Genuine Help In Choosing A .22 Rifle For Rabbit Work

[Lee36 4]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to the site and the forums, I felt it would be useful to draw on the experience available here to help make up my mind on a new rifle.

 

Although I appreciate the benefits of Pcp rifles, I don't want the hassle of refilling the rifle, worrying about shots left and power curves etc.

 

I want something that I can rely on for good accuracy, consistent high power, and that will last years if looked after. I don't mind paying for quality.

 

The thing bothering me the most is the difference in power levels even between examples of the same rifle. Some chrono new at a little over 10 ft lbs, some nearer to twelve.

 

If I'm buying an adult air rifle advertised as 12 ft lbs, I expect an expensive new rifle to produce close to it. I know out and out power isn't the be all and end all, but if I bought a 2 litre car I'd be unhappy to find it was actually a 1.6 if you know what I mean.

 

Which models should I be looking at? Weihrauch models, AA TX200, Pro Sport or Walther LGV?

 

Are there others I should consider? I have got the money together and I'm ready to buy.

 

I'd really be grateful for any advice or opinion as I'm no expert and don't want to make the wrong choice.

 

Cheers

 

Lee

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

consistency is important aswell. and different pellets are more consistent and accurate than others.

 

as for shooting rabbits, all you need is 10 ft lbs .. out to sensible ranges, if you can hit the kill zone, its lights out.

 

but all the above mentioned rifles will do the job...

[AR177 588]

The first 3 you mentioned are all excellent rifles and you will find countless reviews of each of them and I dare say you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them, all three are renowned for build quality and accuracy

 

The Walther is a bit more like marmite, some love & some hate

 

Best thing to do is go to a local gun dealer and give them a shoulder and get a feel for them, even give them a try if you can, that's the best way to find out.

 

ATB

 

Adam

Edited May 28, 2013 by AR177

[Lee36 4]

Cheers both of you for your thoughts.

 

I just watched the video on YouTube of the lads from Verminhunters TV collecting and testing the Walther lgv competition rifle. They chrono tested the rifle at a touch over 10 ft lbs.

 

On Airgun TV there is a review of the same rifle by Nigel Allen who recorded an average of 11.5.

 

Why such a difference?? I get it if the lower reading was with bis mags or something heavy but I'm pretty sure it wasn't.

[Lewis Ste 245]

If your wanting a rabbit bashing workhorse get yourself a hw80k iv taken out rabbits at 40m so plenty of accuracy for hunting and simple no nonecence break barrel best hunting springer on the market IMO you may find the under levers abit heavy walking round the fields

[Giro 2,648]

Yeah I had lighting and went to Tx200 had to fit a sling.. It did weigh me down after a while out..

[daytyper 52]

Buy a .177

[daytyper 52]

Air ranger .177

[Rake aboot 4,935]

HW97KT in .177

 

I wouldn`t buy any springer without trying the HW.

[zini 1,939]

Lee different pellet brands, weights and diameters will all make a rifle change in power.

 

Also a new rifle just off the shelf will be different in power, usually lower, than that rifle when its shot 1000 pellets through its barrel.

 

For best results with a spring piston rifle I find from 10 to 11.5 foot pounds energy FPE is the best, preferably 10.1 to 10.5 for me as the rifle is safely legal and usually less in recoil making accuracy easier.

 

A rifle at these power readings will do absolutely everything a rifle at 11.9 FPE will do.

 

One of my rifles is doing 9.4 FPE and will match my pcp and still kill bunnies if I wanted at 45 meters every day of the week.

 

My other springers are doing around 10.1, 10.9 and my new one 11.4. The one at 11.4 I will get dropped to 10.5 after another 500 or so pellets.

 

The difference to a rabbit between 10 and 11.9 wont be known and its just as dead. You could in fact kill a bunny with 10 FPE with a shot to the brain further than you or I could accurately shoot the rifle.

 

45 to 60 meter shots if you are good enough all day long in the right conditions.

 

Regarding rifles I would say stick to AA and HW.

 

The AA Pro Sport and TX200 are quality as are the HW 77, 97, 95, and 98.

 

If it was me and you wanted to buy a rifle and not get it tuned I would buy a AA Pro Sport or a AA TX200.

 

If you wanted a tuned rifle I would buy a HW98, 97KT, or 95.

 

I haven't shot a more than 5 or so shots so I havent got lots of experience with it but guys on here do very well with them.

 

From my experience I would now buy a S1 tuned HW98 followed closely by a S2 tuned HW97KT.

 

Si.

[brucemyster 75]

Try before you buy, a fella on here a couple of days back had his heart set on a particular rifle till he had the opportunity to try a few at the shops range, using your analogy you wouldn't buy a car without giving it a test drive!! Personally I don't think you can beat an HW, had my 77 in .20 for over 20 years and it still knocks em dead at a fair old range. Different pellets will suit different rifles and finding the right one for you and your rifle should give consistent power and accuracy.

ATB and don't forget to tell us what you finally ended up with.

[Lee36 4]

Thankyou all very much, that has definitely helped me narrow it down a bit.

 

I had a look at a few reviews of the weihrauch hw98, it looks like a nice bit of kit.....one I hadn't considered but the more I look at it, the more I like it.

 

Si, I didn't want to appear obsessed with the rifles power, I just have a problem with any product not living up to Its claimed spec that's all.

 

So something around the 11 ft/lb Mark with good build and accuracy will do me,

I'd love an SFS tuned 98 :-)

 

But I live in Manchester so maybe I'd be better ordering the rifle and paying for the tune up front over the phone and going down to collect it when it's ready to leave the shop.

 

Are there any shops that do these tune ups closer to home??

[daytyper 52]

I bought my last gun from Stockport not far from you

Very very helpful

I travelled there from Northumberland just because they put some time and effort in with me

Good luck

[ftm 3,357]

well heres my take on it pal .if you got the cash & you want a rifle that will last for years doing its job week in week out with a great shot count easy to maintain then the rapid 7 is your gun mate ive had mine for ten plus years & use it % abuse it daily & it is still producing the goods from some brilliant ranges 30yds -70yds -billy

[Marksman 934]

Cant really add to whats already been said,

I've had most of the rifles listed and enjoyed shooting all of them and all are as accurate as the shooter

 

You wont go far wrong with Si's advice mate but for me its got to be the Prosport all day long!

 

Darryl