Best entry level .22 Air Rifle?

[Plink Bonny]

Hi all, Just joined your group having only just found it although I've been shooting on and off for a while now!

I inherited a beautiful 1949-1955 built BSA Cadet Major .177 air rifle from my Dad and although it's a really nice gun to use and esthetically pleasing to the eye, it doesn't pack a lot of punch. I decided I needed something a bit more powerful, read a bit online and watched a few videos, and plumped for a Gamo Whisper Sting .22 which came with optical sights and carry bag for sub-£200 which I thought a pretty good bargain.

Having used it for a few weeks though I'm finding it difficult to put a decent group together, but then on this forum I'm reading that how the gun is held, if not consistently, gives varying degrees of accuracy. Never knew that. More to this shooting lark than I suspected.

Anyway, I'd like to know what the general populace on here thinks of this particular Gamo weapon. Have I bought wisely, or could I have done better?

 

[Firsttwodie]

Your groups could improve with the right pellet get some sample packs and try to see what your rifle groups best with. Make sure you fire a few of the new pellets before trying to see the grouping could take 5 pellets or more to give some of the new lead down the barrel. ihunter and the wolfman air guns do sample packs to save buying full tins and JSB do a sample pack. Stick to Diablo shaped pellets.

 

[That hurts]

Personally I wouldn't have bought the Gamo as they are very much built to a budget and poorly finished internally, but can be improved if you're willing to have a go yourself. That said, it's worth persisting with as is as you learn about springer shooting ... practice, practice and more practice is the key !

 

[chouchin66]

Hi all, Just joined your group having only just found it although I've been shooting on and off for a while now!

I inherited a beautiful 1949-1955 built BSA Cadet Major .177 air rifle from my Dad and although it's a really nice gun to use and esthetically pleasing to the eye, it doesn't pack a lot of punch. I decided I needed something a bit more powerful, read a bit online and watched a few videos, and plumped for a Gamo Whisper Sting .22 which came with optical sights and carry bag for sub-£200 which I thought a pretty good bargain.

Having used it for a few weeks though I'm finding it difficult to put a decent group together, but then on this forum I'm reading that how the gun is held, if not consistently, gives varying degrees of accuracy. Never knew that. More to this shooting lark than I suspected.

Anyway, I'd like to know what the general populace on here thinks of this particular Gamo weapon. Have I bought wisely, or could I have done better?

First, Welcome.
You might have done better with a first purchase ? I shoot a Gamo time to time myself ( tinkered with). The thing with lower priced guns ( some pricey ones too) are less than stellar triggers, pretty much across the board. A good trigger helps immensely with accuracy & some, with a bit of fiddling, can be made decent. With a new gun, clean the barrel make sure all screws stay tight & especially with a springer, always hold it the same way every time ( just enough so it doesn't get away) & never rest it on a hard/ firm surface to shoot - rest it on your hand.
Give it a tin or a bit more pellets to let it settle in. Airguns too are/ can be pretty picky eaters, often requiring a good few types / brands/ weights of pellets to see what it's favorite food is. Stay with it pal .