Bipods, tanks and top tips for a new pcp user

[GrizzlyHuff]

Hi,

 

I'm new to this forum so hello everyone.

 

I'm about to invest in my first pcp. Based on the evidence I'm going to bite the pellet and invest in an HW100 (SK in .177 probably), and I've got a few questions for you experts:

 

Bottle or pump? I like the thought of being self contained and using a pump to keep the gun charged but are there any technical limitations or concerns with using a pump? How much does a bottle cost to refill (ballpark)? How much does it cost to get it tested etc? Am I right in assuming that a 7 litre bottle will give me 70 complete charges? If I go for a pump do you have any recommendations?

 

Bipod. Obviously the name you here bandied around is Harris and although they're pricey I'm happy to invest in the right kit if it's going to be reliable and last. I guess as the gun is for use in the field I need the swivel type for uneven ground but what size is best? I've seen a review of a 13.5" to 27" one but that would seem to me to be too high to shoot comfortably from prone - any thoughts? Any other recommendations?

 

Scopes. I have my own thoughts but are there any specific recommendations for anything that suits the HW100 particularly well (for hunting)?

 

Thanks

[rascal_2005]

firstly mate hello!

 

if i was you (and you can afford it) go for the bottle. makes life so much easyer! i had a 3lt 300bar bottle cost me £130 and i never looked back. small enougth to cart around with you. plus a pump will knacker you out haha. if you buy a botttle new you get a 5 year test anyway

 

 

also go for a bipod you can afford mate. but its true what you say.... you get what you pay for!

 

john boy

[John_R]

A 9-13 swivel Harris will suit your purposes, and you'll probably never want to replace it.

[GrizzlyHuff]

Hi John Boy,

 

Thanks for that. Out of interest how often do you get the bottle refilled and roughly what does it cost?

 

Cheers,

 

Adam

[TJ91]

to fill a 3l 300 bottle at my local shop it cost 3quid

they will fill the gun while ther at it

 

get plenty of fills from it, not sure how many exactly

 

alot cheaper than the shotgun

[UKPoacher]

Firstly,it has to be said that the 'T' version of the HW100 is pig ugly. If you intend to go out in daylight and don't want to have to make excuses for your gun's looks stick to the conventional stock.

 

Agreed, a tank is best. Even a 3 litre 300 bar is OK.

 

Bipod - why? Shoot from crouched, kneeling or sitting and if you can't hit a rabbit's head at 40 yds with a HW100 you shouldn't be shooting. Unnecesary male jewellery in my book. On the very few ocassions I have needed to get down and dirty I've used my game bag as a rest. It has a foam gardener's kneeling pad in the back pocket and is rigid enough for the purpose.

 

Scopes - Nikko, Bushnell, Tasco, Walther in 3-9x40 is plenty. When you go much above 40mm front optic you can suffer problems mounting lamps and the like. I've never needed more than 9X for squirrels let alone rabbits, so you don't need a target scope of 12X or greater for hunting.

Edited December 16, 2010 by UKPoacher

[bigchap]

i use a 2-7x32 hawke scope,it's more than enough and cheap too.i've done the big scope thing and all they do is add weight and make lamp mounting awkward.

i would use a bottle rather than a pump as it's so much easier and quicker,i picked up a 7l 300bar bottle with 4 years test left for £100,you can't get a good pump for much less than that.

Edited December 16, 2010 by bigchap

[Billy.]

Bottles can be refilled for free by your local (large) fire station, if you ask kindly (and if they're not busy)

 

I think you're missing a key question - Pellets.

 

Whatever you do, don't buy pointed pellets for hunting. Also don't buy cheap pellets - You want to buy good quality, lubricated ones which actually set you back a few quid.

 

By the way

Edited December 16, 2010 by Billy.

[rascal_2005]

should cost about £2-3 to refill and will last about 10-16 fills?? not sure with the hw tho?

 

and a good point by billy......BUY DECENT PELLETS!!!!!

 

john boy

[pabs]

Make sure you buy a 300 bar bottle!! The 232 bar bottles are cheaper, but you will only get a couple fills at most before pressure drops below what you need. 300 bar mate!!! (and get the 12 litre whilst your wallet is out )

[Billy.]

Make sure you buy a 300 bar bottle!! The 232 bar bottles are cheaper, but you will only get a couple fills at most before pressure drops below what you need. 300 bar mate!!! (and get the 12 litre whilst your wallet is out )

 

Pressure warnings are put on things for a reason. From what I remember, the HW has a label warning not to fill above 200 Bar. Whilst it'll probably withstand 800 bar, I'd just not take the risk.

[GrizzlyHuff]

A 9-13 swivel Harris will suit your purposes, and you'll probably never want to replace it.

 

Excellent. That's probably what I'll go for then thank you.

[UKPoacher]

Pressure warnings are put on things for a reason. From what I remember, the HW has a label warning not to fill above 200 Bar. Whilst it'll probably withstand 800 bar, I'd just not take the risk.

 

You only fill the gun to around 180 bar from your 300 bar tank. There is a gauge on the tank to assist you.

[GrizzlyHuff]

Bottles can be refilled for free by your local (large) fire station, if you ask kindly (and if they're not busy)

 

I think you're missing a key question - Pellets.

 

Whatever you do, don't buy pointed pellets for hunting. Also don't buy cheap pellets - You want to buy good quality, lubricated ones which actually set you back a few quid.

 

By the way

 

Hadn't thought about the fire station approach - I bet there are firemen all over the country cursing you now.

 

Already learned the pellet lesson. And I've seen someone trying to group pointed pellets from 40 yards. I'll start with AA Fields which I use now and experiment with a couple of other types to make sure I'm happy.

 

Thanks for the welcome and the help.

[pabs]

Pressure warnings are put on things for a reason. From what I remember, the HW has a label warning not to fill above 200 Bar. Whilst it'll probably withstand 800 bar, I'd just not take the risk.

 

Who said anything about filling above the guns rated pressure?

[GrizzlyHuff]

Firstly,it has to be said that the 'T' version of the HW100 is pig ugly. If you intend to go out in daylight and don't want to have to make excuses for your gun's looks stick to the conventional stock.

 

Agreed, a tank is best. Even a 3 litre 300 bar is OK.

 

Bipod - why? Shoot from crouched, kneeling or sitting and if you can't hit a rabbit's head at 40 yds with a HW100 you shouldn't be shooting. Unnecesary male jewellery in my book. On the very few ocassions I have needed to get down and dirty I've used my game bag as a rest. It has a foam gardener's kneeling pad in the back pocket and is rigid enough for the purpose.

 

Scopes - Nikko, Bushnell, Tasco, Walther in 3-9x40 is plenty. When you go much above 40mm front optic you can suffer problems mounting lamps and the like. I've never needed more than 9X for squirrels let alone rabbits, so you don't need a target scope of 12X or greater for hunting.

 

Ok well I'm far too sensitive to be accused of having an ugly gun so now it'll definitely be the sporter stock. I don't think the HW100 is the prettiest gun in the world but lots of research says that in terms of accuracy, build quality and reliability is up there with the best - or is possibly the best. I just hope I like the way it handles. I've handled a few HW springers (97 and something else) and been very impressed with the build and handling so fingers crossed.

 

Most of the advice is leaning towards bottles but I feel a bit reluctant to become dependent on others for my power supply - some romantic notion of self reliance I suppose.

 

The scope on my springer is a 4-12x50 Hawke. It seems to gather light nicely but at the ranges I can effectively hunt at I can't use top end of the magnification anyway (no AO) so your advice makes sense. Should've asked here before I let the guy in the gunshop fleece me.

[The Duncan]

Ok well I'm far too sensitive to be accused of having an ugly gun so now it'll definitely be the sporter stock. I don't think the HW100 is the prettiest gun in the world but lots of research says that in terms of accuracy, build quality and reliability is up there with the best - or is possibly the best. I just hope I like the way it handles. I've handled a few HW springers (97 and something else) and been very impressed with the build and handling so fingers crossed.

 

Most of the advice is leaning towards bottles but I feel a bit reluctant to become dependent on others for my power supply - some romantic notion of self reliance I suppose.

 

The scope on my springer is a 4-12x50 Hawke. It seems to gather light nicely but at the ranges I can effectively hunt at I can't use top end of the magnification anyway (no AO) so your advice makes sense. Should've asked here before I let the guy in the gunshop fleece me.

For once I agree with almost everything in the thread!

Bottle - yes! I bought a 7 litre 300 bar one for mine and it costs £2.50 to fill at my local dive shop - max a couple of times a year (and I practise and hunt fairly regularly). That said the dive shop I use charges the same whatever size bottle you have.

I had a stirrup pump - bottle is definitely the way to go as you get a heck of a lot of shots out of a fill and you get plenty of notice that it's getting low on pressure

S type stock - again yes! Mine is gorgeous!

AA field pellets through my HW100S are pellet on pellet at 40 yards plus (and clover-leafing to 50 yards and beyond).

Don't worry about gimmicky coated pellets. If you must, then sort, wash, dry and lube with either a proprietry pellet lube or just a few drops of gun oil (about 3-5 drops per tin).

You will NOT be disappointed with an HW100 of any type. They are awesome rifles and I've had mine for about 4 years and still wouldn't want any other pcp. The 14 shot autoload system is outstanding and has the neat function of being incapable of being double loaded. It just won't let you.

Also, if you've lost track of whether you've reloaded after a shot, the safety will only engage once you've cocked/reloaded with the side leaver! If the safety won't go on, you haven't cocked/loaded the rifle :yp:

Oh and welcome to the forum

 

Duncan

[The Duncan]

Oh and a 9-13 " Harris bipod I found to be ideal. It goes very well on my Rimfire too