dan-250 Posted May 21, 2011 Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 hi there guys, im just getting back into the sport of target shooting and getting a few of them pesky pigeons and rabbits for the local farmer ive had a word with an also a magistrate in lincoln, ive been shooting with a borrowed air arms s410 carbine and i love it, i just dont see many for sale around my area, (id rather do a face to face deal) so i have a few in my mind i like the look of...(but are they any good) just wondering if you guys could point me in a direction to get the best. definatly a pcp, the way for forward. would prefer a multi-shot too. the guns on the list are : s410 falcon prairire multi 8 shot aa s200 bsa super 10 bsa ultra weihrauch hw100 bsa scorpion if i havent listed any good ones please could you recommend me 1. i have between 250-450 to spend, i dont need no bottle to refil as i would use my old mans and split the cost of refills. cheers dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted May 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 also would i be better with .177 or .22 ? ive heard different but then ive heard that people go hunting with .177 now where as i always thought it used to be .22 ? im confused on this matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Need more info to make the best recommendations but based on what you have said so far here goes.If sport target is going to be important then stick with .177 and you will be o.k..Top of the list in your choice would be the HW100 but its expensive and a little on the heavy side so maybe you could find a way of trying one b4 parting with any cash?Second choice would be the AA S410-this gun is a living legend and rightly so-well worth waiting for one to come along and easily bought from dealers, wherever they may be, over the phone if you decide that its the gun for you-dont forget that under the "distance selling" regs you have seven days to approve anything you have bought without actually seeing in the flesh.Only other gun I would consider is the S200 on the grounds that I believe it to be one of the most under-rated guns in living memory.Its ugly and looks awkward and uncomfortable until you pick it up-then it all begins to make sense.Im fairly certain that if AA were to increase the cylinder size to increase capacity and factory fit a regulator then this little gun would rule the airgun scene.Hope my comments are of some use-ATB-Bruno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Need more info to make the best recommendations but based on what you have said so far here goes.If sport target is going to be important then stick with .177 and you will be o.k..Top of the list in your choice would be the HW100 but its expensive and a little on the heavy side so maybe you could find a way of trying one b4 parting with any cash?Second choice would be the AA S410-this gun is a living legend and rightly so-well worth waiting for one to come along and easily bought from dealers, wherever they may be, over the phone if you decide that its the gun for you-dont forget that under the "distance selling" regs you have seven days to approve anything you have bought without actually seeing in the flesh.Only other gun I would consider is the S200 on the grounds that I believe it to be one of the most under-rated guns in living memory.Its ugly and looks awkward and uncomfortable until you pick it up-then it all begins to make sense.Im fairly certain that if AA were to increase the cylinder size to increase capacity and factory fit a regulator then this little gun would rule the airgun scene.Hope my comments are of some use-ATB-Bruno. thanks for the reply, what more info would you like ? well it'll mainly be an all rounder. i use it for a few targets in the garden and i'll use it round the farm, due to not having enough dosh, i cant afford 2. i thought the s200 looked quite cool. but its only a single shot. id wait around for an aas410, i really would but im itching to get my own, i dont like using other peoples things... im not a member of any local gun clubs so trying/feeling them is quite awkward for me. i did have a go with an air arms springer a while back that was my neighbours, but weighed a ton. if it has a bi-pod that would be no problem, but me being a short ****, an not the largest of chaps, lugging 1 of them around i presume would get tiring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegingeritalian Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 (edited) Morning Dan, There are a whole load of good PCPs out there and it all comes down to personal preference. The first one I owned was a Daystate Huntsman MII in .22 and it was a stunning gun and looked great as well. It brought an early end to most quarry I aimed at but alas I made the silly mistake of selling it, a decision I still regret to this day. I now shoot an Axsor Gemini in .177 and I cannot fault it either on accuracy or performance in the field and it is half the price of any Daystate. The whole question of .177or .22 (or even .20) again comes down to what you feel most comfortable with and there are valid arguments for both. The heavier pellet of the .22 will certainly deliver but so will the .177 and it all comes down to the confidence and ability of the shooter. You haven't said where you are but I recommend you take a look at scr-airguns.co.uk (staffordshire custom rifles) as he normally has good stock in and he builds PCPs as well so knows his onions ( would like to add that I'm not on commission for this shop but I'm chuffed with the service he has given me). Anyway that's my two penneth. Good luck and I hope you find the gun your looking for. Edited May 22, 2011 by thegingeritalian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Well, as said the most important thing will be to try different rifles and choose the one that feels best. I now use .177 for hunting as the trajectory is flatter so the error margin for guessing ranges is greater, but again choose whatever you feel most at home with. As for the guns on the list, here are my thoughts: s410 - Great all-rounder, accurate, very popular and within budget. falcon prairie multi 8 shot - Very accurate and light (esp the light hunter), made in the same factory as the AA. AA s200 - Very accurate and light (looks a bit odd though) and you'll have some money left. You can get after-market multi shot conversions (from Rowan Engineering) BSA super 10 - Maybe a bit heavy, but still a good rifle. BSA ultra - Small and light and accurate but limited shot count, especially in .177. The multi shot can have loading problems. weihrauch hw100 - Great rifle but out of your price range, bit heavy also. BSA scorpion - Better shot count than Ultra, good rifle but probably not at the top of many lists. These are just my opinions and you may be smitten with something else, Daystate, Logun, Rapid etc. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Thanks guys, really helpful. I guess I'll have a look around more and check the shop out you recommend I'm near Lincoln outside by 10 miles in a village. I'm really comfy with the Aa and think they are great guns for the money. Can also be uprated when/if I get fac. I'll keep an eye out for a second hand daystate. But I thought they was out of my price range. My ability is probably off a little compared to yours but I still get plenty of kills and plenty grouping on my targets but then I haven't much experience going out shooting, so my approach is maybe all wrong. So I think I will stick to a .22 or .20. Again thanks for the help guys dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegingeritalian Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Don't knock your own ability. I know people who have all the gear and no idea. Field craft is as important as accuracy if not more so as you need to be able to get within a sensible distance to your quarry but you will only learn this by getting out there. That shop I mentioned has a Daystate Midas that is in your price range and a couple of AA specimens but I'm not sure how much they are on for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Get an AAS410 in .177 if your gonna do Target work as well as Live quarry,-extremely accurate and excellent value for money.I'm really pleased with mine anyway!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Hi Dan, any of the pcp rifles wil shoot spot on if looked after and not tinkered with. If I could give you any advise if you are going to shoot live quarry with it put in lots of practise and learn to use crossed sticks. Deer stalkers and fox shooters don't use them for nothing, they may be shooting over longer distances but your quarry has a much smaller kill zone so will require just as good a shot if not better. I have used air rifles for Rabbit control for the last 25 years or so being guided by an older shooter. When he came up with the idea of using sticks I thought what a pain in the butt! after many years of using them I couldn't imagine going out with a rifle without them. A bipod is rock steady but if your land s dead flat with tall grass or crops you simply can't see what you are aiming at, this is where being able to shoot off sticks comes in. As you are going for a pcp there is no recoil as there would be with a spring air rifle to flip the shot off the mark. give them a go as home made ones are cheap to make and very good. As you are a smaller guy get a sling fitted to your rifle then you can carry it on your shoulder while walking about, carrying your sticks in your free hand. some pics to help; rfle over the shoulder, sticks in hand. one set, very steady as my daughter shows. two sets and she was hitting a coke can end on at 160yds, with a rifle but it goes to show how steady a slight built person can hold. It doesn't matter what type of rifle you are using the end result is the same, you need to be as steady as is possible, give them a try, you won't regret it. Your shooting range will be quite close, sub 40yds so I tend to slip my rifle off my shoulder in good time as I close in, sticks coming up under the forend as I close in to within range, moving very slowly and always keeping in a straigt line to the Rabbit, move sideways and it will be gone! Have fun and let us know how you get on and what you go for. atvb Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 If I could give you any advise if you are going to shoot live quarry with it put in lots of practise and learn to use crossed sticks. I agree, I don't use bi-pods and always take sticks with me, 8 out of 10 shots are taken with them and only very close bunnys are taken without. You may think they will hinder you in the field but I would never leave home without them as I get cleaner kills with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I don't use Sticks!I only use a Bi-pod as I feel you get better stability with a Bi-pod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxnet22 Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 first wh100 2nd aa410 both excellent rifles out in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabs Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I don't use Sticks!I only use a Bi-pod as I feel you get better stability with a Bi-pod. Yes, far better stability with a bipod, but standing sticks lets you take the shot in long grass/ hills and dips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Yes, far better stability with a bipod, but standing sticks lets you take the shot in long grass/ hills and dips. I use short sticks so I'm sitting/kneeling when I shoot as they still give you the extra height but with great stability. I use them in the day, at night with IR and in a hide for pigeons. I rarely shoot prone but when I do I'm more than stable enough propped on my elbows. It's whatever works for you and your style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I don't use Sticks!I only use a Bi-pod as I feel you get better stability with a Bi-pod. For sure a bipod is the best as far as stability is concerned but for a lot of us it just sits the rifle too low. I was pointing out another option that is well worth learning, if I only used a bipod I would miss out on a lot of shooting. All the very best, Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabs Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I use short sticks so I'm sitting/kneeling when I shoot as they still give you the extra height but with great stability. I use them in the day, at night with IR and in a hide for pigeons. I rarely shoot prone but when I do I'm more than stable enough propped on my elbows. It's whatever works for you and your style. I mostly shoot from sitting with the rifle on the knee/crook of arm FT style. Good solid position with a decent amount of elevation for long grass etc. I can pop a rabbit out to 175 yrds with the HMR from this position. Out to 100 with FAC air and out to 60 with sub 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I mostly shoot from sitting with the rifle on the knee/crook of arm FT style. Good solid position with a decent amount of elevation for long grass etc. I can pop a rabbit out to 175 yrds with the HMR from this position. Out to 100 with FAC air and out to 60 with sub 12. Yes, I used to use that as it's a very stable position but I find it quicker if I'm stalking bunnys I'll be crouched low so just need to kneel down with the sticks rather than having to get into the sitting position, get my knees up and bring my arm around. It just takes up a few more valuable second that you may not have if the bunnys are alerted to your presence. 175 yards, that is good shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Thanks guys, really helpful. I guess I'll have a look around more and check the shop out you recommend I'm near Lincoln outside by 10 miles in a village. I'm really comfy with the Aa and think they are great guns for the money. Can also be uprated when/if I get fac. I'll keep an eye out for a second hand daystate. But I thought they was out of my price range. My ability is probably off a little compared to yours but I still get plenty of kills and plenty grouping on my targets but then I haven't much experience going out shooting, so my approach is maybe all wrong. So I think I will stick to a .22 or .20. Again thanks for the help guys dan Hi Dan, Have you tried City Airweapons in Lincoln, have always found the chap in there very helpful and always has a good selection of second hand rifles. I haven't been in for a while so couldn't say what he has at the moment and he may know of someone selling a AA if he hasn't got one himself. ATB Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabs Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Hi Dan, Have you tried City Airweapons in Lincoln, have always found the chap in there very helpful and always has a good selection of second hand rifles. I haven't been in for a while so couldn't say what he has at the moment and he may know of someone selling a AA if he hasn't got one himself. ATB Craig Expensive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welsh Andy Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 aa 200 are light and you can get a 10 shot adaptor to get around the single shot porblem. HW 100 are nice but i think out of your price range. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 How much is an adapter for 10 shot 200 or is it just worth saving and getting the s410? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 (edited) How much is an adapter for 10 shot 200 or is it just worth saving and getting the s410? They are about £60 ish but you have to manualy index the magazine before each shot. Do a search for Rowan engineering. Edit: they are 8 shot mags for .177 and 7(?) for .22 Edited May 23, 2011 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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