Best springer for a new shooter?

[patton123]

Beeman R7.....can't believe it wasn't mentioned.

This should of been my first springer gun. It sets the bar on how guns should be made and shoot.

Who else shoots Beeman's on this forum?

[RedFeather]

(Get the blue one......that's the secret......blue is better.......)

Seriously, I don't think you are going to get anyone to recommend a Crosman gas ram, or any other springer, aside from the 34 fans. You've set some serious specs, coming as you have from PCP's. The guns mentioned so far are pretty much sporters. Yes, most are capable of small groups at forty yards but they also require some tuning to get there. You might consider a 34 with the Vortek drop in kit, although it needs some tweaking on top of that (deburr, maybe screw cups, a large pellet assortment, etc). As to the Bronco, I think - no, I know you will be disappointed. The sights, alone, are very basic, too much so for longer range work, and it is low powered. The R9 has a good trigger to start with. I don't know if the 34's incorporating the T06 triggers are on the racks yet. HW is always another option. Lots of guys shoot the 77's in FT, but they aren't cheap.

Let's back up a bit. Who is the new shooter? Obviously, not you. Is it a kid or an adult? If adult, how demanding will they be? It isn't always about tiny groups. Take archery, for instance. There are target bows and field bows. One is much more accurate than the other, but a good field bow, within its element, is just as enjoyable to many archers. Same thing with springers. Guess we need to know more about who will be shooting and the dollar range. If you want to go with a Gamo, consider one of the CFX's, maybe synthetic stocked, that are going for way less than they used to. A good home tune and $30 trigger and you will have an accurate, easy shooting gun out to fifty yards or more. They don't weigh a ton and are fairly easy to cock for the power level. Plus you can hunt with them, if you so choose.

As to the Blog reviews, I take them with a Siberian salt mine. Those boys never met a gun they didn't like. Half of them read like infomercials. Stick with the guys and gals on this and other forums for real world, in-the-field reporting. If someone blows smoke, there's always two or three who will turn on the fans. :emoticon:  

[Mark 611]

First off what kinda money are you looking to spend? but for a first gun the 34 is a good one!

[TCups]

If were going to shoot for best groups at 40 yards with a springer, off-hand or off a front rest, then, hands down:  Slavia CZ 634 .177, if you can find one.  Hammer forged steel barrel.  Low-to-medium power springer.  Target-style stock.  Locking breech.

TX-200 another worth considering.  Highly regarded by field trial shooters, but I have never owned or shot one much.  Beeman R7, R9 Goldfinger -- honorable mention.

[ray1377]

Somewhere in the $200 to $300 dollar price range.
And believe it or not, the gun "would" be for me.
I know I'm not a "new" shooter, but might as well be if I have to learn how to shoot a springer.
Maybe I should have worded the question different.
Maybe something like, most forgiving springer for around $250.
Like I said, maybe I'm asking too much from something.
I would like to think that I could get good tight groups with a springer given enough practice.
But I would like to start with a springer thats able to get the job done.
I love to hunt squirrels and such, so a magnum high powered springer would be nice, but if its gonna be
a bear to shoot and master, then it sorta seems pointless doesn't it?
I guess I just get all hyped up when I read in the hunting section where Jeff and all the fellows are taking coons, and varmints with their
springers and I want to be able to do the same.
Hope this makes sense.
Sorry for the confusion.
Thanks
Ray

[djmyers]

I like my springers. They are very accurate after you master the artillary hold. I hit a practice golf ball at 65 yards this last weekend with my 350. I have a gamo hunter with nitro piston and grt trigger. It is pinpoint accurate out to 45 yards. I spent about 375 gatting it to where it is and for that money you can get a a very nice already tuned rws rifle with the pg2 kit installed. My rws is the nicest bone stock shooter. Holds almost the same accuracy as my Gamo hunter with more power. If I had it to do over again I would have went with the Already tuned RWS from vortec. Dont get me wrong, I love that hunter but bang for the buck and if your not in the mood to do any upgrades yourself, go with the pretuned. I have attached the link incase you want to see them


http://www.vortekproducts.com/airgun_packages

[Meann-Machine]

Ray,

 I think a little bit of what you ask depends on what you have to spend. In ascending order vis-s-vis the expenditure of funds I would reccomend:

1. a B-26

2. a RWS34 or a B-40

3. a Beeman R-9

4. a TX-200 or RWS-54

5. a Theoben Sirocco or SLR-98

Any one of those guns would be easy to start with and could become hard to part with.

[grackledown]

I bought my first air rifle, a Crosman Quest, just 2 years ago. Having nothing to compare it to I didn't realize what a POS it was until I bought my second air rifle, an RWS 34 Panther in .22 caliber. Excellent right out of the box, extraordinary after a good tune. The stock is synthetic so you don't have to worry about getting dings or scratches and makes it a real work horse of an air rifle. The weight is moderate at 7.75 lbs. and so is the cocking effort. The accuracy is incredibly consistent without being very hold sensitive. At twenty yards 1/4 inch groups are fairly common and I recently shot a couple of 1/8 inch groups for the first time. And I don't consider myself to be a particularly good shot (I'm still trying to master my RWS 350 after over a year). Today was the first day of grackle hunting season for me. Five instant kills at distances of 10-25 yards, 2 from my bench rest and 3 off hand (they were up in the trees). It is an excellent rifle for humanely dispatching small game out to at least 30 yards. For under $300 it can be puchased with enough left over for a decent scope and mount.

[ac12basis]

Max accuracy will be out of a low or low-medium powered spring rifle.  The lower the power the less spring vibration the better the accuracy.  Tuning the AR will reduce vibration of a high or medium powered AR, but the same tuning will have even less vibration on a low powered AR.  Given that it is your first spring AR, I would recommend a  low or at most medium powered AR, the learning curve will be easier for you.  I would save the "power shots" for your PCP/CA rifle or your second spring rifle.

As you said, what good is a "magnum" air rifle...it you can't hit your target.

[48 Shooter]

Well considering that your budget is around $300, I'd save a few more $$$ and go for a tuned springer with a fixed barrel, meaning not a break barrel. I can shoot my 48 all day long holding it the same way that I hold my Rem.788 in .222 or my CZ in .22hornet. I've never had to use the artillery hold for it ever.

Now my R-1 and my Xocet are completely different. I had to find their preference in order for them to shoot accurately. Another good choice would be, as mentioned, an R7. But make sure to have it tuned, otherwise your looking at problems with it down the line.

Whatever you choose, good luck!

Daniel

[48 Shooter]

daveshoot - 4/20/2010  2:21 PM



I am stalking the Remington NPSS at the moment,

You and me both, although I am considering a used Crosman Nitro in .22.

Sorry for the Hijack!

Daniel

[RedFeather]

Have some patience and look at the classifieds. I was lucky enough to find a fully tuned 34 here for under $200. And I also picked up a tuned B40 for less than that. Not typical, but they are out there. Often times, an owner will have a gun tuned (or do a decent do it yourself from a JM kit) and then get to Jonesing for a PCP. Off goes the springer, usually well under what he has in it. FWIW, you will rarely ever recoup the price of a tune unless it's by someone like Paul Watts. (His add value to the gun because he often does a lot of extra custom work.) I see tuned guns, all very good for a first time shooter, all the time on the Yellow and here. Just don't get a hole burning in your pocket and something will turn up.

[daveshoot]

Well darn, you just missed an RWS94 Cometa on the yellow classifieds with new uninstalled JM seal and springs for $150. Now, that would have been a contender.

The R7 would be an excellent choice for some of us, but new they are a little spendy for the power with no optics. If a goal is hunting, they are a little light in power output, even though they can do the job with their marvelous behavior and accuracy. They are a true gentleman's air rifle and can show teeth to small game. I have a Hawke 2x7 on ours and it is a very sweet combination.

I think that 2x7 AirMax is overlooked, and more than enough magnification on a low-medium powered25m hunter. Keeps the weight down and adjustments simple.

For a hunter, witha Beemanbudget, I would go to the R9. Hence, the many B26 recommendations, since it is a really good R9 clone at very considerable savings. You could spend thebalance on glass.

Put the RWS94 on your radar. That one was a reasonably good deal. I have two already,and I'm glad that provocation is gone.

[Zzyzx]

On the RWS 34 Vortek rifles for light hunting. Birds and small pest animals... .177 or .22 Calibre? To be shot in farm fields but also in a small town for blackbirds around the yard.

[patton123]

The Beeman R7 is Swwwweeeet. A little spendy....NOT!!! It's a gun you will treasure over a lifetime, then pass it on down to other family members. Don't fall in the trap buying a bunch of clone guns to save a few pennies. Buy right and cry once.

This hobby is CHEAP compared to other hobbies . If not the R7 make it the R9.

Good luck.