Air Arms springer - .177 or .22?

[jeff0100]

On the assumption I can sell off 1 or 2 pieces of kit,I am toying with the idea of buying a springer.
I've never fired one in over 30 years and when I came back to shooting bought a PCP.
Now, I think it might be nice to try the real thing - a springer and will be looking again at Air Arms TX200hc or Prosport in all likelihood.
My plan is to use it to shoot PL14 targets at 20 yards and maybe 25 metres plus possibly culling some magpies/crows in my garden at a maximum distance of 20 yards.
My question is whether .177 has any advantage over .22.
Will it really be more accurate for targets at the distances mentioned above?
Any difference for pests - it seems the current view is not really any difference?
Is it that easier to cock a rifle in .22 calibre as opposed to .177 and is it easier to shoot?
Given my advancing years and arthritic hands it might be conceivably easier to load a .22.
Any thoughts or advice would be gratefully appreciated.
Many thanks.

The ProSport under lever may be a bit uncomfortable for you. Try before you buy. http://bagnallandkirkwood.co.uk/prod...ring-air-rifle

If you check out the photo's you can see that the under lever is very square, with sharpish edges. I'm sure I've seen on here somewhere that the newer ones have been slightly rounded off, but still best to check it out.

[Phil Russell]

Surely if the spring is the same for both calibres (and as far as I know it is for out of the box guns), the cocking effort is the same for both ... except that I can see that if .177 needs more preload then there will be a small increase in effort needed. Personally I have never noticed a difference in cocking effort but agree that in general a .22 can be 'more comfortable' to shoot cf .177.

.177 pellets are usually cheaper than .22
Trajectory is flatter so it could be argued that .177 is the easier to shoot as range estimation is more critical for .22. Not sure this is valid though as I know some exceedingly good .22 shooters (they are also good .177 as well) so I guess it all comes down to knowing your kit and your ranges.
Fur & feather: limited experience tells me there is no difference. Both do the job if pellet is placed correctly.Others may disagree.

Just thoughts,
Cheers, Phil

[Craig-P]

Go for the .22 without doubt

[rabbitwrecker]

For the purpose described, either calibre will easily do the job. .177 pellets are cheaper, but .22 pellets might be easier for you to load...

[tinbum]

For the purpose described, either calibre will easily do the job. .177 pellets are cheaper, but .22 pellets might be easier for you to load...

He's not a skin-flint, He's buying an Air Arms, not an HW99!

[TonyL]

Surely if the spring is the same for both calibres (and as far as I know it is for out of the box guns), the cocking effort is the same for both ... except that I can see that if .177 needs more preload then there will be a small increase in effort needed. Personally I have never noticed a difference in cocking effort but agree that in general a .22 can be 'more comfortable' to shoot cf .177.

)

If I remember correctly, Phil, although the spring may well be the same, the top hats will have different dimensions, increasing/decreasing piston weight and preload, as you describe.

OP - although many don't have an issue cocking even the .177 HC, if lighter cocking is desirable, maybe consider the .22 full length version?

But, as Mike says, better to try a few out (maybe even different makes if you're open to that idea).

[Phil Russell]

[QUOTE=TonyL;7336659]If I remember correctly, Phil, although the spring may well be the same, the top hats will have different dimensions, increasing/decreasing piston weight and preload, as you describe.

Whoops, yes, I had forgotten that. Senior moment again. Thanks for the reminder TonyL.
Cheers, Phil