Air Arms TX200 MkIII vs. Air Arms TX200 HC in .22 cal.

[grackledown]

Besides having a longer cocking arm and therefore easier to cock (29 lbs. vs. 34 lbs.), why choose an MKIII over an HC?  I'm leaning towards the HC because it's lighter and shorter than the MkIII. Does the MKIII have better accuracy? Also, is it true that the walnut stock version is lighter than the beech version with both models?  I intend to use it for both target shooting and hunting.

[TexasShooter72]

I've shot both versions and both were privately tuned.  Depending on application of use I prefer the HC in that its more maneuverable in the field.  As for the walnut being lighter this I can't vouch for simply because I never paid much attention!  The wood coming out of AA namely, the walnut is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!  I've got it stuck in my head that I'd never take a walnut stock out in the field.  For this I would purchase the beech stock.  I dunno, something about scuffing up such beauteous wood when prowling the outdoors just doesn't sit well with me.  I'm thinking that by proxy the beech is going to be a lighter gun.  User preference I guess.  The rest is up to you!   :p

[Gene_SC]

Gerry, I love carbines and purchased a HW 97 HC last year along with a TX 200 and Pro Sport. You will defietly love the HW 97 HC. I de-tuned my HW down to around 850 fps by using an JM old R-9 spring. Cocking effort went down and shot cycle smoothed out a bit. I do not hunt so so at that fps I can shoot all my metal and paper targets out to 60 yards with no problem. Maybe one dot hold over on my Hawk scope. The HW 97 HC is one of my very favorite shooters to play with..

[rr_shooter]

Having never disassembled my Mark III to the point of removing the barrel, I can't be 100% certain, but...

I've heard that the actual barrel on the TX200 is very short (something on the order of 10" - 12"). What you see as the barrel is actually a shroud. I would presume the same short barrel is used on both the HC and the Mark III. If so, there should be no accuracy difference between the two.

The HC is lighter, but it's still going to be around 10 lbs. once you scope it. It's a load to carry all day. As far as manueverability, my Mark III is several inches shorter than my RWS 36 that I used to take to the field, so I have no complaints.

I got the walnut on mine, for two reasons: One, as mentioned earlier, AA puts some gorgeous walnut on their guns; two, if I'm spending this much on a gun, another $50 bucks (at the time) seemed like a small investment to get something of which I would be proud to own. I've heard that walnut is lighter than beech, but can't verify that on this gun. Again, given the overall weight, I don't know that you would notice the difference.

In the end, I got the Mark III because I preferred the aesthetics over the HC - obviously a personal preference. Whichever you choose, you can't go wrong!

[Gene_SC]

Yes the HW 97, TX-200 and the AA ProSport have like you said about a 10" barrel if even that much..  My BSA Lightning XL has a very short barrel as well along with my BSA Ultra Carbine.

[jberenyi]

grackledown - 4/5/2010 11:16 PM Besides having a longer cocking arm and therefore easier to cock (29 lbs. vs. 34 lbs.), why choose an MKIII over an HC? I'm leaning towards the HC because it's lighter and shorter than the MkIII. Does the MKIII have better accuracy? Also, is it true that the walnut stock version is lighter than the beech version with both models? I intend to use it for both target shooting and hunting.

I've owned both the TX200 and TX200HC's in beech and walnut. I've weighed them both. The walnut stocks are typically 4 ounces lighter. The shorter barrel saves you anadditional 5-6 oz. All in all, my TX200HC was a 1/2 lb lighter. Yes, I can be a weight weenie at times but what I really like about the HC version is the balance and ease of getting around. Both are just as accurate and I will stack mycustom tuned HC against anyone's TX200. She's doing a 1.79 standard deviation and I can truly stack pellets with her. She's also a tad bit louder than the longer barrel version but who cares in the field. Once you buy a TX200HC in walnut you will never look back at the longer version...I didn't and I'm as picky as they come. I can hunt longer and I can get around better plus my groups are better due to balance. Just do it...get the HC and be happy!