Let me tell you about my experience first before I ask a couple newb questions.
I had a cheap china no brand spring piston, barrel cocked pellet rifle .177 caliber. I got it for 20 bucks used. I shot several thousand rounds through it and it never have me any trouble. At 30 yards I could hit about a 1.5" target. Gave it away.
Next a friend had a Gamo from Walmart. We could hit 1" targets at 20 yards. Barrel cocked, and .177 again. We didn't stretch it any farther as we shot it inside at work. Gamo pellets offered the best accuracy from the few we experimented with.
So what I think I want is this, spring powered barrel cocked air rifle. Iron sights are the absolute must have. I won't be scoping it so if it has no provisions for such that's fine. Wood stock would be nice. Trigger, I guess I'd like a smooth trigger that's workable. I'm easy to please, 5 pounds and smooth is okay but if it was 4 pounds and crisp it'd be better. I want something that will hold up well and or be user serviceable. So let's say a seal needed to be replaced every 3k shots and it was an easy takedown job for a .10 gasket, I'd have no issues with that. Weight is not an issue neither is weight of cocking.
I'm not sure if I'd want a 22 caliber and cast for it or a .177 and buy pellets. I'm considering the 22 for the added fun of casting. Well anyways I'm looking at Rugers line, they offer a wood stock .22 model for around 150.00. I want to stay 200 or so or less. I'd go 250 but it'd have to be something special.
I am not particularly interested in power, nor hunting, though squirrels might be tempting. I'm interested in offhand and field position shooting for fun and not bench shooting. 50-75 yards maybe 100 if it'll do it. 50 being most common. I can hit an empty shotshell at 50 and a coke can on end at 75 with a 22 rifle, is this realistic for a pellet rifle?
Basically I want plinking, form maintenance. I also want to shoot some where I don't get lead contamination and need a shower since I have a baby. If I could go out and shoot 10-30 shots and not have to strip and shower, I'd shoot more.
So with all that, what should I consider?
Thanks.
Bazoo