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What air rifle do you use?

21K views 152 replies 29 participants last post by  Snakecharmer 
#1 ·
I know a lot of people are getting into air rifles, especially the PCP air rifles. I have a Benjamin Marauder .25 cal PCP air rifle that is shooting 900 fps and with Eun Jin 43 grain .25 cal pellets have 77 FPE. More than enough power to knock down squirrels. I'm curious if there are any other air gun enthusiasts on OGF?
 
#102 ·
I liked my multi pump 1322 carbine for the reason of being easy and not finicky. I could never afford a pcp or the cost to run one, but a co2 rifle would probably be a more viable option for me. Which is why I have been looking closely at a qb79 bundle from archer air. A bit on the high side for my taste but 180 or so isnt too bad considering what im getting.
 
#103 ·
Well, took the Benji Trail NP apart and put the 5x8x2-1/2mm rc bearing in it. I'm holding the 5x9x3mm bearing in reserve until I see what the first one does. Figured I'd go this way first since the bearings were available locally from a hobby shop 2 minutes away. It was extremely easy to do, took about 10-15 minutes. Looks like rain moving in tonight and tomorrow so don't know when I'll get my next chance to shoot. Maybe Wednesday, but I'd sure like to sit in a tree stand w/my bow. Well, I can always throw the rifle and a tin of pellets in the car. Let you know how it goes.
 
#105 ·
Wound up cleaning the bore today, and it was pretty dirty. Since I had to cock the rifle to get the barrel to hang in the open position, I decided to shove a pellet in the barrel and see how the trigger was. I wasn't shooting for precision, just feel, splatting the pellet into my backyard garden. What a difference! No more 9 mile long trigger pull! At most it was 3/8" to 1/2" long. Can't wait to get out to the range and punch some paper! I figure I'll have to reset the scope since I've had the action out of the stock and back in, but that doesn't really matter. As long as it groups well is all I care about!
 
#106 ·
Had a chance to pump about 30 more rounds through the Benji today before going to sit in the deer stand. What a difference that trigger mod made! And, it's amazing how hold sensitive this gun is. I tried firing it with the fore end just resting on a foam pad, and it didn't like it one bit! It wants to be fired out of the hands! I guess, for a hunting situation, that's not all that bad. The scope didn't even need to be re-zeroed, and the groups were pretty decent.
 
#107 ·
I prefer to shoot mine off a rest for paper targets....that way I know where it's hitting. I still use a modified "artillery style" hold/rest.
What needs to be remembered,, spring or piston airguns recoil in both forward and rearward direction, so the gun can't be "too" secure in your hold and must be allowed to recoil the entire shot cycle.
When in the woods I'll rest against a tree when possible. Sniping chippers in the yard, I use X sticks. Tough to admit,, but I'm getting too old and weak to shoot accurately off hand.:mad:
 
#145 · (Edited)
I prefer to shoot mine off a rest for paper targets....that way I know where it's hitting. I still use a modified "artillery style" hold/rest.
What needs to be remembered,, spring or piston airguns recoil in both forward and rearward direction, so the gun can't be "too" secure in your hold and must be allowed to recoil the entire shot cycle.
When in the woods I'll rest against a tree when possible. Sniping chippers in the yard, I use X sticks. Tough to admit,, but I'm getting too old and weak to shoot accurately off hand.:mad:
Been a while, but I stopped back to revisit the thread. I may have hit on something the last time I shot the Benji. I was at the hunting club moving a hanging stand, which took a little longer than expected. I still had a little daylight left so I stopped at the range. Still having varying levels of success with the artillery hold, and I'm sure that my arms being tired and sore from the work didn't help.

Inadvertently, I tried something a little different. I simply made a fist with my left hand, laid the heel of my hand on the bench and rested the stock of the air rifle on the top of my fist where the thumb and forefinger are. Suddenly I put 5 pellets nearly through the same hole! Obviously something worthy of further investigation, and I'm hoping I can adapt it to a field situation, maybe with the aid of a shooting stick.

We'll see what happens.

EDIT: I didn't realize this would post right behind HookBender's. He seems to be having the same issues as me with the springer gun. And I understand the rim fire thing. I dearly love my old Winchester Model 61 "gallery gun". Maybe the fist thing might work for you. First chance I get I'm going to hang a fresh Orange Peel target and keep working on this. Also, after my last shooting session, I was able to plant one in the ribs of the nasty old groundhog who's been raiding my garden! I couldn't get a head shot, so I took what I could get. I haven't seen him since. Hoo Rah!
 
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#108 ·
And this is the reason I prefer a PCP air rifle. No worries. Just ordered my fourth gun the marauder .22 pistol.
Kayak, getting ready to pull the trigger on a DayState Wolverine........yeah I wish. Seriously close on an Syn MRod, from the picture it appears you went with high mount rings on your scope, maybe too high? Scope I'm considering is 44mm objective, think a medium height would work on that?
 
#109 ·
I prefer to shoot mine off a rest for paper targets....that way I know where it's hitting. I still use a modified "artillery style" hold/rest.
What needs to be remembered,, spring or piston airguns recoil in both forward and rearward direction, so the gun can't be "too" secure in your hold and must be allowed to recoil the entire shot cycle.
When in the woods I'll rest against a tree when possible. Sniping chippers in the yard, I use X sticks. Tough to admit,, but I'm getting too old and weak to shoot accurately off hand.:mad:
I've noticed a little more "wiggle" in my hold as well. I have to keep reminding myself about proper breathing. Inhale deeply through the nose, then slowly let the breathe out, also through the nose. Somewhere near the end of the exhale the crosshairs will settle down nicely. Of course, that's what makes a nice, crisp, predictable trigger so important. If you hold too long you start wiggling all over again!
 
#110 ·
Kayak, getting ready to pull the trigger on a DayState Wolverine........yeah I wish. Seriously close on an Syn MRod, from the picture it appears you went with high mount rings on your scope, maybe too high? Scope I'm considering is 44mm objective, think a medium height would work on that?
Yeah that would be nice! I just saw an amazing video on Ted's Holdover newest video he has out where he shoots a pigeon on a silo at 150 yards! I have the high mount rings because I wanted to be sure I had clearance for the round clip. The reason why I have them as well is because the scope I have is for a picatinny rail and the marauder has a dovetail rail. That is the only reason for the high scope. It shoots fine, been killing squirrels left and right. Accuracy is amazing. You will not be disappointed if you do end up getting an MRod. I think the medium height would work fine, I was just overly cautious when ordering the adapters because of fear it wouldn't clear the clip on the mrod.
 
#112 ·
The pump works great. Its easy to use. If anything I would get a Hill pump vs the Benjamin one. I don't see the point of getting a tank when you would have to continually go get refilled and pay for it.
 
#114 ·
The hill has something to trap moisture so it doesn't get in the rifle tank. It is supposed to be easier to pump too. I shoot usually 16 shots between 3k to 2k psi and pump back up. Never have needed anymore shots while hunting.
 
#115 ·
I just found this thread. I also got into PCP air guns recently, I picked up a .25 Synrod in the fall and had a ball squirrel hunting after I filled my deer tags. I got Air Venturi carbon fiber bottle to fill from. I also picked up an LED varmint light, raccoons aren't at all bothered by red light. My goal is to get a Coyote with it.
Boar Tree Fur Snow Winter
Gun Rifle Shooting sport Shooting Airsoft gun
 
#119 ·
We're not hunting, just plinking. Picked up a Springfield M14. It's only .177 & Co2, but it is accurate as heck.
Supposed to shoot @700 fps. Been having a blast with it in the backyard. Just a heads up for anyone looking for a "plinker". Plan on trying to fit a wood M14 stock to it just to give it a more realistic weight & feel.
 
#120 ·
Just a note,,, If your pellet rifle doesn't crack a bit look for a better fitting pellet, you'll see that some of the pellets make the gun sound quiet and some of the better made ones will make the gun crack a bit. That's because the better pellets seal better against the lands of the barrel. End result, more speed, better accuracy.
 
#124 ·
I have a gamo whisper .22 with the scope that came with it. For the life of me I cannot get it to shoot consistently. I've tried different types of pellets and I know not to hold it too tightly. I bought it for squirrel hunting but it's pretty useless to me if I can't shoot a decent grouping at 20-30 yards! I've heard that it's a big problem with the gamos b/c it's a break action. Anyone else know anything about this? Wondering if I should remove the scope and try the sights. Any help would be appreciated! I know I'm not that bad of a shot!
 
#125 ·
How many shots have you put through the gun so far? Generally most companies will say around 500 or possibly more before it's broken in and accurate. I had the same situation with my first break barrel. A benjamin .25 nitro piston.
 
#127 ·
I am still having the same issue as well. Took over ten shots at squirrels last year and missed every one. Scope and iron sights. Very frustrating when I have to go home and eat chicken after a day of hunting!
Guess I'll keep pounding lead through it when I have the chance.
 
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