Springer air rifle for hunting

[Mungo]

Just starting to get back into air rifle shooting after many years away.

What would people recommend?

Springers only, for rats, squirrels and pigeons. Maybe the odd short range bunny.

 

[Hambone]

Original 50, Airsporter mk1, Webley mk3 or any other 0lder German offerings. Newer and more refined may not bring the same smile to your face.

 

[nick.308]

Anything Weihrauch shouldn't disappoint. The underlever models were very popular HW77 OR 97
The HW90 is a break barrel with gas ram instead of spring.
I remember the webleys from the 90's seemed decent too.

 

[Mungo]

Thanks folks.

Should specify that I’d prefer to buy new.

 

[Freeforester]

Are decent springers aye being made?


First I had was the Weihrauch HW35 ‘Vixen’, one of the first of the ‘tuned’ proprietary offerings, a great rifle; also an Original 50 in .177, I recall beating dad’s 9 rabbits with the .22lr with my 14 to the Original, over thrifty five years ago. Great fun, and a great educational tool in terms of both fieldcraft and steady trigger release. Happy days.

 

[tjm160]

Air Arms TX200 Standard Barrel or Hunter Caribe depending on preference (or HW97), single best all round springer. Be sure to extensively pellet test to find option barrel prefers. Would also go .177 over .22 for considerably flatter trajectory.

 

[Smellydog]

I recently rekindled my love for springers with a HW77.
I can't believe how accurate it is.

 

[FISH BOY]

Air Arms TX200 Standard Barrel or Hunter Caribe depending on preference (or HW97), single best all round springer. Be sure to extensively pellet test to find option barrel prefers. Would also go .177 over .22 for considerably flatter trajectory.

This ^^

TX200 or HW97 best out there.

 

[tjm160]

Pair of TX 200's.

Top: Full length in CS1000 bench rest stock.
Bottom: Mk3 Hunter Carbine.

 

[Cyres]

Hw77k or an Air Arms version. Both fixed barrel.
HW80 if you want break barrel.
D

 

[3595wilk]

HW99/50 is a great lightweight hunter. Rekord trigger is very good, but can be tuned to be great. Forget the 7lb triggers of your childhood BSA Meteor.....these are totally different. .... I got a guy to fettle the trigger unit on my HW30. Cost about £25 and now breaks well under 2lbs. The .177 can be 'snappy'. The .22 is a much better shot cycle - feels smoother. Weihrauch QC has slipped in recent years a tad though..

Another great Springer is the Cometa 400. The Ultra Short Carbine - USC - has a built in moderator (that works) cold hammer forged barrel and a 2 stage trigger. Not as good as the Rekord, but still tuneable. The grey laminate stock is lovely; but can be had in beech and walnut. Basic unit is around £330. Again, the .22 calibre suits this rifle - but they do a .25 - which for 25 yards and in is a definite option.

If you decide on a Cometa I would recommend getting one from Big Dan's airguns. He tests them before sending to a RFD, and his knowledge, customer service and support is fantastic.

Most RFDs sell airguns as a sideline and wouldn't know what is really a good one - so best to get one from a place that knows them. Dan is such a fella......

Underlever, Air Arms. But STUPID expensive new now. A bog standard TX200 is around £700......

 

[Mike996]

Thumbs up for Weirauch HW99S, mine shoots accurately and excellent quality for the money.

 

[Mungo]

HW99/50 is a great lightweight hunter. Rekord trigger is very good, but can be tuned to be great. Forget the 7lb triggers of your childhood BSA Meteor.....these are totally different. .... I got a guy to fettle the trigger unit on my HW30. Cost about £25 and now breaks well under 2lbs. The .177 can be 'snappy'. The .22 is a much better shot cycle - feels smoother. Weihrauch QC has slipped in recent years a tad though..

Another great Springer is the Cometa 400. The Ultra Short Carbine - USC - has a built in moderator (that works) cold hammer forged barrel and a 2 stage trigger. Not as good as the Rekord, but still tuneable. The grey laminate stock is lovely; but can be had in beech and walnut. Basic unit is around £330. Again, the .22 calibre suits this rifle - but they do a .25 - which for 25 yards and in is a definite option.

If you decide on a Cometa I would recommend getting one from Big Dan's airguns. He tests them before sending to a RFD, and his knowledge, customer service and support is fantastic.

Most RFDs sell airguns as a sideline and wouldn't know what is really a good one - so best to get one from a place that knows them. Dan is such a fella......

Underlever, Air Arms. But STUPID expensive new now. A bog standard TX200 is around £700......

That’s really useful - thank you.

The last air rifle I had was a Cometa 300.

I had been considering a Weihrauch, but got very confused by all the different models!

 

[Ronin]

HW 80 for break barrel or 77/97 as under lever

Uncomplicated and robust

Close to 12 ft lbs, accurate and will last forever

If you want a new one tuning speak to Geoff at Liquid Steel design , he turn out some very nice springers

 

[norma 308]

As a keen shooter of these in 80/90s these were amazing rabbits on the hop weren’t one offs

 

[Mungo]

HW 80 for break barrel or 77/97 as under lever

Uncomplicated and robust

Close to 12 ft lbs, accurate and will last forever

If you want a new one tuning speak to Geoff at Liquid Steel design , he turn out some very nice springers

Shame the 80 is so ugly!

 

[andy R204]

I've owned an HW35 & HW80,both full length in .22 flavour back in the day.
I preferred the HW35,just felt more in tune with it.
I was looking to purchase a HW97k but will have to wait a while now.
Plenty of information about tuning most springers now with ready made kits not like yesteryear with an Ox mainspring smashing the rifle to bits.

 

[JTO]

The only air rifle I had was a Relum Telly 200? It had two springs, one inside the other. Is this still done nowadays, called 'nesting', I think.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I've had a number of springers over the years. When the last one died, I replaced it with a PCP. PCPs are exceptionally good and well worth considering before you buy anything.

Regards

JCS

 

[Mungo]

I've had a number of springers over the years. When the last one died, I replaced it with a PCP. PCPs are exceptionally good and well worth considering before you buy anything.

Regards

JCS

Thanks John - much as I appreciate the accuracy of PCPs, I’d like to keep it as simple as possible.