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Tickfawriver · New Member

Hello all, I have been lurking and learning for a few weeks and apreciate everyone being so generous with their knowledge.

I grew up with a 60's Benjamin pump and still have it today but have not used it since I was a teenager. I like plinking and target shooting and use a .22 rimfire rifle for this but have recently decided to purchase a good air rifle. I desire one that is very accurate and has a fixed barrel. I was all set to go with a .177 cal but have reconsidered and I am now leaning toward a .22 cal.

I have a large pond and have been controling the turtle population with my .22 rimfire; beside turtles I also try to eliminate comarants (a diving bird that eats my fish) and I have problems with opossums and armidillos.

I want excellant accuracy to 50yds and good accuracy to 100yds. 100yds being the max and most shooting for turtles and comarants will be 40 to 75yds.

Rifles considered are.
RWS 48 - magnum velocity, good accuracy
TX200HC - superb accuracy

How acurate will the RWS48 deliver .22's at 100yds?
Will the TX200 have the penetration power at 100yds I need?

Thanks,

fritz · Silver Status Member

Welcome to AGH.

Budget?
Maximum kill zone size?

I'd look for an AirForce Condor or Evanix AR6.

Note: I don't know what it takes to remove armadillos... but I would think due to their famous hide, it would be a rather tough critter.

rsterne · Moderator

My question would be.... why would you bother with an airgun if you can use a 22LR in your situation.... An airgun capable of doing the job will cost you several times the price of a good .22LR.... and the pellets are not a whole lot cheaper than buying .22 rimfire ammo by the brick....

Bob

jlwilliams · Veteran Member

I have gone over to 22 almost exclusively for my airgunning. I have to admit, I don't know how they perform at 100 yards. I have shot little critters out to about 50 or 60, but never at 100. One reason being the trees on my propery, the other being that if I'm going to shoot anywhere longer I use firearms. My advice would be to do the same. If you can use the 22 when you need to, great. If you want to ability to take small stuff with less noise and less ricochet risk, by all means get the airgun. You won't regret a good airgun.

I hear good things about the RSW 48 but haven't ever owned one. I got a Marauder last year and it has become my go-to air rifle. Powerful, accurate and quiet. I'll take it to the range some time and see what it does at 100 yards.

Tickfawriver · New Member

I use a 22 rifle but I am not comfortable using it where I live, so I want to find an alternative.

Armidillos and opossums would be head shots at night. The camarant (a large skinny duck like bird) would require a kill zone the size of a quater.

As for budget I am willing to go up to $600. I already have Hawke 4-12x40 on order.

100 yds is pushing it but that would be max and it is really hard to get a close shot on a camarant.

I will take a look at the AirForce Condor or Evanix AR6.

Thanks guys

rsterne · Moderator

Verado · Member

My $.02 would be a Condor with a shrouded barrel. If that's too pricey then you can never go wrong with a Marauder

Tickfawriver · New Member

I have clear line of fire but the carrying range of the rimfire is my concern.

PCP are intesting to me and the Marauder looks good and it is lighter which is good for hunting but I do not know anything about the PCP's.

I am not sure about the expense and hassle of fooling around with a scuba tank. I have an air compressor rated at 150lbs, can it be used to charge a PCP?

rsterne · Moderator

It takes at least 2000 psi to recharge a PCP and most are 3000 psi.... so 150 psi will not cut it....

There is a rough rule of thumb when it somes to killing power that says you should have a MINIMUM of 1 FPE of energy at the target for each pound the animal weighs.... I don't know what kind of armadillo you are shooting, but according to Wiki, a 9-banded armadillo (AKA hillbilly speed-bump) weighs 12-22 lbs.... On top of that, you need enough power to penetrate the tough armour.... I'm guessing that a .22 LR is the gun of choice for that, not an airgun....

1" groups at 100 yards would be difficult to achieve with an airgun.... PARTICULARLY if there in ANY wind.... Even with very good pellets, wind drift at 100 yards is about 4 times as much as with a .22LR....

Bob

Tickfawriver · New Member

OK, so 100yds is not realistic and therefore not a good comparison.

So I will stick with 50yd max shots.

Amardillos and opossums would be at nite and close range, 25 yds max. shooting for head shots.

Jaxom · Senior Member

Just to toss something in here, you've looked at the Marauder? What about going with the .25 version for those larger critters like dillo's and possums?

PCP AG's aren't all that hard to setup with a scuba tank. Just need the tank (I got mine on craigslist for $80), and adapter for $70. The best price for that is at jdsair

http://jdsairman.com/index.html

Although it doesn't have a hose to run from the adapter to rifle. But that's only another $15 or so.

Only reaccuring costs are refilling the tanks, and occationally having them tested and certified. Sure beats the heck out of a hand pump!

jlwilliams · Veteran Member

It took me a long time to justify going for a PCP air gun. I thought that 'messing around' with a tank or expensive pump would make the whole thing just too much of a PITA. I can really identify with your misgivings about pre-charged. I'm so glad I went for it and got the Marauder. Pre charged is by far the best way to go for power and consistency. They are also (effectively) recoilless which is nice. Less jump to mess with your shot than you have in a springer.

If you go for the Condor or the Talon or the Marauder you won't be disapointed. A shrouded barreled precharged is just about the best way you can go, particularly for a gun you will use around the house. Springers are great and I'll always have them. Nothing like the simplicity of a springer and a tin of pellets and off you go, but going pCP is like going to another level of air guns.

You won't regret making the jump.

BBgunNoob · Veteran Member

def go pcp for what your interested in, the mrod should produce somewhere close to the high 30's fpe mark at the muzzle and presumably around the low 30 fpe mark at the target unsure though ask bob for specifics lol

rsterne · Moderator

AFAIK, the MRod is not in the high 30 FPE class in .22 cal, more like the 27-32 FPE range depending on how it's adjusted.... but I could be wrong, I've never had one.... I've never seen posted shot strings over about 32 FPE....

Bob

sniper · Silver Status Member