Thank you frog5215 for actually answering the OP question. The OP wants to maintain his benchrest shooting chops over the winter and he's getting a bunch of recommendations for break-barrel springers? Huh?
Just to further amplify on frog5215's excellent recommendations.
The QB78 is a nice Chinese clone of the venerable (and long out of production) Crosman 160. Unfortunately, the QC is hit or miss, so it's best to buy the rifle from someone who will at least look it over.
http://www.archerairguns.com/qb78-airgun-family-air-rifles-s/27.htm
Archer will go over the rifle and make sure it's not a dud. They also stock some accessories you might need.
http://www.airgunartisans.com/flyingdragon/
Mike Melick at Flying Dragons can do a bit more work if you wish, totally breaking down the rifle, deburring and recrowning as necessary and making the trigger sweeter. His prices are really reasonable as well.
I would get the regular QB78 that takes the C02 carts you can buy at Wal-Mart. A stock .177 rifle will probably get about 50 shots on two carts depending on the temperature of your basement (colder=less shots). After you establish that you enjoy the rifle and wish to reduce your C02 costs you can easily bulk-fill a QB78 with an adapter. Here's more info on C02 bulk fill:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/113813/thread/1257738101/I+am+officially+into+the+bulk+CO2+club...so
The Crosman Discovery and Marauder that frog5215 mentioned can work on either HPA or bulk C02 (no carts) and would be excellent for bench shooting. The Marauder's 10-pellet mag would be really sweet at the bench, with around 100 silent shots between fills.
I almost bought a QB78 for this spring, the only deterrent for me with this rifle is my shop is too cold to shoot C02 in the winter. I still might get one anyway, but I already have another brown Santa delivery coming Monday.
Just to further amplify on frog5215's excellent recommendations.
The QB78 is a nice Chinese clone of the venerable (and long out of production) Crosman 160. Unfortunately, the QC is hit or miss, so it's best to buy the rifle from someone who will at least look it over.
http://www.archerairguns.com/qb78-airgun-family-air-rifles-s/27.htm
Archer will go over the rifle and make sure it's not a dud. They also stock some accessories you might need.
http://www.airgunartisans.com/flyingdragon/
Mike Melick at Flying Dragons can do a bit more work if you wish, totally breaking down the rifle, deburring and recrowning as necessary and making the trigger sweeter. His prices are really reasonable as well.
I would get the regular QB78 that takes the C02 carts you can buy at Wal-Mart. A stock .177 rifle will probably get about 50 shots on two carts depending on the temperature of your basement (colder=less shots). After you establish that you enjoy the rifle and wish to reduce your C02 costs you can easily bulk-fill a QB78 with an adapter. Here's more info on C02 bulk fill:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/113813/thread/1257738101/I+am+officially+into+the+bulk+CO2+club...so
The Crosman Discovery and Marauder that frog5215 mentioned can work on either HPA or bulk C02 (no carts) and would be excellent for bench shooting. The Marauder's 10-pellet mag would be really sweet at the bench, with around 100 silent shots between fills.
I almost bought a QB78 for this spring, the only deterrent for me with this rifle is my shop is too cold to shoot C02 in the winter. I still might get one anyway, but I already have another brown Santa delivery coming Monday.
