View Full Version : Most reliable "hunting" air-rifle action - PCP, gas ram or springer?
Russ6357
18-07-2003, 06:15 PM
Over the last week I have seen talk abound about PCP's leaking, seals going, Gas-rams that need TLC and springers that diesel or ar scope wreckers.
So - my question is - what do the members think is the most reliable hunting rig action?
Why?
By reliable I mean likelyhood of failure as well as likelyhood of correctly functioning in different heat/humidity/dust environments (i.e. zero wander?), hold sensitivity.
Not sure but - and it saddens me to say this - but a springer seems to be the most reliable whereas a PCP seems the most "effective".
Balancing all this out and a single stroke pneumatic would seem ideal - oh - bu99er....!
A springer.
In fact, a Weihrauch HW80K.
rgds
Rich
tipton computers
18-07-2003, 06:37 PM
PCP's will always need to be treated tenderly, by keeping the arways clean.
Springers only usually diesel when new or when oil has been poured down the barrel.
Gas ram, dont know what to say. Bought a six month old Theoben Sirocco and it was down on power so I took it directly to Theoben who said they had found the problem and £55 lighter I took the gun back.(Seller to me paid for the repair).
Some 6 weeks later in sweltering heat conditions the gun is chrono'd and its down to a low of 9 ft/lb - 11 ft/lb with Theobens recommended pellet, H&N FTT's. These chrono tests were carried out by someone I had sold the guj to on this BBS. I have had to take a Smaller sale price in order for the gun to be sold, and the money to go towards an S410 K.
It is a real shame because for looks, and ability the Theoben scored very highly, infact if these problems could be sorted before the guns left the factory I would buy another one tomorrow.
Sorry for going on a bit about Theoben but such is my disappointment.
nathan
brydenjonesuk
18-07-2003, 06:40 PM
PCP....Rapid Mk1
GasRam..Theoben anyrams (Scirocco/Fenman pref.)
Springer... HW 80 (Carbine pref)
All in my humblest of course <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)-->
Cheers Russ me ole' sunshine
TH
stereotype
18-07-2003, 06:43 PM
Definately a springer if we're talking air rifles
my Venom HW80 Laserhunter is all I require, i've had gas rams, and precharged, this gun beats the lot, [other than my rimfire] utterly reliable, very little recoil, consistant and really accurate out to 40yds. David
Russ6357
18-07-2003, 06:55 PM
Venom 80 - noce concept at 20ftlbs running as sweet as can be - I would have thought that an Air Arms would also be high on the "springers that work well list" - like maybe a PE.
I have had a few woes with gas-rams but at the same time I have had one that ran fine for years and still is.
PCP's seem to rule the roost for acuracy but they sre finicky bu99ers.
So - what is the most "bullet proof" PCP. I guess that there is no such thing.
TANJ (Their Aint No Justice)
william
18-07-2003, 07:10 PM
Springer / My HW77, very reliable,tough as old boots.
PCP / Theoben R7, say no more
Will G.. <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::)-->
Hsing-ee
18-07-2003, 09:52 PM
HW80, and carry a spare spring and a screwdriver with you if you are thatworried about it conking out. Easy to strip, massive tough cannon.
BuddyBoy
18-07-2003, 10:03 PM
Bullet proof PCP gotta be Mk1 rapid, and incredibly easy to fix, even reaplce the firing valve in the back of the car, 5 minute job <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)-->
wkhudson
18-07-2003, 10:07 PM
Every god-damned time!
longrapid
18-07-2003, 10:18 PM
MK1 rapid,or and another MK1 rapid <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)-->
kevG
5thplaceron
18-07-2003, 10:38 PM
TX200 SR or Diana 54 both are magic no messing around with bleeding air bottles .
Pat..
18-07-2003, 11:01 PM
Rapid Mk 1
Mine gets soaked wet through, regularly covered in mud,dropped at very regular intervals, often has blasts from electric fences through it and lives in the boot of the car.
I've had no jams,no leaks,no misfires and have replaced the bottle o-ring once.
I love shooting springers but for hunting you just cant beat a rapid.
<img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->
longrapid
18-07-2003, 11:43 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pat..:
Rapid Mk 1
Mine gets soaked wet through, regularly covered in mud,dropped at very regular intervals, often has blasts from electric fences through it and lives in the boot of the car.
I've had no jams,no leaks,no misfires and have replaced the bottle o-ring once.
I love shooting springers but for hunting you just cant beat a rapid.
thats one gun to watch for in the for sales section then <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_razz.gif" alt="Razz" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::p--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)-->
kevG
<img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->[/quote]
rustambana
19-07-2003, 01:46 AM
A quality springer.
I have also used a single stroke pneumatic and that has proved to be super reliable and accurate - but in 10 metre target shooting conditions.
My relationship with pcp's start this coming week with a Steyr LP10P. <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::)-->
Haven't owned a gasram but if well maintained I am pretty sure they will be as reliable as springers. My friend has bought an Eliminator but like me has been waiting for yonks to take it out of the UK. Now that is one rifle I am really looking forward to trying.
Rustam
Pat..
If your gun lives in the boot it sounds like it nearly dies in the field. <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)-->
rgds
Rich
ROVER
19-07-2003, 07:54 AM
I go with the SR & 54 , as my last HW 80 destroyed three scopes,
brydenjonesuk
19-07-2003, 09:54 AM
This does it for moi....
Tyrolean stocked Mk 1 with Gauge topped off with a WhiteTail Exp. 4-12 x 42
Never heard any complaints from the down range candidates :)<!--graemlin:;)-->
http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00343459f00000003.jpg
http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00343459f00000002.jpg
[This message was edited by T-Hire on 19 July, 2003 at 17:37.]
[This message was edited by T-Hire on 19 July, 2003 at 17:44.]
brydenjonesuk
19-07-2003, 09:54 AM
double mess up on pix <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_frown.gif" alt="Frown" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::(-->
[This message was edited by T-Hire on 19 July, 2003 at 17:32.]
http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00343459f00000001.jpg
just for you T
Just to confirm what has gone before, it just has to be a Mk1 Rapid for me, so good I bought another <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->
brydenjonesuk
19-07-2003, 02:31 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kev.:
http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00343459f00000001.jpg
just for you T[/quote]
Why thank you kind Sir, dunno what went wrong there....only just started up with Fotango..took loads of pix of stuff yesterday.
Most rifle work well, I think that you olny get problems when you try and take the rifle to pieces all the time or when you try and power the things up!
Air Armed
20-07-2003, 09:06 AM
And lets not forget short term hiccups in production <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="Roll Eyes" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::rolleyes:-->
Old reliable gunmakers Weirauch themselves are havin abit of a crisis at the momment <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_eek.gif" alt="Eek" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::eek:-->
Pat..
20-07-2003, 10:07 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KevG:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pat..:
Rapid Mk 1
Mine gets soaked wet through, regularly covered in mud,dropped at very regular intervals, often has blasts from electric fences through it and lives in the boot of the car.
I've had no jams,no leaks,no misfires and have replaced the bottle o-ring once.
I love shooting springers but for hunting you just cant beat a rapid.
thats one gun to watch for in the for sales section then <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_razz.gif" alt="Razz" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::p--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)-->
kevG
<img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->[/quote][/quote]
Dream on...wouldn't sell it, couldn't sell it... <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->
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