First Airgun+scope Recommendation

[Murat_Cyp]

Hi Guys,

I posted a thread a few weeks ago mentioning that I started going to a local airgun club in Nottingham. I have always been a fan of airguns but did not have a chance to shoot before. The guys in the club are super friendly; they lend their airguns (PCPS) to me to try. I also shot with spring loaded club guns.

After three weeks of shooting, I am hooked and loved it to bits. Now, it is time to consider my first airgun setup. I tried a few guns in the club and they have a different feeling. Today, I tried S200 which I never considered as an option to buy for myself but it was super fun and easy to shoot. I also tried few daystate (huntsman and airwolf MCT) both very nice guns. However, I would like to hear from you as well about your experience with airguns.

The gun should be easy to handle (light and well balanced), not very complicated, so more reliable and less thing can go wrong. It should be regulated and if it looks good (i know that is subjective) that's a bonus. I prefer to buy second hand if I found the right setup (mint condition with significant savings over the new one) but if not I will get a brand new setup. My budget is around £1000 for the rifle+scope. I can go a bit higher if really needed to.

My candidate so far (i never had a chance to try it out yet) is FX Streamline or the Dreamline if they come out soon. And scope contenders are AZTEC emerald, MTC Viper Pro, Optisan or Hawke Airmax based on internet review. I will go to local gunshops to see those in the flesh as well. But, I would like to hear from you guys as well.

Best regards,

Murat

[bozz]

Hello there, This is probably one of the biggest asked topics on the forums next to the 0.22 Vs 0.177 questions. It is all down to your choice, holding them testing if available. Then there is the regulated Vs nonregulated question it won't really improve your shot but increases the shot count which most pcp's will give 60 or more shot's so can boil down to what are your using the rifle for ie a day out after rabbits ect then 60 should be plenty, but if you are going to the range shooting targets you might need a few more shots. I decided to get an AA S510 in 0.177 for ratting and range use as i did not want the complication of a regulator and i have not run out of air doing either. I also have a Walther RM8 which is regulated and in 0.22 so more shots from it being 0.22 plus the reg gives me around 160 shots on what is called the sweet spot. But now i have found that i like shooting the springer's as much if not more i have a Walther LGU in 0.22 that is fantastic, and an AA TX200 in 0.177 that i find not as smooth, So all in all it's a hard decision to make as a beginner with all the hype put out by manufacturers, also you will i think overloaded with info from owners, Myself i would not go for Daystate just from tales you here. So i suppose i have confused you even more so i had better shut up and let you make up your mind, All the best Graham.

[Portzy]

I wont make any suggestions just yet......

But also consider it's intended use. Some shoot off a bench; rested and/or bagged/supported @ 20 and 25yards and also 10 mtrs, some shoot standing @ 10 mtrs, some shoot prone or kneeling. All these styles will come with equipment and rifle rules if you want to compete but, even if it's just for fun, you need to consider it's intended or rather main use.

[angrybear]

Don't forget to allow for the cost of either a pump or scuba cylinder to fill the rifle.
Your club may well offer a filling service to fill either rifle or cylinder which if you only ever shoot at the club might suit you, but is restrictive if you can shoot at other locations.

[Muskett]

As said you really need to decide what kind of shooting you like doing. Are you just shooting at the club, or can you shoot in your back garden?
For £350 you could get a really fun but tricky to shoot springer or gasram! Club members always like shooting another springer for fun.
Or put yur budget into one "all rounder" PCP, that you could use everywhere until you know what you really need. Best if you can find something that fits you, and not overly heavy or sophisticated.
Whatever the rifle try to ensure it has a known good trigger, as for a beginner thats if anything is more important than the rest.

There are plenty of good second hand rifles to be had, do buy one under used and not tampered with. Don't buy someone else's basket case. Stick to popular well respected manufacturers and models. Make a short list and see if you can try each for size. Look through a few scopes too.
We are spoilt for choice and eveyone has there own favourite. Without knowing more about you then its its hard to recommend. Most modern PCP's are pretty great already, the rest is personal taste.
Your first air rifle is just the first of many!

[Peter Dunkley]

Air arms S200 will tick all the boxes.
Might have to get someone to tweek the trigger but otherwise perfect little gun.
I know a couple of guys who have them on FAC for vermin control.
Barrels are even up to bench rest standards.

[Murat_Cyp]

Air arms S200 will tick all the boxes.
Might have to get someone to tweek the trigger but otherwise perfect little gun.
I know a couple of guys who have them on FAC for vermin control.
Barrels are even up to bench rest standards.

Yes airarms S200 nice gun to shoot, In my first try, I was hitting 60 meters killzone targets of pigeons in the club off the bench with not so comfortable shooting position. But single shot is not for me, i found it to be frustruating, the pellets are small my fingers are large. With an addition of multishot S200 will cost almost £600 without regulator and low shot count. I much preffer a rifle with high shot count and regulator in £700-£800 range.

I also did one hole 5 shots groups with Airwolf MCT at 30 yards but the gun is expensive and heavy for my liking. I do not know what to say about the electronic trigger though, it definatelly helps with acuracy but probably requires some time to get used to. I think I am more into mechanical builds.

[Murat_Cyp]

Or put yur budget into one "all rounder" PCP, that you could use everywhere until you know what you really need. Best if you can find something that fits you, and not overly heavy or sophisticated.

Probably that describes what I really need best.

I will only shoot in local airgun club from 10 to upto 60+ meters. I have future plans to take the gun out for HFT and hunting and but I can not do that now due to lack of personal transportation. FX streamline supposed to give 170 good shots at .177, so that is the benchmark for me. I will not get a filling equipment as local airgun club provides charging services for a small fee, meaning regulator will pay for itself in the long run.

[Murat_Cyp]

Hello there, This is probably one of the biggest asked topics on the forums next to the 0.22 Vs 0.177 questions. It is all down to your choice, holding them testing if available. Then there is the regulated Vs nonregulated question it won't really improve your shot but increases the shot count which most pcp's will give 60 or more shot's so can boil down to what are your using the rifle for ie a day out after rabbits ect then 60 should be plenty, but if you are going to the range shooting targets you might need a few more shots. I decided to get an AA S510 in 0.177 for ratting and range use as i did not want the complication of a regulator and i have not run out of air doing either. I also have a Walther RM8 which is regulated and in 0.22 so more shots from it being 0.22 plus the reg gives me around 160 shots on what is called the sweet spot. But now i have found that i like shooting the springer's as much if not more i have a Walther LGU in 0.22 that is fantastic, and an AA TX200 in 0.177 that i find not as smooth, So all in all it's a hard decision to make as a beginner with all the hype put out by manufacturers, also you will i think overloaded with info from owners, Myself i would not go for Daystate just from tales you here. So i suppose i have confused you even more so i had better shut up and let you make up your mind, All the best Graham.

No, you did not confuse me at all. Good to hear your opinion. I realised that, I missed important bit information in my first post. What will I do with the rifle. Currenly, I am looking for a rifle to shoot in airclub only to improve my marksmanship and understanding of the equipment. I will not buy any charging gear as local airgun club provides fillings for a fee. So regulator is important for velocity consistency and shot count. My benchmark for shot count is stremline's advertised 170 shotcount in .177 (truth or not). I will take my rifle to HFT and some hunting in the future but not very soon as my conditions, lack of transport makes it very difficult.

The scope should have a side parallax adjustment as I found this feature very convenient to use comapred to front parallax adjustment.

I was thinking of getting an FX on HFT stock (Aeron) but they are very expensive and I am not sure if they are for me. I need to try first, the price is too high to gamble. So probably, I will opt for cheap synthetic stock so I can change it later without major financial loss.