Umarex USA offers an big-bore .50-Caliber Air Rifle, which it claims is the world’s most powerful air gun. The new Umarex Hammer can launch a 550 grain slug at 760 fps, delivering an impressive 705 foot-lbs of energy at the muzzle. That energy total rivals a 10mm Auto Cartridge (220 grainer at 1200 fps). Not bad for an air rifle with an $815.99 MSRP.
With lighter projectiles, the Umarex Hammer also delivers fairly high velocities — it can drive a 200 grain lead projectile at 1055 fps. That’s equivalent to a .45 ACP +P load. The design team at Umarex say this air rifle has the power to take deer and other game — when the animals are close enough.
The Umarex Hammer has features you might find on a modern centerfire rifle: 29.5″ button-rifled barrel, straight-pull bolt, 8.5″ Picatinny rail, and quality trigger with 3-lb pull. The Made-in-USA Hammer is powered by an on-board, 24-cubic-inch carbon fiber cylinder filled at 4500 psi. The Hammer incorporates a Lightspeed™ valve and precision regulator that launches the projectiles with a 3000 psi air blast. Umarex says the Hammer is quite accurate — capable of putting three, 350- grain lead slugs in an inch at 50 yards.
For many, the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits is all about the Second Amendment and politics. For others, the main appeal is the Exhibit Hall, with its countless firearm displays and outfitter booths. There will be lots to see this year in Dallas, but just about the most fun you can have at the NRA Convention will be at the Pyramyd Air shooting gallery.
Pyramyd’s Air Gun Range was a hit last year in Atlanta and is set to be a top destination for the entire family at the 147th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Dallas, Texas. With 16 stations and more than 200 hundred interactive targets, the range will provide shooters of all ages the chance to try out some of the newest and best airguns available. From entry-level break-barrels to high-end, precision air rifles and target pistols, there will be a full range of options.
One NRA range officer noted: “If you see a long line there [at the Dallas Convention Center], odds are that it’s for the air gun range. We have boys and girls, moms and dads, everyone waiting to plink the day away.”
The Air Gun Range is not just for youngsters. Adults can have fun too.
The Pyramyd Air Air Gun range will operate in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. We expect it will operate Thursday (May 3) from 2:00 to 6:00 pm; on Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; and on Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. But schedule is subject to change.
At the Air Gun Range, you’ll find air rifles and air pistols from: Air Arms, Air Force, Air Venturi, Ataman, Beeman, Browning, BSA, Colt, Crosman, Diana, Kral Arms, SIG Sauer, Umarex USA, and Walther.
Here are two of the precision-type air rifle that will be at the AirGun Range. On top is the Air Arms S400 MPR Precision. On the bottom is the bullpup-style Kral Arms Puncher Breaker SideLever PCP:
The Pyramyd Air Perspective
A long time partner in this experience, Pyramyd sees the NRA Air Gun Range as more than marketing opportunity. “We’re focused on increasing the number of shooters and involving people of all ages in the shooting sports,” said Pyramyd founder and owner Joshua Ungier. “For Pyramyd Air, it isn’t just a business – it’s a passion.”
Can you hunt small varmints with an air rifle? Indeed you can. At reasonably close ranges, a .177 pellet has sufficient “knock-down” power, and the near-silent operation of the air rifle keeps your prey from being alerted. Our friends at Varminter.com recently tested the Anschütz 8002 S2 Black Air Hunter, which features an integral, custom-tuned moderator. Overall, this is a very accurate, very high-tech solution to pesky squirrels (and other small furry pests).
Here’s the report: “We spent a couple of hours out in the field with the Anschutz Black Air Hunter, and took seven ground squirrels that NEVER heard the shot. This rifle is unbelievably quiet, and VERY accurate. I simply put the crosshair on the back of the eyeball, touched the super light trigger, and dropped them in their tracks. Tomorrow, we hunt a small orchard near some farm animals, and I think this rifle will really shine. Tom got some decent video, but we need a bit more out in the field for the full hunt report, so there will be more to come!”
The Anschütz 8002 Black Air Hunter is a PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) air rifle in .177 caliber. This nice rig features a very comfortable, ergonomic stock with adjustable cheekpiece and buttplate. Best of all, the Black Hunter is wicked accurate. Varminter.com reports: “It took [just] three shots to sight-in, and proceeded to shoot bug holes at 25 yards the next 10 rounds.”
Anschutz Black Air Hunter Product Description
The new Anschütz 8002 S2 Black Air Hunter is designed for varmint hunters and target shooters who want an accurate, quiet, versatile, and urban-friendly air rifle. Based on the 8002 S2 match rifle, the Black Air Hunter boasts the excellent balance/ergonomics of a world-class 10 meter match rifle. But the Black Air Hunter has other key features you won’t find on typical competition airguns.
The match barrel is fitted with an advanced moderator made by Tactical Solutions. This non-removable unit is smaller, lighter, and considerably quieter than the counterparts from Europe. Tactical Solutions engineered this moderator to control the sharp crack associated with pre-charged pneumatics. And yes, it works — the Black Air Hunter is VERY QUIET.
As shown here with Leupold scope, the rifle weighs just under 10 pounds:
The fully-adjustable beech stock has a moisture-resistant rubberized coating that provides a secure grip in cold or damp conditions. An aluminum accessory rail under the fore-end allows sling or bi-pod mounting. The cheek piece and butt plate offer a wide range of position options, and can also be upgraded or changed to suit the shooter’s preferences.
The Black Air Hunter runs a .177” caliber pellet at 580 fps, which allows for quiet yet precise training and target shooting in an urban environment. There are more powerful air rifles, but they will be noisier and you may have concerns with down-range energy. With its ultra-low noise signature, the Black Air Hunter is well-suited for use in urban settings.
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You are looking at the Texan, the world’s most powerful airgun. Able to launch a .45-caliber projectile at 1000 fps, this pre-charged pneumatic air rifle rivals the energy of a centerfire pistol. The $1000-dollar Texan is a game changer. The Texan’s manufacturer, AirForce Airguns, has created the “world’s most powerful” production air rifle. With projectile energy levels topping 500 foot-pounds (see below), the Texan possesses capabilities never before seen in an airgun.
Watch Video of Texan Air Rifle:
500+ Foot-Pounds
Shooting a 405gr hollow-base lead projectile the Texan registered energy (at muzzle) of 505.98 foot-pounds for the first shot. Velocities at or near 1000 fps were recorded with smaller projectiles in the 120-140gr range. At right is a chart with results from Texan airgun testing by Tom Gaylord of Pyramyd Air.
Recognizing the breakthrough engineering of the Texan, the NRA’s American Rifleman magazine recently named the Texan as its NRA Gun of the Week, a rare distinction for an air rifle. The NRA’s editors wrote: “They say everything is bigger in Texas, including the AirForce airgun that bears the state’s name. The powerful big-bore ‘Texan’ features a two-stage trigger that releases a sizable burst of air from its 490cc removable and refillable air tank, driving .457-cal projectiles in excess of 1000 fps. Purported to be the most powerful production air rifle, 500+ foot-pounds of energy is perfectly capable of hunting medium-sized game. As with any large-caliber PCP airgun, shots are limited due to the increased volume of air needed for operation. Accuracy is provided by a 34″ Lothar Walther barrel, a sizeable portion of the rifle’s overall 48-inch length.”
The Texan™ by AirForce Technical Specifications:
Max Fill Pressure: 3000 psi
Action: Single shot / Low Effort Side Lever Cocking
Weight: 8 pounds
Length: 48 inches
Barrel: 34 inches Lothar Walther .457 Barrel
Caliber: 0.45
Trigger: 2-stage, adjustable for position
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Air Tank Volume: 490cc
Max Velocity: 1000 feet per second (light projectile)
Max Energy: 500 foot pounds (heavy projectile)
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Pyramyd’s Air Gun Range was a hit last year in Atlanta and is set to be a top destination for the entire family at the 147th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Dallas, Texas. With 16 stations and more than 200 hundred interactive targets, the range will provide shooters of all ages the chance to try out some of the newest and best airguns available. From entry-level break-barrels to high-end, precision air rifles and target pistols, there will be a full range of options.
500+ Foot-Pounds
