.22LR or Air rifle?

[dangaff]

This question is very common i know.

In less than a year i will have my full license and be buying some guns, i am stuck with buying a .22 or a air rifle.

I have thought of buying a:
Good air rifle but shitty .22
Good .22 but pretty crappy air rifle.

Or

A very good air rifle.

If i was persuaded enough to buy a very good air rifle, i would be looking at something along the lines of FX, Air Arms, BSA & all of that quality.

Probably in .22.

Shooting rabbits and birds would be required from it, so that is why i am starting to lean to a good air rifle.

Any opinions, were you stuck with the same issue?
Any recommended air rifles or .22's?

Thanks

[makrand]

Depends what range you are shooting at, and the environment.
If you want to shoot rabbits beyond say 50M then if it were me I would go with a .22LR. A powerful PCP air rifle will stretch a little beyond if you are a good shot but it is just as loud as the .22LR.
Otherwise a good air rifle will do the job.
Ask Lewis who is on here if you go with the air rifle. He will give you good advice.

[stinkitup]

For a cheap 22 find yourself a lithgow model 12 should be able to find one for $150 will probably need scope and mounts but for a cheap accurate field 22 you can't go past them.

Depends what you want to shoot Air rifles are a little more specific I spose too but where as the 22 will cover small game and shots on foxes/cats as well.

[RayG]

Hi Dang,
Heres my 2 cents worth..... based on the economics of your situation, I would go for the best .22 Rimfire you can afford new or SH and when finances permit do the same thing with a good airrifle. But be aware you do need a good quality PCP .22 to get anywhere near the .22 Rimfire performance this = money even one SH of the best can be pricey.
Be fussy in the .22 Rimfire you buy there are plenty of them out there.
enjoy your shooting,
Ray.

[andrewbron]

hey,
just some simple advice, dont buy cheap crap. you will regret it! if you find somthing you like ask on here what everyone thinks about it before putting your money down. but again thats not to say you carnt buy quality gear cheap as stated above.

[dangaff]

Are .22PCP's just as loud as a .22LR?

Yeah the only thing about a PCP is i don't think my LGS supply's air canisters or has a pump there, would probably need to order it in from elsewhere.

How does the Lithgow Model 12 shoot?

Good for the price?

Thanks

[stinkitup]

Are .22PCP's just as loud as a .22LR?

Yeah the only thing about a PCP is i don't think my LGS supply's air canisters or has a pump there, would probably need to order it in from elsewhere.

How does the Lithgow Model 12 shoot?

Good for the price?

Thanks

The model 12's shoot great, they won't win bench comp probably but will shoot pretty close to MOA or better to 50 meters. I grew up learning on a model 12 and would love to get one now but the brno is a good tool too but they seem to be 400+ from what I have seen and not really much better than the lithgow however might be easier to do trigger jobs etc too.

[dangaff]

There is a 2 for sale on Usedguns

Would it be better to go for a .22WMR or a .17HMR rather than a .22LR?

[cruisey]

Would it be better to go for a .22WMR or a .17HMR rather than a .22LR?

I would stick to a decent .22 for your first rifle Dan, cheap to feed so you can get lots of practise done at a low cost, which will be really important once you start shooting

Cheers, cruisey

[dangaff]

Would it be better to go for a .22WMR or a .17HMR rather than a .22LR?

I would stick to a decent .22 for your first rifle Dan, cheap to feed so you can get lots of practise done at a low cost, which will be really important once you start shooting

Cheers, cruisey

Just a regular .22 or WMR?

Is WMR ammo still cheap too?

[curan]

Hi Dan,

The beauty of 22lr and air rifles is that you get a lot of ammo for the money.

Air rifles cost more initially ($500aus - scoped - will start to get close for hunting), but ammo is dirt cheap.......500 rounds of decent heavy .22 for under $20aus.

Go flash on the ammo, and you still won't pay a lot more.

Rimfire in .22lr is cheaper to buy the rifle (Lithgow M12 for <$150), but ammo will be about $4.50aus per 50 for bunnies. so 500 rounds will cost about $45aus.

So, as a young bloke with finite funds, a good gecardo (or similar) with multiple tins of the right ammo will do you the world of good. And you can do that for well under $500aus scoped. Lewis is in the Business Forum, and I'm sure you will be able to get something suitable from him. And the airgunners on this site worship him......he is good.
And the bargain rimfire of the century (for hunting) is a Lithgow M12 for the rest. And when a young bloke shoots it.....he feels good!

This way you can refine your shooting skills with the air rifle (dirt cheap ammo), and hunt with either the same rifle, or learn open sights with the Lithgow on bigger prey.

The main issue is to get something that you can afford to buy and feed. Practise on the cheap one, work on the other.

I'll admit it is hard to think about this on a budget. I have a PCP with scope worth over $1200. But you can get into it with a cheap Norica and scope for under $320. Not sure about that price. What I do know is that you will not go far wrong with Lewis. You may spend more for quality. He backs everything he sells. That's what makes him special. Post him in the Business Forum.

Get the air rifle right. Practice with it. The Lithgow will do what you need. And one day, you will want more. But you will be at a stage where you will want to do better, but have the skill as well.

regards, curan

[cruisey]

Just a regular .22 ?

Yep, that would be my choice for a first rifle.

[dangaff]

Thanks Curan

I thought if i do have left over money, instead of getting a expensive .22, could go with just a lithgow since they dont sound all that bad, usual scope for under 200 bucks.

And still be able to afford at least a $500-1,000 scope air rifle hopefully.

I do find them fun especially since you can also get birds with them, easy and fun to shot.

Hopefully there will be a selling lithgow when im ready to buy

Ill pm Lewis and see what he thinks is best.

Thanks again

[crowbuster]

My 2 cents would be in your situation & with limited funds I would opt for a CZ 22lr. These are about $450 new and are up there with the best in terms of quality & accuracy. 22lr ammo is cheap and for the cost of this setup (about $700 with a decent scope), you will be able to shoot larger game at longer ranges than with an airgun. Also a half decent AG will cost you double that amount, and it's not worth buying cheap rubbish that will only disappoint.

In summary, buy the 22 rimfire & if you still want an AG keep saving and go for quality.....

crowbuster

[dangaff]

Yeah thats what i am thinking

I like the 2010 savage rimfires, CZ Varmint range, Savage Thumbholes, CZ thumbhole once it comes to Australia.

I am looking at prices at all different gun shop website's.

Any idea when the CZ thumbhole comes out?