Choice Of Rifle?

[Cedric 132]

At the moment I have a HW97K synthetic in .22. It shoots very well and off a rest is the bee's knees for rabbits, however I'm finding it too heavy for lugging round the woods after squirrels.

 

As I'm only 5'5" and getting on a bit I was considering a HW99S in .177 for the squirrel job. It's a lot lighter and seems well made. I'm opting for .177 for the flatter trajectory, difficult to estimate ranges in trees.

 

Do any of you use one and how do you get on with it? I presume it will dot a rabbit as well as the .22 with a head shot.

 

Does the lack of a moderator make much difference with an air rifle (springer)?

 

I have considered pcp but they seem to be a bit of a fiddle with pumps, bottles etc.

 

I'm still undecided whether I need both or to sell the 97K.

[jamesS410 106]

Hi. Going down to .177 won't be a problem when it comes to rabbits in fact you'll probably be amazed at what a good all round calibre it is. If you're looking at reducing the weight you have to lug about it may be worth considering going down the PCP route, once you have the charging gear set up its really not a hassle and the option of multi shot is handy when hunting. Having said that though if you're a springer fan nothing else will do.

[Rez 4,957]

98 mate. Nuff said. Honest

[Cedric 132]

I don't know much about pcp air rifles, if you go out and only fire a few shots do you have to empty the cylinder before you store it or can you safely leave it charged?

[jamesS410 106]

Its actually better for the rifle if you leave it charged with air.

[Mr Mcgoo 18]

Pcp in my eyes is the ultimate air rifle, don't get me wrong I love springers as it's what I have been brought up on. No denying how good a pre charge rifle can be. Do some research first before buying one though

[Rez 4,957]

Cedric. Stay springer mate. I was pcp myself and realised that I picked up bad habits within my shooting. If you go the pcp route, you'll shoot well and accurately, and no doubt take quarry easily enough, but they disconnect the shooter from the shooting... (Rufferling some feathers here). I personally find that shooting spring rifles easily outweighs, in terms of reward, that of a pcp, as I feel as though I'm adding to the process of consistency.

 

Do what's best for you in the end.

[mark williams 7,550]

Hi mate,

I would never go back to springers unless i had to.I have shot, .22 only , spring powered rifles since being 11 yrs old, so i have 40 + yrs experience of springers .

I changed my prefered calibre to .177 and guns to pcp`s multi shot and my style of shooting to full camo` and sit and wait. (hide shooting) . The results have seen a marked improvement in game bags.

It actually makes me disapointed in myself if i miss when using the pcp rifles.

 

Just my humble opinion.

atb.

[bigmac 97kt 13,776]

It all comes down to your hunting skills how good you are at it that will give you results i shoot both spring and pcp and iv not picked up eny bad habits on ether and im as good with one as the other like iv said its all comes down to your hunting skills you have one of the best spring rifles on the market and not much will beat it have you a sling fitted if not get one on it and if you do go the pcp way of things have a look at the bsa ultra there a cracking rifle and deadly accurate the only down fall is the shot count 30 to 40 shots but this does not matter if your out hunting as you will very rarely fire that many shots and don't let the size of the ultra put you off its an amazing bit of kit and very much thought of by a lot of the lads on here and is up there with the best but for less than half the price and im with James s410 once you have the charging gear there no hassle at all .If you can afford it keep the 97 and buy a pcp then you have the best of both worlds atvbmac :thumbs:

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

Get a .177 hw99s or hw95

[Cedric 132]

Just about settled on the HW99S, my only reservation would be the lack of moderator.

 

Is a mod. reallly necessary on an air rifle? And what's the best way to fit one if required?