What would you recommend for a .177 target rifle, budget under $2000

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DHart

Member
Jul 7, 2018
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54
AZ, United States
I am thinking about getting a .177 rifle for target use. Range probably about 25-35 yards. I would like great, consistent accuracy and a great trigger. And ability to moderate to "very QUIET".

Budget is up to $2000.

What would you recommend and why?

I have been considering an FX Crown as but ONE possibility, but have heard some significant misgivings regarding FX Crown. Perhaps just one person's terrible luck?

Impact? Weirauch HW110? AirArms 510? Daystate Regal? Crown? Or?
 
What else is important? 
Does it need to be a rifle? Bullpup? What FPE are you looking for?
How quiet do you want the gun to be?

What are you trying to shoot? Paper? Rats? Birds? Small animals? Etc.......???

A 12 fpe moderated, shrouded barrel would be extremely nice and quiet. 


Remember that a rifle with a moderator will be a fairly long gun.

Is adjustability important?


 
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From your list, it looks like you're looking at a traditional rifle with the exception of the FX Impact. RAW would be a solid choice but they have a long waiting list. Check out the RAW REPORT in the General Airgunning section here for more research. Since you already have the Redwolf HP in .22, you may want to consider the Pulsar in .177cal and get the Daystate Handheld Programmer which you could use for tuning both platforms.

Another option is to get the Wolverine R in .177cal. Daystate offers two versions. The Wolverine R, C Type (Cylinder) and the Hilite. Me personally, I would opt for the C Type with the integrated picatinny rails in the 12 FPE model. According to Daystate's website, the shot count for the C Type in the 12 FPE model is 200 and for the Hilite (Carbon Fiber bottle) in 12 FPE is 460.

From your previous post, I take it that you want to stick with AOA for warranty issues because they are local to you right? I'm not sure if they offer the 12 FPE models but maybe they could order it directly from Daystate. If price is an issue, I've seen good reports with the Daystate Huntsman Regal in .177cal.

The .177cal 12 FPE model with the new Huma Regulator produces about 140 shots and the FAC version @ 18 FPE produces about 60 shots. Again, you'll have to ask AOA to probably bring these 12 FPE models in if they don't offer them.

Look at these beauties!!!...

1537265054_4331796805ba0cd9eb08663.41872523_SmartSelect_20180918-195729_Chrome.jpg

 
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What else is important? 
Does it need to be a rifle? Bullpup? What FPE are you looking for?
How quiet do you want the gun to be?

What are you trying to shoot? Paper? Rats? Birds? Small animals? Etc.......???

A 12 fpe moderated, shrouded barrel would be extremely nice and quiet. 


Remember that a rifle with a moderator will be a fairly long gun.

Is adjustability important?

Click to expand...

Good point on length. My Red Wolf .22HP feels like it’s six feet long. It would be nice to have an accurate rifle that is nice and compact with a moderator on it. I don’t need high power, as I have the RW .22HP for that. I would mostly use it to punch paper at 30-40 yards at most. And would like it to be at least as quiet as my RW, if not even quieter.

12fpe gun sounds incredibly low powered to me, but then again, I’ve never shot one and my application doesn’t really “need” power.

I have wondered if there’s a bit of a breeze, which there often is, is .177 pretty much a mess due to wind effect on the light weight pellets? Would it be better to go with a .22 that can shoot heavier pellets?

An adjustable power .22 in semi bull pup might be just about right? Doesn’t need to be really high power though.

I’m thinking I want to get away from long length, heavy weight, & high power, as that’s what my RW is all about. Something light weight, fairly compact with moderator, less powerful... and quiet would be great.

I’m thinking perhaps an FX Wildcat in .22, even though AoA doesn’t service them anymore. They’re short, light weight, and less power than the RW .22HP. Possibly more accurate too? I don’t know.
 
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From your list, it looks like you're looking at a traditional rifle with the exception of the FX Impact. RAW would be a solid choice but they have a long waiting list. Check out the RAW REPORT in the General Airgunning section here for more research. Since you already have the Redwolf HP in .22, you may want to consider the Pulsar in .177cal and get the Daystate Handheld Programmer which you could use for tuning both platforms.

Another option is to get the Wolverine R in .177cal. Daystate offers two versions. The Wolverine R, C Type (Cylinder) and the Hilite. Me personally, I would opt for the C Type with the integrated picatinny rails in the 12 FPE model. According to Daystate's website, the shot count for the C Type in the 12 FPE model is 200 and for the Hilite (Carbon Fiber bottle) in 12 FPE is 460.

From your previous post, I take it that you want to stick with AOA for warranty issues because they are local to you right? I'm not sure if they offer the 12 FPE models but maybe they could order it directly from Daystate. If price is an issue, I've seen good reports with the Daystate Huntsman Regal in .177cal.

The .177cal 12 FPE model with the new Huma Regulator produces about 140 shots and the FAC version @ 18 FPE produces about 60 shots. Again, you'll have to ask AOA to probably bring these 12 FPE models in if they don't offer them.

Look at these beauties!!!...

1537265054_4331796805ba0cd9eb08663.41872523_SmartSelect_20180918-195729_Chrome.jpg
Click to expand...

Peskadot... the Pulsar is an option, but the weight of it really puts me off. I’m trying to go with something more compact and lighter weight. Wildcat MkII appeals to me a lot more, potential issues and shipping to NC for service notwithstanding.

Wolverine and Huntsman Regal are excellent choices. Regal with the slim cylinder might be great for me... still pretty long, though. Difficult choice to make.
 
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Have you considered the Taipan Veteran Short or Standard in .22cal? You can easily adjust the Hammer Spring Tension to increase or decrease the FPS/FPE if you purchase the DonnyFL Speed Dialer.

EDgun is another option. You can get the R5M in .177 although I believe it is out of stock at the moment at EDgun West. The EDgun Leishy is another consideration if you're not opposed to a single shot airgun. You can easily change calibers by just changing the barrels (.177, .22, and .25cal).
 
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I have a RAW HM1000 (actually 2, .177 and .22), also have a Daystate Regal with added regulator, a Steyr Challenge Hunting, and owned a Wolverine R for a while. Regardless of name, the Steyr is a target rifle, single shot, no safety. Of the lot, I recommend the RAW, for the reasons already mentioned. The Steyr has a better trigger (maybe the best in the world), but the RAW trigger is excellent. The Regal is the best value, but can't quite shoot with the RAW or Steyr. Of course, individual rifles and barrels will vary. 
 
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I have a RAW HM1000 (actually 2, .177 and .22), also have a Daystate Regal with added regulator, a Steyr Challenge Hunting, and owned a Wolverine R for a while. Regardless of name, the Steyr is a target rifle, single shot, no safety. Of the lot, I recommend the RAW, for the reasons already mentioned. The Steyr has a better trigger (maybe the best in the world), but the RAW trigger is excellent. The Regal is the best value, but can't quite shoot with the RAW or Steyr. Of course, individual rifles and barrels will vary. 
 
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DHart, I was hoping you would consider the FX Wildcat, I've been shooting 2 Wildcats for seven months now .25 and .22, almost every day, started with the .25 first, if I knew then what I know now just how perfect this .22 Wildcat is, (for me) wouldn't have bought the .25. Trigger, accuracy, light, compact, 70 shots/fill, I love the short light compactness of the .22, long bottle type guns feel like I'm shooting a telephone pole now. I plink and informal target shoot, every time I shoot the .22 I consider it the "perfect" air rifle for my uses, may have a little more power then you need, mine came 860FPS with JSB 18's, and I would recommend a moderator. Anyone considering a Wildcat I've had GREAT results with the MK1's, (accuracy for one) and I've yet to have any problems. Put one in your hands and shoot one if you have the chance. Good luck and enjoy the "hunt"!
 
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Well I'm thinking along the same line. Now to me a target rifle is not just a rifle you shoot targets with but a rifle that is dedicated to that purpose. 

I'm considering a FWB 800 field target. I understand Steyr makes nice rifles but who sells them? At least the FWB equipment is supported by AOA and others. Steyr seems to be real popular in UK but in the USA would it be serviceable and even available? I like the looks of the daystate Tsar rifle but it's a little more money. Be nice to find something lightly used but they seem never turn up.
 
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Honestly, I'm not even reading all other posts but I see expensive rifles. You said under 2K so I'll surmise your limit with optics is 2K. Now, you do NOT need to spend list or MSRP on an air gun to get supreme accuracy. Heck, a LW 23.8" barrel is $120.00 + shipping from factory. Crosman now offers the Marauder in the FT version WITH a LW barrel. I don't know if you meant a group target shooter or FT competition. If the latter, than you really need to spend as much on your scope as you do on rifle if not more as it is not just your sight but range finder and needs to be precise in clarity, focusing, bell adjustment #'s in yards or meters, no sock/play, tight in all ways. You don't get a "good scope until you usually spend $500. There are exceptions. I have Japanese Bushnell Banner & Trophy and when my eyes say clearest, the bell marks match the actual rangefinder to within their given numbers. A real FT scope ($3K on up) has increments much smaller than every 10-20 yards. Many guys make their own tapes also.

Without knowing what you expect out of a rifleI'll still say you can build a GREAT one for under 1K. BSA R10 MKII British Service Arms barrels are legendary. LW's are great. I've heard from top tuners that TJ liners are excellent. You can contract Hart barrels to build a barrel around pellet. Send them a sleeve and they'll average the head size, micro groove rifling machined to fit your choice of pellet. They do measuring before and after shooting into a bullet tank. All barrel are hand lapped.

I have no idea about FX's new X barrel liners. Do you want dedicated or versatility? Got a caliber picked out? the pellet, what speed that pellet is known to be most accurate at? You definitely need regulated rifle and I suggest Huma on up to custom Ban Brown/Will Piatt types. That brings me to Rainstorms. Not to undermine all these pretty rifles but please believe me when I say it's quite funny to see a course get cleared by a less expensive rifle. Take the Marauder Will accursed for his son, or any Rainstorm with a short dwell time from the 17' barrel. I prefer efficiency and good follow through so longer barrels are my thing but a Rainstorm is so so easy to shoot. I've owned 3-4 & would bet against my own close to 4K AZ Rapid I use to own. Total cost of any of those 3-4 RS's? Pyramid air price and a simple Altaros reg put in. I can't wait to commission Will to do a really good one with a better regulator, all the bells 7 whistles that matter in accuracy. Yes, I like ugly sleeper rifles that people think are junk.
 
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Well I'm thinking along the same line. Now to me a target rifle is not just a rifle you shoot targets with but a rifle that is dedicated to that purpose. 

I'm considering a FWB 800 field target. I understand Steyr makes nice rifles but who sells them? At least the FWB equipment is supported by AOA and others. Steyr seems to be real popular in UK but in the USA would it be serviceable and even available? I like the looks of the daystate Tsar rifle but it's a little more money. Be nice to find something lightly used but they seem never turn up.
Click to expand...

I bought my Steyr from Krale, in the Netherlands, they have a good web site. They have great prices on Steyr, and mine was delivered from the Netherlands in 4 days, great service. Scott Pilkington specializes in Steyr service and parts, located in Tennessee. Mine is new, but all my research suggested they are durable guns that routinely require little service. It is as accurate as my RAW, but being single shot and no safety, is more specialized. Also, as delivered, the Steyr is very loud. The good news, Steyr sells a silencer adapter that fits perfectly, and uses the the standard male threading for air gun moderators. I bought a Hogan silencer from Krale, and it works great, as quiet as my .22 RAW. 
 
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177 will fly flatter, 25 will buck the winds better but need more power 22 splits the difference. more power will let you shoot heavier pellets to help with wind. sooooo

for 22 cal i would look at fx wildcat with huggett/donny fl mod, brocock bantam or bantam sniper with same mods. both are bullpup/semi bullpup design

regular traditional rifle, daystate huntsman regal , fx streamline, there are others but i know you can put on hugget/donny fl mods on these for quiet and all these platforms range from 11-13 hundred plus 2 hundred for mod. leaves you 5 to 7 left for optics and bipod.

note-brocock bantam non regulated is much less.
 
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