Which to purchase??

[Cruizer]

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to the adult airgun hobbie but have been shooting firearms for some time now. My question is if a fellow wanted to keep his spending around 450.00 bucks what would be the b good rifle to buy for varmit hunting. This is what I am looking at, (Gamo Hunter Extreme $399.00)  (RWS 48 $299.00)  (RWS 54 $445.00) The catch with the RWS 54 is that I'm a left hand shooter and it's a right hander. I have read alot of the reviews and I tend to believe the RWS would last in the long haul. What are some thoughts.
Thanks,  Cruizer

[Big_Bill]

Welcome to the GTA Forums Bryan,

You have found,, A GREAT PLACE TO BE ! ! ! !

As for the selection of an airgun, I find it a very personal decision, and wish you the best with this very enjoyable decision. As for quality for your money, I would lean toward the RWS line.

Keep us informed on what you choose, and how you like it !

Bill

[Gene_SC]

If you are used to shooting heavy rifles then the RWS air rifles you mentioned are a very good choice. The Gamo Hunter Extreme probably has more power than the others but parts are not as available to repair them as the RWS series air rifles. There are many other air rifles that fit in your price range and you should consider looking at them as well.

Welcome aboard Bryan

[longislandhunter]

Welcome to GTA Cruizer,,, nice to have you with us.....  

With 450 to spend you have quite a few options when it comes to quality hunting air rifles,,,,

With regard to the 3 specific rifles that you mentioned.......  

I own a .22 cal GAMO 1250 (older version of the Hunter Extreme - same power level) and it is one heck of a hunting rifle.  It's a powerhouse for sure and mine is deadly accurate.  It is a large, heavy rifle though, especially after you top it with a suitable variable power scope to take advantage of it's power and range.  I personally wouldn't advise getting the rifle in .177 caliber, the .22 is a much better caliber to take advantage of the power the rifle has.  Others may disagree with me regarding the .177 in this rifle but I just feel the .22 is a better choice.  You could use the heavier .177 pellets but I'd still go with .22  If you do get a Hunter Extreme do yourself a favor and order one of Bobs (charliedatunas) GRT III triggers,,,, it's a drop in replacement and it will transform the rifle for you instantly, making it much easier to direct all that power accurately.

I recently bought a .20 cal RWS 48 and I can't say enough about the rifle.  While the rifle is indeed a bit heavy I find it to be an extremely comfortable gun to shoulder and shoot, I like it's shorter length, and the power and accuracy of the rifle are outstanding,,,, as is the trigger. It is a superb small game hunting rifle without a doubt.  I recently installed a sling on mine to help with the weight issue and it's worked out great.

The RWS 54 is also a superb small game rifle.  I don't own one but I've shot one many times and they are sweet indeed.  As you know they have all the benefits that the 48's have except they have the added benefit of hardly any recoil.     The 54, as you know, is a side cocker and something to keep in mind is that a break barrel is much quicker to reload while hunting if you need that "second shot".  I can reload my 48 quite quickly but it did take me a bit of practice.

I feel the quality of the RWS rifles is superior to the GAMO rifles and for that reason if I was limiting myself to the two brands I would probably go with an RWS.  The RWS triggers are far superior to the stock GAMO triggers as well and we all know how important a good trigger is.

Like I said, with 450 to spend you have a variety of options,,, makes, models, etc.  

I'm sure some of the other members will chime in and give you their take on things.  After you get some feedback on your question take some time, cruise the internet air gun dealers and look around at your options.  I'm sure you'll find the right gun for you.  

Again,, nice to have you with us here at GTA, it's a great forum, you'll like it here  

Jeff

[RedFeather]

On the power levels, you will find the two RWS guns to be the stronger shooters.  They don't call the 54 the Air King for nothing.  It's also the Scope Eater King, so you need to put a good quality scope rated for the harshest springers.  (I have a Dampa Mount for my 54 to provide an extra margin of protection.)  $450 for a 54 is either a used or refurbed price.  Someone had one for less than $400 lately and that was a steal considering the latest import prices.  If you don't mind the recoil, the 48 is a good magnum and built like a tank.  Plus Jim Macarri has some good kits for it when times comes to replace the spring.

[shootist]

In the past few weeks I have bought  an RWS 48, 52, and 2-54's. Parts are readily available and they are easy to work on. Also they are accurate and powerful enough to hunt with. In my book, that makes the RWS tops. I've dealt with the Gamo. Own one which is for sale. I will never again buy a gun you can't get parts for. Lee

[vinceb]

Sure, RWS parts are a bit pricey, but I'll bet they'll be available for decades to come. It's nice to know that you'll be able to keep one of your favorite airguns running for a long, long time.

I don't have any experience with the 54, but it might be harder on scopes than a '48, since the action isn't firmly attached to a stock that will help dampen the gun's recoil.

I do have a '48, and it is a very nice shooter. For me, I can load the 48 about as fast as I can load a breakbarrel thanks to the large port.

[PelletPaul]

Shootist - Did they have a garage sale on the 48, 52 and 54's I didn't hear about?  That's almost 3 grand in RWS guns.  WOW!  Let me know which of these guns performs the best for you.  I have a 54 I just love in .22 cal.  Are these guns .177 or .22?
And to the original question.  Take a look at this .34 for sale or auction.  1990 brand new in the box for right now about $160.00.  Buy it, send it to Gene to do a turbo tune with muzzle brake and then scope it with a quality scope. Many opinions on the right scope.  That should put you at your price range and you will have a great RWS gun.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=117187289

Paul

[TCups]

Bryan:

The RWS 48 is probably your gun.  I am right handed but shoot left handed, because my left eye is dominant.  This means I have to go with ambi stocks or LH stocks.  The 48 has an ambi stock.  It is a great hunter -- plenty powerful, flat trajectory.  My 48 in .20 cal is shooting around 850 and in the 17-18 FPE energy level.  It will absolutely knock down squirrels and rabbits with a single shot.  the downside is the weight.  It is a bit awkward to point upward, especially for prolonged times, as when you are scanning the limbs of a large tree looking for a squirrel in hiding.  

For throwing a rifle up and scanning the trees, I like to go with a lighter rifle.  I have a Diana 43 Panther that is a very nice gun, but a bit long and just a tad nose heavy for me.  I have a Beeman R9 in .20 cal I like  lot for squirrel hunting.  Also a Gamo Hunter Elite in .177 cal.  Both are deadly squirrel rifles.  Also,  I have a couple of Mike Melick tuned BAM B-26 (R9 clones) that are superb for squirrel and rabbit hunting.

The R9 is ambidextrous and easy to find in .20 cal.  The Gamo Hunter Elite advertises an ambi stock, but is is a RH stock.  It, like the B-26 models  are not such a pronounced RH contour, though, and can pretty easily be shot LH, too.

See:
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11681&posts=16&highlight=Di%2048&highlightmode=1#M90920

tec

[geewhiz380]

welcome cruizer just bought a 48,rws .22 and its great.the trigger ,the stock ,the fixed barrel,its accurate,the power.the 54 also good choice no recoil i alsohave a gamo whisper and its very good cause of the tune and trigger changed,there r many great rifles for that amount,im thinking of a 54 myself these german rifles r great the .22 r much more powerful even though there r some good .177 cal. take some time to decide.im sure u will make the right decision.good luck and welcome.

[Cruizer]

Wow guy's what a response. I appreciate them greatly. In regard to the RWS 54 being remanufactured I'll check. It appears to be brand new in the box but seeing how it's a right hand shooter I probably won't seriously pursue it. And man do I know there's alot to choose from, I have been scouring the internet reading reviews and comments and it's tough when your looking for the most bang for the buck. And there are alot of opinions on what the bang should be in regards to purchasing a rifle. How about the beeman line of rifles?
Thanks
Cruizer

[geewhiz380]

sorry the 54 has recoil .the beeman also great rifle its hard making a choice isn,t it.dont worry it wont be the last you will buy.its addictive.im also basically new since august and my first choice hasnt been my last. its addictive and i really enjoy it .

[daveshoot]

RWS48 is really a fine gun. I did not much care for the "recoilless" action on the 54 and love my 48.

However, the side cocker will be on yourfaceside if you're a lefty, and some LH shooters are put off by that. Also I second the notion that the sidecocker is a little trickier to reload for that follow up shot, when need arises.

To muddy the waters, have you considered the RWS350 break barrel? This has the same quality and velocities of the 48 in a nice German break barrel design. I haven't shot one but hefted one next to the 48, and was mightily impressed. They are a little more but still within your budget, I think.

[shootist]

The 48 is a .22, the 52 is a .177, one 54 is a .177 and the other is a .22. They are all wonderful to shoot. One friend wants the 54 .177, haven't decided yet, but I think he will have to wait!!! Have a Gamo Hunter Elite for sale with a CDT trigger, de-burred, lubed, and ready to go. He didn't want it, imagine that!!! He happens to own a 48, 52 and a 460 mag I just finished for him. He was so happy he just gave me 2 Gamo's and another 48 to do. But he really wants one of the 54's. Told him after Christmas I'll set him up with one.  I do believe once you own a gun you can get parts for, either stock or high performance, you have hit home. Really, really like the RWS guns. They are not hold sensitive at all like the third world guns. Izzy was absolutely right all the way. Once you have tried a German gun, you'll never look back. By the way, the 460 mag is my next stop, what an awesome gun!!! Lee

[Jaymo]

I'm a lefty and the sidelever of the RWS 48 has never bothered me.