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

[MT930]

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

[BeyGon]

Proven once again, "Peace through Superior Firepower"

[M.D. Holloway]

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.

[futuresoptions]

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.

[MT930]

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?

[azasadny]

Fascinating, I never knew about these air rifles.

[gwood]

Actually, they do make them like they used to. Here's a picture of a bison killed with a .458 Quackenbush air rifle.

[targa911S]

shut up!!!

[MT930]

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

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

Tell us more

[Mr.Puff]

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

Small bore.
Sumatra 2500 Air Rifle Review

Big bore.
The Sam Yang Big Bore 909 Review

[azasadny]

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...

[Mr.Puff]

Originally Posted by azasadny

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 . These weapons are not as quiet as you may think (it still has expanding gas). Plus centerfire weapons are still higher velocity.

[VincentVega]

Ruger Air Magnum

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.

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

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!

[Mr.Puff]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

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.

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.

[jyl]

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?