If you were to buy only 1 air rifle ...
- Thread starter 98/29
- Start date
Theoben relocated to the USA, stopped making the rifles that where in the UK. Their cheapest rifle now sells for $1700 USD.
I have owned many air rifles in the past, BSA,Webley, ASI,Weihrauch and Theoben is by far the best.
check out airgun forum, for sales section you might get lucky.
I have owned many air rifles in the past, BSA,Webley, ASI,Weihrauch and Theoben is by far the best.
check out airgun forum, for sales section you might get lucky.
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I've had/have a pile of airguns including Theoben break barrels and FX made PCP's and were I to buy 1 airgun for all around shooting I'd buy a TX200 Carbine in .177 in a Walnut stock. The wood is much nicer than anything Weihrauch puts out. The accuracy is better than most people. The gun is compact and fits me perfectly. Springers don't need to be refilled which is why I gave up on my PCP's. 177 allows you to shoot Field target easier, gets more shots/can and will kill most airgun game. I will acknowledge that the HW97 was nicer shooting right out of the box and the loading port is bigger which appeals to some but I like the TX better. I have owned a brad new HW97 and a HW77K (which I prefer to the 97) and I still own a TX200HC and I don't plan on getting rid of it.
The AA is a pretty gun- I've never owned one but I've handled them before. I do have a HW97 and I'll never get rid of it. I have others as well- Hatsan PCP, Benjamin etc, but the HW97 is my fave... It is quieter than the PCPs too.
I don't have experience with many high end air guns but currently have an airforce condor in .25(plus a .22 barrel) and a Diana 34 in .22. If I had to pick between them it would easily be the condor. Lots of power and versatility with that rifle.
A friend of mine just bought a Weihrauch 97K Black line for under $600 (+ shipping and tax). He's ecstatic over it.
I would buy a Weihrauch HW 95 in .22 caliber It will set you back just under $600 with the taxes and shipping and spend the rest of the money on a good quality scope and some decent pellets.
Yes there are more precise rifles out there I suppose but for your purposes Im sure you will be more than happy with it and you still have about as good as you can get in a springer.
I have had an HW85K for about 10 years. It is essentially the same rifle, (the stocks, chambers and barrels are interchangeable with an HW 95).
I get 720 fps using RWS super domes and I have taken grackles before they react at 40 yards and its a freakin laser under that range for all my shooting and easily surpasses my abilities.
I like .22 for both pests and shooting cans in the grass. I find .177 at high velocity has more of a chance to just tear through a can while .22 tears through but throws it around too making for more reactive plinking.
The thing I really like about the 85/95 is that its light weight while still being a full sized rifle. I find it very well balanced and not muzzle heavy like other rifles I've used Even with a 4-12 scope mounted on it.
Its my choice anyways, and I ever sold mine I would want another.
Yes there are more precise rifles out there I suppose but for your purposes Im sure you will be more than happy with it and you still have about as good as you can get in a springer.
I have had an HW85K for about 10 years. It is essentially the same rifle, (the stocks, chambers and barrels are interchangeable with an HW 95).
I get 720 fps using RWS super domes and I have taken grackles before they react at 40 yards and its a freakin laser under that range for all my shooting and easily surpasses my abilities.
I like .22 for both pests and shooting cans in the grass. I find .177 at high velocity has more of a chance to just tear through a can while .22 tears through but throws it around too making for more reactive plinking.
The thing I really like about the 85/95 is that its light weight while still being a full sized rifle. I find it very well balanced and not muzzle heavy like other rifles I've used Even with a 4-12 scope mounted on it.
Its my choice anyways, and I ever sold mine I would want another.
I own the HW77k in .177, it's a sweetheart and a joy to use.
Growing up in England, I recall these rifles absolutely dominated the field target circuit! But to your question- a modern pcp is generally easier to shoot accurately for many reasons.
Your budget however means you require a quality made British or German Springer with an air rifle rated scope.
TX200, HW77k or HW97 would be my preference.
Growing up in England, I recall these rifles absolutely dominated the field target circuit! But to your question- a modern pcp is generally easier to shoot accurately for many reasons.
Your budget however means you require a quality made British or German Springer with an air rifle rated scope.
TX200, HW77k or HW97 would be my preference.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I wish the 500 FPS rule went away. I would have a modded 2240.
Threemorewishes
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa Ontario Canada
I had an older Diana 34 that could be an "only one gun". Currently my "only one air gun" is a Diana Model 54 Air King recoiless rifle. You won't be disappointed with either choice.
If you're going to hunt, the underlever rifles like the Air Arms TX 200 and Weihrauch HW97K or 77K, which are well built and very accurate, will be heavy to carry. They're heavy because underlevers cannot avoid that. Break barrel rifles like the Weihrauch HW95 or the HW98 are also very accurate and well built, but they are lighter in weight.
Be aware that if you get a PCP rifle you need a PCP rifle pump that will fill to 200 bar (almost 3000 psi). A scuba tank or a scba carbon fiber tank (4500 psi) eliminates the need for pumping, but they cost a little more money. A pump begins at $250, while a steel 100 cubic foot tank that will take 3442 psi is probably $400 or more. The carbon fiber tanks (80 -9- cubic feet) are more expensive and provide much more air, but they can be hard to fill as not all dive shops can fill them.
Be aware that if you get a PCP rifle you need a PCP rifle pump that will fill to 200 bar (almost 3000 psi). A scuba tank or a scba carbon fiber tank (4500 psi) eliminates the need for pumping, but they cost a little more money. A pump begins at $250, while a steel 100 cubic foot tank that will take 3442 psi is probably $400 or more. The carbon fiber tanks (80 -9- cubic feet) are more expensive and provide much more air, but they can be hard to fill as not all dive shops can fill them.
black powder
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saint Hippolyte
slavia 630 with the original main spring ...if more power fps is needed i will use my cooey mod. 39 ..
idontknowjack
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Ontario
Lots of modding info on airgunforum.ca
Diana 34 in .177. hands down. with T06 trigger. simplicity, quality, price functionality, SPARE PARTS, accuracy.
when main spring is done, get the Vortec kit or similar
to expend the collection: Hw 77 and 97, HW 80, then you can move on to PCP
when main spring is done, get the Vortec kit or similar
to expend the collection: Hw 77 and 97, HW 80, then you can move on to PCP
You mentioned SHTF scenario?
Well a PCP is the only choice for power-hunting.
There is a reason why all the listed expensive airguns carry a 1 year warranty, they all will eventually leak, and most will experience indexing issues.
So if you have places to get them repaired do a repeater.
If you want to be independent do a single shot. Single shots are far more dependable, can make 50 plus ft lbs (min for hunting), and take long heavy projectiles. Look up .25 Black Mambas!
I have a scuba tank and PCP pump for my .25 Condor. In 10 years I had one leak and easily swapped out an O ring. I have seen so many expensive FXs go in for leak repairs, no thanks.
Me and my buddy's .25 cal Condors wearing .50 cal sniper kits.
I will set up targets at 100 yards any day and make any .22 look like a toy.
At least Airforce offers a lifetime warranty, they are the only ones with confidence in their design while the others give you a typical toaster 1 year warranty...................
Well a PCP is the only choice for power-hunting.
There is a reason why all the listed expensive airguns carry a 1 year warranty, they all will eventually leak, and most will experience indexing issues.
So if you have places to get them repaired do a repeater.
If you want to be independent do a single shot. Single shots are far more dependable, can make 50 plus ft lbs (min for hunting), and take long heavy projectiles. Look up .25 Black Mambas!
I have a scuba tank and PCP pump for my .25 Condor. In 10 years I had one leak and easily swapped out an O ring. I have seen so many expensive FXs go in for leak repairs, no thanks.
Me and my buddy's .25 cal Condors wearing .50 cal sniper kits.
I will set up targets at 100 yards any day and make any .22 look like a toy.
At least Airforce offers a lifetime warranty, they are the only ones with confidence in their design while the others give you a typical toaster 1 year warranty...................
You mentioned SHTF scenario?
Well a PCP is the only choice for power-hunting.
There is a reason why all the listed expensive airguns carry a 1 year warranty, they all will eventually leak, and most will experience indexing issues.
So if you have places to get them repaired do a repeater.
If you want to be independent do a single shot. Single shots are far more dependable, can make 50 plus ft lbs (min for hunting), and take long heavy projectiles. Look up .25 Black Mambas!
I have a scuba tank and PCP pump for my .25 Condor. In 10 years I had one leak and easily swapped out an O ring. I have seen so many expensive FXs go in for leak repairs, no thanks.
Me and my buddy's .25 cal Condors wearing .50 cal sniper kits.
I will set up targets at 100 yards any day and make any .22 look like a toy.
At least Airforce offers a lifetime warranty, they are the only ones with confidence in their design while the others give you a typical toaster 1 year warranty...................
Nice!
