With the Olympics in full swing, we asked Rick to pick three target air rifles to win gold, silver & bronze. These rifles represent three countries and fit a variety of budgets. If you’re in the hunt for a target shooter, you’ll want to have one of these in your arsenal.
Bronze: Budget Bullseye Shooter
Today’s shooters want power, accuracy, and stealth. And, they want it for a reasonable price. The Umarex Octane .22 caliber doesn’t just hit those marks, it knocks them out of the park. The Octane essentially makes use of just about every trick in an airgun manufacturer’s arsenal; gas piston power plant for smooth cocking and shooting, integrated suppressor that dramatically cuts down on shot noise, weaver based scope rail to eliminate scope slippage, high quality optics package complete with an adjustable objective, 3 year manufacturer’s warranty, and lastly, a really decent trigger. When shopping on a budget for something that’s really got it all, the Octane is where you want to look. Need more convincing? Check out Rick’s recent review of the Umarex Octane.
Silver: Great All-Around Airgun
There’s so much that you can say about the RWS line of airguns. The RWS 34, .22 Caliber, should be on every airgunner’s “must have” list. The reliability and durability combined with repeatable accuracy make this one of the best all-around airguns on the market. When you add the limited lifetime warranty to the picture, you can see why it’s been a favorite of airgunners for decades. Perhaps the best “technical” feature of today’s RWS 34 is the T06 Trigger. This is perhaps one of the best airgun triggers period. The fact that you can get this kind of build quality and craftsmanship at this incredible price point, seals the deal.
Gold: Lean, Mean, Synthetic Machine
The new .25 caliber Benjamin Marauder hits the mark time and time again. The newly designed Synthetic Marauder is leaner, meaner, and quieter than its predecessor. The overall design of this rifle allows the owner to tailor it to their individual needs with minimal effort. The repeatable accuracy is second to none for an airgun in this price range. When bundled with the right accessories and equipment, the .25 Cal Marauder is perfect for just about any shooting activity that could involve an airgun. Check out the Marauder video review.
What’s your favorite target rifle?
Go Team USA!
