Take a high end PCP and TCO it against a suppressed 22 capable of producing the same level of accuracy at 50 yards – the difference is less than a case of Eley. And you may not have to spend your time/money driving to shoot.

With proper shot placement a 40 fpe airgun kills most critters just as dead as a 110fpe 22LR within 50 yards. You only need 8-10 fpe for a squirrel, less for a rabbit. Plus you have a lot less worry about where that pellet will end up vs a 22LR.

Past cost and availability of 22lr have stunted the American market’s growth for air guns. With a proper introduction, an excel sheet comparison, and a trip to the range you may have a hard time looking back. Unless you really like the bang and the ear pro.

90+% of my 22lr shooting anymore is with students in a suppressed pistol or rifle beyond 55 yards. I own 2 air rifles capable of sub 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards for .15 to .25 cents less a shot. My 22LRs spend a lot more time in the safe than they used to.

There is a vast difference between having a typical Gamo or Stoeger that’s advertised to have a velocity comparable to rimfires, and owning high-end springers or precharged pneumatics that are slower and much more accurate.

Although pellets may be cheaper, overall airguns have the potential to be more expensive, but also in my mind more satisfying.