Chuck26287
Plinker
Through a recent administrative infraction, I was communicating with an Admin (Bigtanker). I was explaining the reason I had pretty much stopped contributing content to INGO, and was only around to read an occasional post from a digest email that really caught my eye, or posting an ad in the classifieds. I was significantly lead poisoned a few years back from heavy indoor shooting with no exhaust and inadequate air filtration. I have since moved from powder burners to airguns to substantially reduce my lead risks. I have always looked at INGO as a firearms site, and have done my content contributing to a dedicated airgun forum since changing to airguns, but Bigtanker pointed out there are a few running threads on airguns, and he thought I could contribute some airgun content, particularly relative to my passion for PCP (pre-charged pneumatics) airguns, that a moderate number of INGO members would find worthwhile, or at least interesting.
So, I became a Site Supporter to compensate the site for using the classified while not actively contributing, and I'm going to take a shot at starting an ongoing thread about airguns (perhaps it could become a STICKY, or even an airgun Sub-Forum category?) that will hopefully go somewhere, and be found to be enjoyable and enlightening to those with little or no exposure to today's airguns.
First off... while I kept a couple Sigs for personal carry, and my custom AR-15, I sold off the rest of the firearms to fund my airgun fun. Make no mistake about it, there is NO difference between firearms and airguns when it comes to the fact that you can spend as much money as you want if you get into the higher end equipment. There is also significant support equipment (air source and/or storage tanks) investment to really become independent in this discipline. There are several types of airguns, consisting of pumps, springers, PCPs, etc., covering the full range of expenses. Be prepared... the money hole for airguns can run every bit as deep as the one for firearms.
I am a techy person. I always enjoyed handloading for the specific harmonics of a given firearm for the best accuracy I could get. I went with PCP airguns for the power, tunability, and accuracy achievable with the higher end models. There are mechanical and pneumatic adjustments that directly correlate to the things being achieved with custom handloading to match your loads to the harmonics of your firearm, you just do it on the airgun instead of at the reloading bench.
Also… I’m an accuracy snob. I really enjoy shooting groups to get that new “personal best” 5-shot group. Most of my target shooting is on our 50 yard range. However, we compete in 100 yard benchrest with our air rifles (myself, my wife and both parents). While long-range is a very relative term, many of today’s airguns will shoot sub-MOA groups (<1”) at 100 yards with pellets, and today’s airguns are extending that with slugs designed for airguns becoming a new standard for hunting and even longer-range accuracy shooting.
Enough intro on me and airguns… on to some fun stuff. Below is a photo of my actual .30 cal airgun, and a scan of one of my better 50 yard 5-shot groups. I’ve also included a couple video clips of some slomo shots. The chalk-filled ping-pong ball and spinner are on the 50 yard range backstop. The wooden branch and twig shots are at 78 yards on the opposite bank of our lake. As can be seen, these are not firearms, but accuracy can be had and difficult shots can be made. The other big advantage for us was we can shoot these where firearms would not be allowed.
Like I said… not just your Red Ryder anymore.
What do you all think? I’m sure many of you are aware of today’s airguns, but any of you look at this and say “I had no idea”? Looking forward to seeing what people have to say, and whether airguns can become a routine posting sub-topic at INGO. I’ve missed this site.
[video=youtube_share;H-5T3ftU8HM]http://youtu.be/H-5T3ftU8HM[/video]
[video=youtube_share;CoPahvw5GQk]http://youtu.be/CoPahvw5GQk[/video]
So, I became a Site Supporter to compensate the site for using the classified while not actively contributing, and I'm going to take a shot at starting an ongoing thread about airguns (perhaps it could become a STICKY, or even an airgun Sub-Forum category?) that will hopefully go somewhere, and be found to be enjoyable and enlightening to those with little or no exposure to today's airguns.
First off... while I kept a couple Sigs for personal carry, and my custom AR-15, I sold off the rest of the firearms to fund my airgun fun. Make no mistake about it, there is NO difference between firearms and airguns when it comes to the fact that you can spend as much money as you want if you get into the higher end equipment. There is also significant support equipment (air source and/or storage tanks) investment to really become independent in this discipline. There are several types of airguns, consisting of pumps, springers, PCPs, etc., covering the full range of expenses. Be prepared... the money hole for airguns can run every bit as deep as the one for firearms.
I am a techy person. I always enjoyed handloading for the specific harmonics of a given firearm for the best accuracy I could get. I went with PCP airguns for the power, tunability, and accuracy achievable with the higher end models. There are mechanical and pneumatic adjustments that directly correlate to the things being achieved with custom handloading to match your loads to the harmonics of your firearm, you just do it on the airgun instead of at the reloading bench.
Also… I’m an accuracy snob. I really enjoy shooting groups to get that new “personal best” 5-shot group. Most of my target shooting is on our 50 yard range. However, we compete in 100 yard benchrest with our air rifles (myself, my wife and both parents). While long-range is a very relative term, many of today’s airguns will shoot sub-MOA groups (<1”) at 100 yards with pellets, and today’s airguns are extending that with slugs designed for airguns becoming a new standard for hunting and even longer-range accuracy shooting.
Enough intro on me and airguns… on to some fun stuff. Below is a photo of my actual .30 cal airgun, and a scan of one of my better 50 yard 5-shot groups. I’ve also included a couple video clips of some slomo shots. The chalk-filled ping-pong ball and spinner are on the 50 yard range backstop. The wooden branch and twig shots are at 78 yards on the opposite bank of our lake. As can be seen, these are not firearms, but accuracy can be had and difficult shots can be made. The other big advantage for us was we can shoot these where firearms would not be allowed.
Like I said… not just your Red Ryder anymore.
What do you all think? I’m sure many of you are aware of today’s airguns, but any of you look at this and say “I had no idea”? Looking forward to seeing what people have to say, and whether airguns can become a routine posting sub-topic at INGO. I’ve missed this site.
[video=youtube_share;H-5T3ftU8HM]http://youtu.be/H-5T3ftU8HM[/video]
[video=youtube_share;CoPahvw5GQk]http://youtu.be/CoPahvw5GQk[/video]
