I guess I'm wondering if it is kids or you are adults who buy air guns because your government doesn't allow you to buy a real gun. Or is it for some other reason I haven't thought of.
Thanks.
2009-01-16T17:22:03Z
Dang. I'd hate to hunt with an air rifle (something other than squirrels).
2009-01-16T18:08:04Z
I see your point Ben, but can you hunt a white tail with a pellet gun? I've done archery myself. I guess my pellet gun cost like $50 dollars, and my first rifle costs $120. I don't want to know what an air rifle with a .22 like characteristics costs.
2009-01-16T18:11:14Z
You have the price's of ammo all wrong. a brick (500 .22's are about 17 dollars. 9mm are about 21-22 cents a peice, and my triggers are all very nice. I know pellets are much cheaper, but what good is hobby that doesn't take money : )
thinkingblade2009-01-16T17:23:28Z
Favorite Answer
One of the simplest reasons is that in most municipalities in the US it is unlawful to discharge a firearm except on government sanctioned hunting lands, or indoors. If someone lives in a more rural area outside of a city limits where it is legal to discharge a firearm, air rifles can still be highly attractive for several reasons:
1) The most powerful air rifle generally has a total range of something like 300 yards. Even a 22 LR can go more than a mile, and a hypervelocity round more than 2 miles. - So it is much easier to come up with a safe backstop.
2) You don't need to gear up with hearing protection and the like to shoot an air rifle, where even the crack of a .22 can damage unprotected ears over time. Certainly higher caliber weapons can easily.
3) Air rifles can be exceptionally accurate, out to 40 or 50 yards or more depending on power and quality.
4) Air guns in general generate much less power than a firearm so, while good shooting discipline and safety rules are still important, they are somewhat lower risk and can be good ways of introducing new people to shooting.
5) Depending on how comfortable you are with your neighbors or neighborhood, air rifles have virtually no street value so are rarely targeted for theft.
6) Most air guns have really good triggers which can make them more fun to shoot than firearms with "self defense liability" triggers.
7) good quality pellets are $5 for 500, .22LR is $5 for 50, 9mm is $5 for 15.
I personally have a high power air rifle and a couple of air pistols which I enjoy a good deal in my backyard.
I'm going to say the same thing I said last time someone brought this up. Air rifle questions have as much right to be here as all the other non-hunting gun questions (including the what's it worth, what's the best defensive caliber, do I need a license to own/shoot a gun, assault weapon questions, is this a good gun, and target shooting questions). They have more right to be here if they pertain to using air rifles for hunting. If you don't like them, then do what I do with bow hunting questions: don't read them or answer them. There's enough different kinds of questions here that everyone can have their own little niche and answer the stuff they know and like talking about. Additional food for thought for all those who want to chase of the air gun fans. The people asking air gun questions are usually young. Say 10-14. These people are the future of the shooting sports. Instead of trying to get rid of them, we should be doing everything we can to try to get them interesting in the shooting sports and keep them interested since active shooters and hunters ensure the continuation of the shooting sports. That may mean hunting has questions about air-guns that you don't like, but that's well worth dealing with if we can encourage the next generation of shooters and hunters.
One of the reasons also is that some of the high end high velocity air guns come very close to 22LR in a limited performance envelop. Some people use them for close in varmint work, and it would be perfect because the noise is nil. Story in "On Target" talked about using air rifle to take out nuisance chucks in a semi-rural area where a 22LR would have been unwelcome. Did a great job within the envelope.
there are many reasons for airguns. first, it is the gate way for most people to get into guns. a red rider was my first gun at 7yrs old. grew up in the country and every kid had one, and it made for cheap fun and practice for improved marksmanship. crossman 760 soon followed and my marksmanship was good enough that there was no second thought of taking bunnies or pigeons because head shoots are a breeze from all the practice with the daisy. soon powder burners followed and i am still a good shot from the skills i learned from airguns. i had access to ranches that were up to 100,000acres in years gone by. now devolopement has made these farms to 20-100acres and a couple 1000acres. so ive come back to airguns! it is much easier to use an airgun on a 20 acre farm and get permission! i can also shoot it in my back yard in the city without anyone even knowing. allows me to practice my marksmanship any time i feel like it. in europe , canada, australia and most latin america they use airguns because of the restrictions from the power that be. another reason is that it is more of a challenge to hunt with an airgun! kind of like archery! if you go to the airgun forums, you'll see how many powder burners ,use there airguns for the added challenges and economy of it! oh yes im 45, and try to to answer with the same ethics and morality that i have as a hunter! i also welcome all who inquire of any shooting sport, be it bbgun or 458 magnum!
I will answer one that you added: >>But can you hunt a whitetail with a pellet gun?<< Not with pellet**guns> I don't know of any state that allows you to hunt deer with a pellet gun.
**Pellet gun = .177, .20, .22 & .25 caliber
There are some states that allow big game hunting with high powered, big bore air rifles.
Quackenbush .458 LA Outlaw http://www.quackenbushairguns.com