Airgun querie

[nipper]

Hi

I posted this on BB but I would like an opinion for you guys as well.

I am currently thinking about buying an air rifle!

About 20 years ago I was the proud owner of a Weihrauch HW35 and regreted selling it 10 years ago. I have had a serious look, and I am thinking along the lines of a Weihrauch HW90. I like the idea of a gas ram system. However, one thing is really niggling me. I like the idea of an air rifle because I don't have to worry about licences etc. My concern is that with all the bad press that airguns have received over the past couple of years. How long will it be before they are licenced or banned altogether?

I know it is very difficult to second guess what this govenment will do next as they have made knee jerk reactions in the past, but I would value the opinions of the regular airgun users on this forum.

What do you think? I will probably still buy an air rifle but would probably set my sights lower on price.

Nick

PS: Opinions on the HW90 please!

 

[Doc]

I doubt they will be banned. There are supposed to be three million in circulation. New restrictions are underway- you will soon only be able to buy from a registered firearms dealer. I don't know if this will restrict mail order sales?

I'm astonished at the precision of modern air rifles. Of course, practice with an air rifle is helpful for other forms of rifle shooting. I used my air rifle to practice for the deer stalking certificate shooting test. I still have the air rifle as I can shoot 200 rounds with it for the price of one cartridge for my .270.

I would also add that obtaining a shotgun or firearms certificate is not the impossibility many would have you believe. If you have somewhere to use it, somewhere secure to keep it, and no serious criminal record it is reasonably straightforward.

 

[ArkAngel]

Everything Doc said

There are far too many air rifles and airguns in circulation to be able to effectivly set up a licensing system for them all, the cost alone would be horrendous.

The HW90 is a cracking rifle, I no longer own guns of any description but have tried one of these at an airgun club i used to be a member of. With some quality optics on the top it is deadly accurate. On the zeroing board we had i was shooting 5p groups at 40 yards

 

[Marijn]

A thing about the HW90.

You don't want a FAC, yet you chose the WH90.

If you're keen on getting a air-rifle, and want to stay below the 12Fpe level, i'd suggest you get an HW97.

Ok so it doesn't have the gas-ram system.
But it IS more balanced, and overall a nicer rifle to shoot with.
Especially when shooting a lot, the HW90 tires your arms quite a bit in the longer run.

If you're opting to DO take the FAC, well a 90 is a A+ powerhouse, easily hitting the 20+Fpe range (might consider going for .22 with those power-levels though)

All in all, for a Non-FAC air rifle i'd go for the WH97 (77 if you want iron-sight) of the HW98 if you like the break-baller type.

 

[moocher]

i too regret selling my hw35 years ago.have you thought of looking for another one.i used to prefer shooting rabbits with the hw35 or a relum tornado than the bsa superten mk1 i owned.which was too heavy and unbalanced i thought.

 

[Rob]

I got an HW97K last year - underlever - so no need for bottles etc.

Superb IMHO

 

[Big Bad Stu]

I have an HW80 that I bought from a mate about twelve years ago, it is fantastic. Very accurate for a break barrel gun and very powerful. The previous owner sent it to be professionally tuned.

I put a Tasco scope on it a couple of years ago which improved things no end.

It was last in use at Christmas dealing with a rat problem in my neighbour's garden.

A pleasure to own and use!

If you don't want to spend a fortune look at second hand from a reputable gunsmith. There are loads of Weirachs for sale.

Stewey.

 

[nipper]

Do you guys have any preference on calibre, or am I going to open up a hornets nest with this one

 

[Joff]

There really is not much in it with regards to calibre. A lot of people will say that .22 is the only calibre for hunting but that is not the case. .177 will still kill effectively at a good range. The advantage of .177 is that it has a flatter trajectory than .22.

Personally I use .177 (Air Arms S400) and think it's great - superbly accurate getting between 40 and 50 shots with consistent power on one air charge. Obviously get more shots than that but the power curve changes as the pressure changes in the cylinder.

Jonathan

 

[FGYT]

all HW are good guns and will last years if looked after
however they are on the large n heavy side (not a problem but be aware)
buy the one that you feel fits and holds right for you.
put a good quality Scope on it and enjoy

Calibre well theres no differnce in ability out to 40-50yrds for killing power (what ever you want to call it) for the 12ft lb legal limit guns

im a 177 fan and my hunting gun is 20 (which is a custom design and would be 177 if i did it again)
My AWH_24

BUT in spring guns with 22 being more effecent it requires less powerfull springs to generate the 12ft lbs so 22 should be a little more docile in recoil etc (if you can tell ) (this is also why you get more shots per fill on a Precharge in 22)

other than that shoot what you know

Practice makes the gun work best not calibre

ATB

Duncan

 

[Burnt Ash]

A thing about the HW90.

You don't want a FAC, yet you chose the WH90.

If you're keen on getting a air-rifle, and want to stay below the 12Fpe level, i'd suggest you get an HW97.

Ok so it doesn't have the gas-ram system.
But it IS more balanced, and overall a nicer rifle to shoot with.
Especially when shooting a lot, the HW90 tires your arms quite a bit in the longer run.

If you're opting to DO take the FAC, well a 90 is a A+ powerhouse, easily hitting the 20+Fpe range (might consider going for .22 with those power-levels though)

All in all, for a Non-FAC air rifle i'd go for the WH97 (77 if you want iron-sight) of the HW98 if you like the break-baller type.

As far as I know, the standard HW 90 and 90K (shorter, carbine model) distributed in the UK by Hull Cartridge Comany are within the 12ftlb legal limit, so you don't need a FAC.

Weirauchs are very well made, accurate air rifles, with superb triggers out of the box. I've owned a HW80 for well over twenty years. But they are heavy. This is good for accuracy with supported shots, but bad for accuracy (because it's tiring to hold them steady) for unsupported shots and tiring to carry around.

Weirauchs are not the only game in town though (we're talking springers and not PCPs). You might look at something lighter like the BSA Lightning XL (there's now a model with a weatherproof synthetic stick). I've handled (but not fired) them on several occasions in gun shops and they feel very nice. They're very popular amongst professional pest controllers I gather.

Take your time and shop around. Try and visit a specialist airgun shop and handle different models if you can.

Burnt Ash

 

[FGYT]

Weirauchs are not the only game in town though (we're talking springers and not PCPs). You might look at something lighter like the BSA Lightning XL (there's now a model with a weatherproof synthetic stick). I've handled (but not fired) them on several occasions in gun shops and they feel very nice. They're very popular amongst professional pest controllers I gather.

Take your time and shop around. Try and visit a specialist airgun shop and handle different models if you can.

Burnt Ash

The BSA XL Tactical is a supurb ergonomic gun and the XL is a proven action many may not like its obvious military sniper style or Plastic stock
but its designd for a purpouse and that it does well

 

[runni]

Hello nipper,

The best bit of advice that I can give you is JOIN A CLUB!!

To find one local to you I'd suggest that you nip (no pun intended ) accross to airgunbbs.com. You will find a wealth of information and members are very generous with their knowledge. There is also a for sale section where you can pick up some good stuff.

I'd recommend that you start off with a good quality second-hand springer if money is tight.

As everyone has said above - you will not go wrong with a Weihrauch of any model. My recommendation would be an HW95 which is a lighter version of the HW80. You could pick up a used one in .22 for around £100-£120 (a bit more for a .177 if you can find one ).

Once you get into it an HW97 or Air Arms TX200 is the way to go!!! (around £200 second hand)

If you can get to a club and try some guns before you buy anything, you might save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

atb, Jim

 

[spoony]

sparks a member on here has a tx200 for sale

 

[Celtic Dragon]

Echo everything FYGT has said, also the best views you can get are from owners so get down your local club. They might even let you trial theirs.


Personally I find my shooting style prefers the Military style gear, hence why I am copying FYGT in modding my Harrier (might even convert it to .20 )

 

[merlin]

Ive used a falcon raptor for the last 5 or 6 years now and find that it is well balanced set up, the price was a bit much I thought and the reload cant be rushed but a good .22 rifle.