Looking for a .22 Springer

[pacecars]

I think I have narrowed my choices to two .22 cal springers but need help deciding. It will be used for squireels and plinking. I am trying to stay around $200 since I just bought a CZ-527 and scope. I am looking at these combos:

Compasseco Tech Force Contender Series 89 Scope Combo for $210
Mike Melick Tuned B-25 with 3x9x40 scope for $200

Any opinions?

[JimL911]

I would get the B-25. Parts are easy to get and they are easy to work on. I love my Air Hawk and if the .22 B-25 would have been available I would have picked one over my .22 Panther.

[longislandhunter]

Go with the B-25.   Not that the TF-89 isn't a nice gun, it is, but a B-25 tuned by Mike definitely is the one to pick......



Jeff

[larspawn]

I concur with the B25 recommendation.  I have the same setup.  The scope is actually quite nice.  Really clear and bright.  Mine has broken in nicely after about 1,000 pellets.  Yes, it would be that much better with MM's tune.  He is a magician and great all around guy.  You can't go wrong with one of his tunes.  

So mine shoots right around 740 fps with typical 10.4 pellets like Superdomes (loves them) or Crosman Hunting Domes.  This is plenty for hunting and still manageable for plinking.  I'm going to guess the TF89 is like cocking a RWS350.  Let me tell you that if you are hunting it is fine because of the few shots you will use.  If you are plinking you will grow weary of the energy expended over a shooting session with this rifle.  Yes they have laser checkering (I think the TF does) and the B25 is plain but quite honestly I don't like checkering anyway.

B26 has a nicer trigger IMHO and one tuned by Mike is also a thing of beauty.  Lower power than the B25 though.  I think a B26 is a bit pricier than the B25.  

My two cents but honestly if you are getting a tuned springer anything that Mike touches will be a joy to shoot!

Andy Wong aka larspawn

[lillysdad621]

yeah... not trying out a B26 will be like shooting yourself in the foot. Yes, the b25 hits a bit harder... but a nicely broken in B26 is accurately as hell, and that will give you more kills than power...

[pacecars]

I like the B26 but I didn't include it since he doesn't have any .22s

[lillysdad621]

try cobra airguns, i am pretty sure i saw a bunch of b26-2 in .22...

[EdNunya]

Go for a B25 from Mike...You won't be sorry..

73
Semper Fi
Ed

[Jaymo]

Well, if the Chicom copy of the Rekord trigger is a well-executed copy, then the B26 will be a joy to shoot. My R9 has the sweetest sporter trigger I've ever shot. I wish the Timney trigger on my Mauser was as nice.
I own both Shanghai Air Guns (Industry Brand) and Xisico (BAM) airguns and think that the BAM made models are nicer than the SAG.  Neither the R9 nor the Diana 34 are lacking anything in the world of springer hunting. Not power, not accuracy, not trigger.

I'm not taking anything away from the TF89. They're nice and I want one, but if you're going to copy someone, Weihrauch and Diana (in that order) are 2 really good choices.

[larspawn]

Pacecars,

Checke with Howie1a he had another MM B26-2 in Tyrolean stock for $185.  I bought one from him that is a real looker and shooter.

Andy Wong aka larspawn

[tcaduto]

+1 for the B25

I recently picked up the synthetic stock version and it's sweet.
oh, the trigger on it is excellent, better out of the box than a b26.

[thebookdoc]

I am a sucker for the TF89 in .22...and have one in .177. I bought one for my brother. I'm customizing another TF89 .22. I think it is an awesome gun! Have yet to chrony the .22, but the .177 is shooting 830fps with 10.5gr, and around 940 in 7.9gr, and I get one-hole groups at 10 yards.

I can't compare to the B-25, but would imagine you are looking at some fairly similar ends.

The TF89 is $134 right now and that means you are paying about $75 for a scope? What scope are you getting?

[pacecars]

I made up my mind to go a little differently than the original plan. First thanks to everyone for their input. I ordered a tuned B26 in .177 caliber set up like the B25 combo I was looking at. I figure the .177 is fine for the ranges I shoot squirrels at and would be good for plinking. Maybe one day an R9 .20 cal barrel will show up and I could have the best of both worlds!

[Jaymo]

My R9 .177 does very well as a squirrel getter. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[Gene_SC]

I must say that there is a big difference in a B-25 - Ruger AirHawk, when comparing them with a TF-89... You might as well compare a Gamo Shadow with a RWS 350...

The B-25 - Ruger AirHawk develops around 725 fps at best in .22, using 15.4gn pelletswhere the TF-89 .22 will be pushing over 800 fps with the same pellet.

Where is the comparisom??? I sure do not see it..

In fact I would buy a TF-89 .22 anyday over the RWS 350 .22 simply because of the price. Same as the B-28. I would buy a B-28 any day over a RWS-340 .22