Author Topic: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?  (Read 16014 times)

Offline neric

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Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« on: September 07, 2009, 06:18:15 AM »
My use for a rifle is pest control around my house in the woods, squirrels mostly.  I want a simple accurate tool / rifle.  I've been using airrifles for a year.  But lately I've read reports of moisture problems in Marauders using a hand pump.  I use a hand pump, I live in FL - high humidity and no doubt my rifles have moisture in them which I'm thinking is going to be problems down the road,,,and perhaps soon - I just don't know.   So I've started to thinking perhaps rimfire would be overall simpler.  I don't know but some airrifles are about as loud as firearms.   Quietness is a consideration.  I think but don't know that rimfire is subsonic - which is a feature I would want.

So,,,what do you guys think / know about this comparison?

Thanks for feedback.
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Offline TCups

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2009, 07:04:15 AM »
You can easily purchase sub-sonic 22LR, but don't count on it being that much quieter than standard 22LR.  No doubt a 22LR is more accurate than an air rifle at distances of 50 yards or longer -- and if anyone want's to contest that statement, I will take the bet.  But firearms are more expensive to shoot, more restricted by law, and unless you get a special license and purchase and register a suppressor, they are far louder than the average air rifle.  If you want a serious hunting weapon, and want to shoot at distances greater than 50 yards, then go rimfire.  If you want quiet, easy to buy over the internet, cheaper to shoot, and sufficient for small game up to about 50 yards, max, get a good air rifle.  Most serious shooters eventually end up with both.

Offline HNT5

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RE: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2009, 09:19:45 AM »
If I lived in a humid climate,I would get the Hill Pump w/ the Dry Pak option. Might be worth the dollars in the long run. Or go to a tank and fill it at a dive shop. They would be able to dry out the air since you're concerned w/ moisture affecting your rifles (which it vary much may). The problem with the rim fire is a 22 rimfire, whether shooting LR, Longs, Shorts  or CB Caps is a firearm in every State and jurisdicition. Depending on your local laws (like where i live) air weapons maybe illegal to shoot as well. Your local law enforcement maybe more likely to give you a break if they catch you with an air rifle versus a firearm (even if it is a lowly .22 LR) Then there is the danger factor, 22 LR can travel much farther, penetrate much deeper and are generally more dangerous and deadly than an air weapon. In your case, whereit sounds like you want some stealth, a good, quiet PCP (like your Mrod) is the way to go. I would stay away from rimfires (regardsless of the ammo used) unless I was well out in a rural area. Just my opinion.

Nathan

Offline Jerrycup

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2009, 12:06:08 AM »
You can buy subsonic .22 LR ammo, but it is MUCH louder than an air rifle, even a loud PCP. There are .22 rounds that have only primer, and shoot with energy levels like a PCP (Colibri, I believe). I have not shot these as they will typically not cycle a semi auto rifle, and I believe the energy levels are something like a PCP air rifle.

I have owned three .22 rifles, and shot about 10 more. I had a Ruger 10/22 that spent years under the bed in a case with very little shooting. I lost it to a burglar about six years back, and recently decided to replace it. Looked at CZ, Marlin, and Ruger, read a lot, and ended up with a Ruger 10/22 DSP "deluxe sporter". Paid $270 new at a Plano gunshop, and that was a good price then, they seem to be $100 higher at the auction sites. I think you could get a base model for about $200 new if you look.

Ruger 10/22 is the most popular rimfire rifle on the market. It can be customized in a huge variety of ways. I think you can buy them at some Walmarts.

If you live in an area with little restriction on guns, you could plink or shoot the occasional varmint, but in a suburban setting, I'd say forget using a normal .22, it is much too loud. I had some thoughts that I could plink in my backyard greenbelt (where I shoot air rifles frequently) with subsonic .22 rounds, but I am quite sure that if I did so with my Ruger, I would have police visitors. I have my new rifle setup with a nice mount and scope, and changed to a Volquartsen hammer. With the extra magazines, scope, etc. I have probably $400 in this little gun. It holds a pretty good pattern out to 50 yds plus. My brother's customized 10/22 is shooting about half inch patterns at that distance with Wolf match target rounds.

See this thread:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=14843&posts=16&highlight=ruger&highlightmode=1#M120417

All this said, I think the .22 is a fun gun to plink and shoot targets with. Ammo is pretty cheap (although increasing in price dramatically). I am pleased with my purchase, but will shoot it only at ranges or out in the country.

Offline HILMAN76

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RE: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2009, 08:03:20 AM »


 http://www.cabelas.com/p-0029401214245a.sht



 http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM066-5.html



 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=638772

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I buy all my .22 rifles at a Pawn shop.Most guys buy there first Rifle in .22,and when they move up in caliber will trade the .22in for some extra cash.I bought my ruger 10-22 for $50 bucks.Thats rite,$50 bucks.It was in pretty good condition too.



The colibris wont cycle threw my 10-22 so I have to cycle each round.Check your local pawn shop for killer deals on .22 rifles,



Don't ever pay what the rifle is listed for.Make them a ridiculous offer and then they will tell you what they'll take for it. It will always be lower than there listed price.Trust me,there still making a profit.





If you cant DAZZLE\'em with brilliance, BAFFLE\'em with B.S!!
Remember: Lefty loosey, righty tighty!

Offline neric

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2009, 11:30:47 AM »
Hilario,  now that's an excellent idea,,,a pawn shop.  I'll definitley look there  

Nathan, the fellow that noticed rust in his Marauder, Leadhead, as he degassed it had used the Hill pump with the dry pack option.  A depressing realization.  He says he's saving up for tanks.   I just don't want to spend that much money, and I don't relish the fact of knowing I too have moisture sitting in my expensive PCPs.   I'm thinking subsonic rimfires, CB caps perhaps.  Cheaper all the way around,   but yes there is noise issue to deal with.

TCups and Jerrycup, I enjoyed reading your responses also, good info.

This has all been very helpful.  This a great forum.

Thanks all.
Hunters know they\'re gonna need a clean pair when they see you comin\'

\"Squirrel Skivvies\" is a copyrighted trademark of the Bird Feeder Raiding Corporation

Offline RedFeather

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2009, 02:01:08 PM »
Some rimfires CAN be quiet.  I had a .22 Short Remington 241 (like the little Browning take down) and loaded some CCI Pistol Match.  With the 24" barrel, all you could hear was the action cycling.  It sounded exactly like a cap gun without caps.  The longer the barrel, the quieter it will be.  The main difference is in how the two guns are legally interpreted where you live.  Shooting an air gun here in my county, you might as well have a .577 Nitro Express elephant gun.  Both are classifieds as firearms.

Offline Progun

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2009, 04:08:29 PM »
Well if you want quiet but still very effective as a small game getter you could always get a .22 rimfire rifle that would shoot shorts. That way you could shoot the really subsonic CCI Short Target  load. With a MV of about 830fps with that little 29 gr.pill your neighbors won't have a clue. They are quieter than spring piston airguns and 44fpe will work. Don't confuse this load with any of the CB loads. This is a waaay better than any CB as far as power, consistency and accuracy is concerned. They aren't match grade but they are just fine for hunting purposes where quiet (no sonic "crack") but lethal for small game is needed. For best results, don't try to shoot these from 1022's or any self loader.Not even single loaded. The breech will of course open when you shoot as it tries to cycle exposing you to a little fire and gas and noise due to the short case which is "out" of the chamber before a long rifle case would be. For the best results stick with a bolt gun or lever action with this load. Makes a good squirrel getter

Offline neric

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2009, 09:36:06 PM »
Thanks Progun, sounds wonderful.  I'm thinking bolt action, which is all I've seen.  Never considered a lever action - I'll check it out.

Thanks again
Hunters know they\'re gonna need a clean pair when they see you comin\'

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Offline jwh2

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2009, 10:24:20 PM »
Quote
neric - 9/9/2009  3:36 AM

 Never considered a lever action - I'll check it out.

Thanks again


Check out a Marlin Golden 39A. It's one of my favorites.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22Rifle/Golden39A.asp
James
Beeman R1 (.22) Hawke 4-12x40
Beeman HW 97 (.20) Hawke 4-12x40
Beeman R9 (.177) Hawke 4-12x40
HW50S-AW-Nickel (.22) Hawke 3-9X40
Beeman R7 (.20) Hawke 2-7X32
Beeman P1 (.177)

Offline gamo2hammerli

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Re: Airrifles VS Rimfire rifles: pros and cons of each?
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2009, 03:07:40 AM »
Ah yes the Marlins and Rugers.....great .22lr rifles from them.  Only shot the Ruger 10/22 a few times from some of the shooters on the gun range....excellent gun.  I myself have a late 70's Marlin model 70 autoloader.  Probably not the most accurate rimfire 22 rifle around.....but I can get 3" groups out to 100 yards....and I'm happy with that.  But then I've not tested out all sorts of ammo with her.

As for the pros and cons of rimfire vs airguns.....the rimfire bullet will shoot flatter, have a longer reach, more energy on impact and most likely more accurate due to less drift.  The downside would be the shot(s) would be more loud (Unless using the cartridges mentioned above), rifle will need more cleaning than an airgun (Although some shooters only clean their .22lr guns only after 500 or more shots), cartridges are abit more expensive than pellets.....and the most important; Shooting a pellet gun can earn you a ticket and/or confiscation or your airgun in some areas.  While shooting a firearm can get you a ticket, confiscation, criminal  record and maybe some jail time.
Gamo: Expotec .177 + Big Cat .177 + Viper .177 + Whisper .177, Hammerli Titan .177, Diana model 24 .177, RWS-Diana P5 Magnum pistol .177, Crosman: G1 Extreme .177 + Storm XT .177 + Sierra Pro .177 + 1377 pistol .177, Air Arms S410SL .22, BSA Scorpion T10 .22, FX Cyclone .177, Remington Air Master 77 .177 + BB\'s,