Springer air rifle for hunting

[Feugh]

I have an HW77k which I sent off for the Welsh Willy treatment (a service and fettle to improve accuracy and shootability, conducted by a lad in Wales called Willy). It’s a beautiful rifle and a lot has died because of it, both pigeons and rabbits, but it hardly sees any action nowadays. It’s also very accurate.
Based on this and a Weihrauch PCP that I used to own (sold for the same price as a second hand sako 75) I would recommend looking at a Weihrauch.

 

[Squirrelbasher]

Any love for the BSA Lightening GRT? I haven't got hands-on with one but most reviews I have seen have been pretty positive. Technically not a spring gun, but I think you will find that rams are replacing springs at the "better" end of the break barrel market (my impression anyway) it would be supporting part of the British gun trade, which is a nice thing to do (if the rifle is actually any good at least).

They're made in spain and aren't very good either.

 

[hw101]

Best springer I had was tx200. Never used hw77 or 97.
But honestly - pcp are something else. The hassle of charging more than compensated by accuracy and ease of use which is far more efficient and human in controlling vermin. Sub 12 / hw100 are amazingly accurate and work flawlessly.

 

[Dragonfly Ordnance]

HW80k in .22. Not sure I like the shape of the stocks on the new models though. I find mine reasonably quiet with the HW moderator (not comparable to something like a HW100, but that’s like comparing squirrels and badgers) and very accurate.

As a break-barrel, I find it easier to load than underlevers, especially with the larger .22 pellets compared to .177.

Put a sling on it for carrying, and the weight isn’t really an issue.

The nice thing is, you only need a tin of pellets and you’re good to go - no charging shenanigans.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

They're made in spain and aren't very good either.

Really? That's extremely disappointing. I knew that they had become a brand of Gamo, but I thought they had actually brought some production back to the UK and that the Lightening was part of that.

What about them isn't good? Is it cosmetic or is it worse than that?

I'm interested as I was considering getting one. Out here in the USA I like to wave the old when I can, but I'm not going to bother with rebadged Spanish junk.

 

[Smellydog]

Really? That's extremely disappointing. I knew that they had become a brand of Gamo, but I thought they had actually brought some production back to the UK and that the Lightening was part of that.

What about them isn't good? Is it cosmetic or is it worse than that?

I'm interested as I was considering getting one. Out here in the USA I like to wave the old when I can, but I'm not going to bother with rebadged Spanish junk.

The barrels might still be made in the UK but not sure

 

[Smellydog]

I find mine reasonably quiet with the HW moderator (not comparable to something like a HW100, but that’s like comparing squirrels and badgers)

I never thought about screwing a mod on a squirrel or badger, is it safe and legal?

 

[Triffid]

I've got a BSA Lightning GRT in .22.
I'd describe it as 'OK'. Not my favourite air rifle - which is either a Feinwerkbau Sport or an Air Arms Pro Sport, depending on mood.
More a workpiece than any thing else. Accuracy is OK, but nothing in the realms of PCP pellet-on-pellet. Good for squirrels out to 25-30 yards.
Happy to tell you any more about it if you want. There are reviews on YT though, which I probably cant add much to.
Triffid

 

[Dragonfly Ordnance]

I never thought about screwing a mod on a squirrel or badger, is it safe and legal?

Bitey, scratchy, and probably contravenes several laws!

 

[Flash G 74]

Hello, Did you get your Springer rifle Mungo ??

 

[hw101]

My experience hunting vermin with sub 12 airgun has been that accuracy is paramount. Quad sticks have been a revelation. If set on a springer I’d definitely go for an under lever - hw97, hw77 or tx200? Break barrels just aren’t as accurate as under levers, which themselves are well behind a good pcp.

 

[Motard]

if I remember correctly weirauch are (where) fine arms with the 77 kurtz on top. But a tad level under Airarms tx200 that bear also a great improvement cause it can be dismantled for tuning and or servicing without any special tool as a spring compressor..

 

[Flash G 74]

Hello, Did you get your Springer rifle Mungo ??

I take it you sold the Cometa 300 ??

 

[BryanDC]

Another vote for the HW77K, in .177
I have had 2 TX200 SRs a .22 and a bullpupped .177 Both were good but I still preferred the HW77K. Lovely balance to it. I also prefer the accuracy of the .177 to the .22.

 

[JockStalk]

HW80 when I was a teenager. Brilliant air rifle, plenty bunnies and pigeons with that to the pot.

A “West German” made HW97K was one of my lockdown projects, and a brilliant gun - especially with a tuning kit.

 

[Mungo]

Hello, Did you get your Springer rifle Mungo ??

Not yet, but looks like @Pine Marten will be sending me back my old Cometa!

 

[lambic]

Have a look at the John Darling videos on YouTube .... Nice bit of nostalgia

 

[Navarone]

having had and used all the previously mentioned…probably for sub 12 in the uk you can’t get better that a fettled hw99. If it was in FAC then I’d go a .25 hw80!

 

[hw101]

HW80 when I was a teenager. Brilliant air rifle, plenty bunnies and pigeons with that to the pot.

A “West German” made HW97K was one of my lockdown projects, and a brilliant gun - especially with a tuning kit.

We replaced the ‘made in west Germany’ lights in one of our operating theatres last year. They were past their best after 40 years…but I suspect the hw97 will still be going strong.

 

[neillfrbs]

Have a look at the John Darling videos on YouTube .... Nice bit of nostalgia

rapid 7 he used to use, if I remember correctly . used to love reading his articles in airgun world .