Advice sort by poll

[SussexDave(big)]

Shadow, I can shoot safely, I shoot at Horsham Hawks. I have only done one complete set of 30 pegs. Now the straight bit I am working on. I haven't yet shot at any other venues. The Deforestation is hitting the trees and branches that seam to lie close to the targets.

Not quite sure where you are from - but have you actually joined a Club and shot a few HFT competitions at your Club or beyond?

Sorry- but are you capable of shooting safely and straight>

[helix]

Just to poke my nose in, I tried a springer a few years back, I loved it! But sadly I could never get a level of consistency even with some great pointers from other club members. In the end I switched to PCP and I saw a immediate improvement in my shooting..

I think which ever gun you have it's a learning curve, recently I have noticed my rifle likes a firm hold on the forestock. My advice is no matter which gun you choose, listen to others, never be afraid to try something (being safe at all times) and practice lots in all the positions. Persistence does pay off

And even now I am drawn to get another springer, but I know I might not hit a barn door with it

[greenjacket4366]

Green Jacket, .22 is fun. I like it when a fellow guy on the Plinking range knocks a target down, but can't quite get the PCP.177 to reset it. An I sometimes on my first try with the Boinger .22 reset it. That is a great smile every time.

I also seam to be quite good at accidental Deforestation with the .22's

Know that feeling of deforestation lol. Ill keep my eye out for a fellow tree-beater .I'll be the guy with the long hw77 .

[SussexDave(big)]

Any more voters?

[Herx77]

Shot a springer at Markyate in the 80's for FT, good club,learned good technique which has stood solid for pcp's that I shoot today.
Springers are harder to get a decent score,on a regular basis until good technique is learned,but once learned translates well to pcp's.
Very rarely does it go the other way.
Start with whatever gun type you fancy,but join a good club and see what the top shots do. Few object to giving advice ( some do however) but the majority will help you to improve your performance if you listen and put into effect the tips that will come your way.Most shooters get a buzz seeing a beginner improving.Good for the club too.
HERX77 .

[Rickenbacker]

Big Dave - I can't begin to tell you what to buy.
I assume you must be unsure over spring / pcp, or you wouldn't be asking...
You really need to try to have a few shot with guns you fancy at the club.
A lot of shooters don't mind (if they're not in a rush), particularly if you express an interest in buying one.
I think you need to develop your own opinion about weight, stock design, trigger, price, cocking / loading procedure, trigger, firing cycle, trigger, etc etc... probably not in that order!
And similarly with scope choice!
Your poll will only tell you what other people like mate.

HTH - Phil

[SussexDave(big)]

Thank you all for the advice.

I have plumped for a HW97 in .177.

Now to master it.

[gtott]

You can't go far wrong with a 97 Dave,did you sort a mildot scope out in the end?
beware the man with one gun

A good tip would be to mark your stock bolts with a little tipex just until you find out if its one
that moves or not that's assuming its not the synthetic stock.
Rik

[greenjacket4366]

You can't go far wrong with a 97 Dave,did you sort a mildot scope out in the end?
beware the man with one gun

A good tip would be to mark your stock bolts with a little tipex just until you find out if its one
that moves or not that's assuming its not the synthetic stock.
Rik

mind if I ask ,why beware of the man with one gun.

[Rickenbacker]

mind if I ask ,why beware of the man with one gun.

The man with one gun is fabled to be a tough opponent... while others bring out and flirt with a different gun each weekend, the one gun man knows his gun intimately. He becomes at one with it... like the old boy who brings his battered old side by side to his first ever clay shoot - and wins

[greenjacket4366]

ah got you cheers rickenbacker

[Mr Blonde]

I fully agree, get your kit and stick with it... I only have one gun and it's the one i've had from the day i started!

Good choice on the HW97, accurate solid rifle.