Don't be short sighted, pun intended.

I'm so glad I delved into higher power levels using slugs and by that I don't have one exceeding 99 fpe!

With slugs, and unless you've experienced the sensation of hitting small objects at long distances, you couldn't relate to just how fun it is. It's really not very far at 190Y but I was placing impacts on steel only a few inches apart a few days ago. My friends wanted to try it with my Skout EVO and they were amazed.

Have plenty of lower powered pellet guns as well and enjoy them too for what they are capable of but it's not quite the same.

I live in a area that I can shoot anytime I want and in any direction there are places to go shoot thousands of yards so I enjoy this freedom with much appreciation.

If the right combo of slug, caliber, BC, and price, come about I'll step up to whatever fpe is optimal and go for it too.

Admittedly I've always loved long range.
 
For me being California based, Airguns play a huge role in hunting small to larger game/predators because of the lead ban. Airguns are exempt from the lead ban and there for I can hunt at a fraction of the price. If I were in a non-lead ban state I would hunt much more with my rimfire, .223, 22-250 varmint rifles. So Airgun power (FPE) does become a needed factor for me in my formulation at times. BUT and this is a very big But, I do worry about the quick movement Airguns power is showing up in USA and other areas. We are not the only ones noticing. Western Airgun shooting 18 .357 rounds in 3 seconds at 120 FPE is one very bad intentioned individual away from heavy legislation I am afraid. Just my opinion. Hope I am wrong.
I understand were your coming from in a way, but my opinion we shouldn't limit our own rights and freedom in fear of our government doing it for us.
 
Econ 101: supply & demand.

Humans tend to seek power. The market will provide until balance is achieved.
OR until extreme "unbalance" is achieved & things topple in that direction (you know, like the rise & fall of the Roman Empire). We've already passed the tipping point but are too blind or stupid to acknowledge it! In other countries/cultures they've learned or can only afford what is SUFFICIENT. In "Murica" SUFFICIENT ENOUGH is the starting point & usually frowned upon (Ala "Tim Taylor"). We truly are a country of obnoxious excess!!!
 
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I have been in the hobby a little over 9 years now, seen huge changes in just that short time frame...

There is one thing that I just don't get, well more, but that is for another day.

Why does the American market crave the over-the-top power?

Ok for competition shooters I kinda get it, 100 yard benchrest in 10-15 mph winds, I'll give you that one.. but for the average shooter I see No reason for the 80 plus ft/lb guns.
Hunters ok I get that too, but I will put it out there, I don't think the majority of Hunters are taking wild pigs or coyotes with an air rifle.. For the most part I see them as pesting for tree rats, invasive birds, etc..

I will also put it out there that Most target shooting, paper, steels, etc, are all probably under 40 yards in a backyard shooting scenario, hell even Most FT events are lower powered restricted

So you ask what the hell is my point?.. Have you looked at the trend of most newer guns?.. They tout stupid high power. the poor guns are so maxed out they wear out and fail prematurely..

This "power junkie" mentality has hurt a large portion of the low powered offerings, especially in small caliber..

Why in god's name would produce a .177 caliber airgun that is shooting over 1000 fps, the damn thing won't hit the broad side of a barn with any consistency because the damn pellet is tumbling, makes no damn sense...

Anyway, these are just the rambling thoughts of an old man and I would love to hear your thoughts,

I think I fall in a couple of categories that you have acknowledged. I’m definitely in that minority hunter group that you mentioned. With that said I use what laws and regulations stipulate to hunt with legally. If I exceed those levels, no harm no foul. I see your point about the effects on lower-powered small-bore airguns. It’s something to think about. Thankfully the UK’s laws will continue to fuel a sub-12 fpe market. It‘s the air guns between sub-12 and high power that may suffer by an increased demand to produce higher powered airguns.
 
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EEEE HAAAA, us Americans are compensating for small PPee's , not me though :giggle:
AVATAR AIRGUN.jpg
 
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I understand were your coming from in a way, but my opinion we shouldn't limit our own rights and freedom in fear of our government doing it for us.
Well I agree, and I am not saying limit yourself and your Airgun enthusiatum, I am saying there could be a consequence to more power, or equal to center fire power, and looking other way isn’t good either. Be prepared for your choices with action now instead of reactionary later is good Because “government“ will limit your freedom. Regardless, “limit”ed…haven’t we arrived at the same destination Anway In the end?
 
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I have been in the hobby a little over 9 years now, seen huge changes in just that short time frame...

There is one thing that I just don't get, well more, but that is for another day.

Why does the American market crave the over-the-top power?

Ok for competition shooters I kinda get it, 100 yard benchrest in 10-15 mph winds, I'll give you that one.. but for the average shooter I see No reason for the 80 plus ft/lb guns.
Hunters ok I get that too, but I will put it out there, I don't think the majority of Hunters are taking wild pigs or coyotes with an air rifle.. For the most part I see them as pesting for tree rats, invasive birds, etc..

I will also put it out there that Most target shooting, paper, steels, etc, are all probably under 40 yards in a backyard shooting scenario, hell even Most FT events are lower powered restricted

So you ask what the hell is my point?.. Have you looked at the trend of most newer guns?.. They tout stupid high power. the poor guns are so maxed out they wear out and fail prematurely..

This "power junkie" mentality has hurt a large portion of the low powered offerings, especially in small caliber..

Why in god's name would produce a .177 caliber airgun that is shooting over 1000 fps, the damn thing won't hit the broad side of a barn with any consistency because the damn pellet is tumbling, makes no damn sense...

Anyway, these are just the rambling thoughts of an old man and I would love to hear your thoughts,
I'm shooting a Pulsar .177 13.43g @ 978 fps / 28fpe so I can take small game @ 100+ yards if opportunity arises and it still have enough energy for humane kill. Once I get my programmer I'm gonna get it up to 1020 fps for just a little flatter trajectory. Here's a rabbit I took at 80 yards yesterday.

Also I have a Vulcan 3 in .30 cal pushing 62.5g slug at 1010fps / 140 fpe so I can humanely take a coyote out at 150+ yards.

With that said for backyard plinking where it's under 20yards I have a stock 22cal Notos shooting 25.38g @ 620fps ...for the yard I like big and slow slugs.

 
I have been in the hobby a little over 9 years now, seen huge changes in just that short time frame...

There is one thing that I just don't get, well more, but that is for another day.

Why does the American market crave the over-the-top power?

Ok for competition shooters I kinda get it, 100 yard benchrest in 10-15 mph winds, I'll give you that one.. but for the average shooter I see No reason for the 80 plus ft/lb guns.
Hunters ok I get that too, but I will put it out there, I don't think the majority of Hunters are taking wild pigs or coyotes with an air rifle.. For the most part I see them as pesting for tree rats, invasive birds, etc..

I will also put it out there that Most target shooting, paper, steels, etc, are all probably under 40 yards in a backyard shooting scenario, hell even Most FT events are lower powered restricted

So you ask what the hell is my point?.. Have you looked at the trend of most newer guns?.. They tout stupid high power. the poor guns are so maxed out they wear out and fail prematurely..

This "power junkie" mentality has hurt a large portion of the low powered offerings, especially in small caliber..

Why in god's name would produce a .177 caliber airgun that is shooting over 1000 fps, the damn thing won't hit the broad side of a barn with any consistency because the damn pellet is tumbling, makes no damn sense...

Anyway, these are just the rambling thoughts of an old man and I would love to hear your thoughts,
I agree with you totally 100% ! Right at the moment i am shooting my two TX200 .177 , (both @ 11 FPE ) trying to figuer which one to send to Tony in PA to polish regrease and what ever else he can do for the smoothest shooting 600 FPS gun he can produce .

EDIT : 625 FPs = 7.25 FPE perfect for targets and pesting
 
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View attachment 575846

It's the American way! I totally get it. :cool:

And the fact that it upsets other cultures... even better. Seriously... we love that. When they say, "We don't get it," we reply, "EXACTLY!" ;)

Though, my new Marauder is slow! ~830 fps. I can see the pellet when shooting at 50 yards! Kinda cool, actually.

If I want to "reach out and touch something," I'll grab my Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. I've hit targets at 1000 yards with it.
so would you use that to shoot ground squirrels @ 120 yards ? ( yikes $$$$$$$ for ammo )
 
this is what all this power will be in the near future , I was just taking to a friend (cop) in Chicago . He sent me this :

City of Chicago Air gun laws ?
The City of Chicago has stricter laws regarding air guns than Illinois state law
.
Here's a summary of Chicago's air gun laws:
  • Possession and Use: You are prohibited from possessing or firing an air rifle, toy cannon, or BB gun anywhere within Chicago, regardless of your age.
  • Replica Firearms: Replica air rifles that can be easily mistaken for actual firearms (like rifles or shotguns) are also prohibited, except for limited use at carnivals for target shooting.
  • Definition of Replica Air Gun: A replica air gun is defined as an air gun, air pistol, air rifle, spring gun, spring pistol, BB gun, or pellet gun that a person could reasonably perceive as a firearm, capable of discharging a projectile constructed of hard material with enough force to cause bodily harm.
  • Sales and Transfer: It is unlawful to sell, exhibit for sale, give away, or transfer any replica air gun in the City of Chicago.
  • Penalties: Violating these laws can result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, and/or up to six months in jail for each offense. Community service may be an alternative sentence.
  • Parent/Guardian Responsibility: If an offender is under 18, their parent or guardian may be required to pay the fine or perform community service.
 
this is what all this power will be in the near future , I was just taking to a friend (cop) in Chicago . He sent me this :

City of Chicago Air gun laws ?
The City of Chicago has stricter laws regarding air guns than Illinois state law
.
Here's a summary of Chicago's air gun laws:
  • Possession and Use: You are prohibited from possessing or firing an air rifle, toy cannon, or BB gun anywhere within Chicago, regardless of your age.
  • Replica Firearms: Replica air rifles that can be easily mistaken for actual firearms (like rifles or shotguns) are also prohibited, except for limited use at carnivals for target shooting.
  • Definition of Replica Air Gun: A replica air gun is defined as an air gun, air pistol, air rifle, spring gun, spring pistol, BB gun, or pellet gun that a person could reasonably perceive as a firearm, capable of discharging a projectile constructed of hard material with enough force to cause bodily harm.
  • Sales and Transfer: It is unlawful to sell, exhibit for sale, give away, or transfer any replica air gun in the City of Chicago.
  • Penalties: Violating these laws can result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, and/or up to six months in jail for each offense. Community service may be an alternative sentence.
  • Parent/Guardian Responsibility: If an offender is under 18, their parent or guardian may be required to pay the fine or perform community service.
Chinacago, ILLinois…🙈
 
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