I ended up going way over the budget I had posted and bought a RWS Diana 48 side cocking .22 rifle. It is a bit loud and thumpy, but is built like a tank. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a springer.@TreyG-20 - I've found myself where you were a few years ago with this OP and I'm itching to get a good air rifle. I'm hoping you can maybe save me some grief and make recommendations.
I have a couple old 177cal pumpers that I'll likely dig out and play with, but I'd really like to get a good break action spring-piston or gas-piston for $200 or less, probably 22cal. I've been loking around - there's so much to choose from!
The RWS Diana 48 was a good choice! I've had mine since the '80s, but it is .177. Side cockers are inherently more accurate than break barrels.I ended up going way over the budget I had posted and bought a RWS Diana 48 side cocking .22 rifle. It is a bit loud and thumpy, but is built like a tank. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a springer.
Now I am wanting a PCP rifle. There are several in the 4-500 dollar range like the Benjamin Sheridan amd Hatsun that I like. Problem is a electric high pressure pump cost just as much as the rifle. I'm not super interested in the bike tire type pumps since it will have to be pumped several hundred times to get it up to pressure.
And that leads to another question on my mind - casting our own bullets.The RWS Diana 48 was a good choice! I've had mine since the '80s, but it is .177. Side cockers are inherently more accurate than break barrels.
I see the pump cost of PCP as same problem as you, but PCP is appealing, especially in calibers where bullets can be reasonably cast.
I dunno for sure, but I don't think it's practical to cast smaller than .30, maybe .25. .30 PCP can use standard cast bullets, I think. I've never seen pellet molds, doesn't mean they don't exist.And that leads to another question on my mind - casting our own bullets.
It appears NOE doesn't have molds for 177 or 22 cal pellets, and I've never tried casting bullets anywhere near that small. If it is not too small to cast, where do you get your molds from?
I haven’t owned one in decades but now NEED one and am “looking”. The old ones were Benjamin .22 pumps back in the 1940’ & ‘50’s. Those worked quite well, IIRC. Thanks for your reply ! LeVieuxYes and no... scopes are mounted on the 'receiver' spring tube and work fine. The barrel should lock up when it's closed the same every time because it's a spring loaded lockup. if the barrel wobbles it won't shoot good anyway, and needs to be tightened somehow. Usually they lock up tight. My break barrels are all decades old and work fine with scopes as the lockup remains tight. Shouldn't be a worry. Ask the same question on the springer section of the GTA or AirgunNation forums for a more qualified response. They are great forums too. what air rifle do you have?
Side lever and bottom lever air rifles don't have this problem.