Air rifles are fantastic entry-level firearms that allow for novices and young people to take part in sport shooting and hunting before they are confident handling a larger weapon. Deciding on what air rifle to buy can be tricky, especially for those with no prior experience with firearms, and the best choice for you will depend on what you plan to do with it.
In this article we take a look at some of the things that you need to consider before you begin looking at potential purchases. It is important to not rush in to the decision, otherwise you risk making the wrong choice; using the wrong rifle can make certain activities much less enjoyable.
Choosing the Right Calibre
The calibre of the air rifle refers to the size of the ammunition that the rifle takes. There are two calibres which account for the vast majority of air rifles, these are .177 and .22, generally the .177 is better suited for target shooting because it follows a flatter trajectory. A .22 round on the other hand is a better option for those who will be using their rifle to hunt.
That’s not to say that you can’t use either calibre for either activity, if you’re planning to use your rifle for both types of activities then it is better to opt for a .22, which is slower, heavier, and delivers more energy to its target. This makes it much more likely to achieve a clean kill when shooting small game.
Budget
Whenever making a major purchase your budget is a prominent consideration, as is always the case, higher quality models will cost you more money. The goods news though is that a good air rifle can be obtained relatively cheaply. Check out airriflecenter.com for model suggestions.
Purchasing an air rifle second-hand can save you some money and there are many good sources for purchasing used equipment in a decent condition. If at all possible, you should test out any rifle before you agree to buy it, both to check that it works and also that it is suitable for the shooter physically.
Make Sure the Rifle Fits
When we talk about the rifle fitting we mean it in the same sense as with a piece of clothing, a rifle that doesn’t fit properly will make it hard to hold the rifle in place and will have a corresponding effect on accuracy. You can modify most air rifles to some degree, but this will add to the cost and in many cases, it makes more sense to find a rifle that fits as is.
The only way to tell if a rifle will fit is to hold it in your hands, aim, and fire with it. A rifle that is too long or too short will make aiming much more difficult and will require the shooter to regularly adjust their body in order to correctly operate the gun. Even if these adjustments are minor, they will waste energy causing the shooter to become fatigued and uncomfortable much more quickly.
Buying an air rifle is an excellent way to introduce beginners to shooting sports and to defend your home on a budget.
