Air Gun Home :: View topic - General Advice

Lipoly · Veteran Member

I've backorderd this rifle from Cabelas: http://tinyurl.com/yeauoh2. In the last year or so, I've found myself wanting a pellet gun for target shooting and keeping the critters out of my garden. I had fond memories of my Crossman 760 Pumpmaster when I was a kid and went out and bought one, only to be very disappointed with its (apparent) accuracy. Even though since then I've realized it may not have been the gun, I've decided that I want a higher quality .22 caliber rifle that will last a long time. The deal from Cabelas seems like a good buy...about $100 off most sites for what seems like a good rifle. I just wanted to ask a few questions:

Thanks, and I'm glad I finally found an airgun forum!

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Gamo gets all the reviews because they have a wonderful, although dubiously accurate, marketing program and sell their product virtually everywhere (Bass Pro Shops, some other big-box places, most online retailers, etc. etc.) where RWS/Umarex/Diana have a more limited exposure.

The 350 is a fine rifle, but has been known as a "scope killer" due to recoil (spring powered airguns have a 'dual recoil' effect from the piston movement, and the 350 is known for having a fair bit of it) so stick to using an "airgun rated" telescopic scope.

Maintenance is just lubing all the metal-to-metal points with a plain-jane oil (i.e. 3-in-1 or such) but ONLY use a silicone lube in the chamber (a couple drops every 1000 pellets or so), otherwise you risk detonation and damage to the piston seal and spring, and keeping the exposed metal parts oil/dry to prevent rust.

Lipoly · Veteran Member

I appriciate the info Eric. Are there any other high-powered .22 caliber springers in the $300 range you'd recommend over the RWS 350? Also, is the "scope killer" characteristic of the RWS 350 enough of an issue to make you look elsewhere? I'd be fine sticking with airgun rated scopes unless that poses a significant restriction.

packrat · Senior Member

Hi there !! Welcome to the very best site on the web for airgunners.....from what I've seen , that price is about $100.00 LOWER than on any of the sites I've looked at..you done good !
There are lots of guns to choose from in that price range..have you looked at Airgun Depot, Airgun Warehouse, Cobra Air Guns, Pyramyd Air, Airguns of Arizona, Compasseco...just to name a few????Also, look at reviewcentre.com TONS of reviews there.........good luck on making a decision..lots to choose from Smile

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Wasn't trying to give anyone the wrong idea. That dual-recoil/ "scope killer" label is not necessarily a bad thing, I don't think I've heard many complaints from anyone who's owned a 350- other than a proper scope needs to be used with it. If looking to spend $300+ on a springer, RWS and Weihrauch (Weihrauch is also re-labelled by Beeman) are probably the best choices out there.

Lipoly · Veteran Member

Hmm, Beeman...do you think the RWS 350 is a higher quality rifle than the Beeman Mach 12.5? http://tinyurl.com/y9elk5s They both have similar specs, but the RWS is usually sold for considerably more.

Thanks for all your input

packrat · Senior Member

10 pounds?? Shocked

AirGunEric · Site Admin

I personally don't know who makes the "Mach 12.5" but it could very well be a Chinese-made product, at that price it appears too low for it to be a re-labelled Weihrauch. If someone can find out who is making the 12.5 for Beeman, that would be useful. Without this information, I think you'd be better off with the RWS- there's no gamble in it, and it's only $50.00 more.

However, at the price the Mach 12.5 is being sold, compared to Beeman's usual pricing structure, I would not assume for a moment that it could be "better" quality than the RWS, it is almost certain to be lower.

Lipoly · Veteran Member

Thats what I figured. Thanks all for the very helpful information. I'm slowly learning that the phrase You get what you pay for is generally correct. I'm going to stick w/the RWS 350 and just hope I can cope w/the unusual firing characteristics of a higher powered springer.

eddie1976 · Member

The 350 is a great gun, very powerful. It can be hold sensetive and will take time to get accurate with. It is also heavy to cock. So, if you want to put alot of rounds through it, be prepared to ice your cocking arm! My scope (leapers 3-9 x 32) has been fine since I put it on about 200 rounds ago. You will need a drooper mount ($17) and decent rings ($10).

It is very nice looking gun. And performs very well for me.

Lipoly · Veteran Member

Thanks eddie. I have recieved the gun case and F-1 Chrony, but still anxiously awaiting the rifle as its still backorderd from Cabelas. I've seen so many YouTube videos about the gun I feel like I've owned one for years now. I'm not very patient when it comes to waiting on something like this. Smile

broommaster2000 · Moderator

On scopes, you might wanna look for something with fixed magnification, in stead of being able to zoom and stuff. An AO ring might help though.

I use a BSA 4 x 32 with AO on my HW90 (Also known a scope killer, but not as much as the RWS 350 from what I've read), 's been on there for ages and they shouldn't be to expensive. Neutral

Lipoly · Veteran Member

Thanks for the advice broommaster. The package I'm getting comes with a scope, but cabelas has since taken the entry for the gun down (assuming b/c of the good deal, had too many backordered), so I'm not sure what its coming with. I'll keep the BSA in mind, it looks like it can be had for less than $40 which sounds reasonable.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Slavia · Moderator