Getting back to air gunning

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Timberlord

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So , after a lot of years and after hours of youtube reviews , airgunnin' has taken my interest ...again..
I've taken interest in 2 rifles , so far (subject to change at any moment )
One is the Umarex Octane - .22cal , and the other is the Hatsan 125 Sniper.
Any inputs guys ?
 
I'm new to AG's but here's my opinion.....

I recently bought a Webley&Scott Patriot and liked the Hatsan made AG but went thru 2 due to quality control issues (see my post for more info).
I wanted to stay away from China AG's but ended up with a Stoeger x50 which I believe is made in the BAM factory. The BAM line is supposed to be the top tier maker of Chinese AG's (if that means much).

I don't know where Umarex sits in the food chain of Chinese AG makers but out of your 2 choices I would take a good look at the Hatsan 125. My experience hasn't completely turned me off the Turkish made AG's.
 
FUN!!! Target mostly , but if a cottontail just happens to hop into range...;)
I'd like the "ability " to take a rabbit , accurately , 50 + yd.
I'd like the "ability to target shoot at 100+ yd...and using pellets that are readily available .
I prefer breakbarrel , I like to keep a light loadout and is more practical to my needs.
Both the rifles are capable of what I'd like to see , and to add to the decision there's also different models of each
Umarex has a 3yr warranty and the Hatsan is one year, but the hatsan is so much nicer looking ! with a springer that can kick out nearly 30fpe.
 
That's asking a lot from a springer. Seems you get power OR accuracy regarding the ranges you suggest. I don't own a PCP, but sounds like that fits the bill (for a higher cost).
 
Timberlord said:
FUN!!! Target mostly , but if a cottontail just happens to hop into range...;)
I'd like the "ability " to take a rabbit , accurately , 50 + yd.
I'd like the "ability to target shoot at 100+ yd...and using pellets that are readily available .
I prefer breakbarrel , I like to keep a light loadout and is more practical to my needs.
Both the rifles are capable of what I'd like to see , and to add to the decision there's also different models of each
Umarex has a 3yr warranty and the Hatsan is one year, but the hatsan is so much nicer looking ! with a springer that can kick out nearly 30fpe.
Click to expand...

Hatsan has a 5 year warranty in Canada.
 
That's a deal cincher..5yr warranty
The more reviews I've seen I think it's going to be the Hatsan 125 Sniper springer .22
Reviews on the 125 with the Vortex gas system are good also but the springer edged past the Vortex in FPS and FPE even after a cold weather shooting. About the only con was the scope that comes with the 125...some say OK...some say nah...but I have 8 good scopes sitting in a drawer so no worries about that.
Both types of rifles where still shooting + or - 900fps with 14gr(ish) domed pellets with decent velocity consistency and really decent accuracy .
I think it's a really good looking , no guff , sending unit.
 
I'd like the "ability to target shoot at 100+ yd
Click to expand...

That's not a realistic expectation with either of those springers unless your target is a barn door. If you really want 50+ yd hunting accuracy and 100+ yd target accuracy from a springer you should be looking at either a Weihrauch HW80, 97, 98 or Air Arms TX200 or Prosport. Even then you're going to be hard pressed to shoot any decent groups at 100 yds.

If you want 100+ yard target accuracy out of a pellet rifle you need to consider a PCP and preferably .25 cal or even .30 cal. but get ready to spend some $$$.

Many before you have been down this road.........
 
axelr said:
That's not a realistic expectation with either of those springers unless your target is a barn door. If you really want 50+ yd hunting accuracy and 100+ yd target accuracy from a springer you should be looking at either a Weihrauch HW80, 97, 98 or Air Arms TX200 or Prosport. Even then you're going to be hard pressed to shoot any decent groups at 100 yds.

If you want 100+ yard target accuracy out of a pellet rifle you need to consider a PCP and preferably .25 cal or even .30 cal. but get ready to spend some $$$.

Many before you have been down this road.........
Click to expand...

That is excellent money-saving advice right there.
 
For $220 (Airgun Source Canada) you can get a.22 Ruger Air Magnum combo. It's a Chinese copy of the RWS 350 Magnum.
The packaged scope isn't a great fixed 4x power but will get you shooting. The Weaver/picatinny mount should be solid. You'll probably want to eventually upgrade to a variable scope with AO. Hawke & Leapers/UTG come to mind.

Like sillymike said....these Magnum AG's will eat up scopes not rated for Springers.
 
Very good point about scopes , thx , that will be good to know before I screw up a scope.
How would big bore rifle scopes do ?... I have some that have been on a 12ga slugger .. that's little bit of more recoil .
The other scopes have been on .303brit and 30.06 rifles. Scopes are anywhere from 2.5X to 24X.
I not really into anykind of optics for easy , up close targets, using the sights that are on the rifles will likely be used mostly ..at least for the first while.

"Fun "...that's the main objective here...
I'm not going to be shooting at any competition level of accuracy ..I'll use my Cooey M82 or the good ol' Swede M96 Mauser for that..lol.
100yd shots at old frying pans hanging off low hanging tree limbs , stuff like that . And yeah ..that's crankin' it but mostly it will be a targets where these 60yr old legs feel like walking too .( I find myself walking to those big bore 300yd targets instead of jogging as usual ...oh , to be 50 again ! :p )
So , it could also be at reactive targets like that certain clump of dirt out in the field ...or at the edge of a pond...Starlings ..English Sparrows ...the odd Cottontail.
Break barrel only ..no 'tanks.

Couple of Hatsan Sniper vids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRcdYbjxQLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRr_2zPPsw0

Umarex Octane vids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFSVRB2GNb4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sho9UX0cDJ8
 
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johNTO said:
For $220 (Airgun Source Canada) you can get a.22 Ruger Air Magnum combo. It's a Chinese copy of the RWS 350 Magnum.
The packaged scope isn't a great fixed 4x power but will get you shooting. The Weaver/picatinny mount should be solid. You'll probably want to eventually upgrade to a variable scope with AO. Hawke & Leapers/UTG come to mind.

Like sillymike said....these Magnum AG's will eat up scopes not rated for Springers.
Click to expand...

The Ruger airguns are made by Umarex in Germany...but who's to say there not using Chinese parts ...lol
Not a good review on the Ruger magnum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFHgu39MseU
 
Timberlord said:
Very good point about scopes , thx , that will be good to know before I screw up a scope.
How would big bore rifle scopes do ?... I have some that have been on a 12ga slugger .. that's little bit of more recoil .
The other scopes have been on .303brit and 30.06 rifles. Scopes are anywhere from 2.5X to 24X.

"Fun "...that's the main objective here...100yd shots at old frying pans hanging off tree limbs , stuff like that . And yeah ..that's crankin' it but mostly it will be a targets where these 60yr old legs feel like walking too .( I find myself walking to those big bore 300yd targets instead of jogging as usual ...oh , to be 50 again ! :p )
So , it could also be at reactive targets like that certain clump of dirt out in the field ..tennis balls are fun too.
Break barrel only ..no tanks.

Couple of Hatsan Sniper vids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRcdYbjxQLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRr_2zPPsw0

Umarex Octane vids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFSVRB2GNb4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sho9UX0cDJ8
Click to expand...
The recoil that a springer delivers is completely different than what a PB does.
Felt recoil to the shooter is much less,but the back then forward recoil delivered to the scope can be very destructive.
Scopes that have been successfully used on heavy recoiling rifles(.458,12ga mag slug) have been destroyed on a magnum spring rifle.
Even magnum airgun rated scopes have been wrecked on a 125.
 
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Thx for that info !
The forward thrust force would be a factor.
Another question comes to mind..
What would be a good scope - mildot OA scope that is built for mag airguns and reasonably priced , of course.
Crossbow scope ?
Chances are that I wont even mount a scope , but would be good to know.
 
Benjamin maximus is a entry level pcp that might be up your alley. Friend bought one this winter . I was impressed on how accurate it was. Should be no prob with grouse. Only down side you have to buy a pump for it and it could look kind of funny when your on the side of the road pumping up your gun up lol . But you get close to 20 shots out of one fill.
 
Thx DP...but no 'tanks...;)
I'd rather the break-barrel action .
The PCP really has it's advantages , but I like to keep the "load-out" light and convienient.
Besides ..When things get too technical for a 'ol redneck , a WTF-"Hey y'all watch this" moment happens
 
Sail had the Maximus bundled with a pump for a good price not long ago, $350 or $400 or something. However, I also couldn't push the button on it and decided to stick with springers. Their pumps are not that great and if it broke it would mean another $200 or so on a decent Hill pump so I passed.
 
Well ..if this is gonna be an addiction , like my powder burners , then I might just as well do it right .
I'm going to stay with my gut feeling and go for the Hatsan 125 Sniper springer in .22cal...and while my decisions are mixed , I just as well also get the Umarex Octane ReAxis piston in .177cal .
They both come with scopes and if they FU then I have no probs using the hard sights.
The gas pistons are new to me so hopefully it will be good.
 
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