+ on a pellet rifle when you can get a very nice 22LR rifle for the same $? Maybe you have enough 22LR's/17HMR's/22WMR's? You want to shoot indoors? Or outside without a lot of noise? I have a CZ 455 and it's a gorgeous rifle. I'm considering buying a pellet gun for practice indoors. Contemplating how much I should spend before I regret not just buying another nice WMR or something similar. thanks, deuce

February 15, 2014, 11:54 PM	#2
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	Think about it. An air rifle is actually more complicated than a firearm. Why should it be cheaper? You get what you pay for, if you demand cheap, that's exactly what you will get, whether you are buying an air rifle or a fire arm. You want a hard trigger with a mile of creep and backlash instead of a crisp target trigger, then buy a $99 dollar .22 rifle or air gun. You want plastic parts and a poor fit and finish and a cheap look? Then buy a $99 dollar .22 or air rifle. You want a wood stock that looks like it belongs on a AK-47, then buy a $99 dollar .22 or air rifle. __________________ Hanlon's Razor "Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence and organization."

February 16, 2014, 12:14 AM	#3
CCCLVII Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 432	I think its like buying an expensive pocket watch. Sure a cheep watch from walmart will tell time and may even work better for some applications but some people like pocket watches. Just like some people like air rifles. p.s. there are some cities that allow you to shoot air rifles with in the city limits but not centerfire or rimfire guns. I lived in such a town for many years. We used a 22 caliber pellet gun for taking birds/squirrels that would harm our garden. Personally I would like one of these. http://www.crosman.com/croswords/?p=1595 its a $1500.00 air rifle that shoots a 9mm sized bullet. __________________ Always looking for a good hunt!

February 16, 2014, 08:38 AM	#7
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	I'm not up tight about it, I'm just saying that being an air rifle doesn't make it cheap to make, when you consider what's in an air rifle. If I was to buy an air rifle tomorrow, it would probably be an RWS 54, most likely in .22 simply because the 1100 fps of the .177 is too close to supersonic for quietness. The whip crack noise of a .22LR comes from the supersonic speed of the bullet, not the muzzle blast. If an air rifle shoots supersonic, you get that same whip crack noise. __________________ Hanlon's Razor "Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence and organization."

February 16, 2014, 12:39 PM	#10
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	There are very good air rifles in the under $150 range, too. Look at the Gamo brand, for some ideas. Some of the cost has less to do with how it shoots, and more about the quality of wood, sights and scope mounts. Just like firearms. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 16, 2014, 06:37 AM	#4
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Pretty cool, was just looking for something I could shoot in my yard. Can't see spending $1500 on it though.

February 16, 2014, 07:17 AM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I'd rather have an old school Benjamin.

February 16, 2014, 07:41 AM	#6
deucelee Member Join Date: December 26, 2011 Location: WI Posts: 28	Ok thanks for the input guys...and BLE, you need to relax bro...i never said in my post that i was after dirt cheap stuff. Obviously I'm after some quality. Then again I'm also looking for a good bang for the buck. That's why I bought myself a CZ instead of 2x as much for a Ruger 77/22. Definitely not "demanding" cheap there. It wasn't clear in my original post but I'm wondering if there's that big of a difference between a $200-$300 air rifle vs a, say, $350-$500 air rifle. I concur, if I want a nice stock, most guns under $200 are cheesy. Anyway, i'll keep my eyes open for a nice referb of a quality gun then. airgundepot sometimes has the RWS 460 Mag for a good deal for referbs.

February 16, 2014, 09:12 AM	#8
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	When I shoot an air rifle, it's because I want to be able to work on my rifle marksmanship in my backyard. A plinker won't cut it, and it's just an exercise in frustration. I don't need an olympic-level air rifle, but a decent accurate rifle with a good stock and really nice trigger will cost some coin. Factory target (HW55): 5 shots, standing, 10 meters:

February 16, 2014, 04:11 PM	#12
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	I need an airgun that will... kill squirrels, quietly, in my backyard, in a residential subdivision in a city - for less than $150, in the Cabela's catalog. I don't care about quality of wood stock, or fit/finish. Decent trigger is necessary to make head shots. Best candidate? __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl.

February 16, 2014, 04:50 PM	#13
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Major Dave (retired), Based on your criteria, I recommend this: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Webley...ifle/2980/5778 The gas system is multi-pump, so you will not have to deal with break barrel springer vibration issues affecting accuracy, is 22 caliber so you get to shoot pellets with twice the mass of a standard .177 caliber air rifle, and the price point is in the range you quoted. Now air rifles aren't silent, but they are much quieter than rimfires, generally quieter than even subsonic 22 shorts. If you can add 20 dollars to your top price, it is really hard to beat a Benjamin 392 for what you ask: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjam...Specifications or http://www.cabelas.com/product/Benja...h-All+Products Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one. Last edited by Jimro; February 16, 2014 at 06:10 PM.

February 16, 2014, 05:18 PM	#14
brad_wp Junior Member Join Date: January 18, 2013 Posts: 3	Have you tried to buy any .22LR lately? There are still lots of pellets on store shelves. Also, even expensive pellets are less than 5 cents/shot...

February 16, 2014, 06:49 PM	#15
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	Why not? You can use them for small game, pests, practice the basics of marksmanship and even do it in your basement if you want to. Just as much engineering and skilled labor involved in building them as for a conventional firearm.

February 17, 2014, 02:16 PM	#16
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Another excellent reason is that it's not a firearm............ Which means someone wanting quality shooting, but living in a gun-unfriendly area or country, can shoot w/o jumping through legal hoops. .

February 17, 2014, 03:05 PM	#17
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Sometimes spending a lot more for a "good" pellet gun doesn't justify the results. I regularly beat guys using $2000 Feinwerkbau air pistols at our matches using my $55 Crosman American Classic 1377C. They laugh at me pumping it between shots until I beat them (25 yards, standard NRA outdoor targets). If you can hold it steady it shoots straight.

February 17, 2014, 03:36 PM	#18
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Spacecoast, Using my Challenger I was withing 30 points of a shooter using an FWB at my last match. Of course I was wearing sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt instead of a 500 dollars worth of competition boots, trousers, and jacket. I picked up an Izh-53M for 10 meter pistol shooting, which is my first break barrel airgun. It shoots tighter than I do, but I bought it because I specifically need to work more on pistol marksmanship. As Col. Cooper said, "Good shooting can make up for poor gear. Good gear will not make up for poor shooting." Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

February 17, 2014, 04:08 PM	#19
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	I just bought a recoilless RWS 54 in .177. It goes at 1100 fps, and it does not give off any sonic boom/crack. It is a heavy rifle --- but I enjoy shooting it --- and it is reported to be the most accurate air rifle under $3000. Our indoor range --- AGC at Marriottsville --- will only allow air rifles under 700 fps, so I shoot it at our outdoor 100 yard range at 25 and 50 yards. Where I can shoot metallic spinners only at 100 yards with a 22 rimfire...I'm allowed to shoot metallic spinners at 25 and 50 yards with my air rifle, though the 22 pellet might make a louder ping on the spinner. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

February 17, 2014, 06:55 PM	#20
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Considering what ammo is going for days, every shooter should own a quality airgun.

February 17, 2014, 07:32 PM	#22
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	Why do people spend $300+ on a pellet rifle? You can't go wrong with RWS in any model. I bought one about 20 years ago for $200. 1100fps. A model 60 I think?? Nice wood stock, blueing, two stage trigger & very accurate. I would strongly suggest a single pump in whatever you get. Last year a bought a Steoger X20 with suppressor & scope in 22cal. for $160. Not as nice of finish as the RWS, but still a good , but economical rifle. 900fps While you're at it...get a beemans cleaning kit & Stock up on pellets too. jic. Last edited by Garycw; February 17, 2014 at 10:33 PM.

February 17, 2014, 08:29 PM	#23
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	Because they are awesome. 300$ is a pretty low end one. I can buy 10k of pretty awesome ammo for a couple hundred bucks too so its cheap shooting.

February 17, 2014, 08:41 PM	#24
jlbpa Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2000 Posts: 196	One word.... starlings :-) Beeman R1 .22 makes just one ragged hole from 45 ft. with a Leupold 3 x 9 adjustable objective and a rest. I started out with a benjamin silver streak on MAC1 steroids. But they are not real conducive for scopes. It sort a gets in the way of pumping. I tried a scope but gave up on that. I have williams peep sight on it but I don't see so well anymore. So hitting a target as small as starling at about 45 feet was a struggle. But I still like my silver streak for bigger targets because it packs a wallop and doesn't recoil like the spring piston R1. Can't use a .22 rim fire ...or better even better yet a shotgun ...where I live in greater suburbia. But get me out in the country I'll leave my R1 at home and fire away at those pesky flying rats with my shotgun. That's the only wing shooting opportunity I have.

February 17, 2014, 08:47 PM	#25
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Pcps seem to be pretty expensive to get started and maintain, $400-$500 for the rifle, another $300-400 for the tank.p, then refills. I got this right? is there something else that can keep 1-1.5 inches at 50yds, quietly and be =< then $300? How about that daisy jimro recommended?