Pellet guns and FPS

[D4u2s0t]

I have a great shooting range in town with a sweet plinking range, and am looking to pick something up as an alternative to a 22 rifle or handgun. I've been looking at picking up an air rifle, but had a few questions regarding the FPS ratings. Is there some type of chart or does anyone with more experience know a little more about these ratings? Is there some kind of general rule, like 100fps won't go through paper, 200 will leave a small welt, 700 will penetrate skin, etc? Obviously the higher the FPS and the higher the caliber or pellet, the more power, but is there anything a little more defining than that? I can't seem to find much info on this. Thanks for any help that can be provided. This will be used primarily for the plinking range at distances of less than 30-40 yards max, and possibly some small game hunting.

Also, C02 or pump?

[Triton21]

http://www.hunterextreme.com/

http://www.nextag.com/22-caliber-air-rifle/shop-html

Read these, should get you started.

Kelley

[D4u2s0t]

great, thanks for the link!

[I.rar]

oh man. i miss my crossman 2240. bolt action .22 400+ fps and pretty darn accurate. i could hit phone poles from down the street on a calm day.

[Mike 12345]

I have a Gamo Big Cat 1200 that I bought from BPS a few months ago. If you use regular lead pellets, it is supposed to travel at @1000fps--  although, if you use some of the high-density pellets, you are supposed to be able to get over 1200 fps. The problem with getting that fast is that its loud, like a .22.

On the other hand, I bought mine to take out some encroaching groundhogs.  Once I got the scope sighted in, it took care of them nicely.  8-)

If you look them up on BPS/Cabelas, etc, you'll find ratings and comments.

[.dsaavedra.]

if you're using it for target and small game, why do you need to know what all the different FPS equate to? just get the highest you can (1000+). this is what you want for hunting and it doesn't hurt to have this power at the range.

[D4u2s0t]

if you're using it for target and small game, why do you need to know what all the different FPS equate to? just get the highest you can (1000+). this is what you want for hunting and it doesn't hurt to have this power at the range.

I don't see what one has to do with the other.  So you're an advocate of people buying guns, but not understanding how powerful they are, and what they are capable of?  I was just curious.  To someone that doesn't know much about airguns, fps don't really mean much other than the higher the #, faster it goes.  I see they range from 200-1200+, trying to make the right decision, and pick up the one that will be right.  Nothing wrong with educating myself a little in the process.

[Grey Wolf]

Beeman are the ones to buy.

[firefightn15]

Years ago I acquired an Anschutz and had it until I traded for a 10/22. Sure wish I had it back now.

[Tokyo Tony]

For the most enjoyment, in my opinion, get a rifle that is spring loaded, that shoots at 1000 fps. I've used them all - CO2 handguns & rifles, pump handguns and rifles, and the spring loaded rifles. The spring loaded ones sound kind of crappy, generally, but they're the most accurate and the most powerful. Also, you don't have to sit there pumping for 30 seconds for a shot. It's just one motion, insert pellet, close, sight, shoot. Fun stuff. I should get mine back out. It's been a while.

[D4u2s0t]

So after some research, turns out here in good ole nj an airgun is considered the same as a rifle, and you need a license to get one (which I don't have yet).  I think i'm just gonna get a crossbow for now until I can get the license, at which point i'll look back into the airguns.  Boggles my mind that I can buy a 180lb crossbow no questions asked, but can't buy an airgun lol.

[Triton21]

Be sure and CK out the Excalibur line of crossbows and the read their Forum before you make a choice.

I have an Exocet 200 and can put arrows in same hole at 40 yards from a soild rest.  I have hunted with several brand crossbow over the past 28 years and this is the best I have used.

Kelley

[.dsaavedra.]

if you're using it for target and small game, why do you need to know what all the different FPS equate to? just get the highest you can (1000+). this is what you want for hunting and it doesn't hurt to have this power at the range.

I don't see what one has to do with the other. So you're an advocate of people buying guns, but not understanding how powerful they are, and what they are capable of? I was just curious. To someone that doesn't know much about airguns, fps don't really mean much other than the higher the #, faster it goes. I see they range from 200-1200+, trying to make the right decision, and pick up the one that will be right. Nothing wrong with educating myself a little in the process.

no, you should know about your gun.  what i said was in regards to this statement "Is there some kind of general rule, like 100fps won't go through paper, 200 will leave a small welt, 700 will penetrate skin, etc?"

[Mike 12345]

if you're using it for target and small game, why do you need to know what all the different FPS equate to? just get the highest you can (1000+). this is what you want for hunting and it doesn't hurt to have this power at the range.

I don't see what one has to do with the other. So you're an advocate of people buying guns, but not understanding how powerful they are, and what they are capable of? I was just curious. To someone that doesn't know much about airguns, fps don't really mean much other than the higher the #, faster it goes. I see they range from 200-1200+, trying to make the right decision, and pick up the one that will be right. Nothing wrong with educating myself a little in the process.

no, you should know about your gun. what i said was in regards to this statement "Is there some kind of general rule, like 100fps won't go through paper, 200 will leave a small welt, 700 will penetrate skin, etc?"

I agree with .dsaavedra-  you should know about it and educate yourself.  However, I think one of the reasons you are getting some people recommending a higher fps rating is because you mentioned you might do a bit of hunting with the gun.  If you want to hunt, a higher fps capacity will give you more penetration and impact power at the target, and, assuming you train yourself to shoot the weapon accurately, result in a quick, clean kill.

As far as rating fps in terms of capacity for damage, as you mentioned, I'm not sure that you'll be able to find that -

[D4u2s0t]

basically, I would relate my question to a beginner angler asking what pound test they should use, and what the differences are.  Different test lines are suited to different applications, thought maybe the air guns would be the same.

I'm not new to shooting, i'm a pretty good shot.  Just don't know much about airguns in relation to fps and was curious.

Thanks everyone for their responses.

[farmpond1]

Nothing shoots like an official Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time.

[I.rar]

Nothing shoots like an official Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time.

dont shoot your eye out. 

[South FLA]

Airgun manufactures tend to.....lie about actually FPS when compared to real world chronograph results so beware.  I went through an "air rifle' phase for about 2 years when I was living in a condo, even set up a 10M shooting range in the my living room. 

If you want a great air gun right out of the box I recommend the Beeman R9 Goldfinger Combo, its a sweet little air rifle.  I like the .20 caliber model.  Have fun, by the way it will make you a much better shooter.