Increased power in Airguns -- This the Trend?

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2manyAirGunz

2manyAirGunz

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Jul 26, 2018
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My first airgun purchase -- ~5 years ago -- was a Beeman dual caliber .177/.22, break barrel rifle. Of my next 5 air rifle purchases, 5  4 were either .177 or .22 cal.. This includes 2 PCPs. Now it seems, I'm not even considering a PCP, unless it is at least .25 caliber or greater. That, or the gun is capable of being tuned to 40+ FPE in .22 caliber. 

I remember -- a few years back -- talking about airguns with an uninitiated coworker. When I mentioned I was considering a .30 caliber airgun, his jaw dropped. "Thirty caliber!", he asked. The man found it hard to believe that such a thing even existed. But, I digress.

Is this the trend? Powerful air rifles. Not to mention guns that are accurate and ergonomic.

Just asking.
 
From my observation, yes, it is a trend. I recently bought, tried, and returned a Daystate Red Wolf .22 HP. It is a great rifle, but simply not suited to my kind of shooting. When I was subsequently looking for a standard power Red Wolf .22, it was not to be found. I recently bought one from the US distributor, the only source I could find. The HP is great for heavy pellets and/or longer range shooting. At the time, I assumed I would use the rifle a lot on low power and lighter pellets, but that didn't work well. The barrel likes heavy pellets,even on lower powers, and I never got acceptable accuracy with lighter pellets. Plus, it is a very long rifle and, with a suppressor, a very, very long rifle. It was just not a good match for my uses. 
 
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Noted trends:

1. Large caliber, and more power.

2. Bullpups, due to their shorter overall length.

3. Improved sound management.

4. Larger volume tanks on PCP air rifles (partially related to number 1).

5. Non-Bolt action in semi or full auto.

6. Better projectiles for both pellet and slug.

7. Prices on decent optics declining.

8. Prices on compressors for PCP users dropping.

9. Price entry point for PCP dropping.

10. Greater interest in longer range shooting.


 
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I’ve noticed the trend also and have been wondering why someone would spend as much money as airguns cost for power commensurate with powder burners. You can buy a powder burner for approximately half the cost of a high end pcp. I think it is the challenge. Maybe there should be two categories of pcp’s, pellet guns and airguns. .25 and smaller are pellet guns and .30 and larger are airguns. We may need those designations if the government gets involved in our sport. Just saying and not being critical of anybody. 
 
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IMHO shooting at live quarry with my 28-29 FPE .22 PCP, 100 yards IS long range. Seems that at 100 yards the wind can really move the JSB 18s around. For the pesting/shooting I do the lower power PCPs really shine. Much like archery tackle, some want to see “how close” they can get to their quarry, others “how far away” they can hit they’re target. I’m hoping the trend doesn’t lose sight of the fact that most backyard shooters don’t need 40+ FPE airguns. Also, for me once you start approaching .22 rim fire energy levels it really limits the amount of shots you can take while pesting around structures, livestock, etc. The trend towards more and more power is cool, but when I get the urge to shoot over 100 yards I pull out my CZ452 .22 LR and lob rounds out to 200 yards. 
 
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We’re guys... Horse power is to fpe like torque is to velocity. Power and speed we like it! Throw in some accuracy and she’ll get’r done! What good is a Corvette with a four cylinder?
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A 2.5L four banger with a twin turbo would easily work in place of the V8. It will also lighten things up and let you use turbo/engine position and piping to balance the weight lower.

Anyways I hear you on airguns. Low power precision has been proven so the logical progression is to increase the power and work on regaining the precision seen with lower power guns but at longer ranges.
 
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For some of us outside the US, airguns are the only guns we can legally shoot (without huge efforts of red tape, money, and time).


So, of course we want more performance out of our airguns...! 😉



Again, we might be legally able to use powder burners, but where we live people don’t appreciate the noise of a PB – so a silenced PCP is the solution.





More power/ bigger calibers also allow shooting bigger quarry = more options for hunting, and more exciting options for hunting....





For some of us long range shooting is fascinating, and using an AG instead of a PB gives us the option to experience much (not all) of the challenge of shooting long distance, but within the confines of a couple hundred yards — much easier to get access than to a 1000 yard range or property.. 

But for that we need power.... 😉
 
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A 2.5L four banger with a twin turbo would easily work in place of the V8. It will also lighten things up and let you use turbo/engine position and piping to balance the weight lower.
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That would make that car “more powerful “ and “faster”, wouldn’t it?

Respect all to those shooting 12fp and sub 12fp airguns. You guys are skilled shooters!
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Seems most folks in the U.S. want firearms of their airguns.

Used to be more that airguns were a useful tool for pesting and learning to drop wind, trigger control, other.

12fpe is GREAT , 20fpe and you dont need to worry even 1/2 as much about wind & drop.

Airguns are the best learning tool but people do not want to learn rather most want the rig to do it form them. Folks have no desire to learn technique and many do seem to be drawn to the quite side and shoot where one might not be allowed. Then the latest/greatest gots ta have the most toys attitude plays into current airgun trends. 

Just more power more speed more shots faster and if laser range finding and auto bdc and acquired target tracking are offered folks with more money than desire will jump right on them.



John



(edit)- most folks seem to have missed just how close airguns came to regulation a year ago with the "ear protection" silencer bill ( for BP's ) that faded away -THANKFULLY- which would have made silencers legal and all airguns with shrouds/other would have instantly been firearms. 
 
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I think that’s more of a human nature thing “ wanting more” . I recently shot a Kalibrgun cricket mini carbine at Ga. Airgun’s , sweet shooting gun , but less ft lb than my regular cricket both in .22. Also notice the new Dreamline is lower in power than most new guns from FX,.22 caliber. Air Arms , same thing , so maybe it’ s starting to balance out. My opinion is this is plenty for that particular caliber, if you need more then go to a larger caliber. I have a power tuned .25 cricket, but find myself shooting the .22 cricket more.

Tracker90
 
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I’ve noticed the trend also and have been wondering why someone would spend as much money as airguns cost for power commensurate with powder burners. You can buy a powder burner for approximately half the cost of a high end pcp. I think it is the challenge. Maybe there should be two categories of pcp’s, pellet guns and airguns. .25 and smaller are pellet guns and .30 and larger are airguns. We may need those designations if the government gets involved in our sport. Just saying and not being critical of anybody.
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Not a chance in the world. Once the government steps in, it is all or nothing. They will regulate ALL air gun the same. It will probably be, "they are all firearms and subject to firearms laws." In some states, that is already the case as we all know.

What is adding to the confusion is the amount of blabber the big bore guns are getting these days. We are sticking our heads up and I expect the government to take its shot very soon because of it.
 
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