This is a loaded question because sometimes our definition of need varies. How many airguns do you really need? That all depends on what type of airgunner you are. There are many shooters who just enjoy hearing the sound the lead makes when it hits the steel spinners. For that type of airgunner they may only need one like the Diana 350 Magnum in .177.
Airgun’s Capabilities
The Diana 350 Magnum is also sufficient for backyard pesting or small game hunting and is available in .22 caliber as well. One air rifle can be used for multiple purposes, but it is important to know the airgun’s capabilities and limits. If that is your cup of tea, you only need one!
If you’re the type of airgunner who is after every adventure, from backyard plinking with a Legends Cowboy Lever Action BB Gun to a perfect take down of a water buffalo in Africa with a AirForce Tex-Rex. Your needs are much more extensive than one airgun can fill.
A Target’s Limits
All targets and game animals have energy requirements. To adequately accomplish your goals for target shooting or hunting it is necessary to take these requirements into consideration and follow them. A great target for a .177 or .22 caliber airgun is the Air Venturi Dueling Tree, see the specs below;
- All metal construction
- 3″ diameter paddles
- Adjustable spring tension*
- Minimum distance: 5 yards
- Maximum muzzle energy: 22 ft/lbs
- Can be used with .177, .20, or .22 caliber airguns
- Allows for smooth operation with guns producing 7 ft/lbs of energy and up
For a big bore airgun, you will need to secure an AR500 Steel plate to withstand the energy produced without destroying the entire target. If you were to use the above target with a .25 caliber or greater, that target may as well be disposable; there is an extremely high chance it won’t operate properly from there on out.
Hunting and pesting have the same consequences. Too little energy may result in a wounded animal left to suffer. Too much energy may result in nothing left to harvest. It is up to you to first know what’s legal. Each state, and sometimes down to counties, has regulations on energy production, caliber size, and even whether or not they allow airgun hunting. Regulations are enforced to protect animals as well as the hunters.
Protecting Both Sides
If you take the Diana 350 Magnum .22 caliber on a bear hunt and you get the opportunity to take a shot and you do, what may happen? There’s a good chance it might agitate the bear and cause it to respond in rage toward you and your hunting party. Caliber and energy restrictions are to protect the hunter as well.
There are some airguns that have barrel kits that allow you to keep the same action and stock, and change out the caliber of the airgun. For example the Skout Epoch can be converted from a .177 pcp all the way up to .357 caliber pcp. In that case if you’re a backyard plinker/pester, small to medium game hunter, and a competitor, you could say one airgun does it all!
If you’re still looking to take down that water buffalo in Africa, I’m afraid the Skout Epoch at this time will not evolve into that big game/large predator platform. You will need an additional big bore airgun like the AirForce Tex Rex we spoke of earlier.
A High Dependence On You!
The conclusion to the question, “How Many Airguns Do You Really Need?” is this; that is a question to be answered by each individual. It depends on the type of airgunner you are, therefore there’s a different answer for everyone.
Maybe you do day and night pesting, and the same airgun is sufficient but you use an ATN THOR LTV thermal optic at night and need a traditional scope during the day. Are you willing to do the extra work to switch the optic as needed? If the answer is yes, you may only need one airgun, if the answer is no, it would be beneficial for you to have two.
Not everyone’s the same so customize your answer to you, at the same time, have a good understanding of what the word “need” actually means and exercise your self-control, or not.
