I am interested in a quality, very quiet rifle. Prefer .22 but only slightly above .177. Would be shooting birds, squirrels out to 50 yards. Would also like to just bust targets with it on occasion--not real competition shooting. Quiet is essential. What is available without having to pay the suppressor tax? I am open to all options. I have only had an inexpensive Gamo and now want to improve my lot in life. I have limited experience with air rifles and would welcome all advice.

Thanks,
Jerry

I've a bit of experience with RWS M48/52/54s and the 350 Magnum. While top of the line .22 cal springers they are fairly loud. A CB long out of a 24" .22LR is quieter and more powerful.

For your needs I'd take a hard look at beeman's R1 and RX in .22 and the R9, HW77 & 97 in .20 cal. The underlever fixed barreled HW77 and 97 (particularly the MK III) would get my most attention. They do very nicely to 50 yards both accuracy and powerwise.

Larry Gibson

I have one of the Daystate electronic Mk3-s guns, similar to the Mk-4 seen here: http://www.daystate.co.uk/mk4.htm

The electronic trigger will mesmerize you every time you touch it off.

Mine is .177 and groups 1/2" at 50 yards. Using the JSB Heavy .177 pellet at 880 fps it's an honest 60 yard pigeon buster. I use a mil-dot side focus bushnell 4200. Set at 12x, I hold one dot high at 45 yards and 2 dots high at 58 yards. A lazer rangefinder is essential for long range pellet gun work given the trajectory of even the higher fps guns.

I had a .22 cal Airwolf (another e-gun from Daystate) but sold it off as I really favor the .177 with the JSB heavy.

Currently also in the stable are a .177 R-7 and a .20 Cal HW-97, both tuned.
Of the two I much prefer the R-7 as the 97 is quite a clunky beast in terms of weight. R7 tuned to medium velocities is a wonderful plinker out to 35 yards or so, and will blow clear through a starling at that range in my experience.

HTH

Guys,

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. the MK4 looks very interesting. What price range is it? Do you know any shops in the UT, ID area that might have one that I could look at?

Thanks again,
Jerry

The MK 4 over here has a built in moderator.

At reasonable power setting it is quite quiet.
And at a low 12 foot pounds you can hardly hear it from 20 yards away.

Great gun ... but I have seen a few new ones recently that had to go back to get fixed more than once.
Not really something you need with a £900 airgun.

I have an MK-3 with a "Moderator" as our friend in the UK puts it....Very quiet and does not affect accuracy in any way.

Don't know if it is the quietest, but when engaging Grackles at +30 yards I can sometimes get 2 before the jig is up!

I am still interested and in the market for something. The MK-3 and MK-4 are certainly intrigung. Appreciate the updates and advice.

Thanks,
Jerry

www.PyramidArms.com will have some of everything to look at. there is an airgun digest section to link to and Tom Gaylord does reviews of all sorts of guns. Check www.airgunadvice.com as well. Packy

Thanks again. Will do it. Still haven't purchased anything yet, but am getting more eager every day.

Jerry

Maybe your research could include some folks willing to let you shoot theirs a bit. Then you get a feel for the firing chacteristics of each model you shoot. Good luck. Packy

Great advice, a nice PCP, divers bottle and all the other bits you find you need will add up to the price of a REALLY NICE Centerfire.
Even a proper spring gun is the same cost as a good "real" gun.
And even quality pellets ain't all that cheap.

So if you can find a range or a club that has an Airgun section it would be well worth a visit.