Springers

With higher gun prices, a cheaper alternative for many people may be the spring powered air rifle. This type of air rifle uses a spring to compress air in a chamber. They offer power, accuracy and ease of use. They are also less expensive in most cases than regular rimfire or centerfire rifles. These types of air powered rifles are commonly referred to as “springers”.

There are several different spring powered air rifle designs that include break barrel, under lever, and side lever. With a break barrel design the actual barrel is hinged and you pull the barrel down which cocks the spring. Then you put a pellet directly into the barrel, swing the barrel back into place and you are ready to fire. This is probably the most common type of spring powered air rifle.

Advantages

This is the type of air rifle with the best power. Any magnum powered air rifle uses a spring as its main power source. The two biggest advantages for buying a spring powered rifle are power and ease of use. With a spring powered air rifle you only have to cock the gun once to achieve maximum power. Most are rated at 1000 FPS and can be used for small game hunting, target shooting, and varmint control. Higher velocity also means greater accuracy over longer distances. They usually come in .22 cal and .177 cal.

Disadvantages

Some spring powered air rifles can be tough to cock for younger persons or females due to the upper body strength required to cock the air rifle. Make sure you know the cocking pressure before you buy one if it is going to be for a younger person or a female. Most spring powered air rifles require anywhere from 25 to 30 lbs. of pressure to cock. Some spring powered air rifles are specifically designed for easier cocking such as the Benjamin Legacy and Tech Force 97 air rifles. These two models are easier to cock and they still provide anywhere from 900 to 1000 FPS velocities. The only other drawback is that most spring powered air rifles are single shot which means you will have to load a pellet after each shot. There are a few exceptions though. Gamo makes a rifle called the Shadowmatic. It uses a loading tube that holds 9 pellets. Each time you cock the gun a new pellet is loaded into the chamber.


Examples of Air Rifles Available

Spring powered air rifles are the best selling type of air rifle. There are quite a few different models that will fit most budgets. If you want to spend under $150 go with the Crosman Quest 1000x, Winchester 1000SB or Winchester 1000XS. All of these models come with a scope included so they are perfect for pest control or small game hunting.

If you need a mid-range rifle go for the Tech Force 99 in a .22 or .177 cal. Gamo is another fairly good brand. They have some really cool models such as the new Viper Express Shotgun that doubles as a .22 cal and the new Varmint Hunter that comes with a scope, laser and torch light.

If a premium air rifle is what you need, then go with RWS or Beeman. Both of these brands offer a lifetime warranty. Specific models are the RWS 34 in either a .22 cal or .177 cal or a RWS 350 mag combo. These rifles offer good accuracy and power. They also have a good warranty.

Spring powered air rifles can be a good choice for hunting small game and pest control. They have the necessary power, accuracy and ease of use that will fit the needs of most individuals. They can make a good alternative to higher priced conventional rifles for persons on a budget. They should also be considered as an alternative for your wife or girlfriend whom you may not have convinced to use a more powerful conventional rifle.

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