Recommendation for . 22 igt

[DaveRiver]

Hello i new to air rifles, i had purchased a crossman p1322 air pistol but it was far weaker than i thought it would be. Now im looking at igt powered rifles such as gamo whisper.

There are lots of choices and its hard to know which way is best. I see some have numerous complaints about scopes and such (coming loose, bad focus). Im hunting small game and would like something reasonably quiet and around 200 dollars, probably a 22. 

I would appreciate some recommendations.

 

[Sqwirl57]

You'll want to up your budget. You aren't going to get a decent gun WITH a scope for $200. Good rule of thumb is to take the packaged scope out of the box, and place it firmly in the trash. I prefer to set them up on my range and put a pellet through them. To each their own though. A worthwhile scope that will last on that kind of gun will run you $100+

 

[DaveRiver]

Yes i see a lot of reviews that agree with you on the scope issue. Im not sure i really want the scope at all. That time it takes to focus and align through a scope could be missed opportunity. Im wondering if there is something with peep sights that could have a scope installed later if i decide on that. And still around my price range.

 

[Sqwirl57]

What do you plan on hunting? If it's just squirrels and rabbits, grab yourself an HW50S from Krale (linked here). Its over budget ($320 shipped) but it can't be beat in that price range. A lot of people fall for the marketing ploy that Gamo puts out that you need a million feet per second to hunt with. You absolutely don't and you absolutely don't want it regardless. The 50S will outshoot and out hunt any Gamo on the shelf (or off the shelf for that matter).

Oh, and coil spring > gas piston. They're more reliable and give you more room to tinker with.

 

[DaveRiver]

Yes thats over budget and doesnt seem to have any sound dampening, although i dont know how effective those are at actually limiting the noise. Also im reading that the gas piston is able to be kept charged longer than spring models before firing.

 

[Sqwirl57]

I think maybe you need to take a step back and concider the following. Why do all the high end manufacturers (Weihrauch, Air Arms, Diana, Walther) make their guns almost exclusively with a spring piston? Why do all the lower end companies (Gamo, Hatsan, Crossman) push the gas piston so hard? Surely there is a reason for that...

Anyway, if you're dead set on your budget, I would grab a .22 Hatsan 95 (coil spring) and go from there. They make it in a gas ram as well if you so choose.

 

[KitCarson16]

Hard to answer this so this is just a general answer. Most small game is taken on average at or under 35 yards. A squirrel in a tree does not require such as my HW97 that can print a one hole group at 50 yards. A gamo that can print a one inch group at 25 yards will suffice. The whisper with the trigger mod screw will surprise you and easily shoot one inch at 35 to 40 yards. For a test or starter pellet I suggest the 14.66 H and N Field Target Trophy. May not be for your rifle, however overall that pellet is always acceptable in most rifles. Personally I find that the high priced GTO 11.75 no lead pellet is laser accurate in most rifles. It also ups the FPE and also contrary to Urban Legend retains this energy down range simply due to retained velocity. Just be careful and if the speed exceeds 900 fps this is not good as the pellet will tumble. Under that all is good.

Scopes, well those scopes packaged with all the box store air rifles are worthless. If you wish a scope the cheapest one I know of that is acceptable is the BSA scope on the Gamo Website. I think it is a 4 by 12 with an adjustable front objective. It is 90 or so bucks.

If you wish a peep sight, Williams makes a good peep sight for air rifles. Air guns of Arizona keeps them in stock and that costs 70 bucks plus 10 bucks for a large twilight quick sight ring for fast shots on small game. Plus shipping, so 100 bucks either way you go. You can run into problems at longer ranges with this sight as on most rifles the front sight sits very high. it is easy to run out of sight adjustment with a high front sight and replacing that opens a whole new can of worms. 

Now having said all this, might I recommend you save your pennies and waste not on cheap stuff. Save your pennies and buy yourself an HW95 or Beeman R9. You can find them on sale or at Krale for around 400 bucks. A decent scope will cost at least 400 dollars such as an 6-24 Hawke AMX Airmax. This will give you an excellent experience, show you consistent accuracy and enhance your interest in the sport of air guns. HW such as the 95 is only limited by you the shooter, cheap stuff limits the shooter by design.

Cheers

Kit

 

[DaveRiver]

The fact is that the cheap stuff probably suits my current needs the best, varmints at 20 yards and plinking. Im seeing the crosman shockwave c52sxs in .22 with noise suppression and both fixed sights and scope for 113 bucks at amazon and walmart. Thats cheap.

Gamo whisper with scope and no fixed sights is about 20$ more. There is no love for the scopes on these cheap rifles in any reviews so fixed sites are a plus i think.