What is a good pellet rifle for under $200?

Question

I am interested in purchasing a pellet rifle.

What would you recommend to a beginner?

I am looking for an accurate single stroke spring piston rifle that I can play with every once in a while.

Thanks.

Answer 1

IMHO the RWS model 34 .177 is to air rifles what the Ruger 10/22 is to .22 rimfire rifles. This is a spring piston, precision air rifle built to last several life times. 1000fps, lifetime warranty, at around your price of $200, for the combo(rifle + scope). The new version with a synthetic stock will save you about $40-$50 , this(new version) is fairly new and I have only seen a couple up for sale.

for info on air guns - If you're unfamiliar with the history of air guns it's quite a remarkable read. Such as the Lewis & Clark air rifle! This is maybe the most important firearm in US history. A 22 shot .46 caliber rifle in 1803-05 was pretty impresive to the Indians that the Lewis & Clark expedition met on their journey. As the Indians had no way of knowing that all of the men in the L&C party were not armed with one of these rifles.
http://www.beeman.com

for air gun sales
http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com
http://www.pyramidair.com
http://www.airgundepot.com
http://www.gunbroker.com >search air guns>there are 5 NIB model 34's (a couple of them include the scope) for sale ranging in price from $179 to $224.99 - I have seen the new synthetic stock M34 for $160 - The dealers on GB are cheaper than the wholesalers, I included their site so you could take a look at the specs

Beeman imports very high quality air guns. I have one of their older air rifles, the Beeman > Feinwerkbau 124D know to most as the FWB 124 >Only 850fps but the accuracy is almost olympic match grade, in a sporting rifle, and the total maintenance on this rifle calls for one drop of oil after the first six million rounds. I shoot a lot but I'm still a little short of six million LOL .

I have no experience with Gamo air guns, I would compare them to RWS and Beeman for quality, price , etc before I made a purchase. Dynamit Nobel RWS has been making very high quality air guns for a very long time.

Answer 2

Another vote for Gamo. They make good quality, serious rifles for varmint hunting and they are accurate enough for competition. You may have to spend up to $300 but you will have a fine rifle that you will be proud of.

I would recommend one in .177 caliber and when you're ready, step up to a .22 rimfire rifle like a Ruger 10/22 or a Remington 597 (or something of the like).

The Hunter Series, Nitro Series, and Shadow Series all have rifles in your price range that should be really nice.
http://www.gamousa.com/Catalog.aspx?Category=1

Be CAUTIOUS though because these pellet guns can reach rimfire velocities (1000fps) and should be handled with the same care and precaution that you would with a firearm. These are not toys and you NEED to learn safe gun handling before you get one.

Answer 3

Check out www.natchezss.com. They have a lot of Gamo air rifles on sale now. They seem to be a very reliable gun.

Answer 4

I have a Gamo Shadow 1000 and its an excellent rifle. Gamo guns do take awhile to break the trigger in though, but once you do they're quite nice. I can consistently hit quarters at 25 yards. I put a Bushnell 3-9x40 Scope on there. Make sure you buy a scope that can take the double recoil of an airgun or else it'll wear out pretty quick (Bushnells can take the double recoil) http://www.lasc.us/RangingShotRifleAirGunScopes.htm read the article for more info. I personally recommend Gamos. Make sure you learn to shoot a pellet gun accurately. http://www.pyramidair.com/blog gives great tips, you just have to search around a little bit. It's different from shooting a rifle, light loose grip as opposed to a tighter rifle grip. Hope this helps

CF-X. Pretty good gun.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=63748&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Shadow 1000. I've got it. Shoots great.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0030028227175a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=gamo&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=gamo&noImage=0

Hunter 440. No scope included, but comes with a wood stock, which looks alot better in my opinion

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0045464223498a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=gamo&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=gamo&noImage=0

Refurbished Shadow 1000 with a better scope.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0039858228162a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=gamo&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=gamo&noImage=0

Answer 5

Save your money and buy a new or used 22caliber rifle!!!!!!! You can buy a lot of gun if you have $200 dollars to spend!!! It's a better choice rather than a pellet gun!!!!

Answer 6

Please remember they aren't toys! I lost an eye to an air gun. Don't get one, get a playstation or something.