I have had a gamo maxxim in .177 for over a year. I have put close to over 2000 pellets through it at least. It's a good solid accurate gun and I havent had many complaints. But now I think I want something more powerful. I am looking at moving up to .22 because its something new for me. I also want more power because I like power. But I also want an accurate rifle. I also dont want something that is cheap or low quality. But here is my problem. I dont know what gun to buy. The gamo is my 2nd airgun the first being a crossman 1377. And while I do lots of research I dont have much first hand experience with many other airguns. So I want to know what you guys think are some good .22 break barrels I should look into
What .22 magnum break barrel should I buy?
- Thread starter Izak1
- Start date
Well dude I'm also a guy that likes power. However in springers more power usually equates to less accuracy. The recoil is much more severe and unless you have excellent knowledge of the artillery hold its just not worth it. That being said I love the hatsan 130 in 30 cal. I use it for up to 20 or 25 yard hunting. It's pretty good but you might need to replace the breech seal if it doesn't pass the tissue test. There is one very good rifle that doesn't have the recoil sensitivity issue. It's the Diana 54 air king pro. Its receiver rides on rails and requires no special hold. I think it's the best magnum springer ever. It comes in 22 cal and is the closest you will find to Pcp accuracy in a magnum springer. If you don't care about hold sensitivity any Diana will be good and HW has a magnum model thats name is escaping me it might be the hw80 but don't hold me to that. Maybe it's time to go to the dark side and buy a pcp?
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Another vote for the 54. It is a side lever and not a break barrel but that does allow you to put a bipod on it if you wish which is not easy on a break barrel.
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I am aware of the hold sensitivity of the high power break barrels. I will look into both of the rifles you reccomend. Thank you both for the feedback.
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My rws 48 will shoot a ragged one hole group at 40 yards if you do your part. I call it the beast because the recoil is tough and its heavy.
JSB 18.13 avg 870 fps.
JSB 18.13 avg 870 fps.
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As far as breakbarrel, diana 350?
Hw80 in .22 is magnum
Sig asp20 but no longer produced. (Fantastic gun)
Hw80 in .22 is magnum
Sig asp20 but no longer produced. (Fantastic gun)
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Do not believe the artillery hold is the only way to shoot a springer! I have had plenty of success with pulling in a bit especially on magnum guns. Now this does not mean crush it into your shoulder but firmer rather than lighter and of course this needs to be experimented with. As to a recommendations I love the Beeman R1/HW80, it's an old classic that can be found in many different stock variants and can be tuned to around 22-24 fpe. in .22 The Theoben Eliminator is another gem and powerhouse as is the Kodiak/Patriot is but pretty hard to tame. Remember also the term magnum means different things to different people, some regard it as 20 others 25 or more fpe...
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I'd rather get a rifle that is still in production so it is easier to find and I can get factory support if I need to. Also do you guys recommend a gas piston or a spring. My gamo is a gas piston and I really like it and have had zero problems with it. Should I stick to a gas piston or go for a spring piston?
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i had a beeman mach 12.5 in .22 that was an absolute beast .. it was one of the last break barrels i tinkered with before going to pcp and with action work i could hit a chicken egg at 40 with it 'almost' every time ... i gave it to my boy which is now grown and he still has it .. i was thinking about asking for it back if he doesnt use it, definitely the most powerful break barrel i ever had hands on, when they rate it at 1000fps thats with about 18g pellets lol .. i remember destroying a couple of scopes with that thing lol ....
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I have considered the beeman r9/hw95 because I have heard its praises sung by the masses. I have heard it to be an excellent break barrel and the break barrel all others are held to. I will definitely keep it in mind during my ongoing search for a new rifle.
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I have had the air rifles Gamo, Hatsan, benjamin, etc, but Weihrauch I have had zero priblems with, plus their all steel, no plastic parts, or droop barrels. I has a older 34 and I regret letting it go. Another votefor the 95.
I had a magnum and I regret buying it, it was the magnum Diana, by the 40th shot my hand hurt from slapping the barrel to break it open, plus the cocking is strenuous, it also is supersonic, so it sounds like a .22 rim fire. I gave it to my neighbor. I wanted a Diana 54, but after watching someone cocking it repeatedly, I though no on that.
i had the HW77K and it was a laser, but the weight was horrendous. You may think about used pcp if you want more power without all the fuss. Price your going to pay for a GOOD springer may get you into “The Darkside” of the force. Good luck
I had a magnum and I regret buying it, it was the magnum Diana, by the 40th shot my hand hurt from slapping the barrel to break it open, plus the cocking is strenuous, it also is supersonic, so it sounds like a .22 rim fire. I gave it to my neighbor. I wanted a Diana 54, but after watching someone cocking it repeatedly, I though no on that.
i had the HW77K and it was a laser, but the weight was horrendous. You may think about used pcp if you want more power without all the fuss. Price your going to pay for a GOOD springer may get you into “The Darkside” of the force. Good luck
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The RWS 48 has a lot of upside to it.
1. Compact comparted to the break barrels.
2. Fairly easy to shoot stock comparted to the HW80 and RWS 350.
3. Easily tuned to make ever better than stock at 22 foot pounds.
4. Lighter weight than a RWS 54. ( I have carried around both all day hunting before and the 48 wins by a mile).
5. You can get 25-28 foot pounds out of the RWS 350 with a tune kit but the gun with a muzzle brake (Which it need) it a long gun.
6. The HW80 needs to be tuned no matter what in my opinion. It can be tuned to 22 foot pounds. (Stock version are around 17-18)
7. I like all 3 guns (48, HW80 and the 350) but after a while the shorter 48 seems to be easier to hunt with and carry around.
1. Compact comparted to the break barrels.
2. Fairly easy to shoot stock comparted to the HW80 and RWS 350.
3. Easily tuned to make ever better than stock at 22 foot pounds.
4. Lighter weight than a RWS 54. ( I have carried around both all day hunting before and the 48 wins by a mile).
5. You can get 25-28 foot pounds out of the RWS 350 with a tune kit but the gun with a muzzle brake (Which it need) it a long gun.
6. The HW80 needs to be tuned no matter what in my opinion. It can be tuned to 22 foot pounds. (Stock version are around 17-18)
7. I like all 3 guns (48, HW80 and the 350) but after a while the shorter 48 seems to be easier to hunt with and carry around.
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There is also the .22 Long Range Hunter with HW Moderator in the HW80K!
Ask me about it and I will only be able to say positive things about it. I got mine from AOA some years back and it is seemingly just beginning to perform better accuracy.
There was a "breaking in" period with the HW80K Long Range Hunter .22 where the lock-up felt somewhat gritty and resistant; but as I continued shooting that went away and I attributed it to the simple mechanics of the rifle learning how to "work" itself.
It worked itself into my best springer .22 break barrel. PCPs will enhance everything, and any person owning a D54 Recoiless too!
To me a .22 Magnum would be the HW80K .22 Long Range Hunter and the D54 .22. The Diana has more power I see in paper ballistics; but the simple HW80 in a "K" version (short barrel) with an added moderator made by HW that works makes this the best break barrel .22 I've ever had.
There is also the D48 and perhaps even the historical Diana Break Barrel in either .22 or .177: the model 34.
I had never owned one, but my dad had started on a Diana Break Barrel before times I cannot recall.
The best magnums for any caliber pellet you desire, say, .22, come from the PCPs.
That kind of performance is usually better than using a sidelever of springer.
The D54 .22 or The Long Range Hunter by HW with moderator and "K" barrel!
I hope it narrows down for you faster than it did to me with too many years of time with "current" air rifles since 1969.
Kindly,
John
Ask me about it and I will only be able to say positive things about it. I got mine from AOA some years back and it is seemingly just beginning to perform better accuracy.
There was a "breaking in" period with the HW80K Long Range Hunter .22 where the lock-up felt somewhat gritty and resistant; but as I continued shooting that went away and I attributed it to the simple mechanics of the rifle learning how to "work" itself.
It worked itself into my best springer .22 break barrel. PCPs will enhance everything, and any person owning a D54 Recoiless too!
To me a .22 Magnum would be the HW80K .22 Long Range Hunter and the D54 .22. The Diana has more power I see in paper ballistics; but the simple HW80 in a "K" version (short barrel) with an added moderator made by HW that works makes this the best break barrel .22 I've ever had.
There is also the D48 and perhaps even the historical Diana Break Barrel in either .22 or .177: the model 34.
I had never owned one, but my dad had started on a Diana Break Barrel before times I cannot recall.
The best magnums for any caliber pellet you desire, say, .22, come from the PCPs.
That kind of performance is usually better than using a sidelever of springer.
The D54 .22 or The Long Range Hunter by HW with moderator and "K" barrel!
I hope it narrows down for you faster than it did to me with too many years of time with "current" air rifles since 1969.
Kindly,
John
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I'd recommend the RWS48 if I had to have a magnum. It's a side lever, instead of a break barrel, but it has its benefits. Easier to mount a sling/bipod/rail or whatever to the bottom of the stock, it's easier to shoot from a bench, and balances well offhand. Very decent triggers, and generally pretty good build quality.
The worst part about them is the plank of a stock. The LOP is fairly short and it's just very plainly shaped.
I'm a diehard Weihrauch guy, but if it just had to be a .22 and a break barrel I'd get the RWS350. I don't find .22 Weihrauch barrels to be very good, and the HW80 powerplant just isn't very efficient in my opinion.
After all this, I'd still recommend just getting a more modest powered gun like an HW95 or RWS34. They will likely be more accurate by being easier to shoot with less recoil. And in the airgun game, accuracy is what counts more than power. I know thats not what folks like to hear, but I've hunted with airguns quite a many years and have found it to be true myself many times. There is no free lunch with springers, power goes up and easy accuracy goes down.
The worst part about them is the plank of a stock. The LOP is fairly short and it's just very plainly shaped.
I'm a diehard Weihrauch guy, but if it just had to be a .22 and a break barrel I'd get the RWS350. I don't find .22 Weihrauch barrels to be very good, and the HW80 powerplant just isn't very efficient in my opinion.
After all this, I'd still recommend just getting a more modest powered gun like an HW95 or RWS34. They will likely be more accurate by being easier to shoot with less recoil. And in the airgun game, accuracy is what counts more than power. I know thats not what folks like to hear, but I've hunted with airguns quite a many years and have found it to be true myself many times. There is no free lunch with springers, power goes up and easy accuracy goes down.
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The 98 ends it in HW.
HW80s do make repeated accurate firing more difficult than a nice HW98.
The D54 .22 recoiless is something all should SHOOT FIRSTHAND to see if that style fits for them.
I only have ONE D54 and today I asked Hector if he'd be willing to build another D54 .20 with the remaining Lothar Walther .20 barrels in the shop.
That is how serious I am about serious precise air rifle shooting OFFHAND because these rifles are on the heavier side to hold offhand; but they are also the BEST!
HW80s do make repeated accurate firing more difficult than a nice HW98.
The D54 .22 recoiless is something all should SHOOT FIRSTHAND to see if that style fits for them.
I only have ONE D54 and today I asked Hector if he'd be willing to build another D54 .20 with the remaining Lothar Walther .20 barrels in the shop.
That is how serious I am about serious precise air rifle shooting OFFHAND because these rifles are on the heavier side to hold offhand; but they are also the BEST!
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Thank you all for the recommendations. I feel I'm starting to see a trend and that is get the r9/hw95. Since I dont hunt I dont really need a magnum break barrel. Most of my shooting is plinking/target shooting. I will sit on it for awhile because for someone making minimum wage a 450-500 dollar rifle is a lot of money. Again thank you all for the feedback.
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