Bell target springers

[oldskoolzzz]

That’s rather awesome Russ

[oldskoolzzz]

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

I’m sure like myself you’ve owned a few 99’s Rob?

I quite enjoy them set to lower power especially for close range work and they are rather sweet when short stroked as well which not many folks seem to do with the 99 over here.

Certainly worth dabbling with one for the more budget end of the spectrum.

As much as I like the older heavyweight classics I find them just too heavy now for the noodle arms

[robthedog]

I’m sure like myself you’ve owned a few 99’s Rob?

I quite enjoy them set to lower power especially for close range work and they are rather sweet when short stroked as well which not many folks seem to do with the 99 over here.

Certainly worth dabbling with one for the more budget end of the spectrum.

As much as I like the older heavyweight classics I find them just too heavy now for the noodle arms

Yerp had a few but they never seem to stay long, maybe its time i had another one!

[robthedog]

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

I remember photos of this rifle from when you shared them before Russ, very nice, didn't you have a similar stock done for a 30?

[Shed tuner]

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

100% agreed. And they are classy, quality, and just cool collectibles to boot.The FWBs, Walthers, GISS guns, Anshutz.. all amazing peices of engineering.

[Hsing-ee]

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

Dave is 100% correct. Original 66 rifles at modest prices come up from time to time for example.

If you MUST use a recoilling HW for this purpose, get an old HW55 which is designed for this kind of thing.

If you can't find one of those, an HW77 (preferably full length) or an HW35 Export, fit them with short-stroke TBT piston seals and reduced springs.

The 98 is a hideous mooncalf, the answer to a question no-one asked and does not have a front sight mounting point. No excuse for it.

[Chippendale]

I Bell Target shoot every Monday evening with a 1929/31 BSA Light Pattern with an old low powered telescopic sight on it at the moment, I know it’s not traditional but I have trouble seeing with the open sights.
I also have a 1961 Diana 60 with the peep sight, it exceptionally accurate and running at six foot pounds but it’s far to too heavy for me so I’m selling that on, the other members say a can sit downtown at the bench if I want to use it but I think that’s cheating so don’t do it. I nearly always come last but I don’t care I just enjoy the night.
One member use an Original 35 and he is unusually in the top two at the end of the evening.
To be honest, our club is a friendly easy going club and the competition is not intense, just a friendly evening shoot.


Melv
Chippendale

[oldskoolzzz]

I love a tasty old dare I say ‘proper’ target rifle as much as the next man and I’ve owned a good few over the years.

Unfortunately I can think of a few negatives though, firstly the rose tinted added value tax heck I even bought FWB300’s when they weren’t very en-vougue at an absolute bargain price but now they are over triple the price.

Spares availability always concerns me granted usual seals, springs and the like fairly easy enough to find but should anything fail or wear that is obsolete it’s the knowing a decent engineer scenario or waiting for protek or breakers to get something in stock.

I even struggled recently with x3 Weihrauch projects getting parts which was an eye opener as the usual places were constantly out of stock which was quite annoying especially as these are bleeding modern rifles

And lastly the weight granted superbly engineered but boy are those buggers one hefty mofo

[TonyL]

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

Now THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!

Nice one, Russ.

[TonyL]

I want to reply to lots of posts on here but short on time. Will try and look in later....

[4end]

[QUOTE=Unframed Dave;8363679]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.

Strangely enough, similarly so do I shoot an old Walther LG55. There's something reassuring about that little knock felt when the trigger is released. Its much more accurate than I will ever be.
I also shoot a vintage Falcon Manitou PCP detuned to 6fpe, fitted up for bell target and sitting in a Falcon match stock, not as old as the 55 but still very competitive at over 35 years old.
I have also toyed with converting a Gamo Cf20 for bell target, irrespective of the majority believing Gamo are crap, this is quite an accurate little rifle and once the trigger is modified it has the potential to become quite a good target gun. Its stablemate, my Cf30 is the same action in a different stock and tuned up and modded it will knock down even 55yd FT targets all day long so the 20 at 6fpe should be good.

.

[ptdunk]

Any of those classic 10m rifles would be perfect. Walther LG55T’s shouldn’t cost the earth either.
Otherwise I’d see if Custom Stocks in Sheffield can make a Tyrolean stock for an HW30.

[TonyL]

Personally, I'd save myself a lot of time and possible expense. I shoot bell target most weeks with a walther 55 for example. There are plenty of other examples.

Dave

100% agreed. And they are classy, quality, and just cool collectibles to boot.The FWBs, Walthers, GISS guns, Anshutz.. all amazing peices of engineering.

I can't argue with any of that. I own a 300S and a 55T and I love the engineering and uber-precision feel they exude. But much fun can be had with more "lowly" guns, as Melv and others have pointed out. I've only been to a proper Bell Target meet the once. Just before I had my cataracts done. And, although I say so myself, did rather well with a totally bog-standard Diana 24D junior rifle. Struggling now with opens post op - must see the optician as I'd love to attend regularly.

I believe any inherently accurate rifle, with the firing cycle suitably softened, will perform just fine. And it's the taking part and fun that matters.

[TonyL]

, 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?

As Russ mentioned, Rob, yes. I think the '85 might be the open sighted version of the 95 as offered for other markets, so would fit the 95/98 stock.

Point taken on the 35 barrel latch. Had a good few shots with mine yesterday and left thumb was hurting a bit. But I haven't shot as many shots in a long time.

The 30 ( with a heavier, target-stylee stock, if you prefer) or de-tuned 99 would be lovely on the bells!

[TonyL]

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

Sounding lovely, Nick.

I do hope we get el scorchio weather conditions for the May Bash, prompting you to visit and bring these along.