Born Hunter 17,775 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Right then fellas Ive been out of this game for about 18 months now and its time to get back into it. My old gun that I had to sell (times were bloody hard) was a gorgeous and hellish accurate S410 classic with walnut thumbhole stock in .177 with a Varmint II scope. I loved it! This time round though Im going to take a step back and go for a springer/gas ram, I just like the thought of not having all the bollocks that comes with a pcp. Now, Ive got it down pretty much to 2 rifles -AA TX200 HC .177 walnut stock -HW77K .177 But also considering the Evolution with that lovely walnut thumbhole stock... Which is the better rifle and do either come with a thumbhole stock or is it gonna have to be a custom job? Ive seen some pics of the 77 with a thumbole stock and I think ive fallen in love! Realistically Im expecting 3/4 inch groups at 40 yards when broken in and ive leanrt how to shoot again Weight isnt a issue really, tbh I think a heavier springer would be easier to shoot but you lads will be able to advise better on that. Also, whats the equivalent of the Varmint II these days? Thanks, and hopefully in a few months ill be contributing the odd bit to this tidy side of the forum Quote Link to post
secretagentmole 1,701 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Gamop still make a Varmint! I take it you mean a Gamo Varmint... Quote Link to post
Born Hunter 17,775 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Ermmm, it was the Hawke Varmint II 3-12x44AO milldot jobby if that helps... Quote Link to post
rossy08 33 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Ermmm, it was the Hawke Varmint II 3-12x44AO milldot jobby if that helps... hello there nice to see felow notts chap. i dont think they do the varmint any more but the have a few scopes of simmiler spec. go to www.hawkeoptics.com you can also download there chair gun pro program very help full when u get going again. both the rifles you have you eye on are top spec springers. Andy Quote Link to post
Born Hunter 17,775 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Thanks Andy I dont think there is much between the 2 rifles performance wise, if I can find a 77 with the stock I have in mind Im almost certain that will be the decision made. But with a standard sporter stock, Im edging towards the TX200. I like a rifle to look as good as its shoots! Quote Link to post
rossy08 33 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Thanks Andy I dont think there is much between the 2 rifles performance wise, if I can find a 77 with the stock I have in mind Im almost certain that will be the decision made. But with a standard sporter stock, Im edging towards the TX200. I like a rifle to look as good as its shoots! i dont think theres much if anything performance wise. pianoman has both i belive and im shure he will at some point be a long to give you his thoughts, im the same as you pal i like my guns to look like guns. i'm an air arms fan my self but it would be a very tough desision if i had to pick between the two, the thumbhole 77 is a very fine looking bit of kit tho. all the best with your desission either way mate. Andy Quote Link to post
garfield 23 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 i would personally go for maybee a hw97t if you like your thumbhole stock and a very smooth and quiet springer Quote Link to post
pianoman 3,587 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) Hi Born Hunter. I have both these Air Arms and Weihrauch rifles. My HW77 is .22 and full length, but, my TX200HC is .177. Either is an incredibly accurate, superbly well-made hunting arm that will last as long as you will. As to which is the better rifle... That's really down to your personal preferrence. If I had to pick just one -and one only, it would be my HW77 .22. It's every bit as accurate as .177 and it's put pellet on pellet at every range-distance I've tested it to. It looks and handles exactly how I like a rifle to be and offers both open sight and scope accuracy. In .177 calibre this rifle will be absolutely precision accurate. For the perfect scope look to Bushnell or Simmons with a 40mm Adjustable Objective front focusing lens. I have a Simmons 4.5-14x40 Whitetail Classic and a Simmons 6-18x40 Pro Air for my HW77 and Hawke are not the best scopes for this rifle, they are too long in eye relief for the length of pull thus they require mounting unstudded well forward of the ballance point. But, the TX200HC is just the best handling, short-barrel spring carbine there is. If you want short and compact, this is the rifle you want. In .177 it ia a work of brilliance. For a perfect scope. Look to Bushnell. Hawke are not bad for fit on this stock as there is a bit more pull length on the butt. As for a thumbhole stock. Try CUSTOM STOCK near Sheffield, just off the M18. Not far from you I'd say. They make a very nice functional thumbhole stock, CS800 Thumbhole Sporter for around £300 and the walnut blanks they use are really tasty! Alternatively.. Have you considered the Weihrauch HW97KT? This is just the same as the HW77 action but, has a little more of a carbine proportioned barrel profile and is fitted with a thumbhole stock as standard. This would possibly be the best compromise of all your requirements in one rifle, that it's possible to get! Simon Edited March 9, 2011 by pianoman 1 Quote Link to post
silentshot1 206 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hi Mate I love the look of the HW77, but the TX200 can give it a real run for it's money in both looks and performance. I saw this http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Air-Rifles/Weihrauch-HW-77-gun-for-sale-gs20693.aspx this mornming but don't know if it's still available. Worth a look, although the price is a little steep. Best of luck with your decision. Two awesome rifles to choose from! Quote Link to post
Nathan_R 10 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hi, I know you're trying to narrow the field down rather than look for more options, but I just thought I'd let you know that the HW97KT has a thumbhole stock as standard if you didn't realise that already. Might be worth taking a look! Sorry if I've confused the issue! Nathan Quote Link to post
19powell90 89 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Gamop still make a Varmint! I take it you mean a Gamo Varmint... 'accurate S410 classic with walnut thumbhole stock in .177 with a Varmint II scope' read moley scott Quote Link to post
pianoman 3,587 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) Just had a look at the Gunstar ad. It's a .22 HW77 and the stock is the Custom Stock's thumbhole I mentioned. Pricewise, on brand new we are looking at about £400 for the rifle and £300 for the stock, plus, say £200 for the scope so, £900 plus a bit of change. Saving about £400 here off brand spanking. We'll call the rifleslip a freebie. So, not too bad a price really. Simon Edit to add. What's the quality of a Bushmaster scope? Never had one! But this is described as a mint condition rifle so, if I was right handed and looking for a thumbhole HW77, I'd definately give the seller a bell! Edited March 9, 2011 by pianoman Quote Link to post
Born Hunter 17,775 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just had a look at the Gunstar ad. It's a .22 HW77 and the stock is the Custom Stock's thumbhole I mentioned. Pricewise, on brand new we are looking at about £400 for the rifle and £300 for the stock, plus, say £200 for the scope so, £900 plus a bit of change. Saving about £400 here off brand spanking. We'll call the rifleslip a freebie. So, not too bad a price really. Simon Hells teeth! £900 is a bit steep! HOWEVER I could settle for a standard stock on the 77 untill I can afford a nice custom one. Thanks for the advice on the tele sights lads. Looks like Hawke are out the window. As it happens I have been looking at the 97 and I like the TH stocks alot, especially the very contoured custom ones. But if im getting a Weihrauch with a custom stock its just gotta be a 77. Simon, is there any reason you would choose a .22 over .177 based on accuracy? I know that the .22 pellet is as accurate as the .177 but beeing abit 'green' when it comes to decent springers I dont know if the .177 has a more powerfull spring causing slightly more felt recoil? Its a bit irrelavent really as Im only interested in .177 having made the conversion several years ago but still interested in your opinion.... Thanks lads, gotta say, you boys are a damn sight more civil than the dog lads! lol Quote Link to post
silentshot1 206 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just had a look at the Gunstar ad. It's a .22 HW77 and the stock is the Custom Stock's thumbhole I mentioned. Pricewise, on brand new we are looking at about £400 for the rifle and £300 for the stock, plus, say £200 for the scope so, £900 plus a bit of change. Saving about £400 here off brand spanking. We'll call the rifleslip a freebie. So, not too bad a price really. Simon When broken down like that, you're right! Not bad looking either. I was just thinking in terms of a straight out the box HW77. Plus £500 is not a lot of money for something that will stay in that condition, as long as you do your bit, for decades. Quote Link to post
garfield 23 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) the 97kt comes with the hog's back thunbhole stock as standard and yes the .177 spring is abit stronger as it has to push the lighter pellet quicker here you go £400 brahttp://www.sunderlandscubacentre.com/hw97kt-air-rifle.html?___store=defaultnd new Edited March 9, 2011 by garfield Quote Link to post
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