Air rifles

[vinnie83]

Sorry if this isn't allowed mods, feel free to delete, but I tried posting in sports section with no activity!

Quick question for those of you who like a bit of target shooting / hunting with air rifles.

After going clay shooting today, I had a play with a friends air rifle, and have to admit it was quite good fun.

What I'd like to ask is, is a gas powered one better, or spring loaded?

Obvious benefit of spring over gas is cheaper due to no need for gas cans.

Also, where can I get a half decent rifle, with sight for under £200 - I don't mind a second hand one, and what brands etc should I be looking at?

Thanks for any help guys!

[CaptainSlow]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[robinhood21]

Click Here for some good info on air rifles. Or do a search as there are many threads on PH for what you are asking.

ETA: Must type faster!

Edited by robinhood21 on Sunday 5th April 13:08

[Lefty Guns]

Precharged are good because:

No recoil
Multi-shot

Springers are good because:

No fking about with bottles
More consistent (unless you're comparing it to an air rifle with a tuned regulator valve)
Cheaper

[Saddle bum]

Depends what you want to do.

Vermin, Target or Field Trials? They all need a different sort of rifle (and pistols as well).

If in the South, try Surrey Guns. It's run by one of the best shots in the country and they have a special interest in air guns.

[Fishtigua]

Bottle tops are better for bunnies and woodies but I still have Grandpa's old springie BSA.

I've put a new (slightly over powered) spring and seal in an almost 50 year old .22.

It still kicks ass.

Its all down to how you want to use them

[vinnie83]

Just to shoot targets in the back garden really - nothing serious, won't be hunting with it.

I did a search, but the one that came up was more for a £500 budget and for hunting which was the thread posted up at the top.

I don't want to spend any more than £200.

I'm thinking spring, rather than CO2 cos I can pick it up and use it, not worry about gas cans. I have a CO2 pistol and if I leave it with the can in, it eventually leakes empty.

Having tried to search myself, there's just far too much variety, and it's something I don't really want to spend weeks researching, because I'm not that serious about it - I just want a decent rifle, with sights, that I can mess around in the back garden with.

If anyone can recommend any actual make + models, and approx price, that would be really helpful.

If anyone is selling anything decent, that would be even better

[jeff m]

Anyone know the difference between a scope intended for an air rifle and a 22lr rifle.

I know the price of scopes vary tremendously with quality, but it does seem that air rifle ones are more expensive when comparing the same optical specs.

[Kuroblack350]

jeff m said:

Anyone know the difference between a scope intended for an air rifle and a 22lr rifle.

I know the price of scopes vary tremendously with quality, but it does seem that air rifle ones are more expensive when comparing the same optical specs.

You need to make sure that the scope is air rifle (spring) rated. Sprung air rifles recoil differently to firearms, e.g. both directions. Scopes not designed for this use will eventually shake themselves apart.

Take a look at Nikko Sterling, MTC etc. I've got a Nikko 6-24x56, which is fairly impressive

It's also a good idea to ensure your rear mounts have a stop pin, as many rifles are now produced with the arrestor for it.

[jeff m]

Kuroblack350 said:

jeff m said:

Anyone know the difference between a scope intended for an air rifle and a 22lr rifle.

I know the price of scopes vary tremendously with quality, but it does seem that air rifle ones are more expensive when comparing the same optical specs.

You need to make sure that the scope is air rifle (spring) rated. Sprung air rifles recoil differently to firearms, e.g. both directions. Scopes not designed for this use will eventually shake themselves apart.

Take a look at Nikko Sterling, MTC etc. I've got a Nikko 6-24x56, which is fairly impressive

It's also a good idea to ensure your rear mounts have a stop pin, as many rifles are now produced with the arrestor for it.

Thanks
J

[AcidRich]

YHM

vinnie83 said:

Sorry if this isn't allowed mods, feel free to delete, but I tried posting in sports section with no activity!

Quick question for those of you who like a bit of target shooting / hunting with air rifles.

After going clay shooting today, I had a play with a friends air rifle, and have to admit it was quite good fun.

What I'd like to ask is, is a gas powered one better, or spring loaded?

Obvious benefit of spring over gas is cheaper due to no need for gas cans.

Also, where can I get a half decent rifle, with sight for under £200 - I don't mind a second hand one, and what brands etc should I be looking at?

Thanks for any help guys!

[Nobody You Know]

Try popping to a local country/shooting shop and see what they have.

I picked up a really nice second hand but hardly used spring powered .177 for £60 and got a lot of good advice to go with it.

It has been great for a it of target and vermin shooting in the garden/fields.

[mybrainhurts]

vinnie83 said:

I'm thinking spring, rather than CO2 cos I can pick it up and use it, not worry about gas cans.

CO2 rifles are stupidly expensive to run.

Get a pre-charged pneumatic rifle.

[matmoxon]

If you want sub £200 with scope then you are pretty much limited to a spring powered rifle as PCP ones tend to be more expensive (plus you need the divers bottle/stirrup pump on top of it) to charge it up.

Second hand buys are a good way to go if you can find one for your price range a second hand Weihrauch HW95K would be good. They are pretty much bomb proof, a mate of mine has the Weihrauch HW97K under lever rifle and it is a fantastic piece of kit.

If you want to stretch your budget and go PCP I had an Air Arms S200 for a year and it was a cracking rifle (and probably still is in the hands of her new owner), it's unregulated and gets about 70 - 80 useable shots to a charge, it is very accurate and a nice rifle to shoot. Second hand you are probably looking at £400 for a PCP with a stirrup pump, scope and silencer. Be aware though charging one up with a stirrup pump is hard work, I do it 3 - 4 times every Sunday and it does get tiring pumping 200bar into an air cylinder.

I would second the “avoid CO2 rifles” unless you don’t mind spending allot on C02 capsules.

.177 and .22 if it is just for range shooting I’d go .177 as the trajectory is flatter, but for hunting I’d use a .22 as the pellets carry more of the muzzle energy, though ultimately that is down to preference, I shoot .22.

I upgraded my S200 to a Falcon Prairie B multi shot (full sized with a walnut stock) which is consistent as it is fully regulated, but they are £640 + (does not include a silencer or scope) it is fantastic though.

Matt

Edited by matmoxon on Sunday 5th April 17:13

[carter711]

vinnie83 said:

I have a CO2 pistol and if I leave it with the can in, it eventually leakes empty.

You shouldn't leave the gun charged if you're not going to use it, it will detereorate the seal.

Precharged guns don't all use co2 capsules you know, you can charge them with a special pump, meaning gas refills are free (after the cost of the pumnp of course, I think £40-£60)

[vinnie83]

carter711 said:

vinnie83 said:

I have a CO2 pistol and if I leave it with the can in, it eventually leakes empty.

You shouldn't leave the gun charged if you're not going to use it, it will detereorate the seal.

Precharged guns don't all use co2 capsules you know, you can charge them with a special pump, meaning gas refills are free (after the cost of the pumnp of course, I think £40-£60)

Oh I see, I thought that CO2 are the only gas powered option.

seems the pre-charged ones are a bit pricey.

I think I'll go for a spring one, a kind PH'er has PM'd me one for sale, so I'll probably go for that by the looks of it!

[samdale]

vinnie83 said:

carter711 said:

vinnie83 said:

I have a CO2 pistol and if I leave it with the can in, it eventually leakes empty.

You shouldn't leave the gun charged if you're not going to use it, it will detereorate the seal.

Precharged guns don't all use co2 capsules you know, you can charge them with a special pump, meaning gas refills are free (after the cost of the pumnp of course, I think £40-£60)

Oh I see, I thought that CO2 are the only gas powered option.

seems the pre-charged ones are a bit pricey.

I think I'll go for a spring one, a kind PH'er has PM'd me one for sale, so I'll probably go for that by the looks of it!

yeah spring definitely sounds your best bet.

o and as mentioned precharged ones are not always co2 and have a variety of ways to recharge. i use a stirrup pump but you can use an air compressor or even a diving bottle...