HRE>       For a number of weeks (months), many topics have been concerned
 HRE> with airarm caliber recommendations ..... .177, .20, .22, .25?    What
 HRE> is best? The recommendations have varied with a common thread of being
 HRE> directly related to airarm power levels, with an apparent general
 HRE> consensus that bigger calibers need higher power levels.
That's what I've felt for a long time.
 HRE> (3)  Beeman R7 (steel springer):
 HRE>        This is a light target/sporter of low power (700 fps with light
 HRE> .177 pells is doing good....maybe a 6.5 gr
 HRE>        Beeman Laser pellet will do that....my R7 has never come close
 HRE> with heavier pells).   About 625 fps
 HRE>        is claimed for it in .20 cal, but I would bet it couldn't put
 HRE> out a 14.3 gr .20 cal Cros Prem at anything over
 HRE>        400 fps....
The .20 Premier is a freakish pellet.  A normal .20 pellet is more like 10 
grains or maybe 11.  I used Marksman FTS pellets in my .20 caliber R7 with 
good results, and it supposedly puts out more energy than the .177.  It's 
just a matter of personal preferences, though. The R7 is an outstanding 
little rifle in either caliber.
 HRE>        me on .22 cal velocities in this classic airarm?    Correct me,
 HRE> ld, if you disagree....but I would venture
 HRE>        to suggest that 12 ft/lb airarms at very good in .177 and at
 HRE> the bottom edge of practicality in .22 cal.
That sounds reasonable.  I really like my QB22 Dlx, and it does about 12 
ft-lb.  Although, it might possibly be even cooler in .20 caliber, if they 
came that way.
But I tend to gravitate toward larger calibers than most folks.  I feel .177 
is mostly good for pistols and 10m target punching.  Then .20 caliber for 
light sporters (like the R7) or magnum pistols (like my Sheridan Model E), 
and then .22 caliber for true magnum rifles.  That's my rule of thumb; your 
mileage may vary.
 HRE> There is no one airarm fitting all applications (ie. a
 HRE> match airarm isn't much of a hunter and a hunter/sporter is handicapped
 HRE> in a 10 meter match when up against match airarms).    Possibly an
 HRE> adjustable power PCP or pump up pnuematic would be the "one airarm for
 HRE> all reasons".   But alternately (for a lot more bucks), most of us go
 HRE> the multiple airarm route.
Also a lot more fun!  Who would want to have only one air rifle?
 HRE> ft/lb) and a high power airarm. The low (Beeman R7 in .177) is for
 HRE> indoor informal target and suburb use. The medium (FWB124d) is for out
 HRE> in the country, but around the farm buildings.    The high (R1-Watts)
 HRE> is for out in the countryside, away from dwellings, hunting small
 HRE> varmints/game that is wary and so 50 yd distances are the norm.
That's what I would use my .22 Magnum for.
I think super-magnum air rifles are amusing toys, but they don't have much 
practical use.  If you're "out in the countryside" to hunt with a 
super-magnum air rifle, then you could simply use a firearm rifle with better 
results.
    -- Tony Belding 
--- Spot 1.3a #535
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