Suggest a rifle for markiver54

[daytime dave]

Mark,

I'm starting this in a new thread as the other is a sticky and locked.

Here is Mark's question: I think it may be time to purchase a .177 cal.
That brings me to my next question regarding models to look at. I really don't want to spend a lot...under $200.00 and preferably around $150.00 or less, if I can manage that without buying junk. Would also be nice to have a scope, and hopefully comparable power to my old Sheridan. I just want to know it is capable of humane shots on squirrels and such.

Mark, there are still some variables besides price to be asked, but barring those, here is a suggestion that I have for you. I have one of these Beeman CO2 rifles and find it a great midrange gun for what it is. The QB78.

It's on sale at AOA. https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/co2/be ... co2-rifle/

Amazon for a bit more. https://www.amazon.com/Beeman-QB78D-177 ... 131&sr=8-4

It is a fun gun to shoot and won't break the bank. About five or so years ago, whenever they came out, I picked one up at a hardware / sporting goods store on the way to camp in Croghan NY. I stopped there to purchase Croghan bologna and went to the hardware store too. I paid $99.oo at that time. It's still a fun gun to shoot. I have an inexpensive red dot on mine and it's sighted for 25 yds. It's very accurate at that range. I have no doubt it would be a humane kill on a squirrel.
There are so many choices in your price range, so let's hear from others. There is also plenty of .177 ammunition too.

I'd also recommend this gun to you, although it is at the $200.oo end. It is very nice and very similar to your .20 cal Benjamin.

Pyramid Air, where I got mine. https://www.pyramydair.com/product/sene ... fle?m=5170

At Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Seneca-Dragonfly ... B09V5MCWPB

Good luck.

[North Country Gal]

I'm going to up the ante and suggest the HW30 (German made) in 177, BECAUSE you will never wear one out in a lifetime of shooting, it is super easy to cock and shoot, super trigger and accuracy, light weight and easy to carry and BECAUSE it is a springer, shoot it all you want without any pumping, worries about temperature. It is the ultimate grab and go air rifle. Just cock, load and fire all afternoon if you want. Hey, I have some very high end, Olympic grade air guns, but I shoot the HW30 the most.

Form AoA, the HW30 will run you about $340, but you can also b uy the HW30 from Krale in the Netherlands for $256 and shipping is actually faster than AoA,https://www.krale.shop/us/weihrauch-hw30-s/

[BigAl52]

I knew NCG would suggest the HW-30. Im gonna second that and I like 22 better because those .177 pellets are not big finger friendly. It only cost a little bit more to go first class and the Weirauch is first class. I have 2 and even though I dont shoot them as much as I should I love them both. YMMV

[markiver54]

Thank You Dave for posting the topic!!
What a wealth of information and it's much appreciated. Now that I have found a tin of .20 pellets, a new rifle is not quite as urgent. I DO however still have a desire to own one in .177.
Thank you all. I have printed all this information and I think a new rifle is in the NEAR future.
Gosh, I still love this forum as much as the day I joined!

[Cannonball]

You definitely can’t go wrong with buying a Weihrauch as already suggested. As much as I like the HW30, I feel the HW50 is a better option since you would like to be able to hunt with it. The HW50 puts out twice the foot pounds of energy as the HW30 does and that’s why I prefer it in a hunting scenario. There isn’t any doubt that the HW30 will humanely dispatch a squirrel, I’ve done it myself. However squirrels and other small game animals tend to not sit very still and if one happens to move about the same time as the trigger breaks, I would prefer to have the HW50 in hand. The HW30 really shines at target shooting, it doesn’t take as much force to c0ck the gun and the shot cycle is much smoother which leads to better accuracy for those that don’t regularly shoot springers. Another thing to consider is your size, the HW30 is about two inches shorter than the HW50 but the barrel length is the same. So the length of pull is much shorter on the HW30 and might fit you better or worse depending on how big of a fellow you are. I’m 6’ tall and weigh 240 with very short legs and large upper body. I found the HW50 more comfortable to shoot due to the extra length of pull. My wife is 5’ 3” and the HW30 fits her much better than the HW50 does. Anyway, this is just my opinion on the subject and what works well for me might not work for you or someone else. Good luck in your search and you already have some great advice in the previous posts.

[North Country Gal]

Good points. I have both actually, and the complement each other very well. I use the added power of the HW50 for distances beyond 30 yards. The little HW30 is very much at home out to 30 yards, but beyond that distance, even the slightest breeze becomes an issue. The HW50, on the other hand, is very comfortable out to 50 yards. Love the 50, too, for challenging steel reactivate targets way out there.

[markiver54]

Hmm... I have taken squirrels out to about 50 yds with my Sheridan with open sights. ( probably lucky shots ) so that IS something I will keep in mind as well. I anticipate more critter shooting than paper.

[Cannonball]

Mark - My Benji 397 in .177 puts out just under 11 FPE (foot pounds of energy) and yours being .20 caliber should do a little more. For reference, the HW30 is rated at 5.5 FPE, I can’t remember what mine actually was after running it through my chronograph but it was extremely close to that. The HW50 is sub 12 FPE to comply with regulations in some of the countries in Europe, they have to be under 12 FPE or they’re basically considered a firearm over there. My HW50 was 11.8 when I checked it with my chronograph so it’s likely close to your rifle power wise. Here’s a recent picture of my 397 after a little polishing on the nickel finish.

[markiver54]

Nice Cannonball!
I think I'll research the HW50 some more. Is it comparable in price to the HW30?

[Cannonball]

I’m going to post a picture of my HW50s and hopefully convince you to buy a Weihrauch. The quality is pretty easy to see but even more impressive when you get to put your hands on one. This is truly a heirloom airgun that could be passed to several generations of family if it’s well maintained. Keep in mind this is their entry level spring rifle. You should see what their upper end PCP’s look like, I have one of those too...

[BigAl52]

Hw95 Field Pro comes with a scope for 599.00 from Airguns of AZ. Ya I know thats more than you want to spend. But it was my first rifle and my neighbor liked it so much he bought one. I took 2 pests one day that were side by side in my front yard tree. They love to sit up there and deposit all over my driveway. 2 pests one pellet

[markiver54]

That is a beautiful rifle!
It also answers my question if a scope can be added.
The HW30 I saw on the Krale website showed a globe front site with inserts, which might be ok even for tired eyes. My first rifle, a Savage/Anschutz 22lr has them and they provide a nice sight picture. I'm a lot older now though, so the ability to add an optic would certainly be a plus.

[markiver54]

Hw95 Field Pro comes with a scope for 599.00 from Airguns of AZ. Ya I know thats more than you want to spend. But it was my first rifle and my neighbor liked it so much he bought one. I took 2 pests one day that were side by side in my front yard tree. They love to sit up there and deposit all over my driveway. 2 pests one pellet

Wow...now that's impressive. Probably out of my price range though.

[BigAl52]

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/spring ... -pro-.177/

[markiver54]

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/spring ... -pro-.177/

That is a beauty Al. I can only wish though. Definitely beyond my budget...unfortunately.

[Cannonball]

Nice Cannonball!
I think I'll research the HW50 some more. Is it comparable in price to the HW30?

It’s $332 delivered if you buy it from Krale. The price could fluctuate a little due to the dollar to euro exchange rate. Make sure you buy some pellets if you do order. The shipping won’t go up much since you would be getting a rifle and their pellets are much cheaper for the same ones here. Mine really likes the H&N FTT pellets.

[North Country Gal]

Another great pellet for the HW50 is the JSB Express 7.87. My 50 loves 'em.

If you go with the HW30 as your choice, the JSB 7.33s are the traditional choice for the HW30, but HWs are not too pellet fussy. Have had good accuracy with a wide variety of pellets.

[daytime dave]

I knew which one NCG would suggest too,

When you are talking airguns, all are fun to shoot. It's been a while, but I should take one out for rabbits before the season ends. I do enjoy hunting with airguns.

[markiver54]

All of the suggestions are being considered. On a fixed income, it can be hard to justify even a $200.00 to $300.00 expense. I may have to delay a purchase for a little while because when I do buy, I want quality. I think it might be worth it to me, ( as hard as it is), to wait a bit so that I can get what I want. I have printed all of the great information that has been so generously provided. It will be great reference material toward making a decision. Hopefully it won't be on hold too long.
In the mean time, I'm looking forward to trying the JSB pellets that I finally found, thanks to some help here, for my Sheridan. They are due to arrive Wednesday.

[graywolf]

I was in the same boat back in November, but in my case I hadn't even held a airgun in probably 60 years. My price range was about $200.00. I asked for help and NCG recommended if I could afford to spend a little over 300.00, to get the HW30. I did and I really like it.