Buying an airgun-Need Advice

Shadow Hunter at 10 shots at 50 yards, Sparrow killer.

Ok, here is what I got.
I know, I should have listened to all of you...

[img=http://copfirearms.com/FileHosting/photo/img/4466613c7e607cdfdbd0409591dd06ec/Daisy.jpg]

I took the rear sites off this as soon as I got in the door & put a good trashco scope on it ( Tasco ) lol

I sighted it and and WOW, was it accurate as hell..
10 minutes later a Squirrel popped into the bird feeder,(30 Yards)  and it dropped on the ground like I hit it with a brick....
So, I got my first squirrel with an airgun the first time I shot at one...
Not to be gross, but the shot placement was textbook example when checking the damage after cleaning it.
Had a small entry & exit hole.
Only pumped it 4 times..
PRICE-$275.50
I should have LISTENED & got the Shadow Hunter.
Here is why I am saying this....

     =========== Specs on the Daisy Avanti Legend EX 853C .177 Match Air Rifle ==================

ACTION:   Single-pump pneumatic, straight pull-bolt   
CALIBER:   .177 (4.5mm) pellet
SIGHTS:   Hooded front with interchangeable aperture inserts;micrometer adjustable rear   
STOCK/FOREARM: Full-length, sporter-style hardwood with adjustable length
The Lothar Walther rifled, high-grade steel barrel is crowned, 12 lands and grooves RH twist and is precision sized for optimum performance with match pellets.
One of the very best choices for the beginning competitive shooter because trigger length and length of pull can be adjusted as the shooter grows.
Receiver grooved to accept 3/8" dovetail mounts, scopes and sights. Maximum velocity is 560 fps, overall length is 38.5", weight 5.5lbs

-------->>>MUZZLE VELOCITY:   510 fps. (155mps)   

                   =========== Specs on the SHADOW BLACK HUNTER by Gamo Air Rifle ==================

Single Shot
Break barrel - Single Cocking System
Automatic cocking safety system
Cocking effort - 38 lb
Barrel - precision rifled steel
Muzzle Break
Accuracy: 0.20" Groups at 30 yards(center to center)
Trigger: 2 stage - 1st stage adjustable
Trigger Pull: 3.74 lbs.
------------> Velocity 1000 ft/sec
PRICE- $179.95 +

If you notice, there is a BIG difference in velocity
Granted, I still got my squirrel for the distance I needed, but thinking I got the WRONG one...
Now I'm debating buying the Shadow Black Hunter as well...

I also learned that buying pellets is just like buying bullets for regular firearms...
I bought a package of pellets and took a bunch of them & poured them into my hand..
I couldn't believe it... Some have pointed tips, others had flat tops...
Went to wal-mart, purchased two other brands & when I got home, I did the same thing..
Guess what ?? Same crap.. Some tips were pointed, others flat...
Went to Wal-mart AGAIN, and bought MATCH-GRADE and they were ALL the same !!!
I fired about 5-6 shots, rounding out the same hole on the target...
Made a HUGE difference in precision shooting....

[vinceb]

And which pellet?

There;s nothing wrong with buying things other people might tell you not to buy.

That gun might be perfect for you and your needs.

The counter argument is that there might be other guns that are a little better for less money.

In which case you can always buy another, but this time you will understand WHY you want 1,000 fps in a .177 or whatever the feature may be.

A lot of people get very snobby about experience. As if they are the only ones allowed to have made mistakes and gained wisdom via trial and error over their lives.

Of course this is nonsense. I encourage you to enjoy your air rifle, use it and then decide if it does what you want it to do.

[rabbit]

Hello,
     Best of luck with your new rifle. It is a good - looking rifle. I hope you enjoy it for a long time.
           
                                                               Rabbit    

[nmmike]

If I read that right, you said you were pumping that 853 four times. The Daisy 853 is a Single pump pneumatic! A quote from the Daisy 853/853c owners manual: "IMPORTANT: Do not pump over one time.This gun is designed to produce maximum velocity using a single pump stroke.Additional pump strokes may result in serious damage to the gun."
What you have there is a very fine, moderate cost alternative to much more expensive 10 meter target rifles. The downside to that is low velocity. I'm not a hunter but I think most will tell you that, along with shot placement (which you certainly can do with the 853) you need to develop enough velocity with a reasonably heavy pellet to insure sufficient fpe (foot pounds of energy) to do the job. I'm not familiar with the Shadow Black Hunter but I assume that it's one of the Shadow 1000 series. You can either shoot that rifle stock, or tune & mod it to your hearts content. I had a Gamo S1000 & despite the negativity it's a pretty good rifle. Besides that, if you buy it from Wally's, you can take it back if your not happy.
Good luck,
Mike

First, let me start by saying this....
I STRONGLY believe in shot placement & if hunting, a quick dispatch of what I am hunting...
I shot & dispatched 4 squirrels today.
The first squirrel I shot in the vitals was dispatched quickly, in about 10 seconds or less...
The other 3 really bothered me a lot..
They were all shot in vitals perfectly, but took too long in my book to be non-existant.
I would say 20-30 seconds or more.. I had to follow up with another shot to head.
I was not pleased with this at all.
I know I am new to airgunning & it is totaly different with a firearm.
With a Firearm, its almost an instant dispatchl, but as far as saving the hide, there is patchwork.
With an airgun, mine for instance, very little patchwork, but longer dispatch time.
Call me a patsy, wimp, whatever you want, but I like a quick, clean dispatch of the animal.
This is why I had made the statement of maybe buying the Shadow at 1000 FPS..
I'm sorry if I may have offended some people by talking about this subject.
That is why I was careful in the way I worded some things in this post...

NMMIKE,

Yes, I saw that too, but I shot 10-20 rounds using a single pump and rounds were evverywhere on paper.
I then called the gunshop I purchased this at & told them what was going on.
The guy I talked to told me to bring it back to the shop, so I did.
After waiting an hour, he gave it back to me and showed me some parts that were replaced & told me to Pump it 4 time no more.
I explained the same thing that you mentioned about pumping only once...
He told me that now the airgun is modded, I can pump it 4 times max...
I went right home & took 2 5-shot groups, and they were all within the diameter of a dime as about 75 Ft.
I love the airgun, but I am thinking maybe more velocity...
I forgot to include this in last post...

Youkilis,

You are absolutely right. Some people are snobbish about experience..
In my opinion, I purchased a great airgun, BUT, not enough velocity.
Read my other posts, and you will see why I am saying this..
I will be the first to admit I made a mistake..
I think it might have been due to the fact, it took too long to dispatch the squirrels.
I just hope at least 1 person can learn from my goof up, and purchase one with velocity.
Now I know some of you are saying " What a moron, shooting a squirrel with a 500+ FPS airgun..
Here is what I was thinking when purchasing the airgun..
Ok, 500 FPS seems low, but at 50-60 Feet max, it should have worked, at least I thought that.
Don't get me worng, it works great, but in my opinon, it takes too long for the animal to die.
I'm sure I will get bashed for posting the results of my squirrel shooting, BUT, keep this in mind Please.
We all make mistakes, and I learned from mine, and those of you not that experienced in airgunning reading this, will learn from my boo boos & what others comment on here.

I almost forgot...
Here are the before & after pictures of the Airgun...

Before the scope.....

[img=http://copfirearms.com/FileHosting/photo/img/33aeb7748d0e82c375d306266727d15a/Picture 002.jpg]

After.....

[img=http://copfirearms.com/FileHosting/photo/img/49cc9dee529628017c02d01f3c5bb445/Picture 016.jpg]

[Gene_SC]

Always good to have a little extra umfff in your booty...

Gene

[nmmike]

Don't know a thing about modding a 853 so I guess he knows what he's doing.  I've got an 853 and a 953 (same style of rifle, but a lot cheaper and with a Daisy barrel, composite stock, open sights, etc.) I'm in the process of putting different sights on the 953 but I have had the 853 long enough to put some rounds through it and I'm impressed. Resting the forearm on an old camera tripod the 853 will shoot 10 meter, 5 shot groups that all touch. You have yourself an accurate piece! I'm curious as to how easy it is to load with that scope mounted?
I'm sure if you go the 'more velocity' route with the Gamo S1000 family you'll be happy. Mine impressed me as 'a little bit rough but a good tool' and very quick handling (weight/size) for the amount of power.
Good Luck,
Mike

Loading it with a scope isnt really hard at all.
Instead of the top,you just load it from the side..
With the stock open sites, my grouping was nasty, all over the place...
As soon as the scope went on & was sighted in, it was deadly accurate...
Overall, i'm impressed, never knew that airguns could be this accurate.