Bell target springers

[robthedog]

I enjoy bell target shooting, & have a couple of 70's target rifles & Walther lg400 & a sleeved down 35. But was thinking about say a 98, sleeved down to say 21/22mm running at 6/7ftlb, anyone done anything like this?, i chose the 98 because 95's without the moderators are rare, & the 98 has an adjustable stock, would appreciate any & all feed back on this

[TonyL]

I think the 98 would make a superb Bell Target rifle with a few tweaks. Obviously you'd have to source and fit the open or diopter sights. You might not need to sleeve it down - short stroking it, soft spring and, maybe, lightening the piston may be all you'd need to do.

I wonder, for Europe, do HW still do the HW85 with the open sights? Same powerplant.

Other candidates would be the HW30, 99 and 35. The little '30 requiring the least tweaking, action wise, as it shoots so sweetly.

[Unframed Dave]

Personally, I'd save myself a lot of time and possible expense. Sell the 98, which is a mongrel of a thing and buy an early target break barrel. I shoot bell target most weeks with a walther 55 for example. There are plenty of other examples.

Dave

[oldskoolzzz]

Other candidates would be the HW30, 99 and 35. The little '30 requiring the least tweaking, action wise, as it shoots so sweetly.

Another shoutout for the 99

I’ve just semi finished my 2nd Bell target build with a 99S

My first project 99 I went the short stroke route as Tinners advised the lower power countries seem to get on well with short stroking the 50/99 along with fettled internals (glided piston, aftermarket seals, guide & TH etc) and set around 8.5FPE and it shot absolutely lovely.

On my latest project build I decided to go a slightly different route with another glided piston, aftermarket seals and TH but have used a softer spring this time the 7.5J GDM spring which I bought from Chambers. This one is currently running around 7FPE which surprised me as I was expecting sub 6 but yet again it shoots lovely at this power level and perfect for BT or 10M paper munching.

I might try another 30 at some stage as I have another internal idea

[robthedog]

Personally, I'd save myself a lot of time and possible expense. Sell the 98, which is a mongrel of a thing and buy an early target break barrel. I shoot bell target most weeks with a walther 55 for example. There are plenty of other examples.

Dave

Did you come up to Lincolnshire for the tri county competition last year? if so we shot against each other, i was using a 1978 Original 66, what i'm looking for is something to show the newbies that you don't have to go down the pcp route, but when you mention old target rifles they aren't interested, shame as there's a few for sale locally at the moment

[robthedog]

I think the 98 would make a superb Bell Target rifle with a few tweaks. Obviously you'd have to source and fit the open or diopter sights. You might not need to sleeve it down - short stroking it, soft spring and, maybe, lightening the piston may be all you'd need to do.

I wonder, for Europe, do HW still do the HW85 with the open sights? Same powerplant.

Other candidates would be the HW30, 99 and 35. The little '30 requiring the least tweaking, action wise, as it shoots so sweetly.

, my 35 is nice, but some folks can't get on with the barrel latch, i have osteoarthritis in my left thumb(also i'm left handed) so a session with the 35 has to be a short one.
Picked up a used 30 yesterday & rang the bell 3 out of 5 shots with the standard sights, so that has potential, but i just prefer something slightly heavier

85 would be nice, do they fit in a 95/85 stock?

[mikec4]

Personally, I'd save myself a lot of time and possible expense. Sell the 98, which is a mongrel of a thing and buy an early target break barrel. I shoot bell target most weeks with a walther 55 for example. There are plenty of other examples.Dave

I am the owner of a Walther LG 55 DST formerly belonging to I.J. - unerringly accurate with dioptre sights and a joy to shoot. Definitely a keeper

[robthedog]

Another shoutout for the 99

I’ve just semi finished my 2nd Bell target build with a 99S

My first project 99 I went the short stroke route as Tinners advised the lower power countries seem to get on well with short stroking the 50/99 along with fettled internals (glided piston, aftermarket seals, guide & TH etc) and set around 8.5FPE and it shot absolutely lovely.

On my latest project build I decided to go a slightly different route with another glided piston, aftermarket seals and TH but have used a softer spring this time the 7.5J GDM spring which I bought from Chambers. This one is currently running around 7FPE which surprised me as I was expecting sub 6 but yet again it shoots lovely at this power level and perfect for BT or 10M paper munching.

I might try another 30 at some stage as I have another internal idea

99 could be the answer then, just need to keep an eye out for a used one

[yorkiets]

Vote here for the HW30s. I’ve used 10m rifles, still have on original 65, but most fun is the 30. When people see you using a 30 they want a go. Makes it accessible.

[Unframed Dave]

Did you come up to Lincolnshire for the tri county competition last year? if so we shot against each other, i was using a 1978 Original 66, what i'm looking for is something to show the newbies that you don't have to go down the pcp route, but when you mention old target rifles they aren't interested, shame as there's a few for sale locally at the moment

That's me, I'll be back again in August.

Just remind them that we won the tournament shooting 7 springers and 1 PCP. All sub 7.5ftlbs.

Dave

[Unframed Dave]

I am the owner of a Walther LG 55 DST formerly belonging to I.J. - unerringly accurate with dioptre sights and a joy to shoot. Definitely a keeper

Mine is a DST, makes you think???

Absolute favourite target rifle of mine.

Dave

[robthedog]

That's me, I'll be back again in August.

Just remind them that we won the tournament shooting 7 springers and 1 PCP. All sub 7.5ftlbs.

Dave

I came joint first overall if you recall, & i was using my Original 66

[Unframed Dave]

I came joint first overall if you recall, & i was using my Original 66

It all adds up, pcps are the vegetarian dish on a glorious menu.

Dave

[Unframed Dave]

And......

.......one of our team was shooting a BSA underlever with circa a hundred years of service under it's belt and.......

......open sights!

Dave

[PhatMan]

Rob,

Yes

I have the HW95 SuperMatch (think HW98 with iron sights).

Mr. Leach was not interested in doing a 21/22mm conversion, so I sent it to Wonky Donkey for him to have a firkle.

He did an ultra-short stroke treatment, with modified transfer port to match - it runs at ca. 8 ft.lb, which was the lowest he could get commensurate with a fast shot cycle.

Stock is by Tom Davies.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ