Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I know, airguns are not by true definition firearms. They are, however, guns.

Any other airgunners out there? Just curious - I have Beeman (springer type) and really enjoy it. Not nearly as impressive as my .300 Win Mag, but almost as much fun to shoot. Helluva lot cheaper, too.

Yup I shoot my airguns all the time it's cheap and good practice,I have a few different airguns my most used is a 1911 type that I practice my draw and reflexive fire with. plus i can shoot them in my back yard without scaring the neighbors or having the cops called.

Awesome. Yeah, I've heard that mastering a springer makes for a better 'firearm' shooter, while a better firearm shooter may not necessarily be a good shot with a springer. I assume it has something to do with follow through and technique.

Here in Fairfax Co, if you're on less than an acre, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to shoot them because the County treats them as conventional firearms.

I've looked at them before. However here is a house behind mine that I would be worried about hitting. I might still get one to shoot over a neighbor's house or something. The break barrels look nice and cheap. I don't know about the laws around here in Chesterfield but I wouldn't have a problem.

Well, if local laws don't prohibit it, just be sure you have a sufficient backstop (I know, this goes without saying). Occasionally I set mine up in the garage for quick sighting in (ok, mostly out of boredom or when I get tired of the PS3), and I usually include 10-12" of backstop material, and 2 x 12 cut-outs / segments. I really like the Beeman Crow Magnums, which are basically hollow point pellets (they seem to be the most accurate in my rifle for whatever reason). The benefit is that they expand quickly, and don't quite have the penetration of wadcutter or pointed pellet. Worrying about the neighbors is a valid concern - air rifles such as mine have muzzle velocities of around 950-1000 fps, though I think these drop into the 700-800 fps range at 25 feet or so. I've heard that the lighter supersonic pellet varieties have questionable accuracy / consistency.

chfaunce wrote:Any other airgunners out there? Just curious - I have Beeman (springer type) and really enjoy it.

Yep. I probably shoot my Hammerli RWS 850 (.22) more than anything else. Lots of fun.

It's very quiet, especially after I put a taped-up Umarex compensator on it. I use it as much in town as at the cabin; my neighbors would never know I was shooting it if I didn't tell them.

R/Kurt

Niiiiiiice. How's the CO2? I had a lower end CO2 air pistol years ago, and while it was fantastic during say the first 20 - 25 shots (or so), I noticed a dropoff in power / velocity as I neared the end of the CO2 cartridge (for obvious reasons, of course). Maybe is was just a poorly designed seal. Who knows. That looks pretty high end - do you ever notice any shot consistency shortcomings?

The CO2 models are attractive - my rifle is a single shot 35 lb pull break barrel. Definitely not bad, until you're on that 50th shot or something. I guess the great news is that that it's a little workout.

chfaunce wrote:Niiiiiiice. How's the CO2?

It uses the larger 88 gram cartridge (hidden in the front end of the stock), so the velocity and consistency stay constant for a good long while. I've been able to shoot around 22 8-round magazines before I notice any change. By that time, I'm almost at the end of the cartridge and can only use it for another 3-4 magazines anyway.

chfaunce wrote:That looks pretty high end.

Actually, it's at the low-end of the price range for semi-automatic air rifles; you can often find them for around $200-250. Crossman repeaters are still cheaper and just as much fun, but not quite as accurate or consistent; also they only use small cartridges unless you put on a goofy-looking external converter. Other brands are $100 to $800 more.

R/Kurt