Air Spoons They Don't Make Them Like they Used To
 

These are cool, very innovative for 1800 I was always fascinated with the mention of these in the journals of Lewis & Clark.

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Proven once again, "Peace through Superior Firepower"

They have air rifles that fire 1500 fps. I have seen (although not varified) .50 cal air rifles that can blow away a few watermelons. Seems to me with a bit more work they could replace gunpowder charged weopons.

Just purchased a Ruger Air Magnum for myself. Gave my Gamo Hunter to a friend of mine. The Ruger Air Magnum is the best deal going right now IMHO. For $165. you get a full size, built like a tank, solid rifle capable of 1400 fps with high velocity pellets, 1200fps with light weight lead pellets. I intend on keeping mine below super sonic speeds with 10.5gr hollow point pellets. This rifle is a high quality (very nice) copy of a RWS Diana 350p magnum. The Ruger has a built in scope mount. So far I have only found the Ruger Air Magnum in .177 caliber, it is made by Xisico and mirrors their XS-B28 rifle which is available in .22 caliber but with a wood stock. Hopefully they will produce the Air Magnum in .22 caliber at some time in the future and I will also purchase one of these (because I prefer the synthetic stocks). This is a mans air rifle, it is too heavy and too powerful for the kiddos IMHO.

I am very interested in a 22 cal air rifle for pasture dispatch. My browning 22 mag bolt rifle is hard to beat. My Ruger10/22 is pretty great too.

I would like something quiet with similar energy to a 22LR I need a heaver bullet that the .177 10.5 Grain , 30+ grain would be great. is there any thing reasonable out there? I know the Euro air rifles are spendy I don't want to spend a bunch.

.177 is not an option at all. Ideally it could drop a coyote or a fox. (I'm dreaming Right)

What are the options?

Fascinating, I never knew about these air rifles.

Actually, they do make them like they used to. Here's a picture of a bison killed with a .458 Quackenbush air rifle.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1298331973.jpg

shut up!!!

I haven't seen those at the local sporting goods store. :eek:

I'm guessing that costs as much if not more than a cartridge fired rifle?

Tell us more

Ohhhh, they still make some good ones! (Korean)

Small bore.
Sumatra 2500 Air Rifle Review

Big bore.
The Sam Yang Big Bore 909 Review

If these air-powered weapons are as powerful as conventional weapons, why haven't they taken over? I can see some distinct advantages to air versus powder, plus the noise and smell factor for hunting...

It probably has to do with the initial cost of the weapon (think $500+ for a nice .22 or .25) and the inconvenience of recharging. You can only get 15-25 shots in the Sumatra before busting out a compressor, scuba tank, or hand pump. A full charge also takes about 360 pumps :eek:. These weapons are not as quiet as you may think (it still has expanding gas). Plus centerfire weapons are still higher velocity.

How loud is something like this? I'm looking for something for critter cleanup and I want it all; quiet, cheap and accurate. Last time I shot a bb gun was a ~20 yrs ago, I have no experience with even decent quality air spoons.

Here ya go!

The Sumatra I posted shoots at about 112dB. I am not sure how that stacks up to a conventional .22, but the reviewer said for an air gun it is loud.

Well, a gunpowder rifle is basically an air rifle, when you think about it. Storing air pressure in a chemical versus in a tank. But I've read rifle cartridges achieve something like 50K psi (handloaders will know the real numbers) and air rifles are rated at like 3K psi. I am not sure how comparable those psi numbers are?