Air Arms Prosport Musings.

[Blackrider]

Considering purchasing the above as I’ve never owned one but any particular characteristics of the two calibres (.177 & .22) I should be aware of ?
It will be used for bench rested indoor shooting out to a maximum distance of 40 metres, predominantly indoor with a possibility of outdoor HFT and that’s all, no hunting.
On the face of it, .177 appears to be the natural choice but there maybe other factors to consider ?

Thanks.

[Shed tuner]

for indoor benchrest, at a fixed distance, .22 should be a little easier to acheive the accuracy with, as it's more efficient, so less recoil. Will also make it easier to cock.

However this is a slight benefit... as soon as you mention HFT, it's .177 all the way, unless you want to "compete" in .22 classs with 3 other people

[tinbum]

How many shots will you fire in a sitting? The Prosport is a beautiful gun to behold, fantastic to shoot, and a pain in the arris to cock. Try one at the bash, count out the pellets you would fire and see how it goes.

[kevin j]

what you have to keep in mind is if you fall out of love with it and you have bought a 1.77 you will easy sell it but a 22 will be hard to sell

[Bluefan]

I’ll have my .177 there John and handily it’s in a lefty cs stock try it and see .

[foby75]

I have a ProSport in .22 and a TX200 in .177, use both for hunting but much prefer the .22 ProSport for targets on the range, gentlemanly rifle to use and have always found the cocking issues a mystery, pleasure to use as well as a joy to behold.

[Dragonboy]

Have mine in .177, self tuned and a pleasure to shoot. Gave up on 22s years ago. The cocking lever is different but I had no issues. The stiff release mechanism on my TX200 HC is more of a gripe to me.

[The Squire]

My .22 is a lovely gun to shoot bench rest/plinking style and I’ve never found the cocking to be a problem. It’s a little more challenging in HFT style course settings, however very manageable with 13.43gn Falcon AP. Would never be competitive though vs .177 in HFT if that’s what you want but I just enjoy shooting mine.

[Blackrider]

How many shots will you fire in a sitting? The Prosport is a beautiful gun to behold, fantastic to shoot, and a pain in the arris to cock. Try one at the bash, count out the pellets you would fire and see how it goes.

Probably around a hundred at least and more if I'm on form Nick !
Ive heard about the "cocking issue" with the Prosport but it can't be any worse than my Airsporters and yes, I hope to try one at the forthcoming Bash !

[Blackrider]

what you have to keep in mind is if you fall out of love with it and you have bought a 1.77 you will easy sell it but a 22 will be hard to sell

Valid point !
Thanks.

[Blackrider]

I’ll have my .177 there John and handily it’s in a lefty cs stock try it and see .

Brilliant, I'll look forward to it and you remembered I'm a Southpaw !
Thanks.

[Blackrider]

for indoor benchrest, at a fixed distance, .22 should be a little easier to acheive the accuracy with, as it's more efficient, so less recoil. Will also make it easier to cock.

However this is a slight benefit... as soon as you mention HFT, it's .177 all the way, unless you want to "compete" in .22 classs with 3 other people

All valid points and I must admit I do prefer shooting .22 Cal. but also I recognise the .177 requirement (if thats what it is) for the type of shooting I need the air rifle for !
I think its fair to state at this point, that I use a pair of TX200 HC's in either calibre, same scope on each, and despite the .22 being a joy to shoot, the .177 is so accurate !
I suspect I'm answering my own questions here with your valued input Guys !
Thanks Jon.

[cozzamec]

I took my 177 Tony leach 22mm and my 22 v-mach pro sports over the range at the weekend, no issues with cocking on either.
The 177 was great, accurate with jsb heavy, but I found the 22 nicer and smoother to shoot with jsb Rs, so I'll probably move on the 177.
Lovely looking rifle the pro sport

[Phil Russell]

There have been comments on the PS being a pain to cock but no one has said what the 'pain is'. The cocking underlever is quite angular aluminium and this can be a literal' pain in your hand after a lot of pellets. Try one and see how you get on. I shot one at HFT some years ago and for several competitions and although I would say (my opinion only) it is not the most comfortable underlever to use It was not a 'pain'. After a while though, I turned back to my old HW77K because I liked it more.
Lovely rifle though ....
Cheers, Phil

[gsxrman]

I don't think the cocking of the PS that much a pain either. Its more different than anything else due to the starting position. Good positive technique overcome this.
Personally though I don't think there is any added performance to have over the TX. Although a better looking rifle, maybe.