Is there an ideal weight for spring guns?

[Waltherfan]

By loading more weight are you sacrificing technique and changing a springer response to that of a clone of a pcp and decreasing inertial response.
Good technique allows you to shoot hairy springers that are light and responsive, eg FWB 124!
HERX77 .

My LGR disagrees, heavy as hell and a beauty! Each to their own

(Admittedly pneumatic but still a tank)

A heavy springer can easily match a lighter gun in the right hands (that suit) obviously, I actually find a light gun harder to shoot (all over the place) I prefer heavy……again each to their own.

[hwtyger]

Very much depends on use and user. For shooting rested, heavyweight or balance is not important.
When you shoot standing, you good a weight and balance that is good for you.
I had a Walther LGV very shortly. Sold it as it was too heavy for me.
For standing I like my Stoeger ATACs best. They have great weight, balance and ergonomics, even with scope.
Before I had these, I used Gamos for standing (but these are lighter than Stoeger and less stockfit for me) or my Stingray carbine.

[Herx77]

My LGR disagrees, heavy as hell and a beauty! Each to their own

(Admittedly pneumatic but still a tank)

A heavy springer can easily match a lighter gun in the right hands (that suit) obviously, I actually find a light gun harder to shoot (all over the place) I prefer heavy……again each to their own.

Looking at the posting again I should have made it clearer I meant the heavier the gun the better the damping is. Lighter, the gun will move more, and therefore more technique is required. Certainly there is a huge difference between what is needed to achieve high scores when you compare my Hw77, Hw97 and Fwb124. Never the less the enjoyment remains the same.
HERX77 .

[4end]

I noticed that the top springers seem to be about 9 lbs to 9.5 lbs and was wondering if this was the best all-round weight for a spring gun, LGU 9.5 lbs PS 9.47 lbs HW 97 9.2 lbs TX 9.00 lbs.

Break barrels are a bit lighter.

So, is 9-9.5 lbs the ideal weight for a top springer to be at its best?

Surely it depends on what the intended use is. If its FT/HFT weight is not such problem with a heavy springer as most shots are taken prone or seated. If it is hunting then the lighter rifle is appropriate.
My Diana springers a 48 and a 460 weigh 11.5lbs scoped and are target guns.
When I hunt I pick a lighter gun usually an old scoped and silenced PCP Titan that weighs in at under 7lbs. It's horses for courses.

[edbear2]

Yep, it's a balance between absorbing recoil / tuning shooting manners and portability, so very much dependant on usage and also the build of the user.

I have a bad back and struggle but still filled my stock on my bell target TX with weights (11.2 pounds!) to calm it down and reduce the effect of breathing /wobbles when shooting standing unsupported.

If I haven't let the shot go by 7 seconds or so I have to put the thing down!

Interestingly over the years have seen two Lincoln / prewar BSA rifles with the cocking levers full of lead, and lead in the stock to re-balance, so even way back some folk were liking a heavier gun (one had a drilled piston too!...there is nowt new under the sun).

ATB, Ed