Gun Choice

[Tim99]

I am looking at getting an air rifle and trying to decide between the Diana 350 N-Tec .22 or the Diana Model 48 .22. I want to be able to shoot prairie dogs and rabbits. The distance could be out to 100 yards for some of the prairie dogs. For some reason I really like the side lever of the Model 48. I am looking for accuracy and knock down power. I know there is a lot of guns out there and deciding on your first gun I want something that can last and Diana seems like a good brand and I like the way they look.

Any thoughts on either gun would be helpful.

 

[biohazardman]

I think one-hundred yard shooting with an18-20fpe spring gun even off of a steady rest is really stretching it. I can shoot 3/4 to 1 inch groups at 50 yards with my Diana 54 off of a bench rest with sand bags. Not quite as good with the 45 break barrel or the trusty 8.5 lb 52 so add 1/4-1/2 inch for the most part. So that equates to 3 inches at 100 yards in perfect conditions off of a bench style rest. The N-tec is near 2 lbs lighter and has a little bit more power so might be better for carry. I have heard it is a bit harder to shoot accurately though. But have to say no matter the weight I really love my 54.

 

[Yo]

+1 Diana 54 or 56. YO!

 

[bdzjlz]

I agree with bio. I have a custom tuned 56 that will shoot 1” at 70 yards and hits hard at 20+ fpe at the muzzle, but at 100 it does not group accurately enough and have enough retained energy for consistent, responsible, kills on game, in my opinion.

 

[Guest]

100 yards is just too far with a spring rifle to hunt anything that you want to kill humanely.

 

[GoldenStateAIRGUNer]

I'd agree with others who say 100 yards is just pushing it for a springer. Better think of a lower priced PCP if that distance is going to be the norm. Or sneak up closer with a springer.

 

[Deepbass9]

100 yards hunting with air rifles is a distance. I've had clean body shots on gray squirrels at 30 yards with a 45 fpe .22 PCP and watched them stagger for a bit more than once. At 100 yards power or caliber makes a big difference. No springer is going to do it and I wouldn't use my 45 fpe .22 on a woodchuck at 100 yards with 75% confidence of a 1 shot head kill. My .30 85 fpe is a different story...that's like 95%. Ideal conditions, rested, and all that. Not saying it can't be done, but the odds and as oldspook rightly says, being humane. 100 yards is a lot of distance to close for a follow up shot if the critter leaves your line of sight.

Maybe rethink your arms direction or as GSAirGuner says, think of closer distance hunting. Most rabbits I've shot have been under 50 yards and more like 30 or less.

 

[c_m_shooter]

Those are both good guns, but are going to be very hard to learn to shoot. RWS 54/56 would be easier, but you will still need to cut your range in half. If you are determined to shoot 100 yards, you will be better off with a .25 PCP. It sounds expensive at first, but after factoring in the pile of broken scopes the RWS will leave you with. It will probably cost about the same.

 

[BigTinBoat]

100 yards hunting with air rifles is a distance. I've had clean body shots on gray squirrels at 30 yards with a 45 fpe .22 PCP and watched them crawl away more than once.  At 100 yards power or caliber makes a big difference. No springer is going to do it and I wouldn't use my 45 fpe .22 on a woodchuck at 100 yards with 75% confidence of a 1 shot head kill. My .30 85 fpe is a different story...that's like 95%. Ideal conditions, rested, and all that. Not saying it can't be done, but the odds and as oldspook rightly says, being humane. 100 yards is a lot of distance to close for a follow up shot if the critter leaves your line of sight.

Maybe rethink your arms direction or as GSAirGuner says, think of closer distance hunting. Most rabbits I've shot have been under 50 yards and more like 30 or less.

Hit a squirrel in the VITALS with 10 fpe and it's dropping. Now hit it in a NON-vital part of the body and it's crawling off. Problem is not lack of energy it's shot placement.

 

[tsmith]

you hit a squirrel in the guts with 50 fpe and its crawling off. so proper shot placement with 12 fpe is just as deadly as 50 fpe.

 

[Deepbass9]

I edited my reply to more closely reflect what I was trying to say at 1am, when my word selection was a little poor. Thanks for pointing it out fellas.

 

[Septicdeath]

I only hunt with break barrel rifles. They are good for maximum 70 yards effectively. Anything further out use a PCP or PB. 

 

[Tim99]

Thanks for the input. I will play round with the distances. I think I am leaning towards the 350.

 

[Tim99]

Well I just received the 350 N-Tec Classic from Airguns of Arizona. They have a special on it right now $224. The manufacturer must of had a batch they were trying to get rid of because it has a manufacture date on it of 2016. I have been shooting just around the yard and its pretty fun. I put a steel target and was hitting it pretty good out to 30 yards. When I have sometime I will put it on some paper. It is a bit heavy and a little bit to cock but not to bad so over all I'm happy with it.

 

[westgl33]

That is a Good price for a 350Ntec, that is a Lot of Gun, Long and Heavy. I have the 350P Panther, Love it, I put a Vortek Spring kit in it and tuned it. it is Very Smooth and a accurate shooter, once you learn what it likes.