Irish,
Get which ever you like, stop on b y and their is NO chance your rifle will out shoot the .177 Gauntlet we have in the House, period. Could be as good I reckon but it will NOT outshoot the Gauntlet.
NEED a barrel band ( most airguns do not, just the owners) stay away from many top end rifles ( Thomas, Theoben etal. , and yes thier in a different league but NO barrel bands needed).
Your really going to take a 10 shot ( tops ) rifle, install a regulator and hunt? That will work and if the tinkering and extra $$ is fun it sounds like fun the me, as soon as a reg comes out for it if it does. Not a lot of regs for rifle with such a shot count.
Crosman says max fps in .22 is 800fps, I'l bet that number is very close, and not using a heavy ( say 18g) pellet.
For your stated use there are many airguns to choose from, not just the lastest greatest unobtainium - hear they just started shipping the Flash from a sporting good s place thjo ???) .
Jump into the used market at that price and you could move way up the food chain so to speak. Used might well be best for anyone on a budget esp. with the recent airgun trends.
If your accustomed to installing regs & such, or look forward to learning, go that way. For 99% of newer people a rifle with a regulator from the factory might be a more fun and efficient way to go.
Plinking, paper & small sthuff out to 50 ( 70 if your a decent shot ) .177 is just fine and there are SO many pellets to a tin.
Naturally the very best way to decide is to get with other airgunners and shoot theirs, anyone near 99109 is always welcome touse whatever is in the house at that time and many other airgun folks are the same.
You can get a Flash headed your way today!
You can get a fortitude, sometime.
Wanna shoot a new airgun next weekend? Or ?
Might be good to get the flash, the first ones to hit the used market ( should you decide to sell) may sell for a $ more than is 6 more months.
John
