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Category: Air Rifle Reviews

  • Air Rifles: The Versatile Survival Tool

    When we talk about survival in a post-apocalyptic world or even in a situation where we have to live off the grid, we think about guns, ammunition, and the ability to hunt for food. While a traditional firearm may be the first choice for many people, it may not be the most practical option in all situations. An air rifle, on the other hand, has a number of benefits that make it a valuable tool for survival purposes.

    In this article, we will explore the benefits of using an air rifle for survival, including its portability, versatility, and the availability of ammunition. We will also examine the types of air rifles that are best suited for survival situations, as well as some of the considerations that must be taken into account when using an air rifle for survival purposes.

    Portability

    One of the biggest advantages of using an air rifle for survival is its portability. Traditional firearms can be heavy and cumbersome, making them difficult to carry over long distances. Air rifles, on the other hand, are much lighter and more compact, making them easier to carry with you wherever you go.

    This can be particularly important in a survival situation where you may need to move frequently and quickly to stay safe. The lighter weight of an air rifle can make it easier to maneuver through difficult terrain, while also allowing you to carry more supplies and equipment with you.

    Versatility

    Another benefit of using an air rifle for survival is its versatility. While a traditional firearm may be best suited for hunting large game, an air rifle can be used to hunt a wide variety of animals, including small game and birds. This can be particularly important in a survival situation where you may need to rely on whatever food sources are available to you.

    In addition to hunting, an air rifle can also be used for self-defense. While it may not be as effective as a traditional firearm, an air rifle can still be used to deter attackers or defend yourself if necessary. This can be especially important if you are in a situation where you cannot rely on law enforcement or other forms of protection.

    Ammunition

    One of the biggest challenges when using a traditional firearm for survival purposes is the availability of ammunition. In a post-apocalyptic world or a situation where you have to live off the grid, ammunition may be scarce and difficult to come by.

    An air rifle, on the other hand, uses compressed air to propel pellets or BBs, which are readily available and inexpensive. This means that you can carry a much larger supply of ammunition with you, allowing you to hunt and defend yourself for longer periods of time.

    Types of Air Rifles

    There are a wide variety of air rifles available on the market, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. When choosing an air rifle for survival purposes, there are a few key factors that you should consider.

    Power

    The power of an air rifle is measured in feet per second (FPS). A higher FPS means that the rifle will have more power and be able to shoot pellets or BBs at a faster velocity. This can be important when hunting larger game or when using the rifle for self-defense.

    However, a higher FPS also means that the rifle will be louder and may be more difficult to control. This can make it more difficult to use in a stealthy manner or in situations where you do not want to draw attention to yourself.

    Caliber

    Air rifles are available in a variety of calibers, including .177, .22, and .25. The caliber of the rifle will determine the size of the pellets or BBs that it uses, as well as the power and accuracy of the rifle.

    A .177 caliber air rifle is the most common and is suitable for hunting small game and birds. A .22 caliber air rifle is more powerful and can be used to

    hunt larger game such as rabbits, squirrels, and small deer. A .25 caliber air rifle is even more powerful and is suitable for larger game such as coyotes, raccoons, and foxes.

    Accuracy

    The accuracy of an air rifle is an important consideration when using it for hunting or self-defense. A rifle that is accurate at longer distances will be more effective when hunting game or defending yourself from an attacker.

    There are a number of factors that can affect the accuracy of an air rifle, including the quality of the barrel, the type of sights or scope that is used, and the weight and quality of the pellets or BBs.

    Considerations

    While air rifles have a number of benefits for survival purposes, there are also some considerations that must be taken into account when using one.

    Legal Restrictions

    In many countries, air rifles are subject to legal restrictions and may require a license or permit to own and use. It is important to research the laws and regulations in your area before purchasing an air rifle for survival purposes.

    Maintenance

    Like any tool or piece of equipment, an air rifle requires regular maintenance to keep it in good working order. This may include cleaning the barrel and other parts, lubricating moving parts, and storing the rifle in a dry and secure location.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, an air rifle can be a valuable tool for survival purposes due to its portability, versatility, and the availability of ammunition. When choosing an air rifle for survival, it is important to consider factors such as power, caliber, and accuracy, as well as any legal restrictions and maintenance requirements.

    While an air rifle may not be as effective as a traditional firearm in all situations, it can still be a valuable tool for hunting, self-defense, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world or a situation where you have to live off the grid.

    Citations

    1. Blackman, H. (2014). Air Rifle Hunting. Crowood.
    2. Raba, J. (2017). Air Rifles: A Buyer’s and Shooter’s Guide. Skyhorse Publishing.
    3. Shideler, D. (2018). Gun Digest Book of Survival Guns: Tools & Tactics for Survival Preparedness. Gun Digest Books.
    4. Tomlinson, N. (2015). Airgun Shooter’s Guide. Casemate Publishers.
    5. Walters, M. (2012). Air Rifles: A Buyer’s Guide. Osprey Publishing.

  • SPRINGFIELD ARMORY M1A Underlever Pellet Rifle review

    The Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle is a popular air rifle that boasts a number of impressive features. In this article, we will take a closer look at the pros and cons of this air rifle and examine what makes it stand out from other options on the market.

    Features of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle

    The Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle is a spring-piston air rifle that shoots .177 or .22 caliber pellets. It features a built-in muzzle brake and an adjustable trigger that can be set to match your shooting preferences. The rifle also comes with an adjustable rear sight and a fiber-optic front sight for improved accuracy.

    One of the standout features of this air rifle is the underlever cocking mechanism. This allows you to cock the gun without breaking the barrel, which helps to maintain accuracy and consistency between shots. The underlever design also helps to reduce recoil, which can be a problem with other air rifles.

    The Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle has a solid wood stock with a raised cheekpiece for improved comfort and accuracy. The stock also features checkering on the grip and forearm for improved grip and control.

    The rifle has a maximum velocity of 1100 feet per second, which is more than enough for target shooting and small game hunting. It also has a single-shot bolt action, which makes it easy to load and shoot.

    Pros of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle

    One of the biggest advantages of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle is its underlever cocking mechanism. This allows you to cock the gun without breaking the barrel, which helps to maintain accuracy and consistency between shots. It also helps to reduce recoil, which can be a problem with other air rifles.

    The adjustable trigger is another great feature of this air rifle. It can be set to match your shooting preferences, which can help you shoot more accurately and with greater control. The adjustable rear sight and fiber-optic front sight also help to improve accuracy.

    The solid wood stock is another highlight of this air rifle. It is comfortable to hold and provides a solid grip, thanks to the checkering on the grip and forearm. The raised cheekpiece also helps to improve accuracy and comfort.

    The maximum velocity of 1100 feet per second is more than enough for target shooting and small game hunting. The single-shot bolt action makes it easy to load and shoot, and the rifle is relatively quiet compared to other air rifles.

    Cons of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle

    One of the drawbacks of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle is its weight. At over 9 pounds, it is heavier than many other air rifles on the market. This can make it difficult to hold steady for long periods of time, which can be a problem for target shooting.

    The rifle also has a long cocking stroke, which can be tiring for some users. It may take some time to get used to the underlever design, especially if you are used to using other types of air rifles.

    Another potential downside of this air rifle is its price. It is more expensive than many other options on the market, which may not be ideal for beginners or those on a budget.

    User Reviews of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle

    User reviews of the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle are generally positive. Many users appreciate the underlever design and the solid wood stock. The adjustable trigger and sights are also popular features.

    However, some users have noted that the rifle is heavier than they expected, which can make it difficult to hold steady for long periods of time. Some users have also reported issues with the rifle jamming or misfiring, although these appear to be relatively rare.

    Conclusion: Overall, the Springfield Armory Underlever Pellet Rifle is a solid choice.

  • Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle

    The Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle is a multi-shot, break barrel air rifle. It features Gamo’s Whisper Fusion technology, which reduces noise levels, and a 10-shot magazine that allows for quick and easy follow-up shots. The rifle has a synthetic stock with a rubber recoil pad and a scope rail for mounting a scope. It also has a manual safety and a single-stage trigger. It has a .22 caliber and an Inert Gas Technology (IGT) power plant which uses a gas piston instead of a spring for increased accuracy and power. It has a velocity of up to 975 feet per second (fps) with PBA Platinum ammo. It’s a perfect rifle for small game hunting and plinking.

    Product reviewers generally have positive things to say about the Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle. Many praise its accuracy and power, noting that it is capable of taking down small game and pests with ease. The 10-shot magazine is also seen as a major plus, allowing for quick follow-up shots.

    The Whisper Fusion technology is also well received, with reviewers noting that the rifle is quieter than other air rifles in its class. The synthetic stock is also seen as a plus, as it is durable and easy to maintain.

    Some reviewers have noted that the trigger pull can be heavy, and that the rifle can be difficult to cock for younger or weaker shooters. However, these are minor complaints in comparison to the overall positive feedback on the rifle’s performance.

    Many reviewers report that the Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle is good for hunting small game, such as squirrels, rabbits, and birds. Some reviewers also note that it is powerful enough to take down larger pests, such as raccoons and coyotes. The rifle’s accuracy, power, and 10-shot magazine make it well-suited for taking down small game at close to medium ranges. The Whisper Fusion technology which reduces noise levels, is also a plus for hunting as it reduces the chance of scaring off game. However, It may not be the best choice for big game hunting, as the caliber and power of the rifle may not be sufficient for taking down larger animals.

    Overall, the Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle is seen as a high-quality, powerful, and accurate air rifle that is well suited for small game hunting, target shooting, and pest control.

  • Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL Air Rifle air Rifle

    The Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle is a high-powered, precharged pneumatic (PCP) air rifle that is designed for hunting and target shooting. It is available in various calibers including .357, .45, and .50, and features a Quattro trigger system for a smooth and consistent trigger pull. It also has a QuietEnergy barrel that reduces noise, and an integrated air pressure gauge. The rifle has a synthetic stock with an adjustable comb and a built-in pressure relief device for added safety. It also has an anti-double pellet feed mechanism and a manual safety. The rifle is designed for powerful and accurate performance, and is suitable for both experienced and novice shooters.

    So what do product reviewers say they like about it?

    Product reviewers generally have positive things to say about the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle. Some of the things they like include:

    -Powerful performance: Many reviewers comment on the rifle’s impressive power, with some saying it can take down large game with ease.

    -Quiet operation: The QuietEnergy barrel is praised for reducing noise and making the rifle more suitable for backyard shooting.

    -Accurate: Reviewers appreciate the rifle’s ability to shoot accurately at long ranges, making it suitable for target shooting and hunting.

    -Comfortable and adjustable stock: the synthetic stock is praised for being comfortable and adjustable, making it easy to get a good fit for different shooters.

    -Reliability: Reviewers report that the rifle is reliable and easy to use, with minimal maintenance required.

    -Bang for the buck: Many reviewers think that the rifle is a great value for the price, especially considering its powerful performance and accuracy.

    -Safety feature: Many reviewers appreciate the built-in pressure relief device, and the anti-double pellet feed mechanism that increases safety during the shooting.

    What do they not like?

    Product reviewers generally have positive things to say about the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle, but there are a few things that some reviewers do not like. Some of these include:

    -Weight: Some reviewers find the rifle to be heavy, which can make it difficult to hold steady for extended periods of time.

    -Recoil: Some reviewers report that the rifle has a significant amount of recoil, which can make it uncomfortable to shoot.

    -Trigger: Some reviewers have criticized the trigger, saying it can be heavy and difficult to adjust.

    -Barrel: Some reviewers have reported that the barrel is not very consistent in terms of accuracy and performance, which can affect the overall accuracy of the rifle.

    -Ammo: due to its powerful caliber, some reviewers have reported that it can be difficult to find suitable ammunition for the rifle.

    -Cost: for some reviewers, the rifle is considered to be a bit pricey and not affordable for some.

    It is worth noting that these are not common complaints and that the majority of reviewers have had a positive experience with the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle.

    Any other interesting facts or things to note about the Hatsan BT Big Bore?

    -The Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle is available in a variety of calibers, including .357, .45, and .50. This allows shooters to choose the caliber that best suits their needs and preferences.

    -The rifle features a Quattro trigger system, which is designed to provide a smooth and consistent trigger pull. This can help improve accuracy and make the rifle easier to shoot.

    -The rifle also features an integrated air pressure gauge, which allows the shooter to easily check the air pressure in the rifle’s reservoir. This can help ensure that the rifle is always operating at optimal pressure.

    -The rifle also has an anti-double pellet feed mechanism, which prevents more than one pellet from entering the barrel at a time. This can help improve accuracy and reduce the risk of jamming.

    -The rifle has a built-in pressure relief device, which automatically releases air from the rifle if the pressure becomes too high. This can help prevent damage to the rifle and improve safety.

    -The rifle is suitable for both experienced and novice shooters, it’s easy to use, and requires minimal maintenance.

    Conclusion:

    -In general, the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL is a powerful and accurate rifle that is suitable for hunting and target shooting. With its adjustable stock, pressure gauge, and integrated silencer, it is a great choice for any shooter looking for a versatile and reliable air rifle.

  • Umarex Octane Nitro Piston Review

    Umarex Octane Nitro Piston Review

    VALUE PICK1The Umarex Octane nitro-piston air rifle easily makes it onto our Editor’s Best Value List with a combo that exemplifies the amazing level of quality and performance that today’s air rifles can deliver – all at a price point that would be unheard of just five years ago. OK, so it is obvious that we are big fans of the Octane, but so are many other commentators. The real question is what do prospective buyers need to know before “pulling” the trigger on a potential purchase?  This beast is not perfect, much less for everyone, regardless whether it falls within your budget. Please follow along as we, in typical unbiased fashion, tick through the features and issues that matter to arm you with the facts.

    Umarex Octane Nitro Piston review

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    What we love about the Umarex Octane

    HUGE power and pellet velocities

    The Umarex Octane may have its critics – but none of these could in good conscience deny that this is an insanely powerful break barrel that is pushing the boundaries of gas-strut technology. Yes, you are going to hear inflated velocity ratings by Umarex; this unfortunately is the norm with air rifle marketing. Umarex reports that the .22 caliber will reach 1250 FPS with alloy and 1050 FPS with lead; the .177 caliber supposedly hits 1450 and 1250 with alloy and lead pellets, respectively.  Field reports, however, suggest that the .22 for example is generally capable of more like 920-950 FPS with a 14.3 grain pellet. This is by no means disappointing though, since these figures plugged into our FPE calculator confirm that the Octane .22 produces roughly 27-29 FPE at the muzzle!

    That is pretty ridiculous power for a break barrel, much less for an affordably priced nitro piston. To give you some idea, the Octane has more than two times the 12 FPE minimum we recommend for a small game hunting air rifle. This means that you can hunt just about any air-rifle-suitable small game and pests, such as starlings to squirrel, rats and woodchuck. Even larger pests species like raccoon are no match for this kind of power, at least in the .22 bore. In addition, this muzzle energy means that you are able to engage targets at ranges exceeding 50 yards fairly easily.

    Umarex Octane

    Unusually quiet shooting for any air rifle

    We are frankly numb to manufacturer hype about how great their noise suppression technologies are reputed to be. So we were beyond impressed when we realized that the Umarex Octane may just be one of the quietest high-powered break barrel air rifles on the market – particularly for a break barrel that delivers so much punch at a reasonable price point. The ReAxis gas-piston and SilencAIR integral silencer are a winning combination in our book that makes the Octane a backyard-ready cannon. Indeed, some reports have this rig producing the report a single shot Red Ryder!  The biggest sound produced by a well maintained Octane is more often going to be the sound of a pellet doing violence on a hard target!  Assuming you are complying with all applicable laws and regulations, this makes it absolutely ideal for knocking anything from pigeons to coons into last week without drawing undesired attention from the neighbor or community busybodies in the process.

    Octane silencer view

    Having said that, please be fair: don’t send us nasty comments that this rifle sounds like a rimfire just because you are using lightweight alloys. We said it before and will keep saying it: if you crack the sound barrier (around 1100 FPS) you are going to make a lot of noise. Period. I don’t care what rifle you are using. And this rig is going to easily deliver a loud report if you are using alloys, especially in the .177 which needs a heavy lead pellet to avoid going supersonic. Folks, if you are using alloy with this rifle in the .177, you deserve to be slapped like a rented mule!  Oh, we should also add that the first few dozen shots are going to be loud; this is part of the initial break in and the rifle will continue to settle down. Cleaning the dirty barrel that you are likely to encounter (more about that later) will also reduce break in noise and a lot of dieseling that would otherwise occur.

    Decent combo scope and fantastic out-of-the-box accuracy

    Umarex Octane scope

    The bundled 3-9×40 AO scope (with parallax adjustment and duplex reticle) and mount that comes with the Octane is not going to compete with a solid upgrade; however, it is a very good scope for a combo that is fairly easy to sight in out of the box and can give you outstanding accuracy after a short-break in, so long as you are properly using an artillery hold.

    Reports from the field are extremely positive, with users achieving dime sized groups at 25 yards and quarter to nickel groups at 50 yards. We are not surprised and feel that this rifle’s accuracy is limited mainly by the quality of the scope and technique of the user. As we will get to later, one must also to some degree make peace with this rifle’s lackluster trigger before getting the most out of it.  The Octane seems to perform well on a steady diet of H&N Barracudas, among other pellet choices.

    Incredibly sturdy construction and good finish

    octane fit and finish

    You know how some air rifles can feel cheap – light and inexpensive parts that just scream mass produced? This isn’t one of them. The Umarex Octane is a veritable Sherman Tank of the nitro piston world and is built to possibly withstand a direct RPG hit! In all seriousness, there is a real comfort to this rifle’s very solid build and clear favoring of all steel parts. As we discuss later though; this means that it may be a real POS if you plan on covering a lot of ground on a hunt, for example.

    On the sex appeal factor, there are plenty who would disagree but we feel that the Octane is a pretty sharp-looking gas ram that, while a bit angular in some respects (especially the stock), is put together nicely enough and look a hundred bucks better than its modest price tag would suggest.

    silenceair baffling for noise reductionSmooth firing with modest recoil

    With this kind of Magnum power, one would expect a bone-jarring recoil and a generally rougher ride than that delivered by the Octane. A springer with equivalent power would be even worse. However, these new-generation gas struts are making real progress in this area and we are pleased to see that in this case, you can have your cake and eat most of it too!

    Better than average warranty

    With a three-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, this air rifle is a good bet that you can afford to properly test-drive.

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    Things we don’t love…so much

    octane parts and features diagramBig and heavy

    With an overall length of nearly 49 inches and weight of 10 pounds, this is not the kind of air rifle you want to be hiking around with all day. With a proper sling (wish it came with one), most adults will have no trouble carrying it around but is something to consider if you value covering a lot of ground when hunting, for example.

    Hard to cock

    Although the gas-piston cocks smoothly, it is hard to cock (42 pounds) by most standards. No, you don’t need to be over six feet tall or more than 200 pounds to do so, but you probably need to be an adult male in good shape. Again, this is not so big a deal really, especially if you are hunting and being judicious with your shots. Conversely, if you are interested in this rifle for plinking, you are going to cursing the Octane for making you work for your kicks!

    Stiff two-stage trigger

    Yes you can try and do a home trigger mod on this, but if you aren’t comfortable with either that or an upgrade, be ready for a somewhat challenging trigger. Although rated at 3.5 pounds of pull, the trigger feels noticeably stiffer than that and is sadly not terribly smooth either. If you haven’t fired many air rifles, this is likely to contribute greatly to some inaccuracy when getting used to the Octane. Nevertheless, the trigger is not quite as bad as some people make it out to be; overall, the trigger is at least well-constructed and can be managed with some patients and practice.

    Struggle to hold zero

    While the combo scope is pretty decent, many complain that it’s easily rattled off zero. This is unfortunately to be expected, especially with the inevitable recoil this rifle generates. We recommend keeping a jar of loc-tite handy and using it liberally on all main scope/mount screws to help with this.

    Hold sensitive

    The Octane is definitely as hold sensitive as a Magnum spring-piston rifle; still, if you cannot properly use the artillery hold (a very “light” hold technique) you are going to get some ugly groups.

    Filthy barrel

    This is another not-so-big-problem. Yes, your Octane is likely to arrive with a downright messy barrel and your first rounds through this rifle are going to diesel like crazy with terrible accuracy – that is if you don’t clean it will first before firing.

    Do I get the .177 or .22 caliber?

    octane break barrel assemblyBoth the .177 and .22 caliber options are screamers. The .22 bore is by far the better choice if you want to hunt furred animals at any distance for reasons we’ve already discussed and the Octane in this caliber is a very serious small game air rifle in our book. The .177 is also capable of hunting of course, although this caliber is best suited to feathered game such as starling, pigeons and the like. As we mentioned earlier, the key is to keep pellets from going supersonic – for the .177 in particular this means that you are going to want a heavier, not lighter pellet. We will say it again:  if you are using alloy .177 caliber pellets in this rifle, you are badly misguided.

    Price and value

    So this could have been put into the things we “love” about this air rifle but it deserved its own section. Make no mistake, this is probably the best value new combo we’ve seen lately and is an unbelievable deal. It is difficult to find anything in its current price class that provides more power, accuracy and ultra-quiet shooting than the Umarex Octane. In addition, the gas-strut does in fact make this a relatively newbie-friendly air rifle for a model approaching 30 FPE at the muzzle. In fact, the Octane is a very good alternative to the Benjamin Trails. Benjamin, are you listening!?

    Concluding thoughts on the Umarex Octane

    If you are an adult male who doesn’t mind a heavy, hard-to-cock air rifle, the Umarex Octane is almost too good to be true. This model delivers Magnum-level knock down power and shockingly stealthy shooting, in addition to excellent out-of-the-box-accuracy, all for a price tag that blows away the competition in the bang for the buck department. Yes, you will have a word or two with the mediocre trigger and you will need to keep a close eye on your stock scope adjustment, but who the hell cares!?

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    More information and resources:
    Octane user manual
    Forum discussion
    Octane v. Ben Marauder thread
    Octane Yahoo user group

  • Our Review: Gamo Whisper Fusion Pro

    Our Review: Gamo Whisper Fusion Pro

    The Gamo Whisper Fusion Pro has a lot to live up to; including Gamo’s claim that it is one of the “quietest” air rifles you can buy thanks in part to a “patented double integrated noise dampening technology.” But what’s the real story on the Whisper Fusion Pro and, ultimately, is it worth the money? In usual style, we try to cut through the noise and give you our unbiased opinion.

    Gamo Whisper Pro Fusion Review
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    Very Good power and velocity

    This is a single-cock, spring-piston break-barrel air rifle that does not come up short in the power department. As usual, Gamo reports velocity using PBA platinum pellets, which, in the .177 caliber are reported to reach 1,400 feet per second. Assuming a weight of 5.4 grains for the PBA ammo, this results in approximately 23.5 foot-pounds of energy, i.e., “FPE,” at the muzzle using our FPE calculator.  We have heard similar numbers by users of the .22 caliber model, although somewhat lower, around the 20-21 FPE range. Regardless, this is plenty of power for anything from long-range plinking to serious small game hunting, and we expect users will not be complaining that the Gamo Whisper lacks guts. This rifle also does not disappoint if you want a nice arm workout – as it requires about 41 pounds of effort to cock.

    Fairly good accuracy with combo scope

    This model comes with a 3-9×40 with adjustable objective scope and a one-piece dovetail mount.  Most will probably find the scope pretty good for plinking and casual small game hunting; however, it does have its limitations and if you are seeking reliable, tight groups, a scope upgrade may be in order at some point. Having said all that, this is a fairly accurate air rifle, assuming you are patient during break in period and know how to sight-in an air rifle.

    We should also point out that, as with a lot of spring-piston rifles, some may struggle keeping the scope zeroed and ensuring that the mounts remain tight. We’d recommend re-zeroing and tightening the scope mounting every couple dozen shots or so to prevent wandering, especially when pursuing small game – where precision shooting is required for humane kills.

    A pretty decent trigger

    So Gamo has also put a lot of emphasis on the SAT, or “Smooth Action Trigger,” an adjustable two-stage trigger that Gamo claimed is nothing short of revolutionary.

    In our view, the SAT trigger is pretty good and light, with just under a 3.74-pound pull. Nevertheless, we would not consider it to be a game-changer by any means and there are plenty that may find the trigger much stiffer than its pull rating would suggest. Again, if you are looking to take this rifle to the next level in terms of accuracy, this trigger may not be for you. Still, this is a good trigger by general standards and the average user is likely to be pleased with its performance out of the box or after some minor tweaking.

    Not very quiet, really

    OK, so this is where Gamo’s claims fall flat in our opinion. This is not a particularly quiet air rifle! In fact, it is pretty darn average and, while certainly acceptable for a spring-piston model, it is by no means stealthy. In fact, some users put the cracking of this rifle on par with shooting a conventional .22 short round.

    Of course, some of the complaints of this rifle being downright loud are probably because people are using PBA ammo in the .177. As we have explained time and time again, if you break the sound barrier (which is around 1,000 FPS), you are going to make a lot of noise – so don’t do it! Breaking the sound barrier will also cause you to miss at anything beyond very close ranges due to the sound pressure wake that is created behind a supersonic pellet. PBA and other lightweight alloy pellets are, in our opinion, gimmicky and not useful except to pick up the trajectory of underpowered airguns and rifles  – this does not apply to the Whisper Fusion Pro. Stick with lead.

    Sharp fit and finish

    This is a fairly long (just under 47”) yet moderately heavy (8 lbs.) rifle that comes with an all-weather, ambidextrous stock and jacketed steel barrel. The stock comes with rubber buttplate and “Shock Wave Absorber” technology to dampen that endeavors to reduce the double-recoil of the large spring power plant.

    Overall, this is very handsome-looking air rifle.

    Gamo Whisper Pro butt stock

    Consensus from users

    Generally, the word on the street is that the Whisper Fusion Pro is a good deal; while not very quiet, users appreciate that it is a very powerful and fairly accurate rifle, that is if you don’t mind having to re-zero the scope now and again. Many people struggle to maintain accuracy and groups out beyond 20 yards, although we suspect in many cases that this is because they are not keeping the mount/scope screws tight and/or are wasting time using PBA ammo, which will virtually always deliver unreliable accuracy with a “hot” rifle like this, especially in the .177 caliber.

    Probably the most common complaint about this model is the hollow butt stock, which gives the rifle a somewhat cheaper feel than is deserved. If you are picky about how an air rifle balances – again, if you are looking for outstanding accuracy – this could very well bother you. Otherwise, the hollow butt is mostly a nit-pick that most will get over.

    Overall conclusion

    While we would not consider this among our best value picks, at its current price point at the time of this writing, which is hovering around $250-$275, the Gamo Whisper Fusion Pro does offer a lot of rifle for the money, including an adjustable scope and a decent trigger for its class. In addition, despite the flashy velocity ratings Gamo is known for, at around 20-23 FPE or so, this is a powerful rifle that easily eclipses our 12 FPE minimum for small game hunting and makes the rifle quite good for fairly longer-range shooting (beyond 35 yards) – that is, if you are patient with zeroing every couple dozen shots or so, and make sure to keep the scope and mounting screws tight.

    The big failure in our view is the “quiet” claim; this is not a quiet air rifle by any reasonable standard and is pretty average relative to most spring-piston power plants. Consequently, if you are considering this model because you are hoping to engage in some discrete, backyard shooting, think again.

    Check price and ratings for the Gamo Whisper Fusion Pro Here!

  • The Scoop on the Gamo Hunter Extreme

    The Scoop on the Gamo Hunter Extreme

    The Gamo Hunter Extreme has garnered lots of attention from shoppers looking for the next best spring-piston rifle, but there is not much consensus out there about its value, which begs the question:  is this yet just another sexy model that fails to live up to its lofty price tag? In usual fashion, we cut through the “noise” and deliver you the real deal, as we see it, with an eye towards maximizing performance and quality for your buck.

    gamo_hunter_extremeSE

    Key Features / Overview

    The Gamo Extreme is a break barrel, single-cocking/single-shot spring-piston air rifle that aims to compete with other big ticket springers in the always fierce magnum market. It does this by delivering a more quality look, feel and, of course, considerably more power than the average springer on the market.

    So what about power? Specifically, Gamo reports that the Hunter Extreme SE can send a PBA pellet at velocities of up to 1650 feet per second, with traditional lead pellets reaching speeds of up to 1,250 feet per second. As readers of this blog know full well, velocity figures by themselves don’t much, so we’ve done a bit of math to come up with FPE (foot pounds of energy) for this rifle.

    To obtain FPE, we need both velocity and pellet weight. In this case, Gamo says that it’s 1650 FPS figure is obtained with PBA rounds. They did not specify which PBA round they were talking about but I will assume that they are using their lightest round, the PBA Plantinum. Knowing that this PBA round is about 4.7 grains (considerably lighter than Gamo’s “gold” PBA round @ 5.4 grains), and plugging 1,650 FPS into our FPE Calculator, we get about 28 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. The same FPE results when we plug in the 1,250 FPS figure and assume a typical lead pellet weight of 8.0 grains. In other words, when you consider that our minimum FPE requirement for a hunting rifle is 12 FPE, it is obvious that this is indeed a very powerful air rifle!

    Cocking Effort

    Unfortunately as with so many things in life, there is one noticeable tradeoff to all that power. And that is – you can expect a pretty good arm/back workout cocking this beast, which requires a very impressive 58 lbs. of cocking effort according to Gamo. What does this mean? In our opinion, unless you are fit adult male you will have trouble using this rifle. Again, this is not something unique to the Hunter Extreme as it is an issue with just about all high-powered springers. Nevertheless, we often receive many questions about air rifles we’d recommend for back yard pest elimination that are suitable for both men and women – this rifle would therefore not be among them for the cocking effort required alone.

    Scope & Optics

    Hunter Extreme Specifications
    CLICK TO ENLARGE

    The combo comes complete with a 3-9×50, illuminated center glass-etched reticle scope that affixes with a one-piece grooved-rail rifle mount.  The scope does a fair job, particularly as a combo offering, and should make most users reasonably happy (although the rifle would greatly benefit from an upgraded scope in our book view), and the one-piece solid mount is a smart move by Gamo given the heavy double-recoil you can expect from the massive spring-piston powerplant at the heart of this rig. However, as usual, you will need to take care to sight the scope in properly and always check to ensure that all of the screws are tightened to ensure consistent shooting.

    Stock Trigger

    Rated at 4.5 pounds of pull, the two-stage trigger is not too bad, at least on paper. However, users seem to love it or hate it (mostly the latter), with many complaining about its unreasonable stiffness regardless of the second stage adjustment. If you are used to shooting high quality triggers, you will probably want to upgrade it immediately; whereas, most users just getting into relatively higher-ticket models should do well with it – and may even be satisfied.

    Size & Overall Weight

    In addition to being a bear to cock, this is a fairly long (46″ barrel to butt) and heavy rifle that, again, is not a good option for kids and/or slightly-built shooters. Specifically, coming in at just under 11 lbs. with the scope, it is certainly manageable compared to other magnum-type rifles but you will want to use a bench rest whenever possible when stalking your quarry for any length of time.

    Fit & Finish

    This is a handsome rifle that definitely represents a step up in quality that is evident when picking it up. The stock is composed of high-grade beechwood and features a raised Montecarlo-styled cheekpiece; the forearm and pistol grip are tastefully adorned with laser-engraved checkering. Indeed, this is a beautiful, solid rifle that makes a nice focal point in one’s collection, even for serious collections.

    Performance & Accuracy

    There are few consistent themes that emerge from reports from our various sources about what this rifle can actually do and, as usual, we suspect that many users struggle with basic issues of scope sighting, pellet selection, maintenance, etc. However all agree that this is a very hard-hitting rifle that has plenty of power to knock down small game and pests, which is evident from the 28 FPE in the .177 we calculated above.  Among the criticisms, the most common center around: (1) the stiff trigger and (2) lack of consistency from the stock scope. To be fair, while the scope and trigger are definitely the weakest points of this combo, this true for most combos.  Are they good enough for most people and casual hunting – absolutely; however, they are probably the very first things a user may want to consider upgrading if desiring even greater accuracy for more ambitious hunting or field target shooting.

    Price & Value

    This is always the million dollar question when shopping for air rifles, especially ones that cost in excess of $400. In our view, while the Hunter Extreme is overall high-quality and delivers huge power and solid accuracy right out of the box, it is in a very competitive price class with other spring-piston rifles that we think deliver equal or better value. For example, we could not in good conscience say that Hunter Extreme is in any way superior to the RWS 48, for example. Nor is it an overall a better choice than the RWS 22 350 Magnum.  In addition, if you stretched your budget a bit further, the RWS 54 Air King would give you similar power any superior accuracy to boot. Of course, those rifles will cost you more, especially after they are scoped. But keep in mind that if you may end up spending as much, or more, if you decide to upgrade  a scope/trigger later!

    Which Caliber & Pellet is Best?

    If you aren’t up to speed on the confusing and often deceptive marketing about power and velocity then pay close attention:  if you want to buy this rifle in the .177, use heavier, not lighter pellets! Here is our primer on air rifle pellets if you need to bone up.  As we’ve explained so many times, there is no need for or benefit to achieving velocities in excess of 1,000-1,100 FPS.  In fact, exceeding this and breaking the sound barrier will result in inaccurate shooting because the sound pressure wake created behind a pellet upon breaking the barrier will catch up with it and cause it to tumble in flight unless shooting at very close ranges. We suspect this is one of the primary reasons why so many people can’t seem to understand why they can’t sight in this gun or get repeatable groups at any distance – think people!!

    If you aren’t going for one of the larger bores (either the .22 or .25), then by all means get the heaviest lead pellets you can find and try out as many as you can until you find the best match for your particular rifle. We’ve put together a comparison matrix here to make this easier. Forget about all the BS you read about PBA. If you want to take down game, pests or hit anything consistently, use quality lead pellets and steer clear of alloy. In addition to slowing a .177 pellet to avoid breaking the sound barrier, a heavier pellet (in any caliber) bucks the wind better and carries more energy to the target, making traditional lead the gold standard for hunting or field target shooting.

    Likewise, consider carefully what you intend to shoot with this rifle. Are you interested in mainly furred game? If so, the .22 and .25 calibers are the better choices for several reasons we’ve already discussed. On the other hand, if you are primarily seeking to wreak havoc on the local starling or small bird population – and at long ranges – the Hunter Extreme in the .177 is an easy choice that will handle the task in spades!

    Click Here to Get the Best Price on the Gamo Hunter Extreme!!

     

     

  • BSA GRT Lightning XL SE Review

    BSA GRT Lightning XL SE Review

    It’s understandable to want to absolutely love the BSA GRT Lightning XL SE. After all, BSA has a great track record with quality spring piston rifles and now, with the GRT gas strut, the Lightning XL should be unstoppable, right? Well, in our opinion, it depends. Please read on as we elaborate.

    BSA Lightning XL SE Review
    >>Check Price & Availability<<

    Quick Specifications

    The GRT Lightning XL SE is a breakbarrel, single shot gas-piston air rifle that is available in .177, .22 and .25 caliber versions. Remember that this model comes with no open sights, so if purchasing you should already have or plan on purchasing a good scope compatible with the rifle’s 11 mm dovetail-type rail.

    This is a very compact and fairly lightweight (at 6.6 pounds) carbine, with a shrouded barrel that tops out at a mere 14.5 inches and overall rifle length of 37.5 inches. The trigger is adjustable (2-stage) and is reported to require around 2-lbs of pull. The safety mechanism is manual. Like most, it features a ventilated rubber butt-pad. The rifle stock is made of stained beechwood.

    What We Like About the GRT Lightning XL SE

    A show-stopping first impression and top quality fit & finish

    Probably the most impressive thing about this rifle is how great it looks and feels. The beefy proportions of this gun, along with its rich beechwood stock, detailed checkering and high-quality bluing throughout really makes this one of the best-looking air rifles we’ve seen in a while. Indeed, in terms of its curb-appeal, we’d put the GRT Lightning up against the likes of many more expensive Diana, Hawke or AirAirms rifles.

    And its appeal is not only “skin deep” either. In part due to its compact size and manageable weight, this rifle is very comfortable to draw on the fly and hold, and also boasts great balance that allows the shooter to really get comfortable before taking a shot. If you are not typically bench rest shooting, these are qualities you will soon learn to appreciate!

    Finally, with the exception of the trigger, most will find this rifle to be extremely well-put together and solid,  with just enough heft to remind you that you are holding a high-quality weapon.

    Quiet, unusually smooth shooting

    The GRT Lightning has a very effective shroud that keeps noise down.The GRT gas strut delivers remarkably smooth firing that you might not appreciate if you haven’t had much experience with springers. Nevertheless, shooters of just about any experience level are likely to enjoy the very fluid shot cycle and very limited kick with this model. But perhaps more impressive is how very muffled the report is. Rather than the twangy notes delivered by most spring-piston rifles, the GRT Lightning simply gives you a dull “thud” that is very quiet – in fact, it’s so stealthy that we’d consider this a classic backyard type of gun (watch your local laws on this, however).

    Great stock 2-stage trigger

    You’d expect a decent trigger on a an rifle approaching $400, and the good news is you get one. And while it may not be the best stock 2-stage trigger out there, it is very light (around 2 lbs-pull) and breaks cleanly, making it better than many others in this price class. As with most triggers, some have criticized certain aspects of its travel – namely, the rather long second stage, but we think most will be more than happy with it out of the box, and never need or even consider upgrading this trigger.

    Impressive Accuracy (with a caveat)

    The high-quality rifled barrel (manufactured in the UK) does not disappoint, and most users should enjoy very tight groups from the GRT Lightning. However, due to the relatively modest muzzle energy produced by this model (13-14 FPE), this may not be the case with the .25 caliber version, which simply cannot retain sufficient pellet velocities (especially when using standard lead pellets) to battle pellet-drop downrange, resulting in a very bowed trajectory. Unless you enjoy lots of range-finding, in our opinion, this makes the .25 caliber suitable only for close-range target shooting, plinking, and pest elimination (i.e., shooting within 25-30 yards).

    What We Don’t Like

    The GRT Lightning logoThe “GRT” Logo on the stock

    GRT is a great company, but many agree that their logo doesn’t belong on the otherwise flawless beechwood stock on this rifle.

    Indeed, the laser-engraving is hard to miss, in addition to being permanent. Of course, this does little to detract from this model’s overall beauty, but it is clearly something we (and many others) would have preferred was omitted from the finish.

    Underwhelming power

    The .177 caliber generates roughly 13 FPE and the larger calibers around 14 FPE, give or take. In the case of the .22, for example, you can expect velocities in the neighborhood of 650 FPS or so when using standard lead pellets. We haven’t tested it but you’d be lucky to get close to 500 FPS with lead in the .25 caliber if not using some gimmicky PBA round.

    This is not what we’d consider an underpowered air rifle in the .177 and .22 calibers; however, it’s by no means impressive either, and as a consequence we would not recommend the .25 caliber for anything beyond very close range shooting/pest elimination (within 25-30  yards). As we’ve explained before, while heavier pellets pack more FPE, even when fired from the same gun, they fly slower than lighter calibers all other things being similar. And the slower the pellet travels the longer mother gravity can pull on it – this is why you need more power for the larger calibers; it’s not for added knock down, but rather to keep sufficient pellet velocity so shot trajectories are not unreasonably bowed.

    This is why .177 rifles are not optimal for serious small game hunting (because their lighter projectiles carry less FPE and knock-down power) yet are the easiest caliber to shoot accurately at respectable distances; their pellet trajectories are simply the flattest and therefore require little to no range-finding. This doesn’t mean that you cannot shoot larger calibers accurately of course; but in this particular case the lack of power is likely to make the .25 caliber especially challenging.

    Stiff cocking

    Normally, a rifle that requires significant effort to cock rewards you with lots of FPE in exchange. Not here. While not outrageous by any means, the GRT Lighting is no walk in the park either, and despite being a very modestly-powered air rifle is fairly stiff to break. To BSA’s defense, this could be a result of this model’s compact dimensions, which may limit the mechanical leverage available to facilitate cocking.

    Price and Value

    This model is currently approaching $400, which is not unreasonable for its quality. Nevertheless, it seems a bit pricey compared to other popular gas rams and certainly compared to the many quality spring-piston rifles in this price class.

    Concluding Thoughts

    The BSA GRT Lightning XL SE is a stunningly beautiful and very well made air rifle with excellent, smooth performance out of the box. And if you want a rifle that is quiet enough for backyard shooting (laws permitting, of course), this is an excellent choice.

    But, unless you are keen on the .177 model, the very modest power of this rifle makes it difficult to shoot accurately downrange in the larger calibers, and the .25 caliber should be considered only for very close range shooting. Thus, while fine for plinking, spinning and pest-elimination, we would not recommend this rifle for small game hunting – where accuracy over a range of distances is vital for achieving humane kills.

    Finally, although this rifle is very high quality and can deliver outstanding accuracy when its limits are respected, for the money we think there are many other gas-rams that offer similar or superior performance. And if you are open to spring-piston powerplants, you have still more options, such as for example the less-expensive RWS 34 and similarly-priced RWS 48.

     

  • Which is Best? Our Benjamin Trail NP, XL & NP2 Review

    Which is Best? Our Benjamin Trail NP, XL & NP2 Review

    ScreenHunter_07 Aug. 03 20.34The Benjamin Trail NP (“Nitro Piston”) series by Crosman has enjoyed great popularity, and includes some of the most well-loved gas-piston air rifles available.

    Nevertheless, each of the current three versions of the Benjamin Trail, the original NP, the NP XL, and brand new NP2, are quite different, and each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages that anyone contemplating a “Trail” should consider.

    To help you sort this out, we’ve provided our own review of each model, based on their respective pros and cons, so you can be better informed before dropping your hard-earned dollars. For the sake of discussion, we will compare each model in the .22 caliber.

    At the conclusion of the article, we will give you our 2 cents as to our personal favorite Ben Trail.

    1) The Original – the Benjamin Trail NP

    Benjamin Trail NP
    >>Click Here for Ratings & the Lowest Prices!<<

    The Good:

    • Good Hunting Power. As far as punch, the NP brings plenty, and by our estimates (based on manufacturer velocity ratings) is likely to deliver around 18-20 ft-lbs of energy (“FPE”) in the .22 caliber. This is really good by any measure, and makes the NP a very solid small game hunting rifle for those interested in pursuing anything from starlings to squirrels.
    • Easy Cocking/Modest Recoil. Moreover, despite hitting hard, this nitro piston mechanism is quite easy to cock. Likewise, this pellet rifle fires smoothly with modest recoil and a moderate level of “hold sensitivity.” This is good, because these are two of the quintessential “benefits” of the gas-piston compared to an equally-powered spring piston air rifle in the first place.

    • Benjamin Trail NP .22 Specifications
      Click for larger view!

      Quiet Report. Another thing that users will notice is that the NP is fairly quiet compared to a springer. Thus, for situations that require more “discrete” shooting, we think the NP will meet or exceed most users’ expectations, particularly in light of the very good muzzle energy delivered by this gas ram.

    • Decent Scope on Combo. As far as optics, the combo comes included with a CenterPoint 3-9×40 AO (parallax adjustable) scope, which in reality is pretty decent by all objective measures. Yes, you will hear some people wail on about how mediocre to poor it is, but for the most part, that is a typical gripes with just about any combo scope. In fact, all things considered, the scope is OK – what else can you ask for in an affordable combo?
    • Nice Fit & Finish. Finally, the NP is a nice looking air rifle with a clean fit and finish (many appreciate the keyhole stock); it’s also quite manageable, too with an overall length of just over 44″ and a weight of just a tad over 7 pounds.

    The Bad:

    • Regrettable Trigger. By far the biggest weak spot of the NP is the trigger. It’s not just heavy, it has a very long second stage as well. Can you get by with it? Sure, but you will have to be a very patient person and really master the artillery hold to do so. The problem is that this trigger is not just annoying, it can and will pull you off your target if not careful. In fact, to the extent that people have trouble with accuracy at all, we suspect that it’s related to the trigger pull, rather than anything else about the rifle itself. Many who buy the NP knowing about the trigger issue either buy an aftermarket trigger (the GRT III “Charlie-da-Tuna” trigger is popular) or try one of various DIY fixes, for which you can no doubt several tutorials on the web. Just remember that tampering with the trigger will void the warranty, so tread carefully.
    • Long Break In Period. Another gripe that we hear too often to dismiss is the lengthy break in period often required. What are we talking about? In some cases, users report needing to push a few hundred rounds before the NP before settles down. The good news is that once it does break in, this thing is a tack driver!
    • Very Picky About Pellets. Besides the woefully stiff trigger and lengthy break in period, you may struggle initially to find the best pellet combination with your particular gun. Getting the right pellet is always a bit of trial and error, but unlike other rifles, there seems to be no default best brands for this gun, you are simply going to have to experiment to see what your rifle “likes.” To that end, we suggest you buy a good pellet sampler pack, get into a comfy bench rest position, and make an afternoon out of it!

    The Verdict

    The original Trail NP is well-balanced and combines impressive power, good accuracy (once you get past the trigger), a modest cocking effort and a manageable size and weight. This makes it a good entry-level gas ram for more inexperienced users, but one that requires some modification (especially the trigger) and lots of patience before more advanced shooters can really take advantage of the accuracy this rifle is capable of.

    2) The Beast – the Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100/725

    Benjamin Trail NP XL
    >>Click Here for Ratings & the Lowest Prices!<<

    The Good:

    • Huge Power! The NP XL is a real monster that generates true “Magnum” type power. What are we talking about? This rifle in the .22  – the “XL 1100” – is reported to generate just under 30 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle! Although user reports put the actual FPE closer to 25 FPE. The .25 caliber version (the XL 725) will hit even harder but will have a more challenging shot trajectory as velocity will drop in the larger bore. Users consistently report amazement at just how hard this rifle hits. For example, one user reported that his XL actually punctured a 2-foot tall fire extinguisher…and this was from a distance of 25 yards! Needless to say, if you are a small game hunter that likes to take game at the larger end of that spectrum (e.g., woodchuck, raccoon, large opossum, etc.), the NP XL will put your quarry down –  and do so in convincing fashion.
    • Passable Scope & Trigger. While you won’t be blown away by it, the included CenterPoint 3-9×40 AO (parallax adjustable) scope is definitely passable with fairly clear, bright optics. Likewise, the trigger on the XL is not really good (and some will probably hate it), but it is comparatively much better than that on the NP, so from that point of view, it’s a plus. At the very least, we don’t think you can legitimately blame your wandering groups on either. Now, the reliability of the scope after a bit of use is another story we’ll discuss later….

    • Trail NP XL 1100 .22 Specifications
      Click for larger view!

      Fairly Quiet Shooting. While not as quiet as the NP, the NP XL is actually pretty darn stealthy relative to a typical spring-piston air rifle that is capable of generating this much power. In addition, the gun will quiet down considerably after break in. Oh, please don’t be one of those people that complain that this is a “loud” rifle when you are firing lightweight alloy pellets that break the sound barrier! Keep your velocities (especially if opting for the .177 caliber) under 1000 FPS and your accuracy will improve – and we won’t have to hear you complain that your Trail is “as loud as a rimfire”!

    • Great Accuracy. Users consistently note very good accuracy with the NP XL, with reports of 1″ groups at considerable distances, up to 50 yards, being common. Indeed, you can expect even more laser-like shooting with upgraded optics and perhaps an aftermarket trigger. In addition, the XL seems to have a faster break in period than the NP, so you can start enjoying tack-driving accuracy much sooner.
    • Quality Fit & Finish. The construction of the XL is very robust and solid, albeit perhaps a little too robust for some users. The detailing on the wood stock models is also quite nice, and the rifle is all around very handsome and masculine looking.

    The Bad:

    • Big and Heavy. Did we mention this was a beast? With an overall length of 49″ and a total weight approaching 10 pounds when scoped (it’s 8.5 lbs alone), this rifle looks and feels more like a rimfire than an air rifle. The added weight does have some stabilizing effect as far as mitigating recoil, but the XL can be a bit of a bear to lug around or maintain a hold on when not bench shooting. Definitely not a rifle for young or female shooters.
    • Difficult to Cock. Consistent with its massive power is the considerable effort needed to cock the XL, which is somewhere between 45 and 50 lbs. This is nothing to be trivialized either. Even if you are in shape, you may begin to lament having to crack the barrel on this critter. The longer barrel does offset this to some degree (by giving you a better lever), but if you are young, slightly built and/or female, you might want to try another rifle. Respect your limitations.
    • A Scope-Eater. While the CenterPoint scope on the combo is decent, it may not hold out for too long on the back of this honking gas-ram. Despite being a gas-piston rifle, the XL generates impressive “double” recoil typical of high-powered spring-piston rifles. In case, you don’t know, this dual-recoil is very hard on scopes, and many report that it renders the CenterPoint useless after a few dozen to several hundred shots. Your mileage is likely to vary, and you may enjoy lots of use from yours, but we suggest you get a bottle of loctite and tighten all of the screws/adjustments to get the most out of it.

    The Verdict

    The Trail NP XL is a real handful, and is not the kind of air rifle that suits new, young or inexperienced users. It also has a lackluster trigger and can really dish out a beating on your optics.

    Nevertheless, it offers the kind of big-time power reserved for PCP and much more expensive Magnum rifles, and can deliver the kind of accuracy and take down power (that is, if you can cock this bad boy!) downrange that more seasoned air rifle hunters will appreciate.

    We strongly recommend sticking with the .22 or .25 calibers. This rifle in the .177 is like putting bicycle wheels onto a Lamborghini.

    3) The Next Generation – The Trail NP2

    The New Benjamin Trail NP2
    >>Click Here for Ratings & the Lowest Prices!<<

    The Good:

    • Great Power. The Trail NP2 uses Crosman’s revamped gas-piston power plant, which, according to Crosman, makes the NP2 shoot 15% faster and “double the effective shooting range of the original Trail series.” Based on the reported velocities in the .22, this doesn’t seem far off. Benjamin reports that NP2 delivers around 25 ft-lbs. at the muzzle; although again astute readers have indicated this is probably inflated and put it closer to 20-22 FPE. Either way, a very hard-hitting gas ram rivals the power of the XL 1100. Consequently, whatever you can hunt with the XL, you should be able to tackle with the NP2.
    • More Compact. Despite coming close to the power of the XL, the NP2 is a more compact and slightly lighter rifle, measuring 46″ in total length and weighing 8.3 pounds without the scope.

    Benjamin Trail NP2 .22 Specifications
    Click for larger view!

    • Reduced Cocking Effort. One of the benefits of the next-gen nitro piston is supposedly easier cocking. Crosman reports a 10-pound reduction in fact. This may be a bit exaggerated based on what we’re hearing; however, the cocking effort does not seem near as bad as that required for the XL, which is at least an improvement.
    • Quieter/Smoother. Again, if you compare this gas ram with other models that bring comparable power, the new Trail NP2 is likely to sound fairly quiet and produce a bit less vibration than one would otherwise expect. Although, this may be minimal in an absolute sense – this gun will still kick.
    • Contemporary Look. There’s no denying that the NP2 is a sharp-looking air rifle, with an interesting stock configuration and all-around sleek aspect to it.

    The Bad:

    • Inconsistent Ratings. Although it’s normal to have a fraction of users reporting seemingly contradictory experiences regarding things like performance and build quality, the NP2 has had particularly mixed reviews, especially around its debut. For example, one user hates the trigger, calling it the worst ever; another says it’s pure joy – the best ever. Some praise its accuracy; and just as many claim they can’t keep their groups together no matter what they do. However, the NP2’s reviews have grown consistently more positive over time and most sources now give this model a 4 out of 5 star rating. We are not sure if there were a lot of production or QC bugs that have been since ironed out or what; in any event, we are happy to see this positive trend.
    • Shoddy Construction? While most acknowledge the superficial appeal of this rifle, there have been some complaints about its build quality. For instance, one reviewer likened the finish of the wood stock to the veneer you’d find on Walmart furniture – something the user didn’t want to scratch for fear of finding what lay beneath it! Others simply had things break off prematurely, or received rifles that failed or came with defects, such as barrel cracks or loose-fitting, poorly manufactured components.
    • Spotty Accuracy/Questionable Trigger. Even though some found the NP2 very accurate and liked the “new” trigger, many users just couldn’t get the NP2 to settle down, and lots of the reviews blame the trigger for not being much different than that used on the original Trail NP.
    • Over-Hyped? As mentioned, when the NP2 debuted there were many users who were more than disappointed – they actually appeared downright hostile to what they viewed as an over-hyped model that did not live up to its marketing material, and the myriad of so-called “expert” reviews on the web. This user in particular seemed to sum up much of this frustration quite eloquently:

    “This gun, as the other reviewer stated, is the most over hyped…product I’ve seen in a great while. It’s kickback is ridiculous, the trigger, much worse, un shootable, the mount fell off in the first few shots (supposed to be welded to the barrell). The accuracy was horrific, could be the trigger which is like pulling a loaded semi a few inches closer to you on a rough gravel road via the bumper. The cocking effort was the same as all other nitro’s, the noise, comparable at least, and the stock is crude and poorly designed, unless you like hard sharp lines everywhere and have extremely small hands. The finish is like they used wood glue, smooth but murky, so you can’t even see the grain of the cheap fruitwood.”

    Again, now that things have calmed down and the NP2 has been in production for some time, such criticism in our experience is fairly uncommon and the NP2 has since proven itself to be a pretty solid offering, at least relative to the other Ben Trails.

    The Verdict

    While the NP2 may fall short of the hype surrounding its release, the NP2 does meet the basic claim of providing more power in a relatively smaller gas ram.  Moreover, many of the harsh criticisms levied against the NP2 when it first came on the scene – such as poor build quality and wildly inconsistent accuracy – seem to have largely dissipated. And although we are not sure why this is, we are glad to see it because the NP2 is clear step in the right direction, notwithstanding possible bugs and/or production issues that may have plagued it initially.

    So Which is Our Favorite Benjamin Trail?

    The NP2 has come out of the gates a little wobbly; however, it has since demonstrated that it does deliver reliable performance and a fairly solid construction.  As such, if you are looking for a powerful and relatively more compact gas-ram, the NP2 is the obvious choice since it packs considerably more FPE than the original NP, without the weight and bulk of the XL.  Nevertheless, the NP2 comes with a significantly stiffer price tag than the NP too, and many still consider the NP2 to be somewhat cheaply made.

    If you are looking for maximum value with a preference for power, we’d have to say we are most fond of the NP XL (specifically, the .22 and .25 caliber versions, the XL 1100 and XL 725). If you are strong and able-bodied, and are interested in first-rate air rifle hunting, you just can’t beat its massive power, solid build, and relatively modest break in period.

    On the other hand, if you are looking for a more user-friendly, entry-level gas-ram, i.e., one that is easier to cock and handle, the original Benjamin Trail NP is likely the better choice – just remember that you will need to put a lot of rounds through it at first, and will have to tame (or modify/replace) the stiff trigger to really take advantage of the tack-driving accuracy that the NP is inherently capable of.

  • My Favorite Daisy BB Guns

    My Favorite Daisy BB Guns

    Best Daisy BB Guns!The word “Daisy” is now synonymous with BB guns, which is not surprising given that Daisy has been manufacturing them for over 120  years!

    Yet, rather than simply relying on its instantly-recognizable name, this classic American company still works hard to keep ahead of the competition, and is particularly well known for producing some of the best and most inexpensive BB guns and air rifles for kids/younger shooters available.

    Indeed, the safety skills and respect that kids can learn with a quality BB gun can go far toward instilling responsible behavior around more adult “firearms” for the rest of their lives.

    This is not to say that we like all of Daisy’s models equally, however. We do have our favorites, and thought we’d share them with you here.

    Without further ado, these are the Top (5) Best-Value Daisy BB Guns You Can Buy.

    1) Daisy Red Ryder


    Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun

    BEST PRICE:

    [amazon-element asin=”B002LYA06M” fields=”new-price,button”]

    OUR REVIEW:

    The model 1938 Red Ryder is unquestionably the most popular BB gun that Daisy has ever made, and is the one that has hooked generations of kids. This popularity of course is also in part due to the Red Ryder’s starring role in the movie classic, A Christmas Story.

    But is this popularity deserved? Let’s see exactly what the Red Ryder delivers.

    The 1938 is a lever-action .177 caliber spring-piston air rifle that fires steel BBs up to velocities of approximately 350 feet per second. This is enough power to provide a relatively flat trajectory at close ranges (under 10 yards generally), which makes the Red Ryder ideal for target shooting, plinking or simply goofing around in the back yard. This air rifle is recommended for young users (with supervision) from age 10 to adult.

    In addition to providing decent velocity, the 1938 open sights (with rear elevation adjustment) delivers very good accuracy, much better than you’d expect from such an affordable BB gun. As such, younger shooters can really experience the thrill of sharpshooting and appreciate how a steady rifle hold can deliver laser-like accuracy.

    As far as operation, this is a very straightforward gun to use, even for young shooters. It’s only 2.2 pounds in weight and with just a bit of effort, the underlever mechanism cocks the rifle easily (a very young shooter may need some help here) and the ammo compartment can hold 650 BBs, so one fill can have you entertained for a full day of shooting.

    So what are the downsides? Among the relatively few complaints of the Red Ryder, the most prevalent have to do with the overall construction. Specifically, some people that this rifle must come with all metal parts and heavy duty this and that – all for a BB gun that cost less than a full tank of gas these days! In our view, this is a relatively well made BB gun, especially for the price. Will you find some plastic parts here and there? Yes, however, for the most part this rifle performs well, is durable, and looks like the good old Red Ryder of old!

    If you are going to buy the Red Ryder for a young adult or child, we think it makes sense to buy the kit [pictured above], which is just about $10 more and includes a tin of 750 premium BBs, some paper targets and a pair of safety goggles.

    DOWNLOAD RED RYDER USER MANUAL

    2) Daisy 25 Pump BB Gun


    Daisy 25 Pump BB Gun

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    OUR REVIEW:

    Another very old but still great design, the .177 caliber Daisy Model 25 pump BB rifle is consistently among the most-loved Daisy BB guns. In fact, this is the re-make of the original Model 25 that was created roughly 100 years ago!

    While the Model 25 Pump produces velocities similar to the Red Ryder, the 25 Pump uses a multi-pump pneumatic design. In essence, you are using compressed air, rather than a cocked spring, to project the BB.

    So what’s the difference? Performance is similar; however, the pneumatic design requires a bit less effort to cock. In addition, the absence of a large spring mass in the rifle may provides a slightly smoother, more recoil-less shot as well. But again, this is not a huge difference, and may not be  noticeable unless you are comparing these two rifles carefully, side by side.  One more substantial difference is ammo capacity – you can hold only 50 shots with the 25 pump, which is still plenty for most purposes!

    If you ask us, the Model 25 Pump has a nice, masculine look, and we like the flip-up rear sights. More importantly, this rifle has a more robust feel, with more steel throughout and a slightly better quality wood stock. Of course, all of this is reflected by a slightly higher price too – which, at roughly $40, is still darn cheap for a rifle of this caliber. Other nice features include a removable shot tube and some classy engraving on the metal work.

    Like the Red Ryder, the Model 25 Pump is made for target, plinking and soda-can abuse with fairly close ranges, generally around 10 yards. Sure, it can shoot more distant targets, but with a BB velocity of 350 feet per second, the trajectory will arc quickly much past 10 yards, so accurate shooting will get much more challenging (and potentially dangerous!).

    Overall, a great looking and performing BB gun for young and old “kids” alike

    DOWNLOAD MODEL 25 MANUAL

    3) Mossy Oak Grizzly Air Rifle


    Mossy Oak Grizzly Air Rifle - Daisy's single-stroke pneumatic.

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    OUR REVIEW:

    If you are looking for something along the lines of the 25 Pump, but that is a bit more modern/eye-catching for the more contemporary young shooter, then the Model 840 Daisy Mossy Oak Grizzly Air Rifle may be just the ticket.

    Again, this is a .177 caliber single-pump pneumatic BB gun, that is quite easy to cock for even younger shooters. Likewise, it produces the same 350 fps BB velocity as well.

    The Mossy Oak Grizzly, however, is a very sharp-looking rifle with its rich “Mossy Oak Break-Up camo” that will definitely turn young and old heads alike. Yet this rifle is not just for show, it is surprisingly accurate too, with TRUGLO fiber optic front and adjustable open rear sights that perform well above this rifle’s unusually modest price.

    If using BBs, the Grizzly can hold up to 350 shots. You can also use pellets, which must be loaded one by one, manually.

    If you aren’t into the old-school look and want a BB gun for someone just getting into air rifles, this is very good choice.

    DOWNLOAD GRIZZLY AIR RIFLE MANUAL

    4) Daisy Powerline Model 35

    A Good Blend of power, accuracy and affordability - Daisy Powerline Model 35

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    OUR REVIEW:

    If you’re a bigger “kid” or simply want a bit more power, take a look at the Daisy Powerline Model 35. This BB gun / pellet rifle is just as affordable as the models above, but brings nearly twice the velocity – up to 625 feet per second to be exact.

    As with most higher-powered BB guns, this is a multi-pump pneumatic, which means you will have to pump it between 3 and 10 times. This power plant provides smooth, virtually recoil-less shooting and the ability to vary power (by variable pumping), depending on your need. Yet, even with this greater velocity, this is still mainly a plinking, target shooting model. It can hold 50 BBs at a time, but you will have to load pellets one by one.

    In addition to more grown up power, this rifle can be scoped – it comes with a 11 mm dovetail mount that will accept most popular air rifle scopes. Nevertheless, even if you don’t get a scope, you will likely be impressed with the solid accuracy delivered by the fixed front and adjustable rear sights.

    Finally, this is a fairly solid and tough air rifle, with an attractive and durable ambidextrous synthetic stock. And despite this good build, it still remains very light, clocking in at a mere 2.3 pounds overall.

    While it may not have any wood accents or flashy camo finish, the Daisy Powerline Model 35 is a very capable, powerful starter BB gun that has a bit more power for greater accuracy at slightly longer ranges (up to 20 yards). Still, we should warn you that the total muzzle energy produced by the Model 35 is still quite low relative to other air rifles; consequently, you should never use the Model 35 for hunting or use on any living animal.

    DOWNLOAD POWERLINE MODEL 35 MANUAL

    5) Daisy 901 Duck Commander

    One of the most powerful Daisy BB Guns - 901 Duck Commander

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    OUR REVIEW:

    The 901 Duck Commander is another multi-pump pnematic in Daisy’s Powerline series. However, this rifle is clearly suitable for adult shooters as well.

    First, this rifle has more power than any of the previous models discussed. Specifically, it has reported maximum velocities (depending on who you ask) of between 750 and 800 feet per second when using BBs.

    And second, and more importantly, the 901 Duck Commander comes with a rifled barrel. Why does this matter?

    Unlike the guns above, which are smooth bore models, the rifling in the 901’s barrel is designed to impart a spin to projectiles that keeps their trajectory more stable compared to those shot from smooth-bore BB guns. Rifling, in case you don’t know, is standard in all higher-quality pellet rifles and most conventional firearms. Keep in mind that pellets are heavier/larger than BBs, which will slow down maximum velocities to about 715 fps.

    With a rifled-bore, the Powerline 901 (especially when used with pellets) really takes accuracy to another level, especially if shooting at greater distances. As a result, if you are looking for an air rifle that can function as a starter BB gun for a youngster, but has the performance and capability to satisfy a grown-up, the 901 Duck Commander is a good choice.

    Yet another perk of the Powerline 901 is the included air rifle scope. OK, so the scope is a very basic 4 x 15 model, but if zeroed-in and used correctly, can give quite good results.

    I’d like to mention here once more that this is not an BB gun suitable for air rifle hunting. Is it capable of taking small birds at close ranges? Absolutely. However, with an estimated 9 ft-lbs of total muzzle energy (even assuming a pellet is used), this still falls well short of the minimum 12 ft-lb requirement widely considered to be necessary to hunt small game humanely.

    Ammo Considerations – Choosing BBs/Pellets

    BBs are great in part because they are very cheap. For general plinking and target shooting, it’s hard to beat the value and performance of Daisy’s 2400 count Premium Silver BBs. I generally don’t like using copper BBs, as I find them to often contain imperfections that negatively impact accuracy.

    If the rifle has the ability to fire both BBs and pellets, then I would generally use pellets for times when accuracy is paramount. This is because pellets (especially if fired from a model with a rifled barrel) have a much more stable and consistent trajectory compared to a BB. The only downside is that they are considerably more expensive than the dirt-cheap BB. To learn more about air rifle pellets, click here.

    A Word About Safety

    In addition to complying with all applicable laws, use common sense.  For example, never shoot hard objects with BBs, as they can ricochet wildly.  In addition, always make sure that children are accompanied by an adult when shooting any type of air gun – and always ensure that they are wearing proper eye-protection as well. Never forget that this BB guns may resemble toys, but they have the power and potential to do significant harm.

    More than anything, using a BB gun with your child or another young loved one is not just a chance to have some fun, but a perfect opportunity to educate them about how to operate weapons safely and responsibly. It is time very well spent.

  • Top Value COMBO for $200 – Browning Leverage

    Top Value COMBO for $200 – Browning Leverage

    VALUE PICK1While there are many good air rifles under $200, we can think of no air rifle combo that brings the same level of performance, quality and value as the Browning Leverage. Ironically, it’s also hard to think of another combo that is less publicized!

    Indeed, at a time when air rifle advertising is particularly fierce (and often deceptive), Browning has quietly released its Leverage Combo with essentially no promotion at all. As such, this is a true “sleeper” among other air rifles that anyone shopping for an inexpensive combo ought to strongly consider!

    Please read on as we discuss in detail what the Browning Leverage delivers, as well as some idiosyncrasies you should be aware of before purchasing.

    Browning Leverage Air Rifle Combo Review>>Check Prices, Ratings & Availability!<<

    Key Features & Benefits

    Great Power For Small Game Hunting or Target Shooting

    First off, you don’t need to worry about sacrificing power – the Browning Leverage is a hammer! The .177 and .22 caliber versions are rated reach velocities up to 1000 and 800 FPS, respectively, and we estimate that this rifle can produce muzzle energy (i.e., foot-pounds of energy or “FPE”) in the neighborhood of at least 15 FPE in the .22. This is lots of power for any pellet rifle, and makes the Leverage great for small game hunting (.22 version recommended), target shooting, plinking, spinning or whatever.

    The 3-9×40 AO scope on the Leverage is simply outstanding, with bright, clear optics!An Unusually High Quality Scope & Picatinny Rail!

    We can’t tell you how many good air rifle combos come with crummy to mediocre optics – not the Browning Leverage! This combo is fitted with a very high quality 3-9×40 AO scope with a picatinny rail (hurray!) that would be considered equivalent to a quality upgrade scope for most users. How good is it? We are talking about a scope that is probably worth $80-$100 alone! It produces strikingly bright, clear images – even when distance shooting. In fact, some users claim that this scope is almost too good to be on a rifle under $500, and end up using it on their other (more expensive) air rifles too!

    Exceptional Long-Range Accuracy Out of the Box

    You will want to clean the barrel, get comfy with the scope, and put a bunch of rounds through it – but when you do, you will likely be blown away at just how accurate this rifle is. Withing 20-25 yards, and with the right pellets, you can shoot a ragged hole all day long with the Leverage. However, the beauty of this rifle is how it maintains laser-beam accuracy at considerably longer distances. So what are we talking about?  How about consistent half inch (or smaller) groups at 50+ yards. In fact, the tack-driving accuracy of the Leverage has led some to compare it with the downrange precision normally reserved for PCP rifles!

    The Leverage's trigger is fairly light and very crisp and predictable - no need to upgrade here!Solid Trigger That Doesn’t Need Upgrading

    Yet another perennial weak spot of combos is their trigger mechanisms. Well, we can honestly say that the Leverage once again pleasantly surprises with a very decent single-stage trigger that most will enjoy using and never need to replace. And while it is not the lightest trigger out there (rated at about 5 pounds of pull), it is crisp and very predictable, which is really all we think a triggers should be. Kudos to Browning for not skimping yet again!

    Fixed Barrel & Easy Underlever Cocking

    We have a soft spot for fixed barrel air rifles, and the underlever design of the Leverage is another huge perk for us that seems misplaced against its extremely modest price tag. Fixed barrels have certain advantages, primary of which is they are immune from potential barrel misalignment issues that can develop after time due to the constant breaking/re-breaking of breakbarrels; for us, this provides a level of confidence that once everything is dialed in, you shouldn’t need to worry about shots wandering over time due to breakbarrel misalignment/droop.

    In addition to the accuracy benefits of a fixed barrel, the Leverage is remarkably easy rifle to cock. Specifically, it’s rated to require just 28 pounds of effort! This is very low, and particularly impressive given the good power and velocity the Leverage generates. Consequently, even more slightly-built and/or  younger shooter should be able to cock this rifle. This is definitely one of those rare situations where you can have your cake – and eat it too!

    We really like the simple, yet high-quality wood stock & classic finish of the Leverage.Very Good Fit & Finish

    Besides ticking all of the performance and quality boxes for us, this air rifle looks and feels like a model costing much, much more. It has an undeniably “beefy,” masculine design that is classic yet obeys modern ergonomic standards. At roughly 45 inches long and 8.6 pounds in weight, this is a larger, but very well-balanced air rifle. In our view, the slightly greater heft of the Leverage nicely offsets the longer barrel and provides a more solid base that you’ll appreciate when aiming for more distant targets.

    The hardwood stock with ventilated buttpad is also quite good, and while not adorned with any checkering or other artistic touches, is very solid and should last a lifetime with only minimal care. What else can you ask for in a sub-$200 combo!?

    Any Downsides to the Leverage?

    Although just about everyone agrees that the Leverage provides ridiculous value in its price class (see amazon ratings), there are some issues to keep in mind to get the most out of this combo. Based on our own analysis and by scouring input from users, here are the following quirks to be aware of.

    Likely to Come With a “Dirty” Barrel

    As with many more affordable air rifles, there’s a good chance that your rifle will come with some residual “gunk” in the barrel from the machining/manufacturing process. While this is not a real drawback of the Leverage, per se, this residue could really make sighting in difficult, so we suggest buying an inexpensive Airgun Cleaning Kit and giving the Leverage a good scrub before using. Some users will even go so far as disassembling the barrel to clean it out, but this shouldn’t be necessary in most cases.

    Factory Barrel Droop

    Barrel droop, which simply refers to a barrel that is out of alignment to some degree (in any direction) with the scope, can affect rifles in any price range. In this case, rather than the misalignment that can occur in breakbarrels (from breaking/re-breaking), the Leverage often comes out of the factory with a very slightly downward pointing barrel (the most common droop orientation). Unlike breakbarrel-caused droop, the good news is that, once this is fixed in the Leveage, it’s fixed for good!

    So how to deal with this droop? Browning is keenly aware of it and has included a rear shim at the back of the scope to attempt to compensate. The only problem is that this shim may be insufficient and is a bit soft in our view. Fortunately, you can easily fashion your own shims (there are many sources on line to instruct you how), or you can get a droop compensating scope mount if you don’t want to go the DIY route.

    A Noticeable “Break-in” Period

    Don’t be one of those people that expect an air rifle to shoot perfectly smoothly and accurately as soon as it’s fired. The Leverage is definitely one of those springers that will be a bit jumpy at the beginning, but should continue to get smoother, quieter and more consistently accurate the more rounds you put through it. Also, as with any springer, you will need to practice your hold to get the most performance out of this air rifle.

    Awkward Breech Location

    Many note that it can be hard to load this rifle, as the scope can get in the way and leave you precious little space to access the breech. This can be dealt with, for the most part, by simply mounting the scope on the picatinny rail towards the back, so the rear ring is on the last slot – with the front ring placed on the slot 4th from the front. By using this configuration, you should have enough room to load pellets, even if you have fat stonemason hands!

    Quality Control Issues?

    Invariably, some individual rifles may come out of the factory with more issues than others. Some users have noticed dents, crooked underlever mechanisms and extreme barrel droop. Again, this can happen to any rifle, and the chances of getting one of these “duds” is relatively low; however, we encourage you to clean and put lots of rounds through the rifle soon after your purchase to take advantage of any applicable return policy should it be necessary.

    Concluding Thoughts on The Browning Leverage Combo

    The Browing Leverage Combo - easily the best you can get for under $200 bucks!Simply put, we cannot think of another air rifle combo that delivers such well-rounded power, accuracy and quality as the Browning Leverage that is anywhere close to its $200-ish price tag. This rifle is a small game hunting machine that is equally capable of field target shooting, spinning and plinking. Moreover, its fairly quiet report and ease of cocking makes it a handy backyard rifle that is lethal to pests and other undesirable vermin around the home.

    Finally, the Leverage is simply a joy to shoot and has more going for it out of the box than combos costing hundreds more. Indeed, even old-school air gunners that have a large collection of air rifles admit that the Leverage is the one they tend to pick up first – and is the combo that provides the most bang for their buck. With all this performance for your money, we suspect that the Leverage may be very hard to find once the secret of its stellar value truly gets out!!

    >>Get the Best Price on The Browning Leverage Air Rifle Combo!!<<

  • Editor’s Pick For $400 – Diana RWS 48 / T06 Trigger

    Editor’s Pick For $400 – Diana RWS 48 / T06 Trigger

    VALUE PICK1There are many, many great air rifles you can buy for $400 or less; however, in our view, none can compare to the total package that is the Diana RWS 48 with the T06 Trigger. And while it may not always be available for $400 or less, when you can get it for this price, we say GO FOR IT!

    But why all the fuss over this spring-piston side lever you ask? Please let us explain why we’ve given this rifle the top spot in a very competitive price class.

    Best Air Rifle for $400 - Diana RWS 48 T06 Trigger Review
    >>Check RWS 48 Prices & Options!<<

    Why We Love the Diana RWS 48

    First-Class Build Quality / Fit & Finish

    There’s nothing particularly flashy about the RWS 48, but it simply oozes quality throughout. This rifle comes with a gorgeous beechwood (a hardwood) stock with metal that is blued to perfection. Everything is tight and just feels solid on this model. And at roughly 42 inches in total length and 8.5 pounds in weight, this is one extremely well-balanced weapon that is not light, but is easy to hold and reminds you that you are firing a serious piece of air rifle craftsmanship. Think the BMW of air rifles!

    Competition-Grade Accuracy

    The unparalleled match-grade accuracy of the RWS 48 is well established and beyond reproach, which is precisely why this rifle is used by the U.S. field target club! As such, you will not have to worry about wild fliers here! The RWS 48 can go toe to toe with the most expensive pellet rifles and is capable of maintaining dime/nickle-sized groups at distances that most other elite rifles simply cannot match. In addition, the super high-quality rifling on this barrel also produces absurdly consistent velocities. In short, this rifle delivers consistent, tack-driving accuracy that is limited only by the skill and technique of the user – in fact, we know of no other rifle that brings this level of shooting precision and reliability out of the box for less than $500!

    The New & Improved T06 Trigger

    The RWS 48 was an instant classic back when it was fitted with the T05 trigger. However, the superiority of the new T06 trigger puts this rifle on an even loftier position. The T06 is in our view the perfect trigger: light, crisp and extremely predictable. Together with the 48’s precisely machined barrel and overall superb balance, you simply cannot ask for a more optimized pellet rifle out of the box. But the T06 not only feels better and more efficiently harnesses the accuracy of this rifle, it is also more durable and just better made than the T05. Consequently, be careful not to purchase any older versions of the RWS 48 as they are likely to come with the T05!

    Outstanding Front/Rear Adjustable Open Sights

    For those (including myself) that appreciate the rapid target acquisition and simplicity of open-sight shooting, you will love the RWS 48. Both the front and rear sights are adjustable and allow extremely precise positioning thanks to a rail-type mount in the front and a ball bearing elevation adjustment in the rear. Indeed, with quality sights like these, you could postpone buying a quality air rifle scope for some time – or indefinitely!

    Outstanding Small Game Hunting Power

    While many rifles built for accuracy sometimes lag in terms of long-range knock-down power, the Diana RWS 48 is a sharp-shooting hammer! The .177 caliber sizzles in its own right, but if you are anticipating doing any hunting, we say go for the .22, which packs up to 25 foot-pounds of energy (“FPE”) at the muzzle by our calculations – significantly more than the minimum 12 FPE we recommend for hunting rifles. It is this combination of great power and legendary (50  yard+) accuracy that has also earned the RWS 48 (in the .22) our pick as one of the very best hunting air rifles!

    A Smooth-Cocking Sidelever

    Just about everyone who uses the RWS 48 will confirm that it cocks remarkably smoothly, despite the nearly 40 pounds of effort technically involved. We suspect this is in large part due to the overall quality of the spring/cocking mechanism and the fact that this is a sidelever – which is arguably the easiest cocking configuration you can get in a springer. Regardless, most users will find the RWS 48 quite easy to cock, particularly considering this rifle’s impressive muzzle energy.

    Another nice advantage of the sidelever, as compared to a breakbarrel, is the elimination of possible barrel/scope misalignment that can occur with breakbarrels – i.e, the slight change in barrel position over time due to constant breaking of the barrel during cocking. With a fixed barrel sidelever, you never need to worry that the cocking the rifle may over time affect accuracy.

    Smooth-Firing & Relatively Quiet for Springer

    Among all of the powerplants, spring-piston rifles are typically the loudest and suffer from the most recoil due to the coiling/uncoiling of the heavy spring mass that drives them. However, the RWS 48 shoots so smoothly and quietly (for a springer) that you may think you are using a gas-ram! The recoil is also very minimal, which contributes to this rifle’s pellet-stacking accuracy.

    Anything Not to Like?

    It is extremely hard to nitpick a rifle of this quality at this price, but in a perfect world it would be nice if it came with a swiveled sling, and perhaps some detail (like checkering) on the pistol grip and fore. An option for upgraded stock or addition of a raised cheek piece would also be nice. As you can see, this is all just minor/cosmetic stuff; the RWS has no real weak spots we can see!

    Price and Value

    At the moment, the RWS 48 is available for around $400 shipped. Yes, this is pricey for a springer, and we wouldn’t blame anyone for opting for something more budget-friendly. Nevertheless, this is the kind of air rifle that can do everything; do it better than most (even compared to more expensive models), and should last a lifetime. It’s also supported by a lifetime limited warranty. Consequently, when you consider the superior performance, craftsmanship and durability of this weapon – and then project this over decades of use and enjoyment – it is worth every penny in our book.

    Concluding Thoughts on the RWS 48

    No matter how big, small or expensive your air rifle collection, we are confident that the Diana RWS 48 is likely to be the first rifle you grab when power and competition-grade accuracy is needed. Its hard-hitting nature and extreme accuracy in our estimation makes it one of the very best hunting air rifles you can buy, regardless of price class, but the RWS 48 is also ideal for everything from plinking/spinning to competitive field target shooting.

    And while one can always complain about its hefty price, in reality, this rifle delivers elite-level performance that is typically found in rifles that cost several hundred dollars more. As such, we’d easily recommend the RWS 48 to anyone searching for an accurate and reliable air rifle – even if price were no object!

    >>Buy the RWS 48 T06 Trigger in .177 Caliber!<<

    >>Buy the RWS 48 T06 Trigger in .22 Caliber!<<

  • Crosman Nitro Venom – Deal or Dud?

    Crosman Nitro Venom – Deal or Dud?

    The Crosman Nitro Venom air rifle is a gas-piston breakbarrel that comes in an especially affordable combo that puts it in direct competition with other value-oriented gas rams, such as the Benjamin Titan. But how does the Nitro Venom perform? And what are the big tradeoffs lurking behind all of this apparent value, if any?

    Please read on as we discuss both the good and the bad, as we see it, so you can decide for yourself whether the Nitro Venom is a good deal –  or an unfortunate dud.

    Crosman Nitro Venom .22 / .177 Air Rifle Review
    >>Check Price, Ratings & Availability!<<

    Crosman Nitro Venom – The Good

    The Benefits of Gas-Piston Technology

    Rather than a coiled spring, the Nitro Venom is powered by a sealed volume of inert nitrogen gas, which compresses and expands during the cocking/firing cycle. The benefits of this gas-piston technology are numerous. The first thing you’ll notice (especially if you’ve shot springers before) is that the Nitro Venom cocks more easily than a spring-powered counterpart, and shoots more smoothly. Without all of the large spring mass uncoiling and then recoiling after the shot, there is much less vibration and considerably less “kick” with this gas ram too. In addition, after this rifle is broken in, you will also enjoy comparatively quiet shooting – again, largely a result of the fewer moving parts in the power plant.

    But that’s not all, unlike a spring, which if left cocked for extended periods can ultimately loose some of its explosiveness and power, the gas piston can be left cocked pretty much indefinitely (although I wouldn’t advise this). Consequently, you can leave the rifle cocked and ready to shoot for a full day of hunting, if need be, without fear of spring fatigue. Finally, gas rams also have the edge over their spring-powered kin in terms of low-temperature operation. Cold weather can significantly affect spring power, whereas nitrogen gas is relatively temperature insensitive (unlike CO2) and gives the shooter more consistent power despite temperature variation.

    Good Velocity & Power

    The Nitro Venom is reportedly capable of sending lead pellets up to 1000 feet per second in the .177 and 800 feet per second in the .22 caliber, which translates (assuming typical grain weights) into a rifle that produces 17 foot-pounds of energy (“FPE”) in the .177 and about 20 FPE in the .22. Although we haven’t tested this ourselves, based on the information we’ve gathered, this could be overestimating the Nitro Venom’s power. Indeed, one source puts this rifle closer to 13 and 14 FPE in the .177 and .22 calibers, respectively. Sufficed to say, in either case, the Nitro Venom packs more than enough power for target shooting, plinking and comfortably clears our minimum 12 FPE bar for use as small game hunting air rifle.

    Solid Fit & Finish

    This is a very handsome air rifle, and feels and looks better than what you’d expect from a gun in its price range. It comes with an ambidextrous, hardwood stock that is nicely checkered along the grip and fore. The overall 44-inch length and 7.4 pound weight makes this a larger, yet only moderately heavy rifle that most users should feel comfortable shooting.

    The Crosman Nitro Venom is an attractive rifle that comes with solid optics for the price.

    Capable Scope and Included Weaver Rail

    Most scopes on affordable air rifle combos get slammed mercilessly; however, the Centerpoint 3-9×32 model that is easily installed on the included weaver rail (nice touch) is surprisingly decent. Yes, many people will call this “trash” or “junk”, but the consensus from the vast majority of users is that it is considerably better than one would expect.

    You will also hear that it’s essentially worthless because it is not an “AO” scope and therefore cannot be parallax-adjusted, but that’s not entirely true. This scope is factory-set with a parallax setting optimized for about 15-20 yards, which is the shooting distance that most casual users are likely to be comfortable with. However, you can re-set this for more distance shooting.

    To adjust the parallax, take off the retaining cap that is on the objective bell (furthest from your eye) by unscrewing it (counter clockwise). You will now notice a ring seated within the rim of the inner scope tube – this is the parallax adjustment. You can turn the ring in a clockwise direction to set parallax further out, and turn it counterclockwise to come back. It’s recommended to set the scope to 9x while doing so and to use an image located at the desired distance and adjust until you’ve achieved visual clarity – for example, place an object at 35 yards and, while looking through the scope, turn the ring clockwise until it comes in clear, then simply put the cap back on and tighten. You shouldn’t need more than a complete turn of the ring to dial things in.

    …And The Not So Good

    The Nitro Venom's trigger is clumsy and stiff, but tolerable.

    Stiff, Creeping Trigger

    If there’s one obvious weak spot on the Crosman Nitro Venom, it would have to be the trigger. This is a two-stage adjustable  trigger with a stiff first stage and a regrettably long and rough pull for a second stage that does not get significantly better regardless of adjustment. In our opinion, this no doubt greatly contributes to reported problems with this rifle maintaining accuracy, but the good news is that with a bit of patience this trigger can be tolerated. I’ve used cheapo triggers for most of my life, and the Nitro Venom’s is not so bad really, especially considering this rifle’s price point. If you feel the need to upgrade, we don’t blame you, but it is definitely not necessary in our view.

    Spotty Accuracy

    Reports on the Nitro Venom’s accuracy are generally positive, but there are some reviews indicating that it can’t hold a group much beyond 10 yards. We don’t dispute that this could be an issue for many users, but we do recommend that these accuracy complaints be taken with a grain of salt. The vast majority of reviews confirm that the Nitro Venom can be very accurate, at least withing typical shooting ranges (up to 25 yards) if the rifle is working properly and the scope is zeroed in correctly. As with most combos though, there is just so much that can go wrong – bad pellet choice, improper/faulty scope mounting/zeroing, poor use of the “artillery hold,” etc. Consequently, we would caution a prospective buyer to be wary of any sweeping conclusion about this rifle’s reported accuracy limitations, because on average this rifle appears to perform very well.

    Quality Control Problems?

    Likely related to the issue of accuracy are reports of apparently malfunctioning/defective rifles. It’s difficult to say that cases where, for example, experienced users could not zero in the scope, or maintain groups despite trying to optimize pellets are a direct result of some “dud” piece of hardware or slip somewhere in the manufacturing process. However, you should be aware that some very divergent user experiences have been noted. Some may find this rifle to deliver outstanding accuracy right out of the box with the stock scope and despite the awkward trigger. On the other hand, some may find that, despite their best efforts, they just can’t get this rifle to shoot accurately, and repeatably.

    For the most part though, and consistent with this rifle’s fantastic user satisfaction ratings, you are more likely to get a “good” gun, but you should be aware of possible defects in the event your rifle seems incurably “off.”

    The Verdict

    The Nitro Venom - a definite "good deal" in the world of gas rams!Barring the unlikely misfortune of receiving a “dud” rifle, we think the Nitro Venom is an outstanding, low-cost deal in the wonderful worlds of gas rams. This rifle brings good power for most users (including small game hunting if opting for the .22 caliber); looks and feels great; is equipped with a weaver rail and decent scope for the price; and can be a very accurate rifle – once you learn to live with the mushy trigger and take your time getting a feel for the scope.

    Of course, nothing is perfect and the same applies to the Nitro Venom. We would simply caution you to put as many rounds through it as possible upon receipt so you can try and determine if there are accuracy issues that are not simply a result of user inexperience or improper scope installation. Fortunately, amazon.com (if buying through them) typically has a very generous return policy in the event defects are found.

    >>Buy the Crosman Nitro Venom at The Lowest Price!<<

  • Beeman R9 / HW95 – An Uber-Accurate Springer!

    Beeman R9 / HW95 – An Uber-Accurate Springer!

    The Beeman R9 (aka Weihrauch HW95) is considered by many to be one of, if not the most accurate spring-piston air rifle you can get for under $500. And although we can’t confirm that claim, we’d be hard-pressed to disprove it too! In any case, there is no denying that this is a world-class, elite springer that should be considered by anyone looking to maximize quality and precision for their dollar.

    However, what else should you know about this legendary breakbarrel? And is it really worth the stiff price tag?  Please read along as we take a closer look at the Beeman R9 so you can decide if it’s the right airgun for your budget and needs.

    Beeman R9 Weihrauch HW95 Spring Piston Air Rifle Review
    >>Check Prices, Ratings & Availability!<<

    Key Features & Specifications

    Power / Muzzle Energy

    The Beeman R9 is available in three popular calibers (.177, .20 and .22) and has plenty of guts in each. Now, we are not talking about Ruger Air Magnum-type power, but, sufficed to say, you will not be disappointed by the punch delivered by this rifle. Specifically The R9 produces about 14 foot-pounds of muzzle energy (“FPE”) in the .177 and just over 17 FPE in the .22 by our estimates. This is more than sufficient for everything from plinking to field target shooting to small game hunting/pest elimination, with the .20 and .22 calibers being better suited to knocking down furred game/pests.

    And while the R9 packs plenty of power, it is definitely one of the more smoother-cocking air rifles, and most users are likely to be pleasantly surprised at the moderate effort needed to do so.

    Trigger Quality

    The R9 is equipped with the legendary 2-stage adjustable Rekford trigger, which is notable for its very light first stage and crisp second stage that is devoid of annoying “creep.” It’s rated at just 2.1 pounds of pull. This is hands-down one of the best production triggers ever made, and if you’ve never enjoyed a trigger of this quality, you are in for a very pleasant surprise. In short, you will fall in love with this trigger!

    The Beeman R9 Weihrauch HW95 comes in a beatiful, dark hardwood stock with fine checkering.Fit & Finish

    The extreme care and attention to detail used throughout the manufacturing process becomes evident the moment you pick it up. This rifle is clad in a gorgeous and richly-stained hardwood ambidextrous stock with fine checkering on the grip, and the bluing on the metal is deep and gives this weapon a luster that smacks of high-end German engineering. In addition, the high level of precision of the fittings and small/moving parts is outstanding, and is just something that you don’t see in most affordable air rifles. A truly beautiful and solid piece of crafstmanship that you will not get tired of admiring.

    Beyond its sultry good looks and superior construction, this is a very comfortable rifle to use.  And at 43 inches in overall length and roughly 7.5 pounds in total weight, the R9 is balanced to perfection – something you will grow to appreciate even more after you get the hang of holding this particular springer.

    Accuracy

    More than any other, the thing that sets the Beeman R9 apart from most springers south of $500 is accuracy – we are talking about stacking pellets-type accuracy! Remember that this model does not come with open sights, so you will need to purchase or use your own 11mm dovetail-compatible air rifle scope. And assuming you do the right thing and get a quality scope that is fitting for an instrument with this level of precision, the groups that you can achieve with the R9 will simply blow you away.

    Yes, we often characterize many air rifles as “accurate,” and the truth is that most modern pellet rifles (coupled with decent optics) as a whole really are. But the R9 is on another level altogether. What are we talking about? How about sub-quarter inch groups at 20 yards? Folks, this rifle has hole-in-one accuracy for most types of shooting at close ranges, and with some practice with your hold and scope configuration, you can consistently make “Hail Mary” shots out to 50 yards that will amaze you (and any unlucky quarry if using this rifle for hunting). Simply stated, if you have a problem with repeatably achieving dime-sized groups – it’s your fault!

    Price and Value

    At its current price, which is at the moment hovering around $470 shipped, we think the R9 is one of the best-value, elite spring rifles you can buy. No, you are not paying for flashy things like monster muzzle energy or gimmicky silencer add-ons. Rather, what you get in the Beeman R9 is a true laser-beam of an air rifle, that is just made better and delivers more accurate shots than many air rifles that cost hundreds more. Moreover, this precision firearm should last a lifetime with only minimal attention.

    Recommended Uses/Calibers

    There are no real restrictions with the R9, which can do just about anything. If competitive target shooting or long-distance plinking is your thing, you will definitely want to take advantage of the flatter trajectory of the .177. This is also the caliber of choice if you are looking to hunt primarily small, passerine birds (heaven help them!). If, on the other hand, you anticipate using this rifle for more typical small game hunting, definitely go for either the .20 or .22. caliber version. As between the two, both are excellent, but we usually recommend going with the .22 absent some strong user preference, simply because .22 ammo is cheaper and there are more choices.

    Concluding Thoughts & Impressions

    While the Beeman R9 may (understandably) not be within everyone’s budget, it really is one of the most accurate and best-built spring-piston air rifles south of $500. Indeed, in terms of precise shooting, there really is no limitation with the R9, beyond the technique of the shooter and the quality of the scope used. This is a rare thing these days, when prices are often dictated more often by things like super-sonic velocity, ever-increasing power and cosmetic gimmicks that simply do not help shot placement.

    The R9 is the antithesis of flash and hype – it is an air rifle that simply does what an air rifle is supposed to, albeit much better than most!

    >>Buy the Beeman R9/Hw95 Spring Piston Air Rifle!<<

  • Ruger Yukon – a Quiet, Powerful Gas Ram

    Ruger Yukon – a Quiet, Powerful Gas Ram

    The Ruger Yukon is one of the more feature-oriented and budget-friendly gas-piston air rifles, but is definitely up against some very stiff competition in its price class. Consequently, if you are considering this as your first “gas-ram,” you will want to pay close attention to this model’s strengths and weaknesses before deciding if its the right air rifle for you.

    Ruger Yukon Gas Piston Air Rifle Review>>Check Price, User Ratings & Availability!<<

     

    The Ruger Yukon – What We Like

    Great Power

    With reported velocities using lead of 1050 and 850 FPS for the .177 and .22 caliber versions, respectively, this is a powerful gas ram. In fact, based on these velocities and assuming standard weight lead pellets, we estimate that this rifle produces approximately 20 foot-pounds of energy (“FPE”) in the .177 and 22 FPE in the .22. This makes the Yukon as powerful – if not a bit more powerful than most other popular gas-piston and spring rifles under the $200 mark. Given this power, you should therefore have little trouble using the Yukon for small game hunting or eliminating pests around the home or business. We suggest you opt for the harder-hitting .22 caliber version in such case.

    Relatively Quiet Shooting

    Many people want an air rifle that don’t wake up the neighbors and can be used in relatively urban settings without causing needless disturbance. The good news is that the Yukon’s rifled steel barrel, which is fitted with Ruger’s SilencAIR integral silencer, makes it a pretty quiet air rifle, comparatively speaking. This quiet report is definitely one characteristic that is routinely praised by users. As such, this is a very good choice for backyard plinking, target shooting or hunting/pest elimination.

    Fantastic Trigger

    Finding an air rife for less than $200 that comes with a good trigger is actually quite challenging, and even very expensive rifles are often plagued by awkward, heavy triggers that draw numerous complaints. That is why we were so pleased to learn that the Yukon was fitted with a very crisp, light two-stage adjustable trigger that is rated at just 3.3 pounds of pull. A predictable, light trigger like the Yukon’s really does help you maintain a good hold and facilitates repeatable accuracy – a very big perk in our book.

    Decent Scope on the Combo

    Aside from trigger complaints, most people are very unhappy with combo scopes included with more affordable air rifles. Yet again, however, the Yukon delivers better than expected quality. Now don’t misunderstand – the 3-9×32 scope (which comes with a duplex reticle and 35-yard parallax setting) is not one we’d recommend to buy separately of course, but hey, it’s definitely workable and considerably better than most we see on air rifle combos under $200. The picatinny optics rail is also good. Overall, this is a capable scope if shooting within around 30 yards or so.

    We should add that if you are into open-sight shooting, you will like the fiber-optic front sights – you may even prefer them over the scope!

    Solid Build and Great Fit & Finish

    This is a beautiful air rifle that comes with a rich wood ambidextrous stock adorned with detailed checkering along the trigger grip and under the barrel. It has a rubber butt/recoil pad. In addition, the rifle has that “quality” feel that is evident in the heft of the model when first picked up. Overall, we have to applaud Ruger for using such a bold, attractive design on the Yukon!

    Moderate Cocking Effort

    If you’ve only used underpowered and inexpensive pump/spring guns, you may find the Yukon a bit challenging to cock. However, relative to the very impressive muzzle energy this rifle produces, we think the 30 pounds (rated) cocking effort is actually quite modest. Try cocking a powerful metal-spring rifle! Nevertheless, we suspect that younger/female users are likely to struggle with it, particularly during the initial break-in period.

    Good All-Around Value

    When you consider this rifle’s quiet report, above-average power, impressive build-quality, light trigger, and the usable scope on the combo, its current price tag of roughly $180 shipped is very good in our view. This is definitely a lot of rifle for your money, and would make a great first gas-ram for users interested in giving them a try.

    Things We Don’t Like

    Too Heavy?

    This is actually a minor issue, since we tend to like heavier rifles. But, the 9.0 pound weight coupled with the rifle’s overall nearly 45-inch length could be a bit much for some users. In particular, we could see some people getting tired of carrying and holding this rifle for a long day of shooting.

    Scope Insufficient for Distance Shooting

    Unless you upgrade to a better scope, the model included with the combo will largely limit your shooting (if you care about accuracy) to within about 30 yards. Beyond that, your shots may start wandering and/or you could have some issues trying to keep it zeroed in. Of course, this may not be problem for you… and we happen to think that most shooters should limit their shooting to within 30 yards anyway – especially if small game hunting and one-shot humane kills are desired. But just keep in mind that this is an optics issue; the Yukon has plenty of FPE to keep even the .22 version shooting relatively flat, so the rifle has the capacity for delivering tight groups at 50 yards. Of course, as we always say, make sure you are using quality air rifle pellets, since even the most expensive scope cannot overcome a cheap/poorly-matched pellet.

    Quality Control

    We’ve heard some reports of users having triggers that won’t adjust, parts falling out, or faulty mounts or other hardware issues. This happens to varying degrees with just about any rifle, but be sure to inspect your rifle carefully upon receipt, and make sure to tighten any screws (particularly around the trigger and scope mounts) that appear loose before shooting.

    Buy the Ruger Yukon Gas Piston Air Rifle at the lowest price!

    >>Buy the Ruger Yukon at the Lowest Price!<<

    Concluding Thoughts & Recommendations

    We can’t say that the Ruger Yukon is necessarily better than other sub-$200 gas-piston air rifles, such as the Benjamin Titan or Crosman Nitro Venom, for example. However, it does have its virtues and is an unusually solid offering for the price. In particular, we think its quiet report, impressive muzzle energy and surprisingly good trigger make it an outstanding backyard rifle that is perfect for close-range hunting and pest elimination, right out of the box. Just remember that if you really want to tap into this rifle’s longer-range shooting capability, give it good pellets and an upgraded scope for maximum impact!

     

     

  • Maximum Value PCP Rifle – Benjamin Marauder

    Maximum Value PCP Rifle – Benjamin Marauder

    VALUE PICK1No, it’s not cheap, but for the money we have to say that the Benjamin Marauder fairly easily wins the top value spot among the PCP crowd for us. Indeed, what you get for your money in the Marauder (or “Mrod” as it’s affectionately referred to by forum junkies) is not just a capable rifle, but near match-grade accuracy right out of the box and the power to maintain tight groups out to 50/60 yards easily. And if you are an air rifle hunter, pay close attention – this thing is an ultra-quiet killing machine!

    Of course, there are some sacrifices that one must make when optimizing value (aren’t there always though?). However, we are happy to say that these are pretty minor in the case of the Marauder. Please read on as we tick through what we love about this rifle, and what we don’t.

    Benjamin Marauder Review - the Best Value PCP Air Rifle?
    >>Check Prices & User Ratings!<<

     

    What We Love About The Benjamin Marauder

    Here’s what we think are the key features of the Marauder, and why you might want to consider this rifle among other PCPs.

    Laser-Beam Accuracy Out of The Box

    Yes, you could spend several hundred dollars more than the cost of the Marauder and might get a slightly more accurate rifle, but in its price class the Marauder’s high-quality factory barrel delivers near competition-grade accuracy. Moreover, you don’t have to struggle with “tuning” it for this type of precision either.

    What do we mean? We are talking about punching very tight groups out to 50 or 60 yards repeatably, with the capacity to make 100 yard kills with just a bit of practice and a good air rifle scope. For our money, there is really nothing else that comes close to its one-hole accuracy anywhere close to its price class.

    A Multi-Shot Killing Machine With Huge Power

    If you are like the many that are concerned with purchasing the best air rifle for hunting they can afford, you will be delighted. Not only can you place numerous pellets (magazine size varies by caliber) with nearly surgical precision and get anywhere from 17-30 shots per fill (depending on caliber), but they will have the downrange knock-down power that air rifle hunters dream about.

    In fact, sources report that the .177, .22 and .25 versions of this rifle produce up to 21, 32 and 45 FPE respectively! And as far as the .22 and .25 caliber models are concerned, this makes the Marauder powerful enough to go after larger game and pests, including turkey, fox and even coyote! Tip: I would definitely pick the .25 if dispatching coyote!

    The .177 with a heavy pellet can also be used for hunting, but in our view is best suited for those looking to brag about their groups at 100 yards, and/or hunters who want a truly devastating, long-range bird rifle. As between the .25 and .22, go with the .25 if you are dealing with bigger game (e.g., fox, coyote, raccoon). However, for those primarily hunting squirrel, rabbit, woodchuck, etc., the .22 is more than adequate and has the advantage of having a larger shot magazine, cheaper ammo, and greater pellet selection. Here is a good forum thread discussing the .22 vs. .25 debate.

    The Quietest Shot Around

    There has been a lot of talk on the forums about “quiet air rifles,” and the consensus from the most reputable sources in our view is that the Benjamin Marauder is one of quietest – if not the quietest air rifle you can buy. Indeed, the Marauder’s integrated resonance dampener and full barrel shroud produce shots so stealthy that you’d think you were firing an underpowered pneumatic rifle. This allows you to play with your rifle closer to home without irritating the wife or the neighbors and, if you are a hunter, it may allow you to get several shots off and enjoy multiple kills without sending your quarry running for cover. Please note, however, that the .25 caliber is significantly louder than the .22 and .117 models.

    Don’t believe us? Check out this Crosman video showing the .25 caliber Benjamin Marauder (the loudest of all Marauders) quietly devastating prairie dogs at 70 yards. Note: the real action starts at 4:30.

    Match-Grade Stock Trigger

    The Marauder uses a match-grade, two-stage adjustable trigger that is outstanding and has plenty of leeway to please the vast majority of users without any further modification. And if you’re one of those who want an even lighter pull, you can find many cheap “tips and tricks” on the web that should suffice to get things just where you want it. For most airgunners (even more experienced ones), we suspect this would be the nicest trigger they’ve ever used. No need to drop $$ for any trigger upgrades here!

    Rare User Friendliness & Lots of Tuning Opportunities

    This is a big point. Given the numerous aspects that allow for user-adjustment, and Crosman’s legendary support, the Marauder is easily the easiest PCP to use and dial in for most users. In addition, unlike other highly-acclaimed PCPs, parts are much more accessible for the Marauder, and there is certainly a ton more information on the web to help even newbies get the most out of this rifle, or tune it to their precise specifications.

    Unbeatable Value!

    Quality PCP rifles are generally among the most expensive of the lot, which is why most would agree that the Benjamin Marauder’s roughly $500 price tag gives you more bang for you buck than any other PCP rifle you can get. Even the Benjamin Discovery, which is also one of the best value PCP rifles out there, still would require some costly upgrades to match the performance of a stock Marauder, and the “Disco” is only a single shot rifle.

    What’s Not to Like About the Marauder?

    It’s actually quite difficult to find any fault with this extremely high-quality and affordable PCP rifle. Some may complain that the stock is nothing special and that it could have deeper bluing, etc. However, beyond these relatively insignificant gripes, there is one real issue to keep in mind in our view.

    The Risk of Receiving a “Wild Shooter”

    Unfortunately, there has been several instances where users received rifles that – for some reason or another – are just off and don’t shoot accurately or reliably. These apparent “duds,” some say, are less likely to be noticed with the .25 caliber (which reportedly has a barrel that is made outside of the Crosman factory); however, the truth is that no one can be sure just what is underling this apparent quality control issue. We don’t think this risk is serious enough to avoid a purchase, but  one should be on the lookout for poor accuracy out of the box, regardless of the caliber involved.

    Concluding Thoughts & Recommendations

    The Bennjamin Marauder - accuracy, power & incredible value.

    >>Buy the Benjamin Marauder PCP Air Rifle!<<

    It doesn’t matter whether this is your first PCP rifle or your 15th, the Benjamin Marauder is an insanely-accurate, quiet and high-quality killing machine that has no true weak spots that we can identify, besides some possibly spotty quality control issues in the manufacturing process.

    Moreover, this potent, sophisticated weapon just happens to be selling for what we believe is a steal when you compare its features and performance relative to other, much higher-priced PCPs. Yet, what ultimately puts this model over the top for us is its sizzling power and accuracy right out of the box, and its unusual ease of use and capacity for simple user-adjustment. No need for fancy tuning, or burning tins of ammo, to get this rifle purring. Indeed, the factory settings are probably perfect, as is, for even the die-hard “tinkerer.” As we say, why mess with something that doesn’t need fixing!

    As between all of the calibers, we would probably recommend either the .22 or .25 versions. For an all-around plinking and blistering small game hunting rifle, the .22 is ideal, with the .25 being better suited to taking down larger quarry like coyote and fox. Of course, you can also hunt smaller game with the .25, but you will pay more for, and have fewer choices between, your ammo. The .177 caliber fails to take advantage of this rifle’s hitting power in our view, but if you are most concerned with one-hole groups and/or are doing a lot of long-range, small bird hunting, the .177 caliber is hard to beat! In that case, just remember to use the heaviest .177 pellets you can find to keep velocities under the speed of sound for accuracy’s sake!

  • Benjamin Titan Nitro Piston – A Good Deal!

    Benjamin Titan Nitro Piston – A Good Deal!

    If you are looking for a quiet, powerful and accurate gas/nitro-piston air rifle that is suitable for hunting, plinking and eliminating pests around the home, one model to strongly consider is the Benjamin Titan. This air rifle not only brings all of the benefits you’d expect from a “gas-ram,” but is currently available for roughly $150, making it one of the best buys in the nitro-piston category.

    Of course, nothing is perfect, and the Titan is no exception. Please read along as we take a critical look at this model so you can decided for yourself whether it’s the right pellet rifle for you.

    Benjamin Titan GP Nitro Piston Air Rifle Review>>Check Price, User Ratings & Availability<<

    What We Love About It

    Hard-Hitting Power

    Whether you are into small game hunting, or are more interested in getting rid of vermin/pests around your home or business, you’ll be happy to know that the Titan hits hard – very hard. Specifically, by using Crosman’s reported velocity of 800 fps with standard lead pellets, and assuming those lead pellets to weigh about 14.3 grains, our FPE calculator gives us an estimated 20 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. This is the kind of power you’d expect from an elite spring-rifle (and some PCPs), and far exceeds the 12 FPE minimum we always preach about for humane hunting. As such, you should have no problem at all bagging everything from wood rats to woodchucks with this puppy!

    Good Accuracy

    Notwithstanding the issues surrounding the questionable scope included in this combo, the Benjamin Titan is a tack-driver at heart, and most users of this rifle confirm that it can achieve very tight groups that are likely to surprise you. In addition, the ample power produced by this rifle helps maintain a relatively flat trajectory for a .22 at longer ranges, compared to less capable gas rams. Consequently, with a bit of patience, practice and after this rifle’s short break in period, you should be nailing your targets consistently.

    Remember, don’t complain that this rifle isn’t performing when using cheap ammo – as we always say, buying quality pellets is the very first step to ensuring repeatable accuracy!  FYI: this rifle seems to deliver great results with Crosman Domed Premier Ultra Magnum Pellets (14.3 grains).

    A Very Quiet Air Rifle

    More and more, we see people searching for a quiet air rifle – one that they can use closer to home or around more densely populated areas without drawing complaints. This is often a challenge for most springers, especially more affordably-priced, powerful models. And even nitro piston rifles that purport to be designed for quiet operation (e.g., the Gamo Whisper series) often turn out to be far from quiet in reality.

    However, without any hype whatsoever, the Benjamin Titan manages to deliver smooth, very quiet shots that are surprisingly stealthy and with minimal recoil (another advantage of the gas-piston). Indeed, one user characterized the noise as being less noticeable than “breaking wind.” All kidding aside though, after the break in period (during which noise levels are elevated), this rifle settles down fantastically and is one of the quietest high-powered gas rams you can get, particularly for under $200!

    Nice Fit  & Finish

    For an approximately $150 air rifle, we have to admit that the fit and finish of the Benjamin Titan is remarkably good. The hardwood stock is solid, and the rest of the rifle is reassuringly sturdy. We also like the keyhole grip, but preferences vary. Moreover, at a modest weight of 6.75 pounds and total length of just under 44 inches, you can carry this one around and hold your sights without lots of fatigue. An all-around quality-feel and good looks throughout.

    What We Don’t Love About The Titan

    Honestly, it’s a bit hard to really complain about this rifle, considering what you get for your money. But one can find fault in just about anything. Here are the two most notable “issues” you are likely to encounter with the Titan.

    A Cheapo Scope

    We normally don’t expect much from scopes on affordable combos like this, and were not surprised with the lackluster performance of the 4×32 CenterPoint Scope included with the Titan. Don’t get me wrong, it’s better than nothing; and if you locktite the screws and are patient with it, you can do pretty well under 25 yards with not too much trouble. Nevertheless, to really take advantage of this rifle’s accuracy and downrange power, you will want to eventually consider an upgraded air rifle scope.

    Awkward Trigger

    The next most obvious issue with the Titan is the two-stage trigger. With a pull rated at 4.75 and lots of travel, you may struggle a bit to get a sense of exactly when this thing lets go. Yes, the trigger is adjustable, but there is only so much adjustment can do. One user reports being able to improve the pull by adding a couple of washers onto the trigger sear pin. However, most people looking to get the most out of this rifle may want an upgraded trigger at some point.

    User Ratings & Reviews

    Not surprisingly given the Titan’s long list of virtues and low price tag, many users have praised it. But what are people really saying about it?

    In short, users glow about the Titan’s tremendous knock down power, good accuracy  out of the box, and remarkably quiet report for such a high-powered gas ram. They also appreciated the sturdy feel of the stock and overall quality of the fit and finish. However, the most often-cited benefit of the Titan was its value. Users consistently commented that this rifle felt and performed well above its price class.

    As far as the relatively few negative reviews, these were limited primarily to the somewhat shoddy quality of the scope and fittings, which made it difficult for some users to sight in the rifle, as well as the excessive play in the trigger.  Some other reviewers indicated that the wood finish looked a little flat compared to product images.

    Concluding Thoughts on the Titan Nitro Piston

    While there may be no true “free lunch” when it comes to air rifles, the Benjamin Titan Nitro Piston gas ram comes pretty darn close. This rifle has excellent stopping power, is very accurate (especially with an upgraded scope), fires very quietly after breaking in, and looks and feels like a rifle that costs twice as much.

    Buy the Benjamin Titan Nitro Piston Air Rifle!Given its power and stealthy nature, this is an ideal hunting air rifle, and is also perfect for dispatching pests around the home without getting the attention of curious neighbors. And finally, you reap the general benefits of nitro-piston technology – such as the dramatically reduced recoil, lower cocking effort, superior low-temperature performance, and the elimination of spring fatigue due to leaving the rifle in the cocked position.

    What else can you ask for in an air rifle selling for about $150!?

    >>Buy the Benjamin Titan NP Air Rifle!<<

  • Crosman Optimus .22 – Extreme Value Pick

    Crosman Optimus .22 – Extreme Value Pick

    VALUE PICK1There are many air rifles that provide great value for their respective price point, but what we wanted was a model that provides rare, unusual…no – truly extreme value relative to the field.

    To clear this high bar, the rifle had to be exceptionally affordable, yet still provide good power, accuracy and a build that can hold up to routine use. Moreover, we wanted to ensure that model was capable of typical small game hunting and pest elimination, as well as target shooting and plinking.

    The result?

    The Crosman Optimus .22 Break Barrel Air Rifle.

    Crosman Optimus .22 Air Rifle Review
    >>Check Price, Ratings & Availability!<<

    Why is this our “extreme value” pick you ask? Let me explain.

    The Optimus is a powerful break barrel rifle that can do it all. Extreme Power in the .22

    There’s no getting around it, power does matter, particularly if you want to take down small game effectively and humanely. In addition, ample power also supports accuracy, especially if you are doing much shooting beyond 35 yards, since more power results in greater pellet velocity – and a faster pellet has a relatively flatter trajectory.

    But as we’ve said many times before, don’t get bogged down with velocity figures in the abstract, however. Do the math and calculate FPE (foot pounds of energy).

    Crosman reports a velocity of 950 feet per second using alloy pellets. Using this figure, and assuming a standard weight of 9.8 grains for such an alloy pellet, our FPE calculator indicates that the Optimus .22 generates a sizzling 20 FPE at the muzzle!

    To put this into perspective, we typically recommend that any hunting air rifle produce a minimum of 12 FPE for basic small game hunting.  The Optimus (in the .22) absolutely blows this figure out of the water, meaning that you can hunt just about any game or pest that you might with a powerful “elite” springer.

    Now, the Optimus in the .177 is no sissy either, but if air rifle hunting is what motivates you, we always recommend sticking with the much harder punch of the .22. If you don’t understand all the fuss about the difference, check out our article on air rifle hunting.

    The Optimus .22 comes with a fairly decent scope, although the iron sights are excellent.Surprisingly Good Accuracy

    What good is FPE without being able to hit your target consistently?

    Fortunately, the Crosman Optimus also does very well on this score. Yes, the CenterPoint 4×32 mm scope that is included with the combo is nothing to get excited about, but it’s workable and can deliver some pretty tight groups if you’ve got some patience when sighting it in and give it half a chance. Besides, it’s essentially a throw-in and can keep you going until you decide on purchasing a better air rifle scope. If you do get a scope, keep in mind that you must get one that fits on a 3/8″ Dovetail rail.

    Of course, if you’re like me, you may even take the scope off altogether if you are struggling with it. This model’s rear adjustable and fiber optic front sights are very good and might be all that you need, particularly for shooting at closer ranges.

    The fit, finish and trigger of the Optimus is of a quality well above its price class!Fantastic Fit and Finish

    Weighing in at a fairly modest 7 pounds and coming with a very nice hardwood (ambidextrous) stock and comfortable butt pad, the Optimus just feels right when shooting, and looks and handles as well as air rifles that are hundreds of dollars above its price class.

    Decent Trigger

    The two-stage adjustable trigger will not be winning any awards, but is crisp, functional and is actually better than many (including those in some much higher-priced rifles)!

    Great Price

    While there are some air rifles that are even more powerful, accurate and well made – we can think of none that also come close to its remarkably low price!

    Indeed, at its current sales price (as of the date of this article), the Crosman Optimus .22 air rifle combo is in our opinion offers some of the best bang for your buck all around hunting/plinking pellet rifle you can buy.

    In fact, if you can find a better value air rifle for this price, please let us know!

    Impeccable User Ratings

    Not surprisingly given all of this performance and extreme value, the Optimus .22 has received outstanding praise from users. This combo has earned high satisfaction ratings by the air-gunning community. Users rave about this rifle’s big time power and good accuracy. Many indicated successfully bagging various game with no problem. Others marveled at how easily it would penetrate inanimate objects, and make other air rifles look like “toys” by comparison.

    In terms of negatives, the only two complaints that arose consistently were that the rifle is a bit difficult to cock, and that it can be a bit loud when fired. Both of these issues are common to most high-powered spring rifles. With respect to the cocking issue, while the gun will likely get easier to cock over time, we do suggest that prospective users be fairly strong/mature to use this model. For that reason, we think it may be a bit too much for more slightly-built and/or female users.

    Concluding Thoughts

    Buy the Crosman Optimus .22 - our extreme best-value pick!
    >>Buy the Crosman Optimus .22 Combo Air Rifle!<<

    The Crosman Optimus .22 combo presents one of those rare cases where something that seems too good to be true actually is for real. This air rifle is unusually powerful, comes with a decent scope and great fixed sites, has a quality look and feel, and is available for a tad over a measly $100 bucks!

    And with that $100 bucks, you can do just about anything with it. Whether you want something for plinking, or are serious about getting into small game hunting for sport or survival preparedness  – this rifle is perfect and will leave more money in your pocket to buy high quality ammo or an upgraded scope.

  • Ultimate Springer – RWS 54 Air King

    Ultimate Springer – RWS 54 Air King

    I must admit, if I could afford a new springer right now, it would be the Diana RWS 54 Air King. RWS is unquestionably one of the most lauded air rifle makers of all time, and the RWS 54 is one of their nicest models available in my opinion. No, they are definitely not cheap, but this is far from your average springer – and is one air rifle that will pay you back handsomely in the form of a lifetime of ultra-high performance, beauty and reliability. But rather than merely telling you about how wonderful it is, let’s take a closer look at exactly what makes the Air King truly rein over lesser spring rifles.

    RWS 54 Review
    >>Check Price, Ratings & Availability<<

    The Power of a PCP Hunting Rifle

    When an air rifle costs over $500, it is usually held up to particular scrutiny. And the RWS 54 is often compared with other elite springers, particularly the Air Arms TX200 MKIII. Both of these air rifles are truly outstanding, and offer extreme precision and superior craftsmanship. However, what the RWS 54 air rifle has the Air Arms does not is PCP-like power.

    The Air Arms is certainly nothing to laugh at, with about 18 FPE at the muzzle. But the RWS 54 Air King is in a different league altogether, boasting about 26 FPE in the .22, based on a reported velocity of 900 FPS and assuming a 14.3 grain standard lead pellet is used. Thus, while the MKIII may begin to struggle to maintain groupings beyond 60 yards, the RWS 54 can still take down game with striking accuracy  – out to 100 yards with a good scope. In fact, we’ve heard of reports of one user dispatching starlings at 100 yards with ease using the RWS 54. That type of range is only possible with the RWS’ exceptional muzzle energy.

    Recoil-less Action

    The biggest drawback of huge power in a spring rifle is normally recoil, and lots of it. However RWS’ recoil-less system uses a floating sled mechanism that absorbs the recoil otherwise transmitted to the shooter. Moreover, because the pellet is actually discharged before it can receive any recoil, it helps maintain astonishing accuracy. Of course, this system is not designed to minimize recoil received by the scope, so you will definitely want a once-piece mount for this monster.

    T06 Trigger in the .22

    If you’ve done any digging about the RWS 54 you will see many talk about a “plastic” or “heavy” trigger. Indeed, this has been the big drawback of the RWS 54 historically.  That has all since changed with RWS’ new T06 two-stage adjustable trigger. This is a steel trigger that is not heavy at all. In fact, this happens to be one of the best triggers currently available on the market today in our view.

    Long-Range Accuracy You Read About

    Frankly, we’re a bit tired of telling everyone how accurate RWS rifles are, but we’ll do it again: the RWS 54 is exceptionally accurate – no, this is a freakin laser beam! The recoil-less action, smooth yet crisp T06 trigger, and precise barrel rifling and quality has created one of the most accurate air rifles of all time. In addition, with 26 FPE in the .22, you can be sure that this rifle can remain accurate far, far downrange where other rifles (including most other elite springers) simply cannot go. Thus, if you pride yourself in taking small game at distances, this rifle is made for you.

    Oh: we strongly encourage you to do yourself a favor and buy a high-quality adjustable air rifle scope rather than purchasing a combo with an inferior scope. Putting a cheap scope on something of this quality should be criminal!

    Side-Lever Cocking

    If you are going to spend this kind of money on springer, a side or underlever action is best, since you don’t have any fears of barrel misalignment (and its impact on accuracy) developing over time due to the constant breaking of the barrel. As you might guess from the massive power this rifle generates though, cocking effort is significant – 39 pounds’ worth of effort to be exact.

    First-Class Fit and Finish

    As you expect from RWS, the 54 Air King comes with a gorgeous beechwood stock and first-class bluing that will not disappoint you. This rifle also just feels extremely well put together, and reminds us of a very high-priced rimfire in terms of overall feel and heft.

    Anything Not to Like?

    Beyond the expected moaning at this rifle’s $600+ price tag, the biggest complaint about the RWS 54 has historically been the plastic, heavy trigger – which is now a moot issue thanks to the new all-steel and sultry-smooth T06 trigger  (in the .22). Aside from that, some have called the Air King a bit too heavy, which is something we don’t agree with. At about 10 pounds unscoped, this is definitely on the heavier side, but that’s because of the better steel and more robust build of the RWS 54. I for one appreciate a slightly heavier rifle.

    User Feedback

    The the RWS 54 Air King is easily one of the most praised elite spring rifles out there, and has a devout 5-star following among veteran airgunners. One user has even devoted an entire website to an earlier version of this model.

    Suggested Uses

    For my money, the RWS 54 is probably the most accurate and powerful springer you can get, and therefore is my dream spring air rifle for hunting small game. Of course, this presumes you are getting this rifle in the .22 caliber, which is the only way to really take advantage of its fantastic muzzle energy in my opinion. This is also a perfect model for target shooting, plinking, spinning or simply showing off when shooting among friends. There is really nothing you can’t do with this outstanding piece of German engineering.

    Diana RWS 54 Air King – Concluding Thoughts

    In the field of elite spring air rifles there are lots of opinions about which is best. However, most seasoned air gunners would likely agree that the RWS 54 Air King is among the top 2 or 3 choices in the $600 range. In our view, the biggest rival of this model is the Air Arms TX200 MKIII, which is a fantastic air rifle that you can’t go wrong with. But does it match up to the Air King? For us, the RWS 54 brings similar accuracy and build quality compared to the MKIII, but it really blows the Air Arms away in terms of power. It is this far greater power of the RWS 54 King that makes it so much better for making deadly accurate longer shots, well over 60 yards. The Air Arms just can’t hang with the King that far down range. Just make sure you get a quality air rifle scope worthy of such an amazing air rifle.

    In addition, the big gripe levied against the RWS 54 in the past – the infamous “plastic” trigger – has been wiped away (at least in the .22) with the introduction of the T06 trigger, which is one of the best triggers currently available. Indeed, if there were any doubts before, we think it’s pretty clear now that the RWS 54 truly is King, making it the ultimate springer in our book.

    >>Buy the Diana RWS 54 Air King Now!<<

     

  • Best CO2 Air Rifle for Hunting – Hammerli 850 AirMagnum?

    Best CO2 Air Rifle for Hunting – Hammerli 850 AirMagnum?

    We often hear people asking for suggestions about quality, high-powered CO2 air rifles. But the truth is that most CO2 models on the market are underwhelming in terms of construction and the power they generate. As such, we normally recommend folks stick to other power plants, especially if they are intending to also use the air rifle for hunting and/or pest elimination.

    As most things in life though, there are several notable exceptions – one the most obvious of which is the Umarex/RWS / Hammerli 850 AirMagnum air rifle. This high-quality CO2 repeater is definitely one of the nicest and is reportedly the most powerful CO2 air rifles produced in the world. Seem a bit incredible? Let’s take a closer look at the 850 AirMagnum and see whether these accolades are deserved.

    Best CO2 Air Rifle for Hunting - Hammerli 850 AirMagnum?>>Check Price, User Ratings & Availability!<<

    Hammerli 850 AirMagnum – Key Features & Specifications

    Game-Changing Power for a CO2 Air Rifle

    The most amazing feature of the Hammerli 850 AirMagnum is its incredible power for a CO2 repeater. While we can’t confirm RWS’ contention that this is the absolute most powerful CO2 air rifle in the entire world, we can say that this rifle produces muzzle velocities and FPE on par with or exceeding many spring rifles. And this is saying a lot.

    Specifically, Hammerli reports that the 850 AirMagnum produces muzzle velocities of 650 FPS in the .22 caliber and 760 FPS in the .177 caliber models. Since RWS typically uses lead pellets for their velocity testing, we assumed these numbers were generated from standard lead pellets weighing around 14.3 and 8.0 grains, respectively. This gives us an estimated foot-pounds of energy (“FPE”) at the muzzle of over 13 FPE in the .22 caliber and just over 10 FPE in the .177. This is a ton of power for a CO2 air rifle, and we are particularly impressed with this model in the .22 caliber – especially since it produces more hitting power than the 12 FPE minimum we generally recommend for good hunting air rifles! Please note that this rifle uses AirSource 88-Gram CO2 Tanks.

    Outstanding Accuracy & Convenient Repeat Shooting

    Any air rifle manufactured by RWS is going to be deadly accurate, and the Hammerli 850 is no exception. The ultra-high quality fiber optic front/rear open sights that come with this air rifle are so good you may postpone upgrading to a quality air rifle scope, maybe indefinitely. Moreover, the precise rifling of the barrel (something RWS is famous for) will have you shooting unbelievably tight groups at 50 yards with this model. This rifle is an 8-shot repeater; however, you can fire hundreds of shots on a single 88 gram CO2 tank. How can you not love that!?

    Ultra-Responsive Trigger

    Contributing to the fantastic accuracy of this air rifle is the fact that it is naturally recoil-less and comes with a very smooth trigger mechanism. This is the type of trigger we’d like to see on many more rifles, and greatly compliments the laser-beam accuracy of this model. No hitchy, heavy pull here!

    High Quality Polymer Stock & RWS Quality All Around

    While many prefer the look and feel of wood stocks, we are confident that you will be impressed by the construction and handling of its all-weather Monte Carlo stock. This advanced polymer is super solid and resists the kind of wear that could quickly mar a hardwood stock. As such, you can enjoy using this rifle in a variety of environments and without babying it – and it should still look like a million bucks. Consequently, for those that are looking to put some serious mileage on this rifle, the polymer stock is a big benefit in our view.

    Again, consistent with RWS’ rifles generally, the overall build and feel of this air rifle, including the crisp bolt-action mechanism and factory bluing, is all top-notch. No cheap parts here!

    Recommended Uses

    The accuracy and power of the Hammerli 850 AirMagnum make it excellent for all typical uses, e.g., plinking, target shooting, spinning, etc. And in addition, the over 13 FPE in the .22 caliber also make the 850 AirMagnum a great hunting and/or pest elimination air rifle. In fact, for typical close range hunting and clearing out of vermin within 50 yards or so, we can hardly think of a more effective and FUN air rifle to use. Further, because there’s no need to cock the rifle or mess with scuba tanks or hand pumps, this is a perfect rifle for more slightly-built / female shooters to use around the home as well. We can’t tell you how many people want a pest rifle that their wives can also use – this is a perfect choice.

    User Reviews & Ratings

    The Hammerli 850 AirMagnum has earned a near-legendary reputation among veteran air rifle enthusiasts for quality and performance, so we were not surprised to find that it currently enjoys an solid satisfaction rating.

    Users glow about the power, accuracy and all-around quality of this rifle. And many users report great success hunting small game and pests – for example, one user commented: “The European sparrows are being annihilated. I can retire my collection of pump up and barrel cock airguns.”  Among all of the reviews there was only one negative comment, and this was due to an apparently isolated jamming issue.

    Price and Value

    Currently selling for roughly $280 shipped, this is an amazing deal for such an unusually powerful and well-made CO2 repeater. Indeed, there are many more expensive springers on the market that don’t bring this level of quality. If you are into CO2 air rifles, this one is easily worth the price.

    Buy the Hammerli 850 AirMagnum Air Rifle!Hammerli 850 AirMagnum – Concluding Thoughts

    If you’ve ever admired the convenience and smooth, recoil-less firing of CO2 air rifles but have been hesitant due to their typically limited power and often shoddy quality, the Hammerli 850 AirMagnum is the answer.

    This rifle is made to exacting German design standards and delivers the kind of power we’d expect in a good spring rifle. In particular, the .22 caliber has plenty of power for real small game hunting, and would make an absolutely sizzling air rifle for clearing out heavy infestations of pest species. Moreover, with its repeat shooting and ability to fire well over a hundred shots without power-waning on a single cartridge, we can’t think of a more enjoyable and easy-to-use rifle for the job.

    >>Buy the Hammerli 850 AirMagnum Air Rifle!<<