I guess this is the place for an air rifle post. I have had an RWS model 34 for years, and a model 45 before that, which is just a 34 with a nicer stock and a "recoil" pad. I have enjoyed these immensely and shoot them more than my firearms.
I am contemplating stepping up to a nice one, probably the 48, with a scope. This is an extremely beautiful rifle to my eye, and has the side-cocker/fixed barrel action, which makes it accurate and powerful (advertised vel of 1,100 in .177, which means about 950 fps in reality - but still very good). These run about $335.00 or so. The 54 Air King is the granddaddy among sporting (non-competition) RWS air rifles. It's a recoilless and decked out version of the 48. I think it's somewhere between $700-$900, but not sure.
Questions: Anyone had experiences with any model 48/52/54, and particularly, can anyone tell me if the 54 recoilless version is worth all the extra cash? Anyone had experiences with any competitor in a similar, high-quality sporting rifle (Beeman, etc.)? Seems to me that Beemans are more money for less gun. Can anyone recommend a quality air scope (they must be made differently than a rifle scope)? Finally, I'm thinking .177 is still the best caliber for any air rifle, but RWS offers the model 48 in .177, .20, .22, and .25. The .20 cals are a limited run. Does anyone have actual experience that says a .20 or .22 or .25 has served a particular purpose better than a .177 would? Thanks.
I am contemplating stepping up to a nice one, probably the 48, with a scope. This is an extremely beautiful rifle to my eye, and has the side-cocker/fixed barrel action, which makes it accurate and powerful (advertised vel of 1,100 in .177, which means about 950 fps in reality - but still very good). These run about $335.00 or so. The 54 Air King is the granddaddy among sporting (non-competition) RWS air rifles. It's a recoilless and decked out version of the 48. I think it's somewhere between $700-$900, but not sure.
Questions: Anyone had experiences with any model 48/52/54, and particularly, can anyone tell me if the 54 recoilless version is worth all the extra cash? Anyone had experiences with any competitor in a similar, high-quality sporting rifle (Beeman, etc.)? Seems to me that Beemans are more money for less gun. Can anyone recommend a quality air scope (they must be made differently than a rifle scope)? Finally, I'm thinking .177 is still the best caliber for any air rifle, but RWS offers the model 48 in .177, .20, .22, and .25. The .20 cals are a limited run. Does anyone have actual experience that says a .20 or .22 or .25 has served a particular purpose better than a .177 would? Thanks.