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bemgolf · New Member

Hello Forum

I am interested in getting a air rifle. My Daisy, although was a good gun, has worn out. It was the Daisy 880 metal receiver. I would like to get a dark wooden stock gun and have narrowed it down to about 7. Can you give me all your opinions on this list of guns. I was looking to spend between $120 to about $180 give or take a few if there is any sales people out there to push my wallet.

Beeman

Elkhorn RS2
RAM
RS2 Dual Caliber
Teton N

Crossman

Optimus Breakbarrel

Ruger

Air Hawk

Stoeger

Arms X20

The gun that I am looking for will be used for target shooting and competition only. If you have one of these or know if there is one that should be on my wishlist please let me know.

Thanks in advance for all the responses I get.

Slavia · Moderator

Welcome to the forum! What kind of competition?

Jr. Squirreler · Veteran Member

bemgolf · New Member

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Welcome, Bemgolf. You might want to uncheck those boxes that make us see the code that is supposed to make your posts readable. Wink

bemgolf · New Member

SMP · Silver Status Member

If your looking for something for casual and semi serious competition I'm not sure I would recommend a springer in that price range. Don't get me wrong I have a real love of value priced springers and I own lots of them.

The Optimus I believe is the renamed Quest and it may possibly be my hands down pick for best valued air rifle out there.

But myself I would choose a multi pump for any serious target bashing in that price range. The Benjamin 392 fits your requirements. As do many other multipumps, or build your own from a 1377 for that price range. I personally don't own a Benji 392 but i have shot them a fair bit. Very nice, and the smooth shot cycle you can only get from HPA.

bemgolf · New Member

You said something about building your own. Is there a website to buy kits or can you please go into more detail about that. Thanks

SMP · Silver Status Member

Certainly. There is lots written on this site on modifying the 1377.

I'm not sure where you are located in order to direct you for parts. But the basic idea is buy a Crosman 1377 American Classic from a vendor of your choice then fit it with a steel breach from crosman and either a 14 18 or 24" barrel.
There is a ready made stock available from crosman to convert it to a rifle or you can buy literally hundreds of aftermarket tube, bar, folding or wood stocks from various vendors. Or if you like playing with wood fitting a butt stock to a 1377 is fairly easy.

If your in Canada like me start your quest here

http://scopesandammo.com/storefront/index.php/airgun-parts-custom-service-c-38

In the USA try crosman directly and
http://muzzlemack.com/default.aspx for the tricky stuff

Ultimately your looking at these rough costs to start
1377 $50
Steel breech $42
barrel $25
stock (basic crosman) $14

And the 1377 is HIGHLY modifyable so you can just keep on going a piece at a time...the skies the limit

justsayno · Member

Have you considered a Sheridan Blue streak? Thats my cheap gun I own. Pretty accuate.. Is there a class limit on pellets or BB"s.

bemgolf · New Member

SMP · Silver Status Member

I'm not sure I understand your question.

The Benjamin 392 is $159 so is within your price range
The Blue streak is $189 and is also within your price range

I suggested you should look at multipump guns like your old 880 and most of those would be within your price range.

You listed all Springers and I said that might not be a good choice for any kind of competition. Firstly if you are competing with family a springer will shoot differently for every single person that holds the rifle.

old joe krantz · Member

I'm surprised no has mentioned one of the Daisy Avanti guns. I think the 953 is easily in your price range. One of our members does the target shoot on this board regularly with this gun and posts pretty good scores. The next model up 853, is around 280.

Smaug · Member

Great thread, just what I was looking for too.

Did I gather correctly that multi-pump rifles are more accurate than spring piston ones? Why are springers so popular then? Just for the higher power?

What are the pros & cons between the Benji 392, Crosman 66 (multi-pump), Ruger Airhawk, Daisy Avanti, and Crosman Optimus/Quest?

What would I get by spending a load more on something by Beeman or Diana?

old joe krantz · Member

I can't speak to the accuracy of springers vs. pneumatic. I did shoot a Diana 34 for awhile. In a lot of ways it was an excellent gun. Very solid and well made, pretty accurate. It was also quite powerful and a little louder than I liked for backyard target shooting. It also took some effort to cock and I'm a pretty strong guy, after 30 or 40 shots, it got to be a bit much, my wife was unable to cock it at all. I replaced it with a Weihrauch HW30 which is a lower powered spring gun, much quieter and about half the effort to cock. It still is powerful enough to dispatch rats and gophers no problem.

The Avanti guns take one stroke to cock. The multi-pump guns are of course a little more work although for 10 meter shooting, I don't think many pumps are required. Ideally PCP guns would be great for target but they are generally out of the original poster's price range. (And mine.) They also take a little effort to get set up and shooting. Springers are always ready to go!