Please recommend an air rifle

[lancashire]

Hello there, I hope you can help.

 

Basically my step son bought a BAIKAL DROZD, and after having a play with it I was thinking of ordering myself an air-rifle. I need some advice on what to get. I have a budget of £300(give or take) live in the countryside and own several acres of land (my brother in law owns 100 acres of land - an ex-farmer - he turned his farm into a hotel/ 18 hole golf course but his knowledge is in firearms, though this was in the late 70's when he did this so is a bit out of touch). He also has some land that is not used and has given me permisson to shoot on there as well). I would like to mainly shoot vermin/wabbits etc, so from what I have read a .22 is what I need (it also seems the more manly - don't mean to offend any .177 owners out there. Thats just the impression I get :blink: ) . I was thinking of a BSA Lightning/Delux. I have also seen a BSA SCORPION. Are these any good? I realise that it would be best to go to a shop and try some for size/feel etc, but being a nightshift worker this is proving difficult (my days off are gnerally spent lazing around the house whist I attempt to swap my bodyclock around!!!) So here I am asking you folks as you seem like a good bunch who obviosly know your stuff. After looking on-line I realise that there are hundreds of air rifles to choose from and need some help in which direction I should be looking.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Regards.

[decroyffe]

.22 will be fine for rabbits etc, look in the buy/sell section. theres a BSA lightning xl tactical for sale with scope i belive. great rifle and just the job, you wont get a better light weight rifle for the money and it's not a compramise, it's a good rifle :blink:

[ShaggyRS6]

I reccomend any of the ones I have :unsure:

[pin]

Is 300 all in for everything you will end up needing (knife/clothing/sundries - you might have we don't know) or just the rifle? I assume that includes scope?

 

Depends on the answers to these as to what is best, at the outset it might seem a premium springer is the way forward, but depending on the above you might stretch to a secondhand PCP (perhaps an s200).

[decroyffe]

I reccomend any of the ones I have

 

for £300 i'll take one off your hands cupraman :unsure:

[njc110381]

I'd go for the lightning, nice rifle. If you have a bit of change, get a Theoben gas ram to go in it because they're very good. I'd also go for a .177, but that's just me! I used to have all .22s, but then I found I was getting more kills with my friends .177 so swapped over. Never looked back, so give it a little thought before you buy. There's very little between the killing efficiency of the .177/.22, but the .177 is easier to shoot accurately because it has a flatter trajectory. As long as you hit the mark the quarry will die no matter what the calibre, so the one you'll be most accurate with is best in my opinion. I'm happy to admit I shoot a girly calibre, I haven't had a runner for a long time and that's what really matters to me :unsure:

[ShaggyRS6]

I reccomend any of the ones I have

 

for £300 i'll take one off your hands cupraman :unsure:

 

 

Ah, I did not see the £300 bit

[lancashire]

Cheers for all of your replies. I really wasn't expecting so many, so quickly.

 

£300 is for the rifle and scope. Correct clothing/glasses etc are things that I intend to pickup at a later date.

 

Pin you mentioned a premium springer or secondhand PCP (perhaps an s200). Are these better rifles. I was under the impression that the springer is generally more powerful/better. Am I wong?

 

I would rather spend a bit of brass on something that would last me years, than spend less money on something that I would be upgrading soon(ish).

 

Again I can't stress how grateful I am for so many reply's, so quickly.

 

Regards everyone.

 

:unsure:

[WeihrauchPower]

If your after a mans gun then go for a Weihrauch HW80 or 97k! They have the best triggers on earth for the money!

I picked my 97k up for £200 scoped, and it was like brand new with no scratches anywhere!

If you could find one in fairly good condition for around £180 it would leave you enough to buy a nice brand new scope if you so wished! :unsure:

[WeihrauchPower]

Cheers for all of your replies. I really wasn't expecting so many, so quickly.

 

£300 is for the rifle and scope. Correct clothing/glasses etc are things that I intend to pickup at a later date.

 

Pin you mentioned a premium springer or secondhand PCP (perhaps an s200). Are these better rifles. I was under the impression that the springer is generally more powerful/better. Am I wong?

 

I would rather spend a bit of brass on something that would last me years, than spend less money on something that I would be upgrading soon(ish).

 

Again I can't stress how grateful I am for so many reply's, so quickly.

 

Regards everyone.

 

:unsure:

 

Don't go for a PCP on a budget of £300! A trusty springer will outlast any of the cheaper PCPs! Plus no hassle of charging gear! All you need in the field with a spinger is your gun and a pocket full of pellets to keep you going for as long as you want!

[monkeyjaimz]

Now then mate, welcome to the forum :unsure:

 

You seem a bit confused as to the differances between a springer and a pcp (pre charged pneumatic), so just to clarify: a springer is a rifle that needs to be 'cocked' for every shot, either by breaking the barrel or cocking an underlever.

This is basically how the rifle is powered in this instance. The other trait with springers is the recoil that they have when fired - something that you have to get used to.

 

A pcp however has an on board bottle of compressed air as its power source, so there is no need to cock the rifle. However, if you choose to buy a pcp rifle you will also need to buy the gear used to 'charge' it, either a divers bottle or a hand pump.

These rifles do also recoil a little, but its hardly noticable to the point where some people dont think they recoil at all.

 

As for power, there is no differance at all as all non FAC (Fire Arms Cert) air riles are limited to 12 ft/lbs anyway.

 

There is no differance in killing ability between the .22 and .177 calibres either. I shoot a .177 Air Arms S200 and im going home with a full bag of rabbits every trip.

I'd reccommend a well built springer in .177 if you want to get started and have lots of simple / hassle free shooting, but be warned - you will eventually want to buy a pcp!

 

hope this helps mate, let us know how you get on

[Paul in North Lincs.]

BSA lightenting is a good choice....you should get a good combo for £300..........amongst some of my favourites are the Theoben Fenman.....and airarms TX200 HC............

 

dont be tempted to by cheap budget guns like the smk's and Korean imports..............

 

BSA

Theoben

Airarms

Wheirach

Webly

 

 

all good qulaity names you should look out for :unsure:

[tosspot]

Now then mate, welcome to the forum :unsure:

 

You seem a bit confused as to the differances between a springer and a pcp (pre charged pneumatic), so just to clarify: a springer is a rifle that needs to be 'cocked' for every shot, either by breaking the barrel or cocking an underlever.

This is basically how the rifle is powered in this instance. The other trait with springers is the recoil that they have when fired - something that you have to get used to.

 

A pcp however has an on board bottle of compressed air as its power source, so there is no need to cock the rifle. However, if you choose to buy a pcp rifle you will also need to buy the gear used to 'charge' it, either a divers bottle or a hand pump.

These rifles do also recoil a little, but its hardly noticable to the point where some people dont think they recoil at all.

 

As for power, there is no differance at all as all non FAC (Fire Arms Cert) air riles are limited to 12 ft/lbs anyway.

 

There is no differance in killing ability between the .22 and .177 calibres either. I shoot a .177 Air Arms S200 and im going home with a full bag of rabbits every trip.

I'd reccommend a well built springer in .177 if you want to get started and have lots of simple / hassle free shooting, but be warned - you will eventually want to buy a pcp!

 

hope this helps mate, let us know how you get on

 

 

 

 

good helpful post

[ldh]

If your after a mans gun then go for a Weihrauch HW80 or 97k! They have the best triggers on earth for the money!

I picked my 97k up for £200 scoped, and it was like brand new with no scratches anywhere!

If you could find one in fairly good condition for around £180 it would leave you enough to buy a nice brand new scope if you so wished!

hello im new here too, i used to have a hw35 many years ago and would recomend them to anyone it was a fantastic rifle, im after another one now (second hand) there full power and nicely weighted to you can get one new for arround 200notes which will leave plenty for any accessories you need,weihrauch are definately a must to consider

im also considering the remmingtom genesis 1000, but purely because of the way it looks :unsure: yes im a tart

lee

[WeihrauchPower]

If your after a mans gun then go for a Weihrauch HW80 or 97k! They have the best triggers on earth for the money!

I picked my 97k up for £200 scoped, and it was like brand new with no scratches anywhere!

If you could find one in fairly good condition for around £180 it would leave you enough to buy a nice brand new scope if you so wished!

hello im new here too, i used to have a hw35 many years ago and would recomend them to anyone it was a fantastic rifle, im after another one now (second hand) there full power and nicely weighted to you can get one new for arround 200notes which will leave plenty for any accessories you need,weihrauch are definately a must to consider

im also considering the remmingtom genesis 1000, but purely because of the way it looks :unsure: yes im a tart

lee

 

DO NOT BUY A REMMINGTON GENISIS! The build quality is second only to that of Crosman! Absolute ****! You may like the look of them whilst flicking through a mag but i assure you if you held one you'd know what i mean!

[ldh]

DO NOT BUY A REMMINGTON GENISIS! The build quality is second only to that of Crosman! Absolute ****! You may like the look of them whilst flicking through a mag but i assure you if you held one you'd know what i mean!

funny that ive read a couple of online reviews on it and the build quality does only max out at about 7/8,but having not held one i will certainly pay heed to your warning (really cant afford to waste 200 notes), i supose i could always have a custom stock made for a hw35 to give it the 'look' at a later date

lee :unsure:

[WeihrauchPower]

DO NOT BUY A REMMINGTON GENISIS! The build quality is second only to that of Crosman! Absolute ****! You may like the look of them whilst flicking through a mag but i assure you if you held one you'd know what i mean!

 

funny that ive read a couple of online reviews on it and the build quality does only max out at about 7/8,but having not held one i will certainly pay heed to your warning (really cant afford to waste 200 notes), i supose i could always have a custom stock made for a hw35 to give it the 'look' at a later date

lee :unsure:

 

Why not go for another Weihrauch model! I have three and although i do have a favourite i use them all pretty much equally!

[ldh]

DO NOT BUY A REMMINGTON GENISIS! The build quality is second only to that of Crosman! Absolute ****! You may like the look of them whilst flicking through a mag but i assure you if you held one you'd know what i mean!

 

funny that ive read a couple of online reviews on it and the build quality does only max out at about 7/8,but having not held one i will certainly pay heed to your warning (really cant afford to waste 200 notes), i supose i could always have a custom stock made for a hw35 to give it the 'look' at a later date

lee :unsure:

 

Why not go for another Weihrauch model! I have three and although i do have a favourite i use them all pretty much equally!

i do suffer from a certain ammount of bias when it comes to the hw35, the only other weihrauch model ive tried is the hw77, however thats the reason i wound up with the 35 .... i didnt like the under lever design. i have considered the hw80 or the hw95 as alternatives. out of the 3 which would you recommend

lee

[lancashire]

Hello folks back again. I've just arrived back from Blackpool (I visited Blackpool AirRifles). I went with the intention of looking at a BSA Lightning but they had a HW97 with scope (secondhand for £220) and they recommended it over the BSA. So I've put a deposit down on it. I would have bought it there and then but I've lost my pin for my c/card :unsure: , so it will just have to wait untill I get my new pin number.

 

Anyway it seems like I'm sorted for now.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Regards.

[njc110381]

The HW97 is a very heavy gun, but the build quality will be second to none. If you're happy to carry the weight then you've got yourself a very nice rifle. Someone above mentioned the quality of the Weihrauch trigger unit, that is also a good point. The Record trigger is a very nice crisp setup and again is hard to beat. What calibre did you get in the end, just out of interest? Whichever you went for, with practice you'll be taking bunnies right out to 40 yards :unsure:

[lancashire]

I went with a .22 in the end.

 

[terrier]

I own a HW97k .177 and a Gamo with a gasram.22. if I had to start choose again, with the knowledge I have now, should go for a HW95, or a Lightning tactical, .177

Why? a bit lighter as the 97k, but just as accurate and deadly.

[ldh]

I own a HW97k .177 and a Gamo with a gasram.22. if I had to start choose again, with the knowledge I have now, should go for a HW95, or a Lightning tactical, .177

Why? a bit lighter as the 97k, but just as accurate and deadly.

at the mo im using a smk b4-2 which is ok for a cheap china but i do still want a wiehrauch ( and will get one) break barrell its just a case of which one lol many to chose from im thinkin ill wind up with a hw35 as i know the gun well from past experiances.

lee

[BSA Shaun]

I own a HW97k .177 and a Gamo with a gasram.22. if I had to start choose again, with the knowledge I have now, should go for a HW95, or a Lightning tactical, .177

Why? a bit lighter as the 97k, but just as accurate and deadly.

at the mo im using a smk b4-2 which is ok for a cheap china but i do still want a wiehrauch ( and will get one) break barrell its just a case of which one lol many to chose from im thinkin ill wind up with a hw35 as i know the gun well from past experiances.

lee

 

 

Get yourself a lightning mate

[SNAKEBITE]

Either a Wacker or a BSA you will not be disapointed with either.

It's all down to personnal preferance and fit.