Hunting Rifle Help/Guidance

[JimD]

One suggestion is a Walther Reign M2. The first generation (M1) is shrouded but the M2 has a muzzle brake. That amplifies sound so it would seem OK. Krale has them for about $700 delivered. Rated at 60 Joule in 22 which is about 44 fpe. I took a small raccoon with a 32 fpe 22. Took 3 shots but the brain shot killed it. But 20 fpe will take small game cleanly with decent placement. This is a bullpup which I prefer.

 

[NickyAir16]

One suggestion is a Walther Reign M2. The first generation (M1) is shrouded but the M2 has a muzzle brake. That amplifies sound so it would seem OK. Krale has them for about $700 delivered. Rated at 60 Joule in 22 which is about 44 fpe. I took a small raccoon with a 32 fpe 22. Took 3 shots but the brain shot killed it. But 20 fpe will take small game cleanly with decent placement. This is a bullpup which I prefer.

I have taken up to 20 pound raccoons with my .177 with well-placed head shots out to 30 yards. I am thinking I would just feel a bit more confident in slight error with a .22 and more FPE. I will check out the Walther, thanks.

 

[cavedweller]

That 1200 hasn’t destroyed your Wraith? Interesting.

I have little faith in the China guns. I recently purchased a Marauder .22 with Walther barrel from Airgun Revisions for $300. Specifically a refurbished one. AR is an authorized referb center for them.
The best part is AR goes through the gun and puts it together correct and with care.
Although it’s not the latest and greatest, it is super accurate, reliable, and simple to work on. Parts are everywhere. Easy to hand pump also.

I am getting 35+ good shots @27fpe. No moderator needed as the shroud and baffles do a wonderful job.

 

[ChuckHunter]

I am curious if NJ would view the shroud and baffles as a silencer? This is a quote from a state website:

"Silencers are defined as any device designed to lessen or muffle the noise of the gun discharging. We urge all users of air guns to determine through the manufacturer of the firearm whether or not they are so equipped. The possession and use of such air guns is ILLEGAL.".

This state is horrible but I am stuck here so just trying to make do lol.

Straight up communist in their wording of that law! Federally airguns are not classified as firearms! Just ridiculous!
As far as the Marauder you can easily remove the baffles and the shroud will quiet it some. Better than no shroud and nothing there to get you in trouble. You can drill a series of small holes in the rear of shroud and will help even a little more letting the air escape that way! And still not a suppressor!

 

[maxtrouble]

My local gun shop actually began carrying some PCP rifles, but I haven't gone in to see which models or anything yet. Might have to bite the bullet at the store front to ensure its 100% compliant.

I would recommend calling a vendor up like Airgun Revisions, Pyramid / Airgun Depot, or New England Airgun. They probably have a "NJ special" Marauder and hand pump.

 

[wamf]

Hello all, new here. Long time reader who finally joined.

I have been shooting my Remington Vantage 1200 in .177 with a Sightmark Wraith HD. I have found the JSB Match Diablo Exact in 8.44 grains to work the best in this specific rifle. Never had it on a chrono, but I recon it would be around 800FPS or so with this pellet. I thoroughly enjoy small game hunting with it, but it leaves me desiring more. My state (NJ) allows only .177-.22 (minimum speed of 600FPS) for hunting, with the largest predator we can target being a raccoon. While effectively harvesting easily 100+ squirrels and rabbits over my 15 years of ownership with this rifle, I can't effectively take raccoon with it. Have I? Yes, when the yardage and proper shot presented itself, but not with 100% confidence.

I have been eyeing moving up to an entry PCP rifle (Air Venturi Avenger in .22), but was not sure if that would be my best bang for buck for hunting. It wont be used much else besides hunting and the occasional sighting in/target plinking. New Jersey does not allow any types of suppression, so all of the factory options with internal suppression aren't allowed. Even a Gamo Whisper is technically a big "no" here.

Accuracy and down range effectiveness are my main concerns. I would say that most of my shots will be 30 yards and in based on where/how I hunt. So, what do you all say? I have been reading the forums for weeks now trying to decide between an entry PCP, a new break barrel, etc. Any and all advice is welcome on this topic for me with my intended species as well as the limitations set by my state.

Nick

Easy, HW90, easily adjusted power a very nicely made gun wish I would have bought one years ago.
It is a strange one in that it has been around for a very long time but very few know anything about it.

 

[NickyAir16]

Well, stopped by the local shop to see what they carry in stock. The only PCP they carry is the Benjamin Cayden in .22. They said they can order others if I wanted and have them made NJ compliant, but that would be an additional cost. The Cayden is going for $525 there, so I passed for now knowing I will also need a pump etc.

 

[3Crows]

It took me three tries and two returns to get a Gauntlet .25 that held air. It was huge, long, heavy, ungainly, horrible balance and fairly powerful with good accuracy. The quality was horrendus, missing anodizing covered with Magic Marker, really! I am thinking to get a .30SL, chop off all the plastic and get a cf bottle and convert it to a tactical folding stock somehow and shorten the shroud.

For the M-Rod, you can get a short shroud, custom length, to eliminate the baffles keeping the splitter and tension spring, from Tim Hill Airguns. The result will be that the muzzle end is slightly recessed behind the air tube. Which is not a bad thing for a hunting rifle as the air tube now protects the muzzle/shroud from knocks as you glide through the forest in search of quarry.

That NJ law seems a little vague and open to interpretation by the officer. My take is that a factory rifle equipped as allowed to be sold in NJ would be compliant but adding an adapter and external/after market suppressor would be likely illegal. But---. My solution would be not to live in NJ.

 

[NickyAir16]

Little update: reached out to the state police and inquired about shrouds/baffles, and this was their response:

"Air rifles are regulated firearms in NJ, however, please see below firearm legal specifications that apply to semi-automatic firearms. If this does not answer your questions or for further interpretation of firearms laws in NJ it maybe in your best interest to contact a NJ licensed attorney who specializes in this area.

A complete list of banned firearms can be found in N.J.S. 2C:39-1.w as well as N.J.A.C. 13:54-1.2. If a firearm is not specifically listed by name then it may be considered to be substantially identical if it has the following qualities;
A semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following:
(1) A folding or telescoping stock;
(2) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(3) A bayonet mount;
(4) A flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash
suppressor; and
(5) A grenade launcher;
A semi-automatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following:
(1) An ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;
(2) A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
(3) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned;
(4) Manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; and/or
(5) A semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm; and
A semi-automatic shotgun that has one of the following:
(1) A folding or telescoping stock;
(2) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(3) A fixed magazine capacity in excess of six rounds;
A semiautomatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds.

New Jersey State Police
Firearms Investigation Unit"

With all of that said, and looking into what the state deems as a "silencer" - "g. "Firearm silencer" means any instrument, attachment, weapon or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm to be silent, or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm." I am thinking that a shroud/baffles would be considered one? I am reaching out to a NJ 2A attorney for their interpretation, but wanted so see what you all thought.