new bloke

[baddabing]

Hello all - I'm new to the forum, have posted a small intro in Intros & Welcomes, and as yet have no air rifle to call my own. I plan to use it to shoot some rabbit to eat myself, once I'm confident enough in my ability to shoot straight of course. I've done quite a bit of internet research, along the way finding this forum, and have pretty much decided that an HW97k or AA TX200 are probably what I'm looking for. Does the assembled brain agree? Are there any other rifles that should be on my radar?
Thanks all
Tom

[junglie]

Hi & welcome to the forum mate. Whatever you end up getting if your planning to hunt with it I'd try to get some trial with it first. Some guns (like underlevers particulary for me) shoot great but are too fiddly to load in the feild, or too heavy to carry around for half a day(for me personally)You can't go wrong with a good break barrel(like the 99's)

[nardona]

Agree with junglie regarding weight of underlevers in the field, once you've got a scope on they can get a bit weighty after a couple of hours, can also be fiddly to load especially in cold weather. Have you got a shop or club nearby you could go and compare the weights of a couple of rifles?

Also agree a HW99s would be an excellent rifle to try much lighter than a 97 or tx200.

[rabbitwrecker]

Hi and welcome.

Same here - I'd be looking at break-barrels too...

[baddabing]

Thanks chaps. Yes, I probably need to try a few out and see what's comfortable. Does any one have any recommendations for shops in the south Devon area?

[TORNADOS7]

Thanks chaps. Yes, I probably need to try a few out and see what's comfortable. Does any one have any recommendations for shops in the south Devon area?

The Gun Room in Ivybridge, usually got some good second hand stuff in, they had a TXhc on the used racks there yesterday when I went in but I do have to say they're a bit of a beast, take it from me as I've got one...

They had several other bits 'n' pieces there as well, well worth a look buddy and not very far from you either...

[eyebull]

Thanks chaps. Yes, I probably need to try a few out and see what's comfortable. Does any one have any recommendations for shops in the south Devon area?

I was in Exeter the other day and popped into The Gun & Sport Shop on Fore street. Smallish shop but with an extensive range, I'm sure he'll have what you're after.

[angrybear]

Thanks chaps. Yes, I probably need to try a few out and see what's comfortable. Does any one have any recommendations for shops in the south Devon area?

In South Devon there are the two already mentioned plus a branch of Ronnie Sunshine's at Heathfield, Sportsman Guns Exeter & my personal first choice the Country Sports Store in Kingsteignton, slightly further Ladds in Crediton & Blue Fox Glade up in Chumleigh.

The two where you will get the best friendly help & advice are (imo) Country Sports & Blue Fox.

[TonyL]

Hi Tom and welcome to the forum.

Like many people, I have hunted in the past with a variety of springers, including '77s in both calibres. And I found them perfect. Although, for field work, I find the .22 much easier to load with a sliding breech rifle.

There are a good many other worthy rifles to consider, including the HW99S, HW95, HW35, HW80, Walther LGU and LGV, Diana 280 and 31/34 variants.

Try to handle and have a go with as many as you can to see which you think will best suit your needs / size etc., ideally at a club.

Although not exactly local (although many people do come from as far afield as Cornwall and Scotland) if you could find a way to visit us at The Boinger Bash in two weeks' time you'll have a huge array of different rifles to see and try. It's a fantastic, informal, non-competitive event with the emphasis on fun and friendliness. You'd have a great and informative day or two. And you'll see the official thread on Page 1 of General Airgun.

Feel free to shout up for any further advice....we're all here to help.

[Geezer]

Welcome!

You can't go wrong with either of those choices.

Do check out as many guns as you can before you buy.

You are fairly close to Sportsmans Gun Centre in Exeter. SGC offer good value - but ideally decide what you want first, then go buy it from them.

You also need to decide whether you want .177" or .22" - which is a whole can of beans that I'm not going to open.