Category: Hunting Air Rifles

  • Crosman Optimus .177 Review

    Crosman Optimus .177 Review

    Crosman Optimus .177 Air Rifle ReviewFor a screaming good deal on a powerful .177 caliber air rifle that’s selling for a tad over 100 bucks, there’s hardly a better deal going right now than the Crosman Optimus .177 Caliber/1200 FPS Break Barrel Pellet Air Rifle in hardwood stock. But let’s take a closer look at what this rifle brings to the table, and whether this value is real or merely perceived. Please keep reading for much more information and our concluding thoughts & opinions.

    General Specifications

    This is a .177 caliber spring rifle that uses a breakbarrel cocking action. It’s well balanced in size/weight with a total length of 45 inches and a 7-pound heft. The barrel is rifled steel and this model uses a front fiber optic sight and fully adjustable rear site for greater flexibility. This particular rifle does not come with a scope but there is a .22 caliber combo that is equipped with a 4 x32 mm scope currently available. If you plan on getting your own scope, the Optimus uses a 3/8″ dovetail optics rail.

    In addition to these basic but very solid specifications, the Optimus comes adorned in a very nice hardwood stock, which certainly does not look like the type you’d expect on an air rifle with such a modest price tag.

    Click Here for a Price Check!

    Muzzle Velocity and Power

    The Optimus is a great example of how powerful even inexpensive spring air rifles are today. According to Crosman, the Optimus can generate a muzzle velocity of 1000 FPS with lead pellets and 1,200 FPS with alloy pellets. Although we can’t be sure of the actual pellets used, if we assume that the lead pellets tested were a typical 7.9 grains in weight, by plugging this and the reported 1000 FPS into our FPE calculator, we arrive at an air rifle with 17.5 FPE at the barrel!

    This is outstanding power for any air rifle, much less one in this price class. Consequently, this is not only enough power for field target shooting, and plinking, but it easily meets the 12 FPE minimum requirement we like to see in potential small game hunting air rifles.

    Price & Value

    At the moment, the Crosman Optimus has a list price of about $165 but is on sale for roughly $106 – this is simply an outstanding deal given this air rifle’s features and specifications. And as we discuss below, it’s unusual value is one of the reasons why it’s received so much praise from consumers.

    Crosman Optimus .177 Air Rifle Reviews

    Crosman Optimus .177 Air Rifle ReviewsAs of the date of this writing, the Crosman Optimus has a nearly perfect average user satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on amazon.com based on 21 reviews. This is extremely high user approval, a score we rarely see in any air rifle with a decent number of reviews. But let’s dig deeper into these reviews to find out exactly what people liked and didn’t like. Here are the pros/cons as actual Optimus owners characterized them:

    PROS:

    • Lots of Power  – users were consistently impressed by the power of this springer, with several reviewers noting that this rifle broke the sound barrier when fired, especially if heavier pellets weren’t used.
    • Great Accuracy – although some reports indicated that it took some time to break in properly, many reviewers praised the fiber optic sighting and the overall precision of this air rifle.
    • Relatively Easy Cocking – a powerful springer like this is never too “easy” to cock, but most people indicated that it was far easier than they expected, particular compared to other rifles with this much power.
    • Great For Air Rifle Hunting – with its power and precision, several owners stated that they were successfully using this rifle for small game hunting.
    • Not Too Loud – spring rifles are notorious for being loud, but the consensus was that the Optimus was “not too loud” and therefore quite tolerable relative to others.
    • Great Overall Quality & Value – beyond everything else, the big theme among the reviewers was their amazement at how well-made, powerful, accurate, and attractive this air rifle is – especially for one in it’s price range.

    CONS

    • Noise? – with only 5 and 4 star reviews, there were really no “cons” per se; however, one reviewer stated that he brought the rifle back because it was too loud. Of course, this was a minority view, since the other reviewers reported that noise levels weren’t that bad. In any event, spring-piston rifle are always going to result in some noise, particularly if you are breaking the sound barrier with fast alloy pellets.

    Read the Full Crosman Optimus .177 Air Rifle Reviews Here!!

    Concluding Thoughts & Opinions

    Buy Crosman Optimus .177 Breakbarrel Air Rifle

    Like those who have purchased it, we too are extremely impressed with the quality and unbelievable value that the Crosman Optimus .177 Caliber Breakbarrel brings. Not only does it have small game hunting power, but it’s fiber optic sighting and overall construction make it a very accurate air rifle as well. Furthermore, it’s also a very handsome rifle, with an attractive wood stock that will last for years with only minimal care.  As a result, this would make a great target shooting, plinking or small game hunting air rifle for both new users and more experienced air rifle enthusiasts alike.

    Buy The Crosman Optimus .177 Air Rifle With Secure Shipping!!

  • Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT Review

    Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT Review

    Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT ReviewThe Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT is a very popular new rifle that seems to have it all – power, quiet operation, good looks and accuracy. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s take a critical look at this rifle and see what actual users are saying about it.

    General Specifications

    This is a gas-piston rifle that uses a nitrogen-gas strut instead of a spring. As a result, it’s already much quieter and easier to cock than a comparably-powered breakbarrel spring rifle. In addition, this model comes with noise dampening system that is reportedly capable of reducing firing decibel level by 52%.

    As far as trigger mechanism  and recoil, the Silent Stalker Whisper IGT comes with a convenient adjustable 2-stage trigger (“Smooth Action Trigger” or “SAT) and Gamo’s Shock Wave Absorption system that they state can eliminate 74% more recoil. The  rifle is equipped with a 3-9×40 scope complete with mounting hardware and uses an interesting skeletonized stock.

    Muzzle velocity & Power

    Gamo reports muzzle velocity to be 1300 FPS for the .177 caliber version using PBA Platinum pellets and 975 FPS for the .22 rifle. Assuming that these pellets weigh 4.7 grains and 9.7 grains, respectively, using our FPE calculator give us muzzle FPE estimates of 17.6 and 20.5 foot-pounds of energy for the .177 and .22 caliber models.

    This is a lot of power and, together with its accuracy, makes this rife an excellent choice for hunting, particularly in the .22 caliber option.

    Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT Reviews

    This rifle’s outstanding performance is evident in its very high users satisfaction ratings. We’ve done the leg work of combing through these reviews and here are the pros/cons of this rifle as real users see them:

    PROS:

    • Powerful – reviewers agreed that this is a very powerful rifle that pretty much tore up anything unlucky enough to be shot by it. We are not surprised considering our FPE estimates.
    • Extremely Accurate  – in addition to power, the most common praise received by this rifle was for its outstanding accuracy. Further, the consensus was that optimum performance was obtained using H&N Field Target Trophy pellets, with one user indicating that dime sized groupings at 30 yards was achieved!
    • Great Rifle Stock – users found it very good for maintaining stable stance and steady firing position, once they got comfortable with the proper artillery hold needed for this model.
    • Outstanding Sights – in fact, the sights are so accurate that several users mentioned they didn’t even some bother using scope, with one user reporting near perfect accuracy at 50 yards out of the box!
    • Cool-looking – there were several comments about how nice this rifle looks. We agree!

    CONS:

    • Disappointing Stock Scope – in general, most people found the scope average to poor quality. For an upgrade that will make this rifle perform at its best, we suggest you check out the UTG 3-9×40 AO Mil-Dot Rifle Scope.
    • A Bit Noisier Than Expected – despite the silencer, some users noted that they expected this rifle to be quieter than it was. However, most found it relatively quiet (much more than any springer, of course) and some indicated that noise levels dropped a bit after breaking in.

    Read the Full Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT Reviews Here!

    Price & Value

    The silent stalker is usually available for between $250 – $300.  However, you can usually find big discounts on this model here. All in all, we feel that this rifle is fairly-priced considering its power, accuracy and advantageous gas-piston technology.

    Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGTConcluding Thoughts & Opinions

    The Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a powerful and extremely accurate air rifle. In addition, with its gas-piston technology, it is also benefits from being quieter and smoother than the spring rifle crowd. And given its power, which we estimate to be just over 17.6 FPE and 20.5 FPE at the muzzle based on Gamo’s FPS data, this rifle is superb for hunting, with the .22 caliber version being the better choice for more serious air rifle hunters.

    Finally, even though some users were hoping for it to be a little quieter, there are no big drawbacks with this rifle. Indeed, for its power output, it’s still a relatively silent option. Likewise, if this rifle’s extraordinary sights aren’t good enough for you, and you are not happy with the scope,  swapping it out for the UTG 3-9×40 AO Mil-Dot Rifle Scope should make a world of difference.

    Click Here to Buy the Silent Stalker Whisper IGT With Fast Shipping!

  • Best Hunting Air Rifle For Small Game

    Best Hunting Air Rifle For Small Game

    Looking for the best hunting air rifle?  It’s not surprising, since many people are interested primarily in hunting with air rifles – it’s what first drew me to them after all – but this begs the question: what is a hunting air rifle anyway?  As we explain in more detail in our article on Air Rifle Hunting, hunting air rifles can come in anything between .117 and .50 calibers, with the larger-game rifles generally needing Pre-charged Pneumatic (“PCP”) power plants to propel their heavier, higher caliber ammo at sufficient velocities to maintain accuracy. However, if you aren’t looking to take down mule deer, then you’re in luck, since there are some excellent small game hunting air rifles available that provide tremendous quality and value. Here are just a few of our favorites.

    Hatsan 95 Walnut Stock Air Rifle Combo

    Hatsan 95 Air Rifle Combo Walnut Stock air rifleThis is one of the more powerful, higher quality and better-looking hunting air rifles – especially for one under $200! We are of course talking about the Hatsan 95 Air Rifle Combo in Walnut Stock.  This beauty comes in .177, .22 and .25 calibers and is extremely powerful in all three – although if you are shooting more squirrels, rabbits, woodchuck opossum and other furred game rather than birds, we say definitely go with the much harder-hitting .22 or 25 version.

    And don’t be fooled by its seemingly modest FPS ratings of 1,000 FPS for the .177 and 650 FPS for the .25. As we have explained, many manufacturers inflate FPS by using lightweight alloy pellets that naturally fly much faster than standard lead pellets – i.e., the ones normally used for hunting. In contrast, the Hatsan 95’s FPS ratings are actually very conservative and are based on lead pellets. In fact, one user tested this rifle with a chronograph and found that it exceeded the manufacturer’s reported FPS. Overall, users reported that this rifle hits harder than other more expensive high-powered air models, including the Benjamin 392, Crosman Nitro Venom and Ruger Air Magnum.  In addition to power, it’s pretty darn accurate with its throw-in scope and comes with a simply gorgeous walnut stock that we frankly cannot believe is included in a rifle at this price. Hardwoods of this quality, if used at all, are normally associated with much higher price tags.

    With all of this performance and value, it’s no wonder that this rifle has earned an average user satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars to date. In fact, users are so happy with this rifle that they easily overlook it’s drawbacks – it’s loud firing (which is typical of high powered spring-piston power plants) and the added “umph” needed to cock this powerful breakbarrel air rifle.

    Click Here For Hatsan 95 Pricing, Ratings & Full User Reviews!

    Diana RWS 48 Air Rifle

    Diana RWS 48If you’ve got a bigger budget and want a first-rate hunting air rifle that will last a lifetime, then there are few that can surpass the legendary power, quality, reliability and accuracy of the Diana RWS 48 [read full RWS 48 review here], which comes in .177 and .22 calibers and is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.  These are very powerful spring-piston sidelever rifles that can do pretty much anything from plinking and competitive target shooting to serious small game hunting. In fact, the RWS 48 is the rifle used by the U.S. field target club – so you know if you can’t hit your target it’s your fault!

    As usual, if you are more of squirrel/rabbit hunter, go for the greater knock-down power of the .22 version.

    The extraordinary level of German engineering on the RWS 48 is not only apparent in the attractive wood stock, but in the heft and balance of the gun, something you notice as soon as you pick it up. However, it’s when you fire this rifle that you really appreciate it’s raw power, which unfortunately does come with lots of noise. Also, this is not a rifle that can be cocked “easily” – which is another inevitable consequence of the RWS 48’s impressive muzzle energy.

    Again, with its super high-quality, accuracy and power, the RWS 48 currently has a perfect 5-star following on Amazon.com. Indeed, if you read these reviews you will quickly get a sense of just how much this rifle is loved by it’s owners.

    Click Here For Pricing, Ratings & Full User Reviews (RWS .177 Caliber)!

    Click Here For Pricing, Ratings & Full User Reviews (RWS .22 Caliber)!

     

    Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 725 .25 Caliber Nitro Piston

    Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 725 .25 Cal. Nitro PistonWe would be remiss if we didn’t include at least one of the “nitro” gas-piston air rifles here, and the Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 725 is reportedly the most powerful breakbarrel gas-piston available. This claim is definitely difficult to debate given this model’s amazing 30 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, which can send an alloy .25 caliber pellet up to 800 feet per second. This kind of power behind such a large caliber really takes small game hunting to a different level – if you ever had issues with putting down squirrels, woodchucks, hares and other tougher small game quickly and consistently, you will absolutely love the “show-stopping” impact that this gas ram brings. Moreover, this is an extremely accurate rifle that just gets easier to dial in with time.

    As we’ve discussed before, the use of a gas piston (nitrogen gas) has many benefits, which adds to this rifle’s allure. Among other things, this technology makes it relatively quiet, easier to cock, shoot with virtually no recoil, and deliver better cold-weather performance compared to a comparable spring rifle. And most importantly, gas piston rifles can be left in the cocked (readied) state pretty much indefinitely without any loss of power, whereas  a spring-piston rifle that is held in the cocked position too long will gradually “set” in this state, which over time can diminish performance.

    Overall, if you are an avid small game hunter and like the quieter, smoother and more worry-free performance of gas piston rifles but don’t want to sacrifice power, the Benjamin Trail NP XL 725 is very hard to beat.

     Click Here For Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 725 Pricing, Ratings & Full User Reviews!

     

    Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle

    Benjamin Marauder Air RifleLast but certainly not least is the Benjamin Marauder, a real beast that is in our view quite possibly the best and most affordable hunting PCP repeat-shooting air rifle going. It easily earned our nod as the Best Value PCP Air Rifle. This model comes in .177, .22 and .25 calibers and screams in each of them, producing muzzle velocities of 1,000, 1,000 and 900 FPS, respectively. With this kind of power, we suggest you go for the .22 or .25 calibers, as they will obviously take care of your typical small game and give you the extra impact power to easily put down larger critters, like big woodchuck, opossum, racoons, and (in the .25) even coyote!  But beyond extreme power, this air rifle is extremely accurate, and has already obtained near legendary status for delivering some of the tightest groupings we’ve heard yet.

    Finally, this rifle comes with a great hardwood finish, a very aggressive styling that we like, and nice touches, such a pressure gauge and degassing tool that lets you switch from CO2 (an alternative power source) to compressed gas.  As with most PCP rifles, if you intend to do any regular shooting, we do suggest that you opt for a scuba tank or some similar compressed gas reservoir.

    Click Here for Benjamin Marauder Pricing, Ratings & Full User Reviews!

    …And Some More of our Favorite Hunting Air Rifles!

    Of course we couldn’t just stop there! Here are is our growing list of models that we think are outstanding for air rifle hunting: >>CLICK HERE<<