I'm a complete novice when it comes to air rifles but done a fair amount of reading re: artillery hold, pellet preference of rifles, scope adjustment, etc. With what seems like so many variables which affect accuracy, I'm trying to maximize my chances of having some success and not getting frustrated/disappointed early on in the learning curve.
Is there a springer that you would recommend as being a good one on which to learn? Based on my reading, it seems that something modestly powered (ie. not a magnum), would be somewhat "better behaved" and easier to learn, yes?
Assuming no price constraints...what's your pick?
Many thanks for all the good advice.
To me, the answer really depends on what you're going to shoot (at). My first air gun was a Gamo, and I thought it was "meh." Only when I started buying better and varied pellet types and grains did I discover that I had shot nearly 2,500 pellets that the gun didn't really like. Even then, I was killing small pests and putting 6/10 inside 1" group at 13 yards. But being a hunter when younger, that frustrated me. I'm capable of much smaller groups (and with my expensive Weihrauchs, I actually achieve them). Nonetheless, my Hammerli 850 Gen 1 CO2 air rifle is effortless to shoot accurately. I've made intentional headshots (tree rats) at just over 25 yards with it (scoped). It's accurate, shoots most pellets without a fuss (but not heavier pellets), and cares not how its held. With that said, if you're looking for fun plinking and pesting, get a medium FPS shooting air rifle (break barrel; CO2; or PCP) and have fun!
If, OTOH, you want to shoot game, get a .22 or .25--and most likely get a PCP. I'm a dedicated spring coil (and gas ram) shooter; but my range is under 30 yards. I believe that my guns will shoot effectively up to twice that range, but accuracy is much more difficult (for me) at those ranges. PCPs don't bounce/recoil like break barrels do.
Yes, the HW30 is perhaps the single best species of break barrel one could buy. If I had bought it first, I probably wouldn't own any others: its quiet, light, not pellet picky, not hold sensitive, and capable of head shot kills of tree rats to 30 yards (my limit).
Since there's lots of really good (and great) options out there, have fun contemplating them all--because, more than likely, it's just your first one....
Arch_E
