You’ll be able to buy a good quality air gun for a small part of the cost of a conventional rifle or pistol. And equally important, an air gun could be operated for pennies as an alternative to hundreds of dollars for standard ammunition. Air gun cost is so inexpensive that you might consider buying several air guns for many different purposes.
The most likely use of your air rifle or pistol should determine the caliber. There are more than a few excellent values both in rifles and pistols with the heavy calibers so cost alone mustn’t be the deciding factor. If your primary intended use is target shooting then a .177 caliber is almost always best choice.
One reason is the fact that .177 caliber pellets weigh less than the heavy calibers and thus require less energy to shoot them on a flat trajectory at the competitive target distance of 10 meters (@33 feet). Lighter pellets require less energy which usually means less cost to manufacture and less cost for you.
Technical reasons aside, a .177 caliber can be the most suitable choice simply because there is a wide selection of air guns at so many different price levels in this category. By way of example, for less than $100 you can find a CO2 powered semiautomatic with a hardwood stock that shoots fast enough to keep up a flat trajectory at target shooting range but is slow and safe enough to use in a backyard range.
.20 caliber may perhaps be the very best general purpose caliber for an air gun. A .20 caliber pellet will hold about the same flat trajectory as a .177 caliber pellet, rendering it good for target shooting, and still carry about 40% more energy down range over a .177 caliber. Should you decide to do any hunting at all then a .20 caliber might be the minimum size air gun that you should consider. You will need to do more research as there are only a few offerings in this caliber.
Should you own just one hunting air gun then make it a .22 caliber.The range of a .22 caliber pellet is shorter than a .20 caliber pellet, however the .22 caliber pellet carries 80% more energy down range than a .177 caliber pellet. Almost all major air gun manufacturers make several .22 caliber models so you will have no trouble obtaining a good gun in your cost range.If you are stuck for choices the Crosman 2260 model may be the best bargain. It’s a single shot, bolt action, gas powered, .22 caliber air rifle.
Not counting the rare .45 caliber air rifle, the .25 caliber is unbeatable for sending probably the most energy and immense knock-down force downrange.Texas air gun hunters use the .25 caliber to successfully hunt wild boar and get single shot kills.A decent .25 caliber hunting air rifle will be in the $300 and up cost range.
Beeman air rifles are quality made and offered from .177 to .25 caliber.
