.22 and .25 air rifles

Read the whole Giant air rifles review story
Official Australian Shooter review

Cometa 220 .22
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 2.7 kilograms
Overall length: 106cm
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Lite Optic (see text)
Stock: Stained wood
Safety: Automatic with cocking
Claimed velocity: 600fps
Price: $250
Made in: Spain
Score: 17
As the least expensive .22 calibre reviewed, the Cometa 220 scored very well. David was impressed with the ease of cocking and the low recoil, which made it a very pleasant gun to shoot. The reason for this feature is the low velocity (600fps), which limits the effective range. Accuracy was good out to 20 metres. Tim liked the sporty Lite Optic sights, which were very similar to the Gamo 610 and made target acquisition very easy. The Cometa 220 would make an ideal rifle for juniors or ladies. Price/value scored top points by all reviewers.

Cometa Fenix 400 .22
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 3.4 kilograms
Overall length: 114cm
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Micrometric rear, three front sight elements supplied
Stock: Monte Carlo style, rubber butt pad fitted
Safety: Automatic with cocking
Claimed velocity: 825fps
Price: $390
Made in: Spain
Score: 17.5 Best value all-round rifle
The Fenix 400 in .177 calibre was tested in this review and the comments are not much different to this rifle. The Cometa Fenix 400 in .22 was a very accurate rifle and the trigger was one of the best of the .22s fired. Reviewers stated that although it was not a fancy rifle, it did the job very well. David believed that it was probably the most pleasant to shoot of the .22s.
Rated at 20ft-lb of energy, it would be an excellent hunting rifle. Considering the moderate price against the package received, the reviewers rated it best all-round value.

Weihrauch HW80 .22
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 3.6 kilograms
Overall length: 107cm
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Blade front, fully adjustable rear
Stock: Stained beechwood
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Claimed velocity: 800fps
Price: $790
Made in: Germany
Score: 15
Reviewers agreed that this rifle had a solid, traditional feel about it. The chequering on the grip was neat and attractive. The trigger was light and crisp and fully adjustable. The diopter sights provided gave a small picture when aiming, however accuracy was acceptable. A good scope would be a distinct advantage on this rifle. Price/value was considered reasonable considering the quality of the workmanship.

Weihrauch HW97 .22
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 4 kilograms
Overall length: 102cm
Barrel: Fixed, muzzle weight fitted
Sights: No open sights, Nykron scope used
Stock: Monte Carlo style stained beechwood
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Claimed velocity: 750fps
Price: $890
Made in: Germany
Score: 18 Highest scoring .22 calibre
Tim and David agreed that this was a well-made, nice handling rifle. Both were impressed with the fully adjustable match trigger and little ‘felt recoil’. The rifle has an under barrel cocking lever and a ‘bear trap’-style loading port. No open sights are provided and a scope must be used. A muzzle weight helps to balance out the rifle.
This rifle (in .177 cal) was developed for field target and metallic silhouette shooting. It is not cheap, but for what you get the HW97 is an attractive package. It scored well in the price/value category. Accuracy aided by the Nykron scope was exceptional and several five-shot groups of less than a quarter of an inch were shot from a bench rest using match pellets.

Gamo Hunter 1250 .22
Supplied by: Highland Sports Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 4.3 kilograms
Overall length: 122cm
Barrel: Break Barrel, muzzle weight fitted
Sights: Blade front, adjustable rear
Stock: Stained beechwood, rubber butt pad
Safety: Manual, inside trigger guard
Claimed velocity: 932fps
Price: $699
Made in: England
Score: 15
This is a very powerful air rifle and is ideal for small feral pest destruction. All reviewers commented on the effort needed to cock the rifle, but this was to be expected at this power level. Recoil was mild, thanks to the good weight distribution and the muzzle weight fitted. The two-stage adjustable trigger was quite good as delivered and could be lightened off for accuracy work. Careful pellet selection and the fitting of a good air rifle scope were considered essential to exploit the accuracy potential out to 40 metres and beyond.

Diana A/R 36 .22
Supplied by: Highland Sports Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 3.55 kilograms
Overall length: 118cm
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Fixed front, adjustable rear
Stock: Stained beechwood
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Claimed velocity: 825fps
Price: $699
Made in: Germany
Score: 17
Described by one reviewer as “sleek and attractive”, the Diana impressed all with its light and crisp trigger and above average accuracy. Considering the power of the .22 calibre, this one was relatively easy to cock and thanks to good stock design the recoil was smooth. The open sights were quite good, but as with many of the rifles tested, a scope is needed to extract the true potential. The Diana showed a distinct preference for the H&N pellets, especially the Field and Trophy. One expects to pay for German quality, but the team felt that the value was definitely there.

Webley Raider .22
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Precharged, compressed air
Weight: 3.2 kilograms
Overall length: 91cm
Barrel: Fixed, muzzle weight fitted
Sights: Nykron Red Zone 1.5-4.5x32 fitted
Stock: Venom custom designed walnut
Safety: See text
Claimed velocity: 825fps
Price: $1200
Made in: UK
Score: 14
Described as “stubby but sporty” by one reviewer, the Raider has a few unusual features. The two-pellet shuttle magazine takes some getting used to, as does the bolt action method of cocking and loading. The bolt also acts as a safety and must be closely watched to ensure that the rifle is in the safe mode. The trigger was crisp and recoil low. Accuracy was acceptable and a scope must be used on this rifle. It is also necessary to purchase a pump to charge the Raider, as a full charge will only give about 45 shots. Webley manufacture a pump for about $400 dollars. The Raider is a well-made rifle, but expensive.

.25 air rifles

Weihrauch HW90 .25
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston, Theoben gas ram system
Weight: 4 kilograms
Overall length: 115cm
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Blade front, adjustable rear
Stock: Stained beechwood extended forearm, higher cheekpiece
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Claimed velocity: 820fps
Price: $990
Made in: Germany
Score: 16
Gil was impressed with this unit and rated it the best of the .25s that he had tested. All reviewers agreed that the .25s had one thing in common - a big effort required to cock them. In the case of the HW90, a junior may have trouble pulling the lever down unassisted. Despite the strong spring, recoil was acceptable, with little muzzle jump on firing. Some attention to pellet choice may be necessary to get the best out of this rifle, as small game could most certainly be hunted with it. Overseas magazines claim an effective range of more than 50 metres.

Webley Patriot .25
Supplied by: Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 4.1 kilograms
Overall length: 116cm
Barrel: Barrel break, threaded muzzle
Sights: Blade front, adjustable rear
Stock: Custom wood, rubber butt pad fitted
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Claimed velocity: 820fps
Price: $990
Made in: UK
Score: 16.5 Highest scoring .25 calibre
Rod commented that this was a strong rifle that packed a punch. It is definitely not for juniors, as cocking it called for a two-handed effort. The stock provides a nice fit for adults and the two stage-adjustable trigger was crisp. Brendan found the accuracy to be quite good out to 25 metres with the open sights. He also mentioned that recoil was not a problem. The muzzle is threaded and fitted with a muzzle weight, which helps to balance the unit. Advertised as the ‘world’s most powerful break barrel spring piston air rifle’, this is a serious rifle for serious shooting.

Beeman Kodiak .25
Supplied by: Beeman Precision Airguns Australia
Propulsion method: Spring piston
Weight: 4.1 kilograms
Overall length: 116cm
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Blade front, adjustable rear
Stock: Custom wood, rubber butt pad fitted
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Claimed velocity: 820fps
Price: $1195
Made in: UK
Score: 15.5
Reviewers were not told beforehand, but this is the same rifle as the Patriot, made for Beeman by Webley. Nevertheless, the two rifles exhibited slightly different performance characteristics. Surprisingly, there is a considerable price difference between the two rifles and this was reflected in the price/value category. Again, reviewers found this to be a powerful rifle, with a hefty pull required to cock it. It is another good example of a .25 calibre air rifle and those wanting this sort of power would do well to check it out.