October 09, 2015
By J. Scott Rupp
Air rifles have been more than toys for a long time. Thirty years ago, I competed in 10-meter air rifle with a rig that cost more than any of the hunting rifles I owned at the time. Today's models boast incredible speed and power - to the point some people are hunting animals much larger than the rats, starlings and other vermin we used to shoot.
While they're not kids' toys, they are great for teaching youngsters how to shoot as well as serving as terrific training aids for veteran riflemen. With their slow barrel times, air rifles demand the best trigger squeeze and follow-through you can muster. And if you ever want a lesson in how wind affects a projectile, try shooting air rifle metallic silhouette in a full value 10 to 15 mph wind. (Hint: It's a hoot!) Best of all, you can shoot air rifle just about anywhere — in your basement, in your backyard (check local ordinances). Plus, it's cheap, and as far as I know, there's no shortage on pellets like there is on .22 ammo. A tin of 300 .177 pellets goes for about $10.
Here's a look at some of the current new models on the market. It's by no means a comprehensive list. Maximum velocities are typically achieved with alloy pellets, although some published figures were specifically generated with lead pellets and are so noted.
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Operation: gas ram
Max Velocities: 1,250 fps (.177), 1,000 fps (.22), 750 fps (.25)
Price: $400
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Under-lever cocking mechanism, bolt-action loading. The synthetic ambi thumbhole stock includes three stock spacers to change length of pull, an elevation-adjustable comb, and it also features a recoil pad. Integral suppressor, TruGlo fiber-optic sights and fully adjustable two-stage trigger. Anti-bear-trap safety. Weaver-style 11mm/2mm mounts included.
hatsanUSA.com
Operation: gas ram
Max Velocities: 1,350 fps (.177), 1,100 fps (.22)
Price: $340
A break-open, the Thunderceptor has a fixed Picatinny rail up top and an integral sound suppressor. The tactical-style synthetic stock has an adjustable cheekpiece. Two-stage trigger and a manual anti-bear-trap safety. Comes with a 3-9x50 mil-dot scope.
remington.com
Remington Thunderjet
Operation: gas ram
Max Velocity: 1,350 fps (.177)
Price: $230
A break-open, the Thunderjet has a fixed Picatinny rail and an integral sound suppressor. The tactical-style synthetic stock is stippled at the grip and fore-end. Two-stage trigger and a manual anti-bear-trap safety. Comes with a 3-9x40 illuminated reticle scope.
remington.com
Operation: CO2
Max Velocities: 750 fps (.177), 525 fps (.22)
Price: $222
The semiauto MCX uses a belt-fed pellet magazine capable of shooting 30 pellets in 3.5 seconds. Has integral Picatinny optics rail and accessory rail, as well as flip-up and adjustable front and rear sights. Metal housing and double-reinforced seals. Available with SIG 20R red dot sight or scope for a $78 upcharge.
SIGsauer.com
Operation: CO2
Max Velocities: 600 fps (.177),
475 fps (.22)
Price: $200
The semiauto MPX uses a belt-fed
pellet magazine capable of shooting 30 pellets in 3.5 seconds. Has integral Picatinny optics rail and accessory rail, as well as flip-up and adjustable front and rear sights. Metal housing and double-reinforced seals. Available with SIG 20R red dot sight for a $78 upcharge.
SIGsauer.com
Operation: spring piston
Max Velocity: 1,000 fps (.22)
Price: $211
A break-barrel requiring 34 pounds of force to cock,
the Targis Hunter features a non-removable suppressor,
synthetic stock and an adjustable two-stage trigger. Comes with a 3-9x32 scope.
umarexUSA.com
Operation: gas ram
Max Velocities (lead): 1,050 fps (.177), 850 fps (.22)
Price: $254
A break-barrel requiring 30 pounds of force to cock, the Yukon features the ReAxis reverse-axis piston and has a non-removable suppressor. Comes with 3-9x32 scope, rings and a mounting rail. Trigger is a two-stage adjustable.
umarexUSA.com
Operation: spring piston
Max Velocities: 1,000 fps (.177), 800 fps (.22)
Price: $396
A break-barrel requiring 33 pounds of force to cock, the Model 34 sports a hardwood stock, two-stage adjustable trigger and adjustable rear sight.
umarexUSA.com
Operation: gas ram
Max Velocities: 1,200 fps (.177), 1,000 fps (.22)
Price: $199
Features a Picatinny rail up top for easy scope mounting, and in fact it comes with a Stoeger 4x32 scope that features plenty of eye relief to accommodate lots of shooters. CNC-machined breech for precision metal-to-metal lockup and tight seal.
StoegerAirguns.com
Operation: piston spring
Max Velocity: 550 fps (.177)
Price: $99
A break-barrel requiring only 16 pounds of force to cock.
Ambidextrous automatic safety at the back the receiver, fiber-optic sights. Available with either hardwood hunter-style stock or skeleton tactical stock (shown), both with an 11.75-inch length of pull.
StoegerAirguns.com
Operation: gas ram
Max Velocity: 1,250 fps (.22)
Price: $262
A break-barrel requiring 42 pounds of force to cock, the Octane features the ReAxis reverse-axis piston. The rifle also has a non-removable suppressor and comes with a 3-9x40 scope. The trigger is an adjustable two-stage.
umarexUSA.com
Operation: spring piston
Max Velocities: N/A (.177),
690 fps (.22)
Price: $230
A break-barrel requiring 32 pounds of force to cock, the rifle sports TruGlo fiber-optic sights, automatic safety and a "Hi-Grip" finish on its synthetic stock.
umarexUSA.com
