opinion required

[ROHINANA]

My fellow members,

My dear fellow members I require your opinion, on a particular purchase I intend to do, but I am not very clear and need to take a decision, hence this advice is sought from members who have used these weapons

I have in my possesion a Weirauch HW90 .22, (scope mounted,) a Diana .22 model 35 (Very old model) open sights and a couple of Co2 pistols in .177 for plinking. I use my HW90 to be honest, for Vermin Control strictly at my farm, which is remotely located near to Surya Dam in Thane district. Which is a heavliy forested area in the tribal belt close to Jahawar.

I intend to buy a Diana 54 Air king .22 very shortly. I would like to know if a Diana 350
magnum in .177 is a better choice ? I have read a lot on this site about it having 1250 fps, breaking the sound barrier etc. I have not used till date a air rifle in .177 an therefore I am not fimiliar with lower calibre and how effective it is for varmin control, as far as I understand, having a very high velocity in a pellet rifle using lighter pellets may effect the accuracy, to maintain this imbalance a heavier grain pellets is used. This is as per my knowledge.

As far as my HW90 is concerned, with .22 predator polymer tipped pellets in 16 grain or Gamo Magnums it is a accurate and a very powerful weapon, a bit on the heavy side and hard to cock, apart it is excellent at 60 to 80 feet, good knockdown power. I am very satified with it.
what leaves me in a dialema is wether a D54 air kingin .22 or 350 manum in .177 ? which is a better choice for varmin control, bandicoots are no match for a .22 poly tiped pellets, that is what worries me, will a .177 be equally effective on them, cant afford to make a mistake and then go about correcting it.
I will be gratefull to all members who can advice me for it, or against it.
With Regards to all
Rohinana.

[miss_3006]

The HW90 is right there, for your desired application as you say. The D54 Airking in 22 will generate same power as the HW90 roughly but it is cumbersome to load it in the field quickly. All side-levers are. The weight is also an issue, and the D54 is more of a bench-rest or FT gun than a field gun.

With the right shot placements and within 50 yards, the D350 Magnum in 177 will do the job with heavy pellets but you cant afford to miss the shot. If you can get the D350 in 22, that would be the right choice, failing which the 177 will do the trick within reasonable distances.

[rsuresh]

Dear Rohinana,

I recently used the D350 in a friends farm , its a .22 caliber. To be honest I wont prefer it. It slapped me . Much of a recoil when compared to the HW 80 that I have. Since you have a HW in your hand why dont you use it for the stated purpose? I still don't prefer the 350 Magnum in 177 either. Most of the pellet goes supersonic.

There are still more to add with the D54, Since its my dream gun. Will have one in my life in a .22 caliber. If you still wish to buy the D350 Magnum , just get it tuned by an expert with the Maccari kits. You will have a different gun in your hand.

I forgot to tell you , the 350 Magnum is a scope eater too.

--Suresh.R

[sawbones]

Hi
From my experience with many types of air rifles in field conditions I would say that a simple break barrel is more functional easier to load and maintain, the air king for some reason or the other has been dropped by people who use it in the field .

Other than a break barrel a pcp repeater is a lot of fun

Finally 177 is definitely good enough for the vermin that we are allowed to shoot nowadays

sawbones

[thomast1]

a pcp repeater.. follow up shots and decent kill of vermins. 0.177 can work as you can rely on follow up shots, importable as well. my options or rather wishes, are
1) sumatra 2500 carbine (very loud and poweful) might not pass dealwood test, Experts can advice on this.
2) Evanix Rainstorm Carbine, one of my colleagues abroad has high words of praise for this one "Silent Killer" for rabbits and raccoons. PS: definely with some mods.
3) evanix hunting master revolver only in 0.22. option out for postal/courier import.
4) Airforce Condor in 0.22 some offers here in the sales exist or may be not. powerful shot for kills.

Bandicoots are carriers of rabies, be careful with what you do after the kill, dont use dogs to retrieve them,
Thomas

[Prabhath]

Rohinana,

You already have a relly good airgun in the HW90 and it's a springer too. Don't think about the D350. Too many drawbacks. The D54 is better in .177. I own one and have seen the same written about the D54 on quite a few forums. Why not think about a pcp? Have a look at the airgunsofarizona site. They have a fantastic deal going on the FX T12whisper right now. They have priced it at $599.99. It's literally a steal at that price.

[striker]

Hi ,
D54 is very heavy in side lever springers ,optimum for bench rest rather than field use for medium built persons. Moreever the anti recoil system works only in horizontal position and not in muzzle point up or down over 30degrees
d350 is a big crap apart from being accurate it has a kicking recoil and heavy cocking load and much tiring in field use.dont carry away by advertised velocity as it is done with 5grain pellets . .177 in 860-900 fps is more than enough for varmint control .