[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Yup - I agree, the 48 is overall a better rifle. I'll probably have another one someday.

I've really never been much of a fan of the springers, which is another reason I gave up the 48. All the noise and commotion, along with the "double whammy" recoil had always kind of put me off. Much more difficult to shoot well than other platforms.

I do like the fact that they are fully self-sufficient, though. When looking for a powerful hunting class airgun that require no support equipment, it really is either that or a multi-pump pneumatic. Having a very capable vintage Sheridan, I'm a little put off by the newly made ones, with their plastic parts and "hardwood" rather than walnut stocks, so another Sheridan was out. Besides, this one is for after dark duty, so it needs to be scoped, and Sheridans don't scope well. Plus, while they shoot great and everything (my son has one), they don't have the fit and finish or the RWS. I wish someone would step up and produce a really nice pneumatic with the fit and finish of the RWS guns, for a reasonable price.

Get the 54 then. Same as the 48, but recoil-less. The action floats on rails, and recoil is greatly, greatly reduced.