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Category: Best-Value Air Rifles

Umarex Octane Nitro Piston Review

The 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.

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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.

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.

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

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

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.

Smooth 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

Big 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?

Both 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

January 18, 2016
Top Value COMBO for $200 – Browning Leverage

While 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.

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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.

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!

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!

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

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!!<<

June 18, 2014
Editor’s Pick For $400 – Diana RWS 48 / T06 Trigger

There 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.

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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!<<

June 13, 2014
Maximum Value PCP Rifle – Benjamin Marauder

No, 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.

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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

>>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!

June 5, 2014
Crosman Optimus .22 – Extreme Value Pick

There 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.

>>Check Price, Ratings & Availability!<<

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

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.

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.

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 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.

June 2, 2014
Top Air Rifle Under $300 – Diana RWS 34 w/T06 Trigger

Upon getting into the hobby, it’s natural to get sucked into fixating on various specifications when comparing air rifles, especially sexy metrics like velocity and FPE. However, after a while, most air rifle enthusiasts inevitably begin focusing more on overall quality, durability and accuracy, rather than muzzle energy or, even less importantly, how fast a rifle can project gimmicky alloy pellets.

The good news for those seeking a truly high-quality air rifle is that they don’t have to spend an arm or a leg. Case in point: the Diana RWS 34 Breakbarrel Rifle with the T06 Trigger. This high-powered and absurdly-accurate springer is RWS’ best-selling model, and for good reason. Veteran air gunners know that it is built to RWS’ legendary standards, yet can still be had for less than $300. Sound interesting? Let’s take a closer look at the RWS 34 and see why it actually lives up to the hype.

>>Check Price, User Ratings & Availability!<<

Diana RWS 34 – Key Specifications & Features

Great Power in Both the .177 and .22 Calibers

Even if you are obsessed with power, the Diana RWS 34 will not disappoint. This rifle in the .177 can fire a lead pellet up to 1000 feet per second (“FPS”), and the .22 can attain velocities of up to 800 FPS. Based on our calculations, this makes for an air rifle that generates roughly 18 foot-pounds of energy (“FPE”) in the .177 and over 20 FPE in the .22 caliber. Consequently, both rifles well-exceed the 12 FPE minimum we recommend for more serious air rifle hunting, although the .22 is the clearly superior caliber for hunting furred game or eliminating common pests.

Incredible Laser-Like Accuracy

Power is great but just about any experienced air rifle enthusiast will tell you that accuracy is king. Whether it’s zeroing in on the typically small (often quarter-sized or smaller) kill zones for most small game, or merely beating your friends at a friendly field target competition, achieving consistently tight groups at longer ranges is what all good airgunners strive for. And this happens to be where the RWS 34 really shines.

In addition to coming with one of the best triggers available, the quality of the barrel and sophistication of the rifling is second to none, and can make even a novice shooter look like a star – just with the open sights. In fact, we are confident that this rifle can have you consistently nailing “hail Mary” shots that you may not even have attempted before with lesser rifles. Of course, you should never practice 100 yard shots on live game! Always remember that there is a big difference between confident and reckless shooting.

The Best Trigger in the Business

We can’t say enough about the two-stage adjustable RWS T06 Trigger, as this is really one of the greatest features we’ve seen to date on a sub $300 air rifle. Most air gunners lament their triggers, particularly the awkward second stage for most adjustable mechanisms. This was still true for the T05. The completely redesigned RWS T06, however, is often held as one of the very best, or at least rivaling some of the most famous and expensive (e.g., TX models) spring rifle triggers ever. How much will this improve your shot consistency? Try it out and we are fairly certain you will be hooked!

Outstanding Open Sights

Sooner or later an air rifle of this caliber deserves a high quality scope (which is why we are not a fan of most cheap scope combos in the RWS 34). However, in the meantime, and for those who enjoy the freedom of open-sight shooting (including myself), you are in luck, because these sights are fantastic and easy to use. The RWS 34 features a fiber-optic front sight and a rear sight that allows for quick windage and elevation adjustment.

Quality Stock and Well-Balanced Design

This is a gorgeous air rifle that comes with a very durable and rich hardwood stock and deeply blued metal. The RWS 34 is also expertly balanced for ambidextrous use and has a modest length (45″ overall) and weight (7.5 pounds), all of which makes it unusually easy to hold and fire (use the “artillery hold”) for a springer.

Modest Cocking Effort

Rated to require only 33 pounds’ worth of cocking effort, the RWS 34 is much easier to cock than you’d expect from a rifle that can generate over 20 FPE in the .22 caliber. This is fantastic since it minimizes loading fatigue and allows less-burly users to also enjoy this rifle. Of course, this is still not an “easy” rifle to cock, so we wouldn’t recommend it for very young shooters.

Built to Last – and Last

One of the greatest things about the RWS 34 is the craftsmanship. This air rifle can and should last for decades. Moreover, with RWS’ legendary support and lifetime warranty, you are in good hands as long as you own this rifle. We always take pleasure hearing from the steady stream of old timers who come out to brag about owning their RWS 34 for decades with only minimal maintenance. You just can’t put a price on that type of durability, and fortunately for all of us – RWS hasn’t!

Anything Not to Like?

Unless you are unlucky enough to receive your rifle with some type of shipping damage, there is virtually nothing to complain about here. The RWS 34 is a very no-frills air rifle that doesn’t try to do too much, but provides tons of quality and precision where it counts.

Diana RWS 34 User Ratings

Consistently heralded as one of the best air rifles of all time, we didn’t expect mediocre reviews of the RWS 34, and we weren’t disappointed.

Currently, this model is holding an average satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars on amazon.com. Users commend this rifle for crisp power, unbeatable accuracy, a high-quality fit and finish, and tireless durability. They also confirm that this is truly one of the best deals of all time for a sub-$300 air rifle.

Notably, the few negative comments about this rifle were aimed primarily at shipping or other item damage, as opposed to complaints about actual performance.

Diana RWS 34 w/T06 Trigger – Concluding Thoughts

I have no qualms about characterizing the Diana RWS 34 Breakbarrel Rifle with the T06 Trigger as the all-time best air rifle for less than $300. In particular, the RWS 34 in the .22 is a sizzling, “uber”-accurate small game or pest air rifle that you should cherish for a lifetime with only minimal attention. This really is the total package, so to speak. So, if you are looking to buy just one air rifle in this price range that can do just about everything, this would be my first recommendation.

Although you don’t need to wait, the outstanding open sights are so good you can probably postpone buying a high quality air rifle scope for a while. In either case, we are fairly confident that you will be making shots you didn’t think were possible, right out of the box! Also be sure to get a box of high quality air rifle pellets to take full advantage of this rifle’s accuracy.

>>Buy the Diana RWS 34 with T06 Trigger Now!<<

April 20, 2014