Favorite air rifle for home practice

[gregw72]

Like many of you, other things get in the way of me making it to the range to do some real smallbore practice. I bought a RWS 34 in .22 caliber for home practice (and squirrel management... which my wife will unfortunately not allow... so that is no longer requirement), but am finding that it is not as accurate as I would like for my 30' of range. Also, the thing actually has a pretty heavy recoil which makes follow thru a bit tougher. I am wondering what you guys use. I also need it to be quiet and am not interested in CO2 or PCP rifles. Some people have suggested the Beeman R7, but I want to hear what you think. Thanks!

[Jerry G]

I had an RWS Dina 100 and loved it. I now have a RIKA trainer so I sold the RWS.

[Dee]

Sounds like you want a SSP (Single Stroke Pneumatic) self contained, single pump totally recoiless and Olympic quality trigger and accuracy.

The R7 is also a spring gun just like the 34 but a bit milder and if you smooth it out with a tune it doesn't jump like the 34 but it is not recoiless.

If you want to train a good 10m rifle is the way to go, it demands good form and follow through which translates to any rifle.

What is your budget and main objective, just plinkng or serious practice?

Dee

[gregw72]

Good questions. This will be used for serious practice... I figure if I paid almost $2k to get my Anschutz 1712 with scope that I ought to have a better air rifle than the R34 (which I bought before getting back into smallbore). I was hoping to stay <$500 for the rifle and definitely want the ability to put optics on it. Some have suggested the FWT 300 used, but I don't know how realistic that is. When I called Beeman today, they suggested the R7 because it was their most accurate springer and had the least recoil. You're right though, I would definitely like something that didn't have the push/pull recoil of an air rifle, which is completely different than the .22 LR. I think RWS has a 54 that has a recoil compensator. The thought of having to buy a $300 pump for a PCP or having CO2 just seems like a hassle. A good trigger would definitely be another big plus.

[Shandy]

Sounds like you would be best served by a 10m match rifle. Accurate as all get up (so you can work on actually shooting the thing, rather than trying to work out how to hold and manage the recoil of a spring air rifle). They only shoot around 550-600fps with light pellets but if there is no wind you can shoot a silhouette match with it also. It is a 10m gun, that's what they do.

Your best bet is probably going to be a used FWB 300. It is a spring powered 10m airgun, but it has a sliding shuttle system that negates the recoil. It's easy on scopes, supremely accurate and a magnificently crafted piece of equipment. Nice offhand stock too. Look no further: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/me ... 7/FWB+300s.
It will cost you a few hundred, there is a bloke named Jim Edmonson that sells them as fresh imports from Germany. Do some searching here to try and track him down: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/

Another one would be the Walther LGR. This one is a single stroke pneumatic. Again, same as above regarding ergonomics, quality, accuracy, recoil (none). Just check to make sure they have full dovetails though, not sure on that.

Diana 75 is another nice one. Spring powered, recoilless. But generally the FWB gets the nod.

I'd avoid the RWS 54, it's big, it's heavy (heavy out front), its magnum powered and it is an absolute scope killer!!! It seems recoil free to the shooter but not to the scope. Avoid this one.

The R7 wont be much of an improvement on what you already have, the reason Beeman suggest it is because the sell them. Sure they are a nice gun, but if you are serious about practice and absolute accuracy see the above ones, they are a whole nother league above the R7. Plus the R7 is tiny, like a toy.

All the best.
JD

[ter]

I have the Air Arms 400 PCP. I also have the SCBA cylinder, and a convenient place to have it filled. I feel it is of the same quality and very similar feel of the 1712. The AA400 has adjustable power to raise shot count and safety. I also have the Anschutz 9003 match rifle, and the shooting experience is very different than the AA sporter rifle. I shoot the 9003 in an indoor league in the winter, and when that is done, I switch to the AA rifle for summer.

[psteiger]

I have 3 out all the time. Diana 75, Anschutz 380 and FWB 300S. All have adjustable cheekpieces and are complete joys to shoot. Bug your buddies and find one that fits you best. Silhouette people are always willing to let you try their stuff.

[steve b.]

I shoot an Anschutz 9003, but I also added a Tactical Solutions suppressor to it. It's nice and quiet inside!

[durant7]

Before they got expensive, I feel like the 2002SSP is a great tool for training. Although I skimmed the email, the issue is ease of mounting a scope and the gate/bolt closure. I find the 2002SSP to be a great practice tool as they are VERY durable. As a less expensive device the FWB 300S is anther choice. No gate to consider. They are easily worked on at home. They are far more abundant than 2002SSPs. Lastly, the Diana 75. I have shot them and they are very nice. Mounting a scope can be more difficult as they have a large gate which pops up to load the rifle. In closing, a 300S is a great tool. If you really get into air practice at home....you might outgrow the 300S and step up to a larger, more adjustable stocked 2002SSP. I am a little rusty but this more can be 2x a 300S.

One person's experience. I might add the slower the pellet (10m target gun) the more input you will get regarding follow through issues.

[Jerry G]

Dee, I always thought that was known as a "farter". They work on an air release, not a spring release. The best part is you can use any scope on them without worring about the forward recoil.