Best all around .22 caliber springer for hunting out to 40 yrds?

[gregebby]

All,

If you had to purchase (once) a .22 caliber springer for hunting squirrels & crows out to 40 yards, what would you buy? Cost not a factor.

Thanks Greg.

[rocker1]

one of the benji trails xl1100 or xl1500 both have plenty of power  i don't think you would go wrong  just replace the triggers with the grt trigger.   .......... thanks david

[ezman604]

I second that. Benji Trail NP XL1500 for sure and will tell you about the XL1100 in a few days. Testing shortly. But the XL1500 generated (bone stock from the box) 23.4fpe using CPUM 10.5 gr ammo. And is a nail driver at 40 yards. I made some shots and was surprised to see a flat trajectory out to 100 yards. No Mil-dot leading.

Happy Shooting!!!!

Dave

[shadow]

I've heard that the XL is a great shooter from several hunt family here but I sure like my Extreme Royal 1250.22. Ed

[patton123]

Alot of people here are shooting the latest Benjamin rifles. I have a RWS 350 that does real well.

[longislandhunter]

My .22 Trail XL 1100 is hard to beat for a small to medium sized game rifle,  I'd have to choose her  

You can keep it cocked all day, has more than enough power to nail nutters (which we all know are tough animals) out to 40 yards consistently and cleanly, already comes with a nice sling/swivel setup and a great, comfortable T/H stock.......   all for a nice price.  Just doesn't get any better.  

Jeff

[Zzyzx]

Interesting most replies are in favor of their newest toy.

RWS, Weihrauch, Theoben, and so many other fine spring powered rifles are still shooting well after 20+ years. Will the new toys last that long?
A lot to be said about time proven designs and models. Maybe not as snazzy as the latest toy but reliability over the years is much better in my view than
a new toy yet unproven.

[atchman2]

For going cheap, I'd say a TF 89. Mine is a great hunting gun.  For more, I'd say a RWS 350, it is such a nice gun but honestly I think it needs to be tuned to get the most out of it.  One of the new Trails has HIGH appeal to me.  If I had the money right now, I'd get a Trail XL in a heartbeat!

[Progun]

Cost not a factor?? Only going to buy it once and hunt small game in .22caliber?? With those parameters I'd lean toward a gas rammed Theoben. Either a Crow Magnum/Eliminator or RX-2 or HW 90 or a UK Webley Patriot/Beeman Kodiak in .22. I'm not knocking the other suggestions you've heard as they are all capable hunters but if cost is not a factor then by all means get top shelf. Nobody will argue that the Benjamins, and RWS rifles and Gamo's are in any way BETTER than the models I've listed for you. The truth is you don't have to buy the best to get a capable .22 springer for squirrels and such but for long term durability and pride of ownership it would be hard to beat the gas rammed models above.Plenty of power and accuracy in this group.

[kiwi]

Easy if costs not a factor...
Theoben SLR.... underlever springer with a 7 shot mag...
.22   18fpe...
A  underlever thats faster & easyer than a brake barrel to cock & load...
The only reasion I don't have one is the $2,300NZ prise tag...

Pete

[Mark 611]

HW97! or HW80 or  a RWS460mag or 54 or 48 all exelent choices. I've taken crows and other game easily at 40yds with my HW95 in .22cal and it only shoots 635fps!

[jwh2]

gregebby - 6/17/2010  4:45 PM
f you had to purchase (once) a .22 caliber springer for hunting squirrels & crows out to 40 yards, what would you buy? Cost not a factor.
Thanks Greg.

An R1 or an HW80 would be hard to beat. Well made classics that can be enjoyed for years to come.

[ezman604]

Greg, this is a good thread and thanks for starting it. Unfortunately, MOST of us live in a world where cost is as BIG factor in our hobbies.

I still stand by my recommendation of the XL1500 and it appears several also agree the gas ram (nitrogen piston) is the way to go instead of springer. I've never handled or even seen some of the mentioned AGs so it spurred my interest enough to look for info on some of them. All of these mentioned are nice looking pieces. Thought some of you might enjoy seeing what some of them look like, just in case.

[airiscool]

One more vote for the Benji Trail XL1100.

Paul.

[tjk]

Beeman RX2 or an HW90 if cost isn't an issue. Very accurate and will give you excellent results well passed the 40 yard mark. tjk