New-ish member and excited to be spending some pennies on my 1st rifle.

[SteveUK217]

Just wanted to say Happy Sunday to all. I first joined this forum a few years back when I purchased a Glock 17 replica pistol (pellet or BB version) for reliving my 80s police show fantasies. Now I’ve decided to take up proper target shooting so wanted to buy my first air rifle and have reached out to some local Cheshire clubs (lots of waiting lists it would seem).

After doing my research, including a lot on here 👍🏻😀, i’m going with a springer for now. I love the idea of the underlevers, although keeping an open mind and planning to head over to the Cheshire Gun Room in Stockport on my week off to hold a few. Shortlist: HW97W, TX200, HW98, HW95. I’m sure I’ll bond with one of these 😂. Scopes I like the look of the Hawk Airmax Compacts and the Vector Optics Veyron (based on AAR review). Not sure what the compact vs non-compact Airmax difference is (if anybody can advise?).

Where I am lacking info is on bench rests to buy, what to fill them with? Also gun slips, which is the generally the one/brand to get to store and transport my new rifle.

Anyway thanks to all for making the whole buying research process so much easier 👍🏻. Steve.

[rapidresponse1]

welcome back steve

[Jesim1]

Hi Steve

You have done your research as all those guns you list are pretty decent, the biggest difference of course being are they break barrels or underlevers. The BBs are lighter, but I always have it in the back of my mind they put more strain on the breach when cocking, and although the underlevers are heavier, they seem more solid - this is just my opinion, there is more to it, but shouldering and getting the feel of them is important, although I'd still go fixed barrel for target shooting as the weight advantage is kind of lost from a bench.

The difference between the compact Vs regular Airmax is length, I go for the compacts for springers due to access to the loading port, if your target shooting get something which will allow you to see the pellet holes so you can adjust your aim as required at you chosen distance, for me that's x24 version, but your call

Rest wise springers don't like bipods, they tend to jump on firing, so a heavier rest is better, I fill mine with kiln dried sand, and you may also want to experiment with different holds, as I've found that can make a big difference to your scores - practise, practice, practise, it's the only way to get better with a springer - but don't make the same mistake of keep doing the same thing 100 times if the results are not there, mix it up a bit - the number of shooters I've heard saying "I've been doing it this way for 20 years" - and thought to myself, yep, and for all those years you have still not got any better

Gun slip wise it's down to what your comfortable with as long as the slip does not allow the gun to be damaged and can take it comfortably with a scope. I only use hard cases now as I don't need to carry it around, so prefer the extra protection rather than light weight - again, your call, but I always have to have a reason for doing something - at least most of the time anyway, so try to avoid the trap of doing something because others do so - make sure you understand the "why" behind it and you will gain experience rather than be a dumb sheep.


God luck

James

[SteveUK217]

Hi Steve

You have done your research as all those guns you list are pretty decent, the biggest difference of course being are they break barrels or underlevers. The BBs are lighter, but I always have it in the back of my mind they put more strain on the breach when cocking, and although the underlevers are heavier, they seem more solid - this is just my opinion, there is more to it, but shouldering and getting the feel of them is important, although I'd still go fixed barrel for target shooting as the weight advantage is kind of lost from a bench.

The difference between the compact Vs regular Airmax is length, I go for the compacts for springers due to access to the loading port, if your target shooting get something which will allow you to see the pellet holes so you can adjust your aim as required at you chosen distance, for me that's x24 version, but your call

Rest wise springers don't like bipods, they tend to jump on firing, so a heavier rest is better, I fill mine with kiln dried sand, and you may also want to experiment with different holds, as I've found that can make a big difference to your scores - practise, practice, practise, it's the only way to get better with a springer - but don't make the same mistake of keep doing the same thing 100 times if the results are not there, mix it up a bit - the number of shooters I've heard saying "I've been doing it this way for 20 years" - and thought to myself, yep, and for all those years you have still not got any better

Gun slip wise it's down to what your comfortable with as long as the slip does not allow the gun to be damaged and can take it comfortably with a scope. I only use hard cases now as I don't need to carry it around, so prefer the extra protection rather than light weight - again, your call, but I always have to have a reason for doing something - at least most of the time anyway, so try to avoid the trap of doing something because others do so - make sure you understand the "why" behind it and you will gain experience rather than be a dumb sheep.


God luck

James

Thanks, James. Some useful input there. The magnification is also something that I'm a bit unsure on. My initial thinking is that a 4-16 x 44 will suffice for a 25m target range, but I have also looked at the (if I recall) the 6-24 x 44(or 50). I quickly realised that there isn't a "if you want to do 25m target work, go for an X magnification" train of thought as much as I've tried searching on Google. I am hoping to stop by a couple of clubs over the next couple of weeks so will see what the people use there. My 50 year old eyes may benefit from higher magnification though I'm sure.

Good shout on the bi-pods; I had shortlisted something similar from Vanguard, the Portarest, but your point about Springers makes a lot of sense. I'll stick with the normal bench rest bags I think. Thanks again 👍🏻