Bell target springers

[Bellycrawler]

If you have something that works for you allready why go for the same but just a variant ? Why not get a vintage springer I mean proper oldie & just have fun & a challenge.

[les allam]

I enjoy using my Hw30s on the Bell target.
My bsa Meteor cadet mk5 surprised me also with its peep sight fitted.
A Anschutz 335 with Diopter sights, belonging to Mark (Capital B) was a real joy to use on the Bell target.
A quality older gun is still more than capable for enjoying this shooting discipline.
Les..

[TonyL]

And not forgetting your beautiful CZ / Air Arms prototype, Les.

[les allam]

And not forgetting your besutiful CZ / Air Arms prototype, Les.

That’s my favourite one for sure :cool.
Will be bringing it to the spring Bash 👍.
Les..

[harvey_s]

Funnily enough, I've just acquired a low powered HW35 (not sure why at the moment) and I was considering a 6 ft/lb short stroke kit...
I'd be grateful to hear about anyone else's HW35 set ups...
I must admit I quite enjoy trying to master the left-field options.

[EricP]

Unfortunately there are very few bell target clubs south of the Severn, my nearest is in Newport, Monmouthshire, 35 miles away. I don’t really fancy a 70 mile round trip for an evening’s shooting!
I was shooting in the Vintage and Open class in the UBC but left the club recently. I started collecting vintage guns for that and now just shoot them on my home range for my own amusement. My first was a Walther LG55, bought from Germany just pre-Brexit, then the collection expanded with a BSA Cadet Major, Anschutz 250, FWB 300, Walther LGM-1 and Anschutz SuperAir 2001, the latter two being SSP.
Since I have been recovering from the operation on my right hand I have only recently been able to shoot again and for the past week have been concentrating on my A250. It’s a heavy gun but well balanced. Unfortunately my standing shooting is rubbish at the moment, barely scoring 80/100 with ten shots at a 14cm target, but I hope to improve over the next few months.
I really would like to get the classic Tyroleans, the LG55T and the HW55T but they are like hen’s teeth in the UK, though available in Europe. Unfortunately private European sellers have given up on us.
Eric

[TonyL]

That’s my favourite one for sure :cool.
Will be bringing it to the spring Bash 👍.
Les..

Will look forward to seeing it again, Les. The rifle's beautiful.

[TonyL]

Funnily enough, I've just acquired a low powered HW35 (not sure why at the moment) and I was considering a 6 ft/lb short stroke kit...
I'd be grateful to hear about anyone else's HW35 set ups...
I must admit I quite enjoy trying to master the left-field options.

As per comments on the HW35 Fettling thread, I'm sure a stroke reduction via nose extensions (cost effective, easy and reversible) coupled to shortening the spring / fitting a softer one, should result in a very sweet firing rifle.
Older ones giving low power might point to a porous breech. As this is a later one, it's more likely to be down to worn seal(s) or spring.

[Geezer]

If I could shoot bell target anywhere near me, my Walther LG55 would be my first choice.

Then the Diana 66 if I ever get round to re-sealing and servicing it.

Diana 27S might be interesting, too.

[TonyL]

Unfortunately there are very few bell target clubs south of the Severn, my nearest is in Newport, Monmouthshire, 35 miles away. I don’t really fancy a 70 mile round trip for an evening’s shooting!
I was shooting in the Vintage and Open class in the UBC but left the club recently. I started collecting vintage guns for that and now just shoot them on my home range for my own amusement. My first was a Walther LG55, bought from Germany just pre-Brexit, then the collection expanded with a BSA Cadet Major, Anschutz 250, FWB 300, Walther LGM-1 and Anschutz SuperAir 2001, the latter two being SSP.
Since I have been recovering from the operation on my right hand I have only recently been able to shoot again and for the past week have been concentrating on my A250. It’s a heavy gun but well balanced. Unfortunately my standing shooting is rubbish at the moment, barely scoring 80/100 with ten shots at a 14cm target, but I hope to improve over the next few months.
I really would like to get the classic Tyroleans, the LG55T and the HW55T but they are like hen’s teeth in the UK, though available in Europe. Unfortunately private European sellers have given up on us.
Eric

I hope your recovery continues well, Eric, and with it your performance, to a level that you're pleased with. I also hope that your search for those classic Tyroleans bears fruit.

[TonyL]

If I could shoot bell target anywhere near me, my Walther LG55 would be my first choice.

Then the Diana 66 if I ever get round to re-sealing and servicing it.

Diana 27S might be interesting, too.

Wouldn't it be lovely if more venues could become available, boosting the popularity of this fantastic sport? There are a few ace people and organisations, like the chap who pushed to get the Lincolnshire Bell Target League up and running and our very own Unframed Dave, who through their commitment and drive have made many people happy.

The place I went to - The Sun Inn at Saxilby, near Lincoln, is a great little venue. Lovely relaxing atmosphere. And it felt really weird at first to be able to walk through the pub with your rifle (in a bag, obviously) and the many patrons not blink an eyelid! As said previously, that visit was about a week before I had my cataracts op. I'm struggling with opens now. Must go and see the optician and see what they can do as I'd love to be able to attend again.

On that visit I took my little Diana 24D, which performed admirably. I'd wrongly assumed that only lower powered rifles might be allowed. But higher powered ones (sub-12, obviously) are allowed, opening up the opportunity to take some of my others.

I've had a go with the odd 66 and they're lovely. Get it serviced!

And a nicely set up 27 would fare very well too, methinks.

Hope a venue arises for you. Or, if you ask and got some interest, might you be able to get something going yourself? On a very small scale to start with and see where it leads?

[Hellequin]

I've been toying with trying bell target for a while, mainly after having a go at one of the Boinger Bashes (see how good the Bash is, introducing us to new stuff ) but clubs seem scarce around here, unless they're all secret.

Anyway, I've recently got a bit hooked by classic springers of the smaller variety & now have a HW25, Diana 23 & BSA Cadet Major which all shoot nicely, so I'm ordering a bell target box for my garage. I know the 3 I mention aren't 'target' rifles but I'm not fussed, it'll be fun to have a go with them anyway.

[Unframed Dave]

I've been toying with trying bell target for a while, mainly after having a go at one of the Boinger Bashes (see how good the Bash is, introducing us to new stuff ) but clubs seem scarce around here, unless they're all secret.

Anyway, I've recently got a bit hooked by classic springers of the smaller variety & now have a HW25, Diana 23 & BSA Cadet Major which all shoot nicely, so I'm ordering a bell target box for my garage. I know the 3 I mention aren't 'target' rifles but I'm not fussed, it'll be fun to have a go with them anyway.

I'm not solely advocating the use of target rifles. I have regularly shot with my mkiii supertarget and some considerably older rifles like my Diana 58 series 1 and a webley mk1. Both ring the bell perfectly well when I do my bit.

I think over 18 ft, the biggest advantage with a target rifle is the trigger quality. The more consistent break and much lighter weight help a huge amount. Diopter sights over opens also help, but there again, some folk get on better with opens.

At the end of the day, bell target is a hugely sociable sport and shooting what you enjoy should be the priority.

Dave

[Unframed Dave]

Wouldn't it be lovely if more venues could become available, boosting the popularity of this fantastic sport? There are a few ace people and organisations, like the chap who pushed to get the Lincolnshire Bell Target League up and running and our very own Unframed Dave, who through their commitment and drive have made many people happy.

The place I went to - The Sun Inn at Saxilby, near Lincoln, is a great little venue. Lovely relaxing atmosphere. And it felt really weird at first to be able to walk through the pub with your rifle (in a bag, obviously) and the many patrons not blink an eyelid!

Aw shucks Tony, to be fair we have a great bunch of shooters who all help out as does my non shooting wife. The club couldn't keep going without them. The majority are part of the original gang who came to the first meeting back in 2019. This speaks volumes.

I have to applaud the efforts of the guys involved with the Lincolnshire league. They have achieved so much in a relatively short period of time. I have shot at several of their venues and have always received a very warm welcome. A couple of their shooters have also visited our own club in return. The way the sport is growing in Lincolnshire is amazing and I wish we could achieve the same here, unfortunately, we do struggle to get more folk along.

If anyone in Norfolk is interested in starting another club somewhere, please feel free to give me a shout and we can talk about how we did it. We'd love some competition. After all, we can't keep beating the lads from Lincs.

Dave

[Hellequin]

I'm not solely advocating the use of target rifles. I have regularly shot with my mkiii supertarget and some considerably older rifles like my Diana 58 series 1 and a webley mk1. Both ring the bell perfectly well when I do my bit.

I think over 18 ft, the biggest advantage with a target rifle is the trigger quality. The more consistent break and much lighter weight help a huge amount. Diopter sights over opens also help, but there again, some folk get on better with opens.

At the end of the day, bell target is a hugely sociable sport and shooting what you enjoy should be the priority.

Dave

I'm completely new to it to be honest Dave, it's just something I had a quick go at during a bash last year & really enjoyed it- that bell ring is addictive when you hit it!

I think I'll likely buy a more target oriented rifle at some point anyway, but mainly because I like buying & using different rifles rather than the fact I'm competitive (I'm not, really) so it'll definitely be more a fun thing for me. I can see how the leagues become really popular though & it'd be good to find something relatively local. I think it'll also help my lad with his shooting having a target box at home; he's got an awesome BSA Ultra but I'm pleased to say that he enjoys using older springers every bit as much.