I need to get that new Whisper air rifle.
I have a Beeman R1 - Spring-piston .177 cal. break-barrel..... similar to the Whisper.
I can't speak for the Whisper, by I love shooting my Beeman. I need to shoot it more. SUPER accurate.
Based on what I have read, I wish I had the Beeman RX-2 with gas-spring-piston and in .20 caliber. At those velocities, .20 and .22 have more energy and knockdown power. But, sometimes .22 starts to fade in accuracy. So, .20 is apparently a good compromise.
As much as I like my R1 with the Spring-piston, I "Think" (if I could) I would pay a little more for a gas-spring-piston.
But, I actually made a steal on my R1 from a gun dealer when I lived in Austin. I bought the R1 with Beeman scope, nice gun case and some extras for $350. The whole package new is apparently worth about $750 - $800 or so. Too rich for me on a pellet gun. But, no regrets for what I paid. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Apparently, the Whisper can be purchased with a gas-spring upgrade kit. It might not be needed or justified, but I would consider the advantages.
see:
Gamo Whisper with Air Venturi Ram Air Gas Spring Also, quality (expensive) scopes are an unfortunate requirement for the good air rifles. Most scopes can't handle the two-directional recoil associated with high end airguns. It isn't much recoil and nothing compared to rifles. But, somehow most scopes are apparently not designed to handle forward recoil and rearward recoil even if slight. I have read many times about scopes having the reticles fail on air guns. I think the reticle hairs split appart or something (????) So, the air-gun industry has certain scopes that are designed for use with airguns.... and the good ones aren't cheap.
..... Sometimes good air-guns are fun/fine without scopes. But, the good ones are so accurate that you can hit nickels at 25 yards and cans at 80 yards that are a little hard to do with open sights. Along with the "Aim Small" theory.... So....????
For fun, I wouldn't mind tinkering with one of these .50 Cal. !!!!:
See video at left:
ShinSung Dragon Slayer .50 Cal .