Air Gun Home :: View topic - what the best air rifle for around 150 bucks

troublemaker · New Member

had a gamo big cat really liked it but it was stolen... dont wanna spend big bucks for a airgun, gonna be used for small game

broommaster2000 · Moderator

I would take a look at some Chinese airguns, if they're still available.

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

There are several ones in that price range. There's several crosmans but they all have they same innards. There are beeman, and I own of them Nice rifle but sometimes they are a pain to cock that last little bit they say they are a nice rifle pricewise. II haven't shot it enough to know about quality but so far, so good. There will be others here with their faves too. At that price range crosman makes several too

Crosman140 · Senior Member

I love my Crosman G1. $100 when on sale.

Also, a Crosman 1377 with the 1399 shoulder stock makes for a nice carbine rifle. I see you have the 1377, so about $30 for the shoulder stock and you're good to go. You can use your bass pro gift card to buy the stock. Wink

SMP · Silver Status Member

I'm going to stick with consensus and say there are some good crosmans for $100 or less. Leaving you with some budget for nice to haves and ammo.

This is what my $90 Phantom .22 will do with stock sights

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oddtodd · Silver Status Member

I know that's more than 10 metres isn't it SMP? My storm XT can leave 1 ragged hole at 10 metres. Of course it depends on how goot you have it tuned. Crossman barrels in the past have had a proper facing problem. I took off of the end of there and recrowned it and it made an amazing difference.

SMP · Silver Status Member

It's just over 10m. I have a little "winter" range from my woodshed to the back of my lawn. I admit with the snow just below my waist here I'm lacking motivation to go out and tramp down a longer area.
I have not done the crown yet and I'm hoping to see some significant improvements after that. The phantoms crown is hidden by the plastic sleeve that incorporates the front sight. So I have been waiting to do the crown and the sight at the same time.
So far I've done very basic mods and tuning.
-Tear down, degrunge and deburr all parts and components
-crosshoned the compression chamber with 1000x ball hone
-lapped tophat and seat and installed 030" hardened shim between spring and seats
-installed a 1000 series spring and piston
-removed a burr from transfer port with a .135" ream
-installed hinge bush with sleeve retainer
And most recently I swapped the trigger out with a GTX II

I have not had it on a chrono but I am impressed that it blows hole out the back of 1" pine lumber I was using for a backer using 14.3gr premier domes.

paddyfritz · Member

Ruger airhawk/blackhawk (diana 34 copy), phantom, QB78, canadian hunter (diana 24 copy)

GrizzlyMan · Member

Here is a video at the Compasecco website, http://www.compasseco.com/tech-force-caliber-p-1618.html?osCsid=e7ac99afb4e4e45382247499c995c6ee

Tech Force 97, it is very similar to the B3-3 with a more finished look, antibear trap and safety. Really Compasecco is PyramidAir, when you click to BIN will send you to the PA site, and PA is linked with Amazon to make payments.

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Tech Force 58, break barrel.

donec · Senior Member

I have a Tech Force 58 and is the most fun to shoot of all the guns I have owned in my short air gun experience. You can see some reviews and pics on....
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Tech_Force_TF58_Contender_sidelever_air_rifle/2321

packrat · Senior Member

I see most, if not all, of suggestions are for break-barrel guns which is fine if you like break-barrel guns...If not , consider the Crosman AS2250XT..lightweight and very short. easy to handle even comes with a decent scope ! Has enough power for small game...use 88g, CO2 cartridges which provide mucho plenty shots!!

rualert · Member

720fly · Veteran Member

I'sell ya my NP XL 1100 .22 plus shipping

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

A lot of people with a lot of opinion, huh? That's the one nice thing is you can find plenty of opinions and a lot of great advice. It all goes down to needs.

1. If you get below 55 degrees don't bother with a CO2. They're pretty useless if they get that cold.

2. Breakbarrels are nice but heavier than a CO2 rifle. On the other hand, they are one of the most consistent shooters you can get IF you can get the artillery hold down pat.

3. PCPs, which are both light and consistent are a lot more than 150 bucks most of the time. I owned one, sold it and bought a crosman custom 2400 for a little over 200 bucks.

There are yeas and nays for other things too, but I am just trying to break it down to the bare bones. The 2400 I bought was top of the line on everything too. I also bought a 2300 custom pistol, Just because I liked the feel of the 2400. It was fully loaded with my name engraved in it. Talk about narcissistic huh? lol but it was also a 22. just like my 2400. I just use mine for starlings (greasy little dog food stealing bastards) and rats and squirrels around the farm during nicer weather. I don't hunt when it's cold( below 50) and I am also just as lazy as the birds I hunt. That means you will see me rolling out of bed during the summer about 9 am and sit on the back porch with a coke in one hand and a rifle in the other. I also own a beeman rs2 and a storm xt, both in 177 and I use them in the barn in the winter where it's warmer. I don't have a particular favorite of any of my break barrels, but I love my 2400 in 22 caliber. Good luck on your quest!

EDIT: If you want pics or weights of my rifles just post here and I will take care of that for ya!