Air rifle Tuning ( As in to be sent off )

[North Wales Hunter 6]

Hi All,

 

I'm back, now im not doing as much work due to the fact I suffer from panic attack ive had to sell alot of my gear including my shotgun! So now im back to my faithful Gamo Shadow CSI and im thinking of having it tuned and refined rather than going out and buying a PCP. It shoots well but I would like it to be more refined quieter and as closer to the legal limit? So the big question is.... Is it worth it? Or am I better of getting a more expensive Springer or a second hand PCP?

 

Thanks guys

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

HW 97

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi mate.

 

Question is, can you reliably go out and hunt in the secure knowledge that this rifle meets a minimum standard that will humanely kill what you aim it at? If your hand-on-heart honest answer is No, then you need to upgrade to a rifle that can deliver your accuracy!

 

Personally, from direct experience of shooting Gamo air rifles, I'd say you are best to go look for a better rifle. Tuning will not overcome the limitations of the trigger which, I must say are mainly bloody awful.

 

Go look for a Weihrauch HW80, or HW90, HW97, HW77, HW95. Or Air Arms TX200, TX200HC or Prosport. Brand new or secondhand these are brilliant hunting spring air rifles, extremely accurate, beautiful to shoot with and easily well up to the demands of any hunting scenario.

 

Have a look at the video Youtube review of an SMK break barrel air rifle here by Milegajo in this section too. It's very good and his review of it is thorough and excellent.

 

Pianoman

Edited September 22, 2012 by pianoman

[Marksman 934]

Can't really top what Simon has said, I've owned most of the rifles he has listed there and you wont go wrong with any of them.

 

Darryl

[North Wales Hunter 6]

Hi mate.

 

Question is, can you reliably go out and hunt in the secure knowledge that this rifle meets a minimum standard that will humanely kill what you aim it at? If your hand-on-heart honest answer is No, then you need to upgrade to a rifle that can deliver your accuracy!

 

Personally, from direct experience of shooting Gamo air rifles, I'd say you are best to go look for a better rifle. Tuning will not overcome the limitations of the trigger which, I must say are mainly bloody awful.

 

Go look for a Weihrauch HW80, or HW90, HW97, HW77, HW95. Or Air Arms TX200, TX200HC or Prosport. Brand new or secondhand these are brilliant hunting spring air rifles, extremely accurate, beautiful to shoot with and easily well up to the demands of any hunting scenario.

 

Have a look at the video Youtube review of an SMK break barrel air rifle here by Milegajo in this section too. It's very good and his review of it is thorough and excellent.

 

Pianoman

 

It is powerful enough Simon and accurate enough it just cheap and nasty as with the trigger you'r bang on with it! Its just awful!

 

I shall now have a look at some of your suggestions.

 

Thank you.

 

Jake

[North Wales Hunter 6]

Hi guys been on SMK QB78? I know there not pretty but im not ars*d if a rabbit doest like how my air rifle looks, Ive read they're underpowered out of the box but can be tuned with a kit, here you can buy the gun and the kit for just £165! Which will make it a 10ftlb+ air rifle.

 

Thanks guys.

Edited September 24, 2012 by North Wales Hunter

[North Wales Hunter 6]

Anyone?

[deano26 16]

£165 quid should get you a quality second hand rifle

 

Regards

Dean

[pianoman 3,587]

Seconded Dean's post.

 

I'd rather have a well used but serviceable, second hand Weihrauch HW80 or HW80K at this price any day or night, over a spanking brand new QB wotsit!

 

Like you said sir! What does it matter what it looks like!

 

Pianoman

[North Wales Hunter 6]

Ok thanks guys

 

Much appreciated

 

Jake

[milegajo 595]

I've no experience of shooting nor working on Gamo air rifles so cant help on that front.

Regarding a possible change of gun I'd advise you assess your needs and what level of investment you're prepared to make.

The chaps have already put forward the very best springers though I'd lean to air arms over weihrauch due to some poor finishing on two new hw95's I've tuned recently. New, those guns are £300 and up. Secondhand, £200+.

 

Pcp think £500+ with charging gear new £350+ s/h

 

If funds are low then sure, the smk208 series are worth looking at (pianoman is too kind) but buy from a reputable dealer such as Tony Wall who will ensure you get the best out of it.

 

Budget Pcp...I've built one from a .22 qb79 for under £250 new inc s/h pump-more to follow on that and not for the faint hearted.

 

Its a large market with many variables but list your needs and work up is my advice.

 

Enjoy!

[pianoman 3,587]

Hmmm Sorry to read of your findings with the two new HW95 rifles you worked on Mike.

 

Air Arms too can have their 'off' moments, I've heard lately too.

 

I've been incredibly lucky with the rifles I have from both makers. They are beautifully built and finished all of them. But, they are over 10 years old all four of them and, that was a great time for buying new. Nowadays, I'd be inclined to take my pal Andy's advice and look for a quality spring rifle made about 10 years ago. There are some beautiful examples of HW80s HW77s, TX200s and Prosports on sale for very reasonable money out there.

 

All the best Mike.

 

Simon

[milegajo 595]

Ahhh not Air Arms as well! World has gone down the pooper!

[North Wales Hunter 6]

I've no experience of shooting nor working on Gamo air rifles so cant help on that front.

Regarding a possible change of gun I'd advise you assess your needs and what level of investment you're prepared to make.

The chaps have already put forward the very best springers though I'd lean to air arms over weihrauch due to some poor finishing on two new hw95's I've tuned recently. New, those guns are £300 and up. Secondhand, £200+.

 

Pcp think £500+ with charging gear new £350+ s/h

 

If funds are low then sure, the smk208 series are worth looking at (pianoman is too kind) but buy from a reputable dealer such as Tony Wall who will ensure you get the best out of it.

 

Budget Pcp...I've built one from a .22 qb79 for under £250 new inc s/h pump-more to follow on that and not for the faint hearted.

 

Its a large market with many variables but list your needs and work up is my advice.

 

Enjoy!

 

Well I want to be spending under £200 as for my needs I will only going out once or twice a week for rabbits, squirrels and rats on the farms I have permission on, I would love to do a SMK QB78 Deluxe purely because its cheap and eaisly modded to sub 12ftlb power and is quieter than my Gamo. Plus recoilless would be a massive help for when im out with a freind lamping rabbits from a Land Rover.

 

Thanks

 

Jake

[milegajo 595]

The 79 is easier and i can email you a conversion info pack ive compiled. You'll certainly learn about air rifles and how pcp works!

 

It's a fascinating project and well worth the effort in my opinion, but like I said, not for the faint hearted. Mines a .22 doing 11.8 with accupells/crosman premier ultra magnums. A couple of coils off the hammer spring should bring her to a more efficient and comfortable safety margin. I can email some pics if your interested.