We have a small lifestyle block and I need to get another air rifle after 30 years of not owning one...

What part of the group is the place to post a "What gun should I buy" question???

Anyway looking forward to all the advice, catching up on how much things have changed since my trusty old Weirauch days and just being amongst people with similar interests.... 

Welcome!

Can ask here, or the general discussion area. But, youve already spolied yourself with Weihrauch theres a lot of guns out there thatll be a downgrade! 

Weihrauch and Air Arms are top of the heap - Weihrauch having most options vs Air Arms with their TX200.. It all comes down to budget really, and also if you have a license.. If you have FAL then PCP is a great option as they can be very quiet with good power and easier to shoot more accurately (not necessarily inherently more acurate, just easier to use) 

For rabbits an HW95 would be great, HW97 if you want to get into some target shooting as well, HW80 if you have a bit of a possum problem as well. 

Diana used to have some good offerings, theyve slowed down a bit, but if you can find a Diana 340 Ntech that'd be a good option. 

Cometa fusion is a good more budget friendly option - spanish made but a big step up from gamo etc, cold hammer forged barrels are accurate, the trigger is very adjustable and can be made excellent. My preference would be .177 with JSB exact heavy pellets - I had one before my TX200 and could group just as well. 

Budgeting below the fusion, id say keep saving... i may be a snob but if you like quality then better to buy once. 

But, a cheap crosman / benjamin will do the trick, but you need to master the trigger etc otherwise youll not get best accuracy. dont bother with the multi-shot springers - the mechanisms break. gamo is overpowered and use far too much plastic

Thanks yes I think I will miss the German engineering, but its purely for occasional pest control...our lawn is starting to look like a sieve!!!

Ive been having a good look at the Gamo Swarm Magnum Pro (Gen 3i) Air Rifle .22 but for what I want not sure I need to spend a grand??  Maybe I do LOL

But the reviews and videos Ive watched it certainly looks to perform on power and accuracy once you match the right pellets....

But its literally the first thing I have looked at really so still lots to look at

Hi.  Stratford shooter here and a member of the Eltham Small Bore Rifle Club where I and others shoot air rifles twice a week.  Some of us own relatively expensive PCPs, but nearly all of us own at least one Weihrauch springer - and that's for good reason.

My 2 cents worth would be (and I think all of my shooting buddies will agree) is to forget about the Gamo no matter how much the salesperson raves about it - you'll probably be disappointed.  

For the same price as the one you mention you'll be able to purchase a new Weihrauch HW50 in .177 cal plus a Nikko Stirling scope, a combo that will give you a very high level of accuracy, lots of dead rabbits and years of service.

PLUS, you would be competitive if you wanted to join our little club (we have a member who travels down from NP) as the springer shooters are now getting very close to the PCPs - especially on our 25yd indoor range!

PM me if you'd like more info.

I would keep looking - ignore the multishot - you still cock the barrel so only skipping the motion of loading a pellet... not a lot of time saved. The mechanisms wear and then start failing. 

The cometa is the next best thing to the germans, and will beat the gamo in accuracy and power is still plenty. 

The one on trademe in the link looks a good buy, but have a look at reviews etc and also could be worth a phone call to youngs airguns in auckland to see what he has / recomends

Thanks I see you sent a PM but for some reason I cant see the messages.... no option to read them when I click the link...

Now Im getting even more confused (easily done) as to brand...but what about calibre?  I alswyas thought .22 for Rabbits but .... what does everyone else think?

I have removed all the multi-shot loaders.

The magnums are over powered for the trigger capability.

Check out the forum reviews and hunting posts to get some ideas.

Try before you buy, happy to arrange a practice session with several different brands and models in Stratford or Eltham.

Welcome back to airguns they remain a very cost effective pest control option.

What sort of range are you shooting? 

.177 flies faster and flatter, somewhat easier to shoot at varying ranges - .22 has a larger arch so more holdover to account for. 

high power .177 will tend to drill holes through things at close range - arguably .22 will dump for energy into the target for more efficient kill..

Rabbits really arent too tough of an animal, unlike possum, so either caliber would be fine. .22 may be a safer bet as a good allrounder 

FidosField wrote: Wow just spotted an original BSA super sport made by BSA in the Uk… I always fancied one of those…

Nice, probably still very capable for what you are wanting to do.