Whats the quieter air rifle?

[paz]

A mate and i was chatting the other day, he has an under leaver Diana and i have a break barrel BSA (been lewisized ), are the pre charge air rifles any quieter then the springers?

Paz

[native hunter]

In a simple answer,NO.
But the sub 12ftlb PCP are quiet, anything 25-30ftlb are usually loud as we are not allowed sound moderators in OZ(shame.)
Regards

[paz]

Thanks Native.

Paz

[fenring]

Spring guns have two sorts of noise - mechanical noise from the spring and piston, and the muzzle discharge.

Pneumatics have a very small spring and hammer to open a valve so the mechanical noise is minute. The muzzle crack is greater due to the way the air is released, and also the volume released.

So, if you put a 12ft/lb spring gun and a 12 ft/lb pneumatic side by side the pneumatic would generally make a more noticeable "crack" while the spring gun would have less noticeable muzzle crack but more mechanical noise.

After a spring gun is tuned properly the mechanical noise will go down a fair bit - the muzzle crack becomes a little more noticeable to the shooter as a result.

The other thing with pneumatics is that the air release is very fast and is cut off abruptly once the valve is closed again - I suppose you'd say the firing cycle is faster.

It's much slower with a spring gun by comparison - the spring must overcome the inertia of the piston and get that moving, the piston then compresses the air to the point where that overcomes the tightness of the pellet in the barrel and the pellet is expelled. The piston will still keep going forward a little after the pellet's gone, so the air release isn't cut off as sharply as it was with the pneumatic, so the "crack" isn't quite as sharp or abrupt.

Another thing (and sorry if I ramble on) is that the average spring gun is longer, with the muzzle further from the shooter's face by virtue of the way the guns are laid out.

[paz]

Fen mate that's a great explanation, even clearer now, thanks heaps.

Paz

[trevort]

mynahs in the garden?

[paz]

mynahs in the garden?

Not really, noticed a fair few starlings around though .

Paz

[trevort]

I dont own one cos I just know I couldnt help myself Just not worth the risk tho