Best springer for a new shooter?

[ray1377]

I tried a Beeman RS2 once before and the best I could do was maybe hit a half dollar at 20 yds.
Which for me is not acceptable.
Having 2 pcp's and a bunch of 1377 pumpers I'm used to getting dime size groups at 40+ yds.
Is there any need in even trying a springer again?
I saw where an RWS 54 AirKing has a built in slide system to absorb some of the recoil.
But man they are pricey.
What about Gamo?
I've heard some swear by them and some swear at them!!! ha ha ha
Maybe I should just stick to PCP's
Thanks Ray

[airiscool]

Being in pcp's and pumpers that can do dime-sized groups at 40+ yards, you may find equaling that with springers  to be very frustrating. Not saying it isn't do-able, just that it's not as easy. Took me the better part of the past year to get past the frustration that my springers can only do at 25-30 yards what I take for granted from some of my rimfires and powder burners at 100 yards.

If you go with a Gamo you'll need to replace the trigger and I'd only consider one with the metal trigger. The newer plastic triggers are not replaceable with a Tuna trigger.

Paul.

[shadow]

Check into the B26's in ether cal buddy. Great for target or hunting. Ed

[ray1377]

What about the new crosman and benjamin nitro piston guns?
I've heard that they don't have the torque of the spring guns.
Ray

[KAZ]

I came to the same decision. I'm a 22 rimfire benchrest shooter and wanted to do some shooting in my backyard in between going to the range. I believe that the difference in spending $300 and $500 is dramatic. Take a look at the Air Arms TX200 series. I wound up with a ProSport, but am convinced that the TX200 would have worked just as well. In both rifles you can save by going with a beech stock as opposed to a walnut. These both have the same power plant/trigger and are both easily maintained by the user without requiring a spring compressor. Fit and finish on mine was outstanding. They are smooth cocker's/shooters with sweet triggers. They are designed for scope mounting and the 11mm grooves are thick and solid. Anyway, after zeroing my scope it was shooting tiny groups and allowing me to get in some practice in my backyard. I also noticed that if these AA TX200/PS rifles show up in the classified they are gone in minutes. I bought mine from a supplier that will allow me to return it within 30 days and only be out the shipping. Mine is not going anywhere! Have fun with your search! Regards

[longislandhunter]

How about that "Air Venturi Bronco" that P.A. is selling.... supposed to have a good trigger, good open sights, low recoil, and it was designed with the "new" springer shooter in mind.....  I know it's a lower powered rifle but to get started in springers it might be just the ticket.  I've been thinking of getting one myself as a lower powered back yard plinker.   Just figured I'd throw it out there.  

I'd steer away from the GAMO line, unless perhaps it's one of the "older" models that can accepts the GRT trigger.  

If you weren't interested in the "Bronco" I'd say go with Eds suggestion and get yourself a B-26 from MM.  They are great rifles for both target and hunting and just overall really nice guns.... after all,,,, it's an R-9 clone  

As for the new Trail and NPSS rifles, you are correct, they do not have any of the torque or vibration that the springers have....  I find them much easier to to shoot accurately.

Jeff

[ac12basis]

As was mentioned, the PCP and pumpers have essentially no recoil, whereas the spring rifles will have recoil from the mass of the piston and spring moving.  So the rifle will inherently be harder to shoot more accurately.  
If the RS2 is "twangy" with a fair amount of vibration and twisting recoil, you might consider getting it tuned.  That will make it easier to shoot more accurately.
Also do a search on shooting accurately with a spring rifle.  There are many posts on how to hold/shoot a spring rifle for more accuracy.  All of them boil down to you learning a technique to shoot the spring rifles, and like any new technique, there will be a learning curve.

[ray1377]

Sorry, but I have since sold the Beeman to another member.
And yes, I read "everything" I could find on how to shoot a springer.
I think I tried just about everything.
Don't get me wrong, I could hit with it.
Just not as well as I would have liked.
I could hit coke cans at say 30+ yds.
But I'd rather be able to put the pellet down the opening on the top of the coke can instead of just hitting the side of it.
I may be asking too much from a springer, but I think not from reading some of the posts here.
I watched an episode of American Airgunner last season and they had a guy who shot shillouette targets out to nearly 50 yds with a NPSS Crosman springer and those targets were "TINY".
And he never missed a one of them.
And all his shots were made with him standing up and not resting the rifle on anything.
If  I remember correctly, his gun was painted a really nice shade of blue.
The main reason I would even consider springers again is the simplicity of them.
No pump to keep up with, no shot count to have to worry with, just a good rifle and a tin of pellets is all you need.
Thanks
Ray

[tjk]

Best springer for a new shooter? I'd skip the big box stuff and either get a clone from Mike Melick,...or just get a Diana 34 and be done with it!!! Tuned, the 34 has a mild shot cycle with minimal recoil for a springer.  I'd opt for .22 cal , tjk

[gmh45345]

I second the RWS Mod.34 and with the new TO6 trigger it should be better.
Gary

[ray1377]

I really would have thought I would have more people chime in on the new gas piston guns from crosman and benjamin.
Ray

[geewhiz380]

There r so many to chose from .This addiction begings with one then another so u have an opportunity to chose wisely like a reminton npss ,accureatcy,level of noise is low ,power,its affordable ,lastly many people here will guild you with any problem u might have with it .I,m into clones and i loved them since i got my b26 in a 177 cal i just love them cause they come close to the original and yes if u get it from mike melick at flying dragons u wont be dissapointed as a matter of fact u will be impressed as i was last week with my b40.22 now im hooked and i have rws german ,spanish,american,but to me there is nothing like getting a airrifle that fits my needs and pocket ,so take some time and think about it but i would pick a b26 like someone mentioned up above or the remington ,ray1377 i know u will make the right decision cause u do have some nice shooters and u r experinced ,the rws 54 r nice no recoil but pricey like u said but very accurate i see u like the american made airrifles ,so a remington npss or benji trail xl1100 woul be nice .my 2 cents worth. God Bless Us All ....jorge lopez....

[daveshoot]

I am stalking the Remington NPSS at the moment, so I can't give you firsthand experience. Seems to fit your requirement and presumed budget.

On traditional springers, I will say that I have at least3 that are very easy to shoot. They aren't match grade powder burners or PCPs, but the RWS34, the Cometa Fenix, and the B26 are all very shootable (after minimum prep). Maybe because archery prepared me for some attention to hold and follow-through, I just didn't find shooting this category of springer all that challenging. I might add the BSA Lightning to the list, although she's a little more finicky, I don't know....

Some of my other family members are not as well behaved.

[Magnum]

I would have to say a tuned diana 34  in .22 or .177 up to 40yds is really hard to beat and in addition to that I think a Beeman R-9 is a good contender for you:) I also have a 52 and a 54 both will make a 15 shot dime size hole at 35yds but they are heavy and normally I dont carry them off into the forest for a long trek. I am a springer man at heart, I think because of challenge and really have to learn to hold and  know the gun, I find that is part of the fun for me .. even tho  my PCP are  not really as hold sensitive, more aim, shoot,hit  I guess I just like the idea of a spring AG and  pellets:)

[ray1377]

I just watched the video on PA of Paul Capello doing the Remington NPSS test and it was very nice.
Not as powerful as some, but easy to cock, and quiet.
Ray