He wants to buy a springer for bench-rest competition (I've posted there already), but he wants to mount a Hawke Sidewinder 30 scope, and does not want it destroyed (he loves the reticle). I suggested he might think about the HW97. Later I thought about the AA TX200. I mentioned the RWS 54, but I know it has pretty harsh recoil to the scope, and he discounted that rifle. He want's a bit of power too so he discounted the FWB 300S when I mentioned that one. He seems to think the HW97 fits the bill, but I told him I'd ask around. He thinks a .25 would be more accurate in the wind, so the 97 seems to fit the bill, but I don't really know about either of the rifles I've mentioned.
Opinions, suggestions please?
thank you,
darryl

but will not compete with pcp's. I would suggest .177 since most accurate and mild recoiling springers will not drive a .25 very fast and velocity is more important in wind accuracy than pellet weight i think. In a pcp that would be a different story because you could drive the pellet faster.

I'd probably prefer a side-lever if I was going to shoot a springer for BR. Having to lift a TX or HW up and down every shot to cock it would get tiresome and you'd have to regain your sight picture. At 25m I'd just take my chance with a nice FWB300. Or has he considered an SSP like the FWB60x series?

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CASA Member - California Airgun Shooters Association: http://socasa.org

i don't think you could hold your sight picture while cocking it. you would still have to re-aquire.

But probably a lot less than picking up the entire rifle and resetting it in the rest. My guess is that the FWB300 would be more tolerant of a mechanical type front rest - but I've only shot a 300 a few times so I'll defer to those with more experience. I'd still like to own one some day - maybe trade one of my TX's for one.


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CASA Member - California Airgun Shooters Association: http://socasa.org

He's trying to feel his way along so far as what he wants. There's a minor problem in that he's not online. He can't do research as any of us would. I suggested the RWS 54 for his power needs, but I also told him it had fairly sever recoil transmitted to the scope. He seems adamant about using that scope. He also wants something that will carry out to 50 yards. This is going to be a tough one for him to sort out.

Thanks for the replies, guys. If you come up with something else, please chime in.
darryl

don't shoot as well off a rest as pcp's do. Then you add the need to re-aquire the target every shot and try to place the gun on the rest the same way, its kind of an uphill battle. If he wants to compete he will be at a disadvantage unless he is shooting againts other springers. If he just wants to shoot targets off a rest i guess it really does not matter since he is just shooting against himself. FWB 300 that i had was deadly accurate at 10-25 yards but at 50 yards it was not as accurate as my TX. Could be the velocity was not able to stablize the pellet as well at longer range. This I tested in a windless tunnel at LD's ranch.

Also, .25 seems a poor choice for that game when used in a low velocity springer. Also, by getting a .25, you are left out of the ability to use the gun for FT and Silhouette, should the mood strike.

He went straight from powder burners to PCP rifles. I will try to wave him off, given the reasons put down here.
thank you all,
Darryl

Rutten of Belgium made a springer called the AirStar that used an electric motor to cock itself. I'm surprised that it didn't get developed further.

http://airgunner.org/?p=145

Hi
I am not an avid bench shooter but have shot some competition with one. My suggestion would be either an FWB 600,601,602,or 603. Also in the running would be FWB 300,and the RWS 75 rifles. I was able to cock my ( 300 and 75 ) from the seated position. The 600's have a much longer stroke for them to cock. They are not too harsh on scope but would still make sure that the scope being used had some springer rating to it. I had a very simple scope on mine. The RWS 75 was a little harder to cock from the bench,but it does not recoil at all and thus is very scope friendly. All guns mentioned are able to shoot and hit a silhouette at 45 yds. They will shoot 25 easily but get messed with more by the wind. Hope this is of some use to you and your friend .
Len

If he wants to pursue bench rest shooting with a springer I'll mention the ones you've suggested here.
much obliged,
darryl

Since the FWB 600's are singlestroke pneumatics, rather than springers, they would have no affect on scope durability.

That said, the are MUCH harder to pump/cock than the FWB 300, so I would think the FWB 300 is easier to shoot a match with.

it's a real PITA! As Len mentioned, the long cocking stroke will get you. The easiest way is to
roll the gun on it's side then cock.
Shooting a 75 shot match will wear you out! Ok for informal fun, not reccomended for serious
matches.



Head Gopher and Assistant
Match Director Ashland Air Rifle Range
Ashland OR

Regards,


Mark Gravelle

I'll advise him to rethink his interest.
thanks guys,
darryl