One of the times I was down at the Olympic Center in Colorado Springs I shot alongside the 10-meter air rifle athletes. I shot what for me was a pretty good group...of course, the guys standing next to me put all those little pellets into that teeny tiny "X." Jeeeez...
Having spent a lot of time with the U.S.A. Shooting team, I simply stand in awe of the commitment they bring to the table. They are nothing short of amazing, and I am honored to have shot alongside them at various events.
I am less sanguine about the huge bureaucracy that surrounds any and all things having to do with those five rings, but while the athletes are on the line in London is not the time to discuss it.
On air rifles in general, interestingly enough they're among the fastest-growing segment of guns and the modern rifles are pretty cool. I have an absolute monster of a .25 caliber Benjamin that will whack a coyote,plus a .177 Air Force that is one of the coolest guns I've been experimenting with. My go-to kill the ground squirrel quick is Crossman .177 break-open.
I think we're going to do a gun segment on SG 2013 on adult air rifles.
Michael B
PS: A couple of friends of mine who didn't shoot a lot turned themselves into awesome riflemen with air rifle practice. I'm hopeful I can do the same!