Air Gun Home :: View topic - Kind of a newbie looking for a gun medium duty hunting gun

Matt_Ruf · New Member

I'm looking for something for around my small farm. Mostly birds and the like, but finding the occasional groundhog around, some rabbits, and crows out at the 80 ydish mark. Wouldn't mind using it on coyotes, but I don't know that I'll get them in close enough to hit.

So here's what I'm looking for:
Probably a springer (there's a lot of up front costs involved with tanks and such with pcp. And I'm not up for pumping)
Probably .22 since it will be easier to find ammo (I'll start looking around for local .25)
I would like an undercocker or side cocker, just to be sure I'm not going to have barrel issues.
Something that's going to survive a long while.
A decent set of iron sights(actually metal). I'll take peep. (though I'll probably pop a scope on too in the end)
Something with a lot of 'poop' to it.
Price range... not much over $400? (big boy toys... spendy Smile

)

So I'm not totally against PCP. That being said I'm really leaning away from them. I was looking at the RWS 460 Magnum, and the Benjamin Trail NP XL. But I'm not averse to trying just about anything. Parts availability is nice.

If there's a lot of people with the opinion that break barrel guns won't have issues (minus abuse) then I'd be more then happy to look in that direction as well. It's something I've seen some debate about.

Stocks, I'm not really picky on... however I do like wood. But I always feel bad when I put dings in them.

I've got a beeman RS2 (which may end up back with Wally World... haven't decided) and a Gamo Big Cat. These are pretty much my plinker and small critter disposal tools. Can't have too many guns Smile

Also if it can auto aim and shoot itself.... well nvm, that just takes the fun out.

If there's anything I've forgotten, please feel free to let me know. Or if it's confusing. I'm feeling just a tad brain dead.
Thanks guys!
Matt

fritz · Silver Status Member

Welcome to AGH.

Check out the hunting posts, and their recommendations.

For 80+ yards you're looking at at least 40fpe... that's a PCP... good luck finding a springer for ground hogs at 80 yards. Crows are not wimps either. Rabbits, and other tiny critters - a hit and their down, energy isn't much a matter.

For overall performance, I recommend one of the Korean PCP rifles. Good price (for performance), decently accurate, definitely powerful. Will need at least a .22, preferably a .25 or 9mm.

You are asking a lot from a single rifle. I'm not sure that it can be accomplished with your required specs.

EDIT: wouldn't go after 'yotes over 50 yards with even a 9mm. And that's a headshot. A .45 or .50 would do 80 yards with vital hits.

Matt_Ruf · New Member

yeah I knew I forgot to specify on some things. Groundhogs I can get fairly close to. 30 to 40. I haven't seen a coyote around here that I'd shoot with a .22LR yet, it's just something that might come up in the future. I'd be more likely to call them in if I was going to shoot them, and then I'd probably scratch the AG for that.

Any PCP guns in particular?

fritz · Silver Status Member

One of these girls would work well. .20, .22, or .25 only. Preference to .22 and .25. .20 would work well to 60 yards, but will not have as much energy and cost more to shoot.

http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/show.pl?cmd_rifles=show_guns_manufacturer&Manufacturer=Eun%20Jin

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/evanix-blizzard-S10-air-rifle.shtml

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/condor-air-rifle.shtml

For a good springer... although definitely not what you're looking for (50 yards or less)

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-350-magnum-air-rifle.shtml

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-52-sidelever-air-rifle.shtml

EDIT: I meant to add the D54, but put the 52. Same action, except the 54 rides on a rail system designed to reduce hold sensitivity. Although, it is notorious for breaking scopes like a madman.

Matt_Ruf · New Member

Oh my, you put way to much into that. Thank you so much for links. I'm starting to poke through them now.

And here I was thinking I'd just get model numbers.

Thanks again!
Matt

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Fritz does have the uncanny habit to just throw every decent Diana model at you. He's really good at that. Mr. Green

For hunting you wanna use power and I guess that Fritz already recommended some. I would take it a class higher for things like Coyotes and such.

If you have the cash, get a 9mm airgun. Shinsung or Samyang should be affordable and powerfull enough.

rsterne · Moderator

The rule of thumb for a clean kill is 1 FPE of energy AT THE TARGET for each pound of body weight of the target.... Even most magnum springers are only in the 20-24 FPE class at the muzzle in .22 cal so they are marginal for the biggest groundhogs which can run up to 30 lbs. (10 lbs is more typical).... Racoons are tough (and nasty when wounded) and I would not try and take them with less than 36 FPE (.22 CB Cap or equivalent).... Coyotes are bigger and nastier and I personally wouldn't recommend anything less than .22 LR Hollow Point for those....

People have certainly taken these animals with less powerful guns at close range and with well placed shots.... Is it a good idea is another question.... Rolling Eyes

Bob

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

I use a 30.06 for coyotes at about 250-300 yards. I also use that round for wild pigs at 100 yds. I get tired of my fences being tore up and my calve getting run down and killed.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Shinsung/Samyang 9mm do at least 80 Fpe.

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/career-fire-202-pcp-air-rifle.shtml

http://www.americanairgunhunter.com/909.html

fritz · Silver Status Member

The 9mm would also penetrate much further, and create a much bigger hole in said critter. It's also more fun because it's air powered Mr. Green

I like to throw out Diana's because they are a LOT of bang for the buck. They are also more widely available, then for say comparable HW's.

Lipoly · Veteran Member

fritz · Silver Status Member

IIRC Beeman used to do that with the HW's, but as previously discussed, their existence is a lack thereof.