A compromise would be to get hold of a nice BSA Airsporter 'Club', if you can find one. It is a short-stroke, low recoil .177 version of the Mk 1 Airsporter. Less powerful than the .22, but you really shouldn't be hunting with these old rifles anyway.

Like this one

http://www.timdysonairguns.co.uk/sho...fle-sn-pw-519/