Advice on first air rifle

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Johnsgwh

Member
Aug 28, 2016
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Ohio
Hello ladies and gentlemen, 
Looking to purchase my first air rifle for hunting. Will be using it mostly for squirls and an occasional groundhog so decided on a .22 caliber. Will only use it a few times a year so don't want to spend a bunch of money but willing to spend up to $350.00. With the limited info I obtained through the Internet and no hands on experience I narrowed my selection down to the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1, Benjamin NP2 or the RWS 34. Leaning toward the 34 but am a little concerned about the the speed. What do you guys think?
 
I have a NP2 and yes it would kill if you could hit it... The thing about these kind of guns is that all the recoil from that ram smashing down is happening before the pellet leaves the barrel. If I was going to buy a small varmint hunting air gun then add a hundred to what you have and get a Benj discovery PCP with a handpump you get 25 shots on one fill and much better accuracy 
 
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RWS Model 34 is a 14 FPE rifle in .177, which I would recommend at that power level because you have a flatter trajectory. If you are going with a .22 and want to have the same sort of trajectory you get with a .177 you need to look at 18 to 20 FPE. I have a Model 36 which is just a 34 in a fancy stock with a bit longer barrel. They are dead nutz accurate out of the box with the right pellet and will stone squirels and ground hogs out to 35 or 40 yards if you do your part. The rifle is just a joy to shoot and one you won't mind carrying all day long in the woods.
 
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+1 to what old spook said. I prefer .177 too, for the flatter trajectory. Maybe .20 cal would be best, for the compromise. 

The Discovery is discontinued. Look for the Maximus as it's replacement. But those are both pre charged pneumatics, which need to be pumped with a separate pump or filled with a scuba tank. They're accurate at double the distance a springer is. 
 
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Shooting a spring-er is an advanced skill. Shooting a pcp is as easy as shooting a 22lr. Ie it's easy. But that's the truth. And pcp's cost more and you gotta find a source for high pressure compressed air or spend the coin to make your own.I mean I don"t wanna dis springers as good work can be done with them but you gotta know there not easy to shoot as theres a lot of vilonce that happens before the pellet leaves the barrel. And you gotta hold on target or you will miss.
 
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In relation to the Disco video post above:
i paid the extra amount for the wood stock. $242, it just arrived today.
Ordered the muzzle break, shooting sticks, a UTG 4-16x44 30mm compact AO mildot scope with locks, and a taousa 4500 psi pump.
Total cost: $600 minus 42 for pellets... 1400 of em from heavies to hollowpoints, to an assortment pack
I named her Emma after Emma Goldman
God I cant wait to start shooting and learning how to get nasty accurate
 
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Hey Johnsgwh!
I also decided that my first new airgun would be a "springer" or break-barrel. I ordered a Benjamin Trail NP2 .22 wood stock break-barrel a couple of months ago. The "barrel-droop" was so bad that I could not zero-in the included scope! I sent it back and asked for another one, as I figured it was just a "bad apple" in the bunch...Well, the second one had more barrel-droop than the first one and the barrel canted to the right as well! I could not zero that one either, so I sent it back also! 
After much more research and many hours of watching or reading airgun reviews, I chose the Hatsan Mod 95 in .22 caliber. I am really pleased with my choice and pleasantly surprised at the quality, consistency and power of that airgun! And, the best part is it was only $210 from Airgun Depot!
Go with the Diana if you have the bucks...But, remember the Hatsan is a great deal cheaper and a good hunting rifle as well! Best of luck in your search!
 
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