Theoben SLR98?

[jarmuschfan]

Evenin' all

 

In the market for an air rifle, and relatively new to the field. After looking at all the options in magazines, on the net and through VERY limited shooting experience - one springer (HW35) and one PCP (Air Arms S400) tried out within last two weeks - I am erring towards a Theoben SLR98 as an ideal compromise between 'old school' tradition and technical progress. There ain't a lot to choose from within my criteria - it seems to be the appeal of the, as yet untried for me, gas ram power.

However, they are quite pricey for a first buy, but I don't want to be 'wasting' spendable cash on buying for upgrade and replacement.

Has anyone out there tried one, or heard from others if they are as 'desirable' as I am imagining them to be?

To be honest, it would be mainly for target shooting nearer my city home, with the odd foray into hunting once I get a regular Highland holiday location set up.

I understand it comes in at 12 power or 18 FAC limit. Apart from the obvious hassle of applying for an FAC, is there any advantage to having one over the other, and in which calibre?

Also, anyone know of any suppliers who might do a good combo package - Blackpool is the only one seen so far.

I hope one of you kind people can help answer these questions for me.

 

Thanks

M

[arjimlad]

Welcome to the forum.

 

If you can fill in your profile you will get a lot more replies. You would also be better posting this in the airgun specific section.

 

I have shot springers, gas rams and PCP. The beauty of the gas-ram is that it is self contained, when compared with PCP. The SLR 98 I do not know, I saw an SLR 88 when they first came out and it was a beautiful beast of a gun. Ben Taylor of BTAS would be a good website to look at, google it for the web address. The gas-ram has a very fast lock-time - from when you pull the trigger to the pellet exiting - and they take a bit of getting used to.

 

The gun will not be as light as a PCP which is a consideration if you plan to hunt. You might consider buying a secondhand gas-ram rifle. If you don't take to it, you will be able to sell it without losing as much money.

 

The main advantage of FAC power is it is more powerful. Sounds trite. 18ft lbs is not shedloads more than 12 though. The disadvantages are that once it is FAC it cannot be down-rated to non-FAC. Ever. So the pool of potential buyers secondhand is limited. And you may be restricted in where you can shoot.

 

I take it that you are aware of your legal obligations with airgun ownership, even non-fac, concerning getting permission to shoot etc. See http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=23049 for firearms law generally and http://www.basc.org.uk/content/airriflepractice for airgun law.

 

If you plan on target shooting, the best possible piece of advice anyone could offer would be to take yourself off to your local field target or hunter field target club. There you should find a group of knowledgeable shooters who will be happy to let you try all sorts of guns and equipment in a safe place to shoot.

http://www.ukahft-photos.org.uk/ukahft/ind...1&Itemid=61 for a club finder.

 

Keep posting on here in the airgun section for more help.

 

Happy shooting

 

Arjimlad