Oops, I did it again - bought another air rifle. I tell you, with the .22 rimfire ammo situation the way it is, and the lack of availability of powders for reloading, I would have used up my modest supply of both a long time ago if it were not for air rifles and pistols. As kind of a happy side benefit of having "rediscovered" the air powered arm, I can see myself continuing with them even after the current situation with "real" guns runs its course. They are an awful lot of fun, and I don't have to drive anywhere to shoot them.
Anyway, all of that aside, I bought another RWS Diana German made spring piston rifle. This one is the Model 48, in .22 caliber. It's a bit unusual in that the barrel is fixed, and it uses a side lever to cock it. This one is a real powerhouse, too, easily generating 22 to 23 foot pounds of energy with the right pellets. H&N Field Target Trophy round nose, 14.66 grain pellets seem to be its favorites. Ten shot groups across the back yard (about 30 yards) cut one ragged hole. These pellets leave the muzzle at about 840 fps, a huge increase over my RWS 34 break barrel that starts them at about 570 fps. The difference is very noticeable - I can't wait to try it out on some rats...
