RWS 350, Hunter 1250, or Condor

[hunter220]

For the money, which  gun is the best value for the money?  The RWS 350 and the Gamo Hunter 1250 are about equal in price, but which one is better in terms of accuracy?  I have heard that the .22 RWS 350 can shoot through 1" pine.  Is this claim true? Also,for $1,000, I would love to get the Airforce Condor and some accesories, but that is alot of money to spend on a gun.   I would mainly use the gun for hunting and plinking.

As a side note, will the Gamo PBA ammo damage my Gamo Hunter 220 if I just shoot them once in awhile?
Thanks

Larry

For the 220 I think you might be ok to shoot them once and awhile. For the money you cant beat the rws, a few on here have it and swear by it. But if your willing to spend some more $$ that condor can pretty much take care of anything you put across it. Also you can buy barrels for it. From .177-.25 I beleave I presonally would get iit in .22 cal.
Are you on a budgit?

Hope that helps.

[longislandhunter]

Hi Larry,

I own an RWS 350 and a Gamo 1250, both in .22 caliber, and I can tell you they are both great guns. I use them both strictly for hunting and they perform awesome on squirrels and rabbits and such.  Both are extremely accurate and extremely powerful, however the 1250 definately packs more of a punch than the 350.  The 1250 is also much harder to cock and the stock of the gun is much more bulkier than the 350. I absolutely love both guns, but I have to admit I take the 350 out hunting more than I do the 1250.  That's because I find the 350 much more comfortable to carry around the woods for long periods of time and also find it much more comfortable to shoulder and fire due to the streamlined, very comfortable stock.  The easier cocking of the 350 also takes less of a toll on my shoulders and arms.  However, I will also add that if I anticipate longer shots at game I will grab the 1250 in a heartbeat due to the extra power it has over the 350.  

The 350 is of course readily available in .22 caliber, Midsouth Shooters Supply has a great price for the gun.  You will be hard pressed to find a 1250 in .22 caliber since GAMO discontinued their production, however if you search enough I'm sure you could locate one, probably a used one. As for the "condor",,,, I have no experience with the gun so I have no comments or opinions on it.  

Anyway, good luck with whatever rifle you decide upon.  

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Larry. I persnoally do not have any experience with at RWS 350, but Jeff has both models in .22 as you can see in his post. The RWS 350 in my opinion would get more use than the 1250 .22, as Jeff states above. Since Gamo does not make the 1250 .22 any longer, I would go with the RWS 350 if you want a springer. I own a Gamo 1250 .22 and it is a bear to cock. If you wanted to continually shoot paper then I would not get a 1250 if that is the only gun you would have..

I also own a Samatra PCP and an FX Cyclone. The Cyclone is very light and what I love about it is that it has a rotary clip that has 8 rounds in it. It is fun to hunt with and deadly accurate out to 50 yards. I love all my springers and there is a big difference between a springer and a PCP to shoot. But as you say, $1000.00 is allot of money to spend for PCP and equipment. The best thing about the springers is they are self contained. All you need is a tin of pellets. No other baggage to carry around when you go hunting. Plus the springers are a fantastic challenge to shoot. Myself, will pick up one of my springers 20 times more than my PCP's....

Good luck with your choice.

Gene

I like the Condor and the rws 350 most in that order you will spend a bit more for the PCP but in the long run it’s more fulfilling as far as filling the tanks I just buy a second tank.
In the picture I have the 177, 22 and 25 cal Condor the 22 is my favorite and since the tank and the valve is one unit there is no reservoir to fill and no seals to leak I keep the tanks full all the time so far with no problems

The weight and handling of the condor is far superior to that of the RWS 350

Some have ask if I would sell my RWS 350 and I have always said no with out thinking it’s a gun I think I will keep forever very nice workmanship and great quality control.

To lube and replace main spring & seal is 2 screws and 2 pins less then 5 minutes the gun can be apart and lubed.

The 2 that I have 177 and 22 caliber I would never tune in my humble opinion there is no need to there great guns out of the box my 2 sons like the 350 better then the Condor they say its no hassle shooting and better I like them both  

 

[hunter220]

Okay, I think I have narrowed it down to either the Airforce Condor or the RWS 350.  I like the power, light weight, and ease of shooting that the Condor offers.  On the other hand, the RWS 350 seems to be made out of a very nice wood, and I really like nice wood stocks, and the RWS is also cheaper too.  Thanks for all of the help everyone.  I will look into these guns more and see which one might work best for me.  The biggest plus I see in the Condor is the long range power, accuracy, and the fact that you can get up to a .45 caliber barrel for it.
Thanks,

Larry

[hunter220]

Quick question.  Is the RWS 350 strong enough to take out crows at 50-70 yards?  This would be my primary use for this gun as I have alot of crows around the house.
Thanks,
Larry

I think for that range of shot you would need extreme shot placement. The condor would better suit ur needs in a distanced shot like that.

[hunter220]

eighty8fierogt - 11/11/2006  2:37 PM

I think for that range of shot you would need extreme shot placement. The condor would better suit ur needs in a distanced shot like that.

OK, thanks for the info.  I am still debating between the two as the Condor, pump, and scope would cost me around $900 at the least.

[daved]

Hey, Larry,

I sort of agree with 88.  I think the 350 is quite capable of taking crows at the ranges you mentioned.  But the recoil could be the limiting factor.  For that reason, the Condor might be a better choice, but it is 3 times the cost.  Is there any possibility you could actaully handle/shoot both guns?  Are you located in a big enough city that you might find an accomodating gun shop?  Know anyone that has either rifle?  I really like my 350, and I think I could take a crow size target at 50 yards.  70?  I don't know.  Hey, Jeff, what's your opinion?  For the price, I think I'd get the 350, if it doesn't work out, sell it and buy the Condor.  I know this didn't help, but good luck anyway.

Dave

[hunter220]

daved - 11/11/2006  6:59 PM

Hey, Larry,

I sort of agree with 88.  I think the 350 is quite capable of taking crows at the ranges you mentioned.  But the recoil could be the limiting factor.  For that reason, the Condor might be a better choice, but it is 3 times the cost.  Is there any possibility you could actaully handle/shoot both guns?  Are you located in a big enough city that you might find an accomodating gun shop?  Know anyone that has either rifle?  I really like my 350, and I think I could take a crow size target at 50 yards.  70?  I don't know.  Hey, Jeff, what's your opinion?  For the price, I think I'd get the 350, if it doesn't work out, sell it and buy the Condor.  I know this didn't help, but good luck anyway.

Dave

I live in Greenville, NC, and unfortunately there aren't any large dealers that have a large selection of air guns.  Does is actually have enough power that IF you hit a crow from 70 yards it would be a clean kill?  Thanks for all of the help so far.
Larry

[daved]

Can I get back to you tomorrow with an answer to that question :-)?  Seriously, I don't have enough information to answer that right now, but if the weather cooperates tomorrow, I can do some chrony work and have an answer.

The questions really are, how much energy is retained at 70 yards?  And how much energy does it take to be certain of a clean kill on a crow?  I wish Jeff, aka Longislandhunter, were online right now.  He's the hunting expert, and probably has a much better idea of how tough a target a crow is.  But I CAN do some chrony testing at muzzle and down range, and I have software that will allow me to extrapolate retained energy at various ranges.  So like I said, if the weather cooperates tomorrow, I'll give it a shot.  Or should I say, several shots :-)?

One important variable is going to be pellets, and right now, JSB Predators seem to be the top of the heap in hunting pellets.  I have some, so will use those and Superdomes for testing.  Both shoot well in my 350.  I have a pretty good selection of pellets on hand, so if there's something else you'd prefer, let me know.  This sounds like fun.  Too bad I don't have any .177 Predators, it would be interesting to do the same test with my CFX.

Dave

[longislandhunter]

Hey Dave,

I'm at work and just logged on and saw the recent posts....  

I have no doubt that my 350 shooting predators would take down a crow at 50 yards, provided of course a well placed shot is made.  I will go as far to say that a well placed 70 yard shot would also kill the critter, although personally I probably wouldn't take routine 70 yard shots at crows, as I like to keep my shots 50 yards and less.  I'm looking forward to the data that your chrony tests will reveal.  

Jeff

[hunter220]

daved - 11/11/2006  7:33 PM

Can I get back to you tomorrow with an answer to that question :-)?  Seriously, I don't have enough information to answer that right now, but if the weather cooperates tomorrow, I can do some chrony work and have an answer.

The questions really are, how much energy is retained at 70 yards?  And how much energy does it take to be certain of a clean kill on a crow?  I wish Jeff, aka Longislandhunter, were online right now.  He's the hunting expert, and probably has a much better idea of how tough a target a crow is.  But I CAN do some chrony testing at muzzle and down range, and I have software that will allow me to extrapolate retained energy at various ranges.  So like I said, if the weather cooperates tomorrow, I'll give it a shot.  Or should I say, several shots :-)?

One important variable is going to be pellets, and right now, JSB Predators seem to be the top of the heap in hunting pellets.  I have some, so will use those and Superdomes for testing.  Both shoot well in my 350.  I have a pretty good selection of pellets on hand, so if there's something else you'd prefer, let me know.  This sounds like fun.  Too bad I don't have any .177 Predators, it would be interesting to do the same test with my CFX.

Dave

If you have any Beeman Kodiaks or Crow Magnum's, could you try those?  Straightshooter.com says that at 50 yards, the Kodiak still has 14fpe of energy.  Thanks for all of your help and advice.
Larry

You could save a few bucks and still have the advantage of a PCP....get the Talon SS.  It has plenty of power for a crow at that distance and if you need more power you can just buy the longer barrel.  Works for me!