Sadly, my landlord dont have a big back-yard. I can do a little 12m target shooting when he is happy with that.

   So just wonder if there are airgun target shooting sites or clubs and are they expensive?

   It already costs me a lot with my AirChief Stalker Junior($119), 4x20scope($20), pellets(over $30), foldable table and chair and shooting-rest(about $300)

   Thinking about getting a full size air rifle when I find shooting site. Considering Umarex SurgeMax ($349 with 4x32scope, gas-spring, .177, 1050fps says on box, covered by mount-rail so real-rifle looking) and Crosman series .22 but they are too expensive.

There is the North Harbor Airgun Club. I am in Wellington, so don't know the address but if you search that in Facebook you should find it. There's also another indoor club called Auckland Air Rifle Club you can search for.

One of their members is on this forum, so any problems finding them, let us know.

By the way, it seems that I would better play plinking back to Canterbury, big yard. Can I take the air rifles with me on ferry or flight? Or I have to sell them and buy some new rilfes when arrive south island?

another thing is, according to the review, the FPS will drop when the pellets fly out of the barrel.

For example, for my Umarex Surgemax .177

Around: 6gr, 1000fps, target:800fps

             8.2gr, 850fps, target:750fps

             10+gr, 750fps, target:690fps

             So 8.2gr should be good and economic for shooting.

My test result is, using a 1.5L spring water plastic bottle full with water.

Shooting at 4m

My Airchief Stalker Junior managed to penetrate the bottle but then the pellet leaves in the water and no hole on the back.

My Umarex Surgemax gives holes on both side of the bottle but the pellet still in the water rather than go through.

The pellet is GunCity flatnose target shooting .177

maybe roundnose or even ironpoint can do much better in bottle shooting.

But that's is the true result for 600fps and 1000fps .177 rifle.

Should mention that shoot into the bottle is very easy, even some steel bb toy pistol can do that as well, but the water inside then slows down the pellet largely and absorb lots of the energy. So there truely a power difference between junior and fullsize break barrel air rifle.

But after changed into it's 4x32scope, can't keep that accuracy( 12m, had a group within r=2cm with 4x20scope) Still try to sight-in more accurate or figure out the problem.

How many rounds the Stalker junior or Surgemax can last before the piston smashed? 1000rounds or 2000rounds?

Seems like I will start with a pop level in GunCity... sadly

Auckland seems a little bit different though,

you know staff there just want to sell smthing to you or leave you to have a look.

They can only break the barrel, show the joint but not cock it. seems because no space for shooting if cock it.

They are rifled !

Just cheap rifles never mentioned the rifled steel barrel in their description

Then that should be cool with rifled barrel.

Wonder why there are not too much info about air rifle barrel on youtube. most are a little bit commercial review.

Got that wrong because once asked one staff why Gamo is much more expensive and the answer is a better rifled barrel. I got it wrong that cheap rifles are with smooth bore. Searching descriptions about rifles on GunCity or other Shops, and just find only expensive rifles mentioned rifled steel barrel. For example, BSA silentium even mentioned the cold hammer forged barrel used but not saying it is rifled, so weird some how??? 

The Gamo Magnum is a great choice. I have G2 model and the 10 shot mag can be a bit iffy between 1 and 2 but otherwise a good rifle and really powerful.

I totally get the Auckland dilemma. If you come this way (Tararua) come and shoot some targets at our rural place.

Tararua has clubs and sites?

We have a local NZDA which I am a member of. And a Rifle club a few minutes walk from here which I am not a member of but could join.

As for sites - its a rural area so backyard or neighbors paddock is as good as any.

as mentioned, decide what air rifle shooting you want to do;

Back yard plinking - low power is fine. If you know your neighbours; talk to them and let them know you want to shoot and will set up an appropriate backstop to ensure no pellet leaves your yard. invite them to see to be reassured. If they know what you are up to there is less concern that they will call police.

Target shooting - if you want to get into target shooting there is North Shore air rifle club, and Auckland Air Rifle club based in Howick. Both will allow all types of air rifle, howick I know has a lot of beginners and also junior shooters.

Most work their way up to target rifles,as they hone their skills to get the best score possible, with top of the line being the Air Arms TX200, which last retailed at $1500 for the rifle only, and high magnification scopes from around $400 for a Hawke Vantage.

Then there are PCP rifles ranging up to $3000+

(Remember with target shooting its not always about beating everyone else, but you improve your own skills by trying to beat your own last score)

Target shooting doesnt require huge power - low power is easier to shoot accurately

Hunting / Pest control - killing an animal requires a combination of equipment and skill;

1) You need enough power to ensure an efficient kill

2) Your gun and pellet combination needs the accuracy to ensure consistent shot placement to hit the vital organs to ensure efficient kill

3) You need the shooting skill to achieve the shot placement to ensure an efficient kill.

An animal may be a pest species but doesnt deserve to suffer.

If you are in Auckland, go visit Youngs Airguns on Dominion Road, its a dedicated airgun store and Ron has good knowledge - hes been around 40 years. He has a wide range of guns to look at, Gun City only stocks the few they make the most money on.

A Gamo from Gun City for $1000 is not a wise investment, you can get a German made Weihrauch or Diana for that money and you have a gun with pin point accuracy if you do your part, and will also last decades.

Have fun is the main thing