N/A Best bang (or plink) for the buck?

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PNWTrekker

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Jun 10, 2025
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PNW Washington
Well... with it settled that I am leaning towards a springer for my first big boy air gun, what is best bang (or plink) for the buck?

I am new to the sport and have decided to take the plunge. I am familiar with firearms but have never owned a high-end air rifle. I have been lurking around the online reviews and really like the lines of the Diana 34 which seems to have consistently favorable reviews. I can't afford a new one and am ok waiting for a reasonably priced used one in .22. Hopefully already scoped by someone that knows what they are doing.

However, I am sure there are a lot of gems I am not aware of. I like the clean lines of the 34 because it is similar to my hunting rifles and seems easier to carry in the bush than some of the benchrest models. What other similar makes / models should I be on the lookout for with $300 as a cap on the used market?
 
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The D34 is a very good rifle for you. A Hw95 or the Beeman equivalent the R9 is little bit more refined if you can find one in your price range.
There might be better choices if you elaborate on your specific intended use. Example, paper or pest. 10, 25 or 50 yards. What's the accuracy you desire. Etc etc.

I have a ton of firearms and 13 Weihrauchs and the one i enjoy shooting the most are my smallest lowest powered. I'm 6'3" 200 lbs so I can handle bigger rifles I just get a kick out of the smaller ones. You may be different.
 
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Well, as someone who has gone from Crossman to Beeman and now BSA, I don’t regret the cheaper guns but damn, you spend close to $1k on a used PCP and you have entered a whole different world. Accurate like a good 22 but quiet. Yeah, there is the cost of a compressor. We all have a budget to live by. Best of luck in your search.
 
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@PNWTrekker - Welcome to Airgun Nation. I suggest you make some more posts to have access to the Members Only classifieds.

Were are you from? What is your favorite rifle? What is your favorite youtube channel?

Pellets and Pistons and Walnut and Steel are great channels for springers.

Have fun and enjoy the rabbit hole!
 
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Traditional Rifle - Vintage Diana model 36. $275

Selling my 1981 vintage Diana model 36 (.177 cal), made in WEST GERMANY. I bought it from the original owner a few months back on this forum, and have simply decided that it's not for me. It's shooting around 875 FPS with 8.3gr Superdomes. The original front globe sight is included, with no...
www.airgunnation.com www.airgunnation.com

It’s a 177 but I don’t think you would regret it. Looks like a nice one
 
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PNWTrekker said:
Thank you. That is a beautiful rifle. I live in Washington. A .22 -to .25 caliber air gun is required for game animals and I am hoping to take a few grouse with the rifle I purchase.
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This right here. Factory tune should be 14 to 16 foot pounds of energy. More than enough energy for small game. Will shoot the H&N Field Target Trophies 5.52 or 5.53 head size into an inch sized hole all day long. Soup cans are easy out to 80 yards if you do your part and the wind smiles on you.


I have two HW95's and a HW98. They are all tuned up with Vortek kits. They all shoot better than me and they all like H&N ammo the most.

I was hitting soup cans at 80 yards in 12 to 20 mph winds between the big gusts today. Zips right through the can.

Buy thrice, cry once 😀

 
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2018 year HW95L from AoA with a Hawke Airmax 4-16 x 44 mm compact. Installed an ARH hit + Vortek seal and GPL-205 lube. Cocking cycle is silent until the piston latch and averages about 17 FPE with H&N FTT 14.66 gr 5.53 mm pellets. Sometimes I can shoot MOA groups at 25 yards but not always. My wife also enjoys plinking from our back deck with "our" rifle but she frowns when I take out an occasional tree rat.

My recommendation, to the Op, is the Weihrauch HW95L .22 and the folks at AoA are excellent IMHO.

My rifle pic.

1750133017361.png
 
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UPDATE: Based on the recommendations of several of you, I purchased a Weihrauch HW95 off of the classifieds. The member was super helpful, had lots of advice, and set me up with a spare scope and rings he had. The package was delivered a couple days ago. Pop cans have been shaking in fear since. We have friends visiting that have a kid about the same age as my youngest (13). We set them up on a bench in the back hard. It was so much fun watching them shoot. Shooting trumped video games, television, and general getting into trouble. Every time the trigger was pulled, they both yelled "the range is cold" as they sprinted to the target to see what their pellet did to the latest victim (pop can full of water). We finally had to kick them off shooting bench at a quarter before 10p. They would have continued all night had we let them. Thanks everyone for your advice.
 
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PNWTrekker said:
UPDATE: Based on the recommendations of several of you, I purchased a Weihrauch HW95 off of the classifieds. The member was super helpful, had lots of advice, and set me up with a spare scope and rings he had. The package was delivered a couple days ago. Pop cans have been shaking in fear since. We have friends visiting that have a kid about the same age as my youngest (13). We set them up on a bench in the back hard. It was so much fun watching them shoot. Shooting trumped video games, television, and general getting into trouble. Every time the trigger was pulled, they both yelled "the range is cold" as they sprinted to the target to see what their pellet did to the latest victim (pop can full of water). We finally had to kick them off shooting bench at a quarter before 10p. They would have continued all night had we let them. Thanks everyone for your advice.
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Excellent!
A great rifle, but the value is measured in recreation quality as you are witnessing.
Welcome, and I look forward to your shared experiences.
A good place to post them is on "What springer did you shoot today".

This is a great post. From the desire, to the finish.
👍
 
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PNWTrekker said:
UPDATE: Based on the recommendations of several of you, I purchased a Weihrauch HW95 off of the classifieds. The member was super helpful, had lots of advice, and set me up with a spare scope and rings he had. The package was delivered a couple days ago. Pop cans have been shaking in fear since. We have friends visiting that have a kid about the same age as my youngest (13). We set them up on a bench in the back hard. It was so much fun watching them shoot. Shooting trumped video games, television, and general getting into trouble. Every time the trigger was pulled, they both yelled "the range is cold" as they sprinted to the target to see what their pellet did to the latest victim (pop can full of water). We finally had to kick them off shooting bench at a quarter before 10p. They would have continued all night had we let them. Thanks everyone for your advice.
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Congrats and you are off to a great start. The hw95 should give you a lifetime of fun, accurate shooting. It is easy to go down the tuning rabbit hole, especially if you read this forum, but that certainly is not necessary to enjoy shooting and hunting.
R
 
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