I'm a cheapskate, I shoot a .177 GAMO. The thing is ridiculous accurate. On a calm day if you can figure the drop, you can shoot it accurately out to 50 yards or a little farther. If have done target shooting at 50 yards and can actually group pretty well. My son wanted an inexpensive air rifle and bought a Ruger. It shoots accurately but I've got to get him a better scope for it.
These are the pellets we shoot.
Robot Check We both tried the tapered point pellets and couldn't group them consistently.
BTW, I bought my GAMO several years ago for $100 and put a Simmons 3x9 on it from my 22 mag. My son's Ruger cost about $100 and came with a throw away scope.