Hopeful Air Rifle Hunting Enthusiast

[LukeAir90 2]

Hi Everybody,

 

New to the thehuntinglife today. I came across the site whilst researching into a good value air rifle that would suit me as a complete novice.

I've never owned an air rifle and only had very limited experience shooting (few pellets from an old break barrel of my grandads).

Joined the forums as it seems like a good community of experienced shooters!

My hopes are to find a reasonable quality air rifle that will allow me to get clean kills on rabbits. As a noob I'd like a cheap introduction to the sport in case I don't have any luck finding somewhere to hunt (live in a residential part of Peterborough, don't know any landowners but willing to door knock if needed).

From all I've read up on so far, I think I'm leaning towards investing in a gas-ram or maybe springer.

Found lots of positive stuff about the Hatsan 60S GS (Edgar-60S-TG-GR) which I think I could get new for circa £200.

I would appreciate people's thoughts... it seems the springer versions of the Hatsan 55&60s are like half the price (are gas ram worth the extra?

Anyways... im blabbing! Happy hunting!

[ryaldinhio 4,642]

plenty to choose from 2-300 quid will get you a good springer. loads rave about the tx200, im a fan of the hw99. both reasonably priced but would also hold value if u wanted to sell on.

 

pm'd aswell

[Rez 4,961]

Welcome.

 

Get a HW or an AA. Simplest post you get back. At the end of the day, buy cheap and you'll out grow it quickly. All the best with choice.

[LukeAir90 2]

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments!

 

I'll take a look and keep updated as I decide

[pianoman 3,587]

Hello ther and welcome to the section.

Before you part with your cash, have a trip to the gunshops in your area and try a few good rifles out, like HW Weihrauch spring rifles, or Air Arms TX200 and see what feels good to your shoulder. If a rifle feels right, it's usually right for you. You can buy a top quality spring rifle you like second hand that will do a lot more for your confidence and developing skills than a cheapo Hatstand plinker will. And you'll soon become disapponted with a cheapo rifle and will then wish you'd spent a bit wiser or a bit more for a Weihrauch or Air Arms than the worn out old junk that's brought you back to square one.

"Buy cheap, Buy twice" is a truth when it comes to spending money on a decent rifle to go out with.

Edited September 7, 2015 by pianoman

[mark williams 7,558]

Ditto to the above

 

Welcome to the forum Luke.

[random 659]

These lads know there stuff,been doing this a long time so worth asking/listening to,some have had aa or hw's for years and never felt the need to upgrade or replace,says quite a bit...

[LukeAir90 2]

Again, hello guys and thank you.

 

Might try and get down to local gunshop today and sample some wears as Pianoman suggested.

 

I'm also browsing the classifieds on here to get a feel for what's around.

 

One big question .177 or .22 for Bunnies or will both do the job?

[toby63 1,236]

both will do the job just fine ?

[j j m 6,541]

welcome to the forum mate

[villaman 9,983]

Both will do the job , but IMO .22 is better cal in a spring gun

[Rez 4,961]

I'd second v'mans post above. I don't really think it's the best calibre, but it's the best to learn with.

 

Both will be fine for your intended quarry.

[charlie caller 3,654]

I will echo all the previous comments, dont buy some cheap crap springer as your first rifle, it will both frustrate and annoy you, and will put you off spring rifles,again buy something decent second hand, with either German or English provenance, all the Weihrauch range are good solid accurate rifles that will last a lifetime, as Pianoman says try a few for size, and one that feels right to you will fit the bill nicely, if you can afford it, try and find a tuned version of the rifle you liked the best, or have it tuned, it really does make a massive difference, oh and one last thing, get it in .177

[stealthy1 3,964]

Have a look at a few guns, find 5 you really like for what ever reason. Then get back on here, tell the lads what your choices are, and you will get top notch advice on any you choose, but don't buy before you here the pro's and con's on your chosen gun. Most gun shops are good and won't sell you shit, but there are fly by nights in every walk of life, so save your self some grief and boost your post count by talking to the members on THL, you won't go wrong.

[bigmac 97kt 13,800]

Right what seems to have been forgotten is the fact that your new to the hunting game and shooting

 

Before you even think of going out shooting spend some time at the range get a target and a five pence piece a bit of a4 paper is better place the coin in the middle of the paper and draw around it put the paper at your prefer d range and settle back and shoot until your hearts content until you can put at least 10 pellets in the center of the circle

 

and when you can do this with out thinking about it and only then are you ready to hunt live quarry no one wants to wound any thing as it may run and die else where

 

There is a lot you have to learn ie , field craft. walking (sounds stupid i no but true none the less)walking quietly i shouls of say,d

 

get to no your land (when you do get some )

 

get to no where they feed

 

get to no what you can shoot and what you can not (have a look at the general license )

 

Get insured BASC is the top one (as most land owners will ask for this before they let you on there land)

 

If you have some air gun mags there advert will be in there and some times they give you a free knife

 

what camo gear you will need

 

good boots

 

you have a lot to learn but thats the fun in it , its not all about picking up a rifle and shooting some thing a lot of us just like to be out in the country and the fresh air sitting back and watch nature go by

 

then we shoot some thing lol

 

Start with a good springer as the lads have say,d buy cheep and you buy twice

 

Air arms tx200

 

air arms pro sport

 

hw 97k

 

hw 97kt

 

hw77

 

hw90

 

hw99

 

hw80

 

all of them top class rifles and if you get one of them it will still be here when your not

 

but if you get the bug then all i can say is i feel sorry for you as this has happened to most of us and before you no it you will have a cabinet full of the best rifles that money can buy lol

 

welcome to the forum bud

 

atvbmac :thumbs: