Bell Target Rifles

[p.m.h]

Bell target popularity does seem to be gaining momentum at the moment.

I know rules can vary: No PCP, spring only categories, etc, but was wondering what popular entry to mid range level rifles are used.

I have noticed that the AA S200 is now available as a target model at 6ftlbs.

Kind regards,



Phil

[mickson]

Bell target popularity does seem to be gaining momentum at the moment.

I know rules can vary: No PCP, spring only categories, etc, but was wondering what popular entry to mid range level rifles are used.

I have noticed that the AA S200 is now available as a target model at 6ftlbs.

Kind regards,



Phil

Brocock also do a similar size 6ft lb rifle, ...mike...
http://www.solware.co.uk/air-pistol-...er-sight.shtml

[elewis411]

Bell target popularity does seem to be gaining momentum at the moment.

I know rules can vary: No PCP, spring only categories, etc, but was wondering what popular entry to mid range level rifles are used.

I have noticed that the AA S200 is now available as a target model at 6ftlbs.

Kind regards,



Phil

Hi there,i have had the misfortune to try a s200t and they are not very good to be honest,far too light and trigger not good enough by a mile.You would be far better off going for one of the 1970's - 1980's proper target rifles that can be bought second hand for around £2 - 300 pounds such as fwb300s or original 75,walther lgr etc.These rifles were purpose made for 10 metre use to olympics level and are still very very accurate with proper match triggers.I rate the fwb 300s as the best but the others are also very good...

[hwtyger]

Imho, belltarget is an oldie discipline, and should stay that way.
So every oldie you can get yr hands on! I'd use my 2 Webley mk3's if we had any belltarget over here.
The AA200 has been on the market in 7.5J trim a looooooong time now.
Imo, its too light/short for serious standing shooting.

[blueflax]

At our club several members have older side lever rifles made for ten meter shooting. These rifles are great for bell target. When these rifles were designed, ten meter was an offhand match.Their original use, even for new shooters or juniors, is nil now that sitting and prone are part of ten meter shooting. Usually these rifles are well cared for,come with iron sights and are often very good looking.

There are many good things about shooting an old, but great, rifle. Not the least of which is winning when there are newer models in the match. http://www.airgunbbs.com/images/icons/icon14.png

A photo of some of our rifles is on the Airgun Gear Show website.

Ron

[p.m.h]

Thanks for the suggestions, most helpful.

Alas, Ron, the link is the thumbs up icon.

I do agree on rifles such as the Fwb S300, but seem to be having a lot of trouble with my left elbow at the moment.

I am struggling with my AA S400 Classic.

It is getting better, but I don't want to strain it at the moment.

Kind regards,



Phil

[mickson]

There has been some good comments to Phill's thread much of which i agree with, i have been fortunate to own many of the guns you reccomended
however we must not lose sight of the fact that these guns do not suit all, i sold mine off some time ago due to a now permanent shoulder injury. I am just starting bell target rather late in life so will now be using a light rifle, but with a substantial barrel weight which seems to work for me, also we must remember that if the sport is to continue we must attract the younger shooters who may prefer a more modern weapon. Is there not room for both as long as the rules are complied with, and we all continue to enjoy our chosen sport, atb ...mike...

[diipii]

There has been some good comments to Phill's thread much of which i agree with, i have been fortunate to own many of the guns you reccomended
however we must not lose sight of the fact that these guns do not suit all, i sold mine off some time ago due to a now permanent shoulder injury. I am just starting bell target rather late in life so will now be using a light rifle, but with a substantial barrel weight which seems to work for me, also we must remember that if the sport is to continue we must attract the younger shooters who may prefer a more modern weapon. Is there not room for both as long as the rules are complied with, and we all continue to enjoy our chosen sport, atb ...mike...

Couldn't agree more. Bell Target has to evolve if it is to survive and prosper.

[p.m.h]

Well said.

I am all in favour of keeping the older classics in circulation, and being used, but we must also keep up with technology.

I am finding it difficult to cock some of my spring pistols, at the moment, so a CO2 or PCP model would be easier for me in particular.

Kind regards,



Phil

[elewis411]

There has been some good comments to Phill's thread much of which i agree with, i have been fortunate to own many of the guns you reccomended
however we must not lose sight of the fact that these guns do not suit all, i sold mine off some time ago due to a now permanent shoulder injury. I am just starting bell target rather late in life so will now be using a light rifle, but with a substantial barrel weight which seems to work for me, also we must remember that if the sport is to continue we must attract the younger shooters who may prefer a more modern weapon. Is there not room for both as long as the rules are complied with, and we all continue to enjoy our chosen sport, atb ...mike...

Your quite right,a lot of the dedicated target rifles of yesteryear are too heavy for some,as are the modern equivelants.Amongst the modern rifles that are on the lighter side but still very usable and competitive for bell target is the Air Arms mpr,10 metre version.

[red bob]

thats what i love about this particular type of target shooting ;it involves a wide range of interesting rifles old and new ,ive noticed various
runs on different types and age of rifles with great interest ,some advocate the age related equipment irrespective of their short comings v the modern with its evolved advantages .the latest is the hw55 series,becoming more and more difficult to acquire lately for this reason . renowned trigger, bit heavy but dampens out the inherent recoil, not as heavy or bulky as the dedicated trgt rifles but usually had aperture sights and 6ftlbs.

[zooma]

thats what i love about this particular type of target shooting ;it involves a wide range of interesting rifles old and new ,ive noticed various
runs on different types and age of rifles with great interest ,some advocate the age related equipment irrespective of their short comings v the modern with its evolved advantages .the latest is the hw55 series,becoming more and more difficult to acquire lately for this reason . renowned trigger, bit heavy but dampens out the inherent recoil, not as heavy or bulky as the dedicated trgt rifles but usually had aperture sights and 6ftlbs.

I have been collecting match air rifles for years ( and probably have most of them now - and certainly all the ones I wanted) and my interest is firmly with the classic match rifles such as all variants of the Feinwerkbau 300 series and Original/Diana break barrel and side lever variants ( and SSP Model 100) as well as the Walther and Anschutz models.

Recently I have been enjoying the earlier non-recoiless match rifles from the HW55 range and the superbly creamy action of the various Walther models - as well as the Original/Diana Model 50 with diopter sight fitted.

They are all a pleasure to own and use, and bell target shooting is an ideal discipline to use them all in as at 6 yards (or 7 yards in some leagues) they are all most definitely "over-specified" for the job.

10 meter shooting is still great fun with all of them, and it is good to get a nice result now and again, but for serious competition shooting this is now firmly the domain of the highly developed modern PCP match rifle.

The great diversity of bell target leagues accommodates all .177 air rifles including vintage and sporting types, and our own local series will be for the Classic Match rifles as mentioned here as there are a lot of them about locally and it is a great excuse for us to get them exercised and back into action again!

[markmac]

The beauty of Bell Target shooting is that it can be enjoyed with virtually any .177 air rifle.Our club members use everything from over 100 year old BSA's, plus meteors,classic webleys and weihrauch's right up to modern PCP rifles such as the S200/400,RN10 and Brocock contour - we even have a chinese QB79 fitted with dioptres detuned to 5ftlbs and is very accurate (although the trigger is by no means match quality it is perfectly useable).The most popular rifles are the recoiless spring piston match rifles of the 70's & 80's.

The key to this type of shooting is to have FUN regardless of your equipment although you soon get bitten by the competetive bug (Well I have )

We even shoot pistols - again with a wide variety of equipment from all ages and formats.

Best advice I can give is to get along to your local club and try as many different types of rifle before you buy - Most clubs also have "Club Guns" that you can use if you do not own your own rifle.

By far the friendliest shooting sport I have been lucky enough to take part in.

[zooma]

Hows the 380 going markmac?

[markmac]

Hows the 380 going markmac?

Hi Bob, the 380's going beautifully as you would expect from the premier spring piston match rifle of all time

FWB's just don't compare

My favourite air rifle in my collection.

I am sure your beauty is also going strong.

Happy New Year Bob and to your nearest and dearest too ( talking about your wonderful collection )

oh and the family aswell.

Keep ringing that Bell old friend.