I have been thinking about getting an air rifle for some time now. The rifle will be used for target shooting and some hunting out to 50 yards. I am leaning towards the springer instead of the pcp because of the problems of refilling the tank. There is no shop within an hour driving to get a scuba tank filled up and I don't want to use the pump. I have been looking at the Air Arms TX200 and Air Arms Pro Sport. My dad has a .22 Marauder. Will these rifles be able to hang with the Marauder on accuracy? Is the Air Arms the way to go for a quality spring rifle or should I be looking somewhere else? Is this rifle going to be hold sensitive?
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Quality Spring Air Rifle in .22 Caliber
- Thread starter Nosler243Shooter
- Start date
i got a stoeger x20s in .22 and so far i have been pleased with it and its super quiet for neighborhood shooting(in the back yard)
The TX200 is a pretty good all around springer,
I decided on an RWS 54 .22 instead, more for range and bench use.
A bit heavy to carry and shoot off hand for hunting, but the accuracy is surprising.
Make sure that if you scope a springer, the scope is rated for extreme recoil,
or has a no questions asked, warranty. My RWS 54 has earned the moniker "Scope Eater."
I agree with you, Nosler, an hour drive to refill a tank isn't worth it.
A side lever springer that doesn't require recharging and 500 rounds of ammo
for about 10 bucks is a way to keep a mornings shooting inexpensive.
A quality springer pays for itself in ammo savings.
The T06 trigger on my AirKing, is better than the trigger on my CZ 455 American.
I decided on an RWS 54 .22 instead, more for range and bench use.
A bit heavy to carry and shoot off hand for hunting, but the accuracy is surprising.
Make sure that if you scope a springer, the scope is rated for extreme recoil,
or has a no questions asked, warranty. My RWS 54 has earned the moniker "Scope Eater."
I agree with you, Nosler, an hour drive to refill a tank isn't worth it.
A side lever springer that doesn't require recharging and 500 rounds of ammo
for about 10 bucks is a way to keep a mornings shooting inexpensive.
A quality springer pays for itself in ammo savings.
The T06 trigger on my AirKing, is better than the trigger on my CZ 455 American.
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The 54 and TX 200 are really nice rifles. I don't own either yet. I have several break barrels that I shoot - RWS 94, B28 and TF89. The B28 is a real hammer. It pushes a .22 CP at over 950 fps. The 94 and 89 are .177 caliber.
IMO the TX200 is better suited for 177.
What about buying a hand pump and a PCP?
IMO A PCP rifle is kind of like nitrous for a car. At the most inopportune time you run out. They are certainly easier to shoot. OTOH the TX 200 in .177 has almost no recoil or vibration.
I was obviously tired when I attempted to answer your questions, LOL, sorry about that.
My TX200 will shoot .6" vertical at 50Y. It's "the" go-to springer for Field Target. Most are 13-14 ftlbs so they'll blow in the wind a little more than your dad's Marauder.
All springers are hold sensitive.
RWS/Diana has the new 56TH. That might be fun to try.
Steve, is the TX200 as hold sensitive as other springers? I looked at the 56TH. Too expensive for my tastes. I have seen on another Forum where everyone gets their springers "tuned". I wonder if that is really needed or is it a me too thing. Something that does not add up is one buys a pretty expensive TX200 and then has it tuned. Are they that awful out of the box? I have no problem busting crows off my deck with my untuned springers. I don't even use the famous "artillery hold".
Check out the post here.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/s4-sniper%92s-hide%AE-equipment/204580-pellet-rifle.html
I got one of the Kodiak's and the thing seems to be good to go. I have not had any problem with it. I havn't tried the .22 barrel out yet. Exo states the .22 barrel on his shoots lights out.
Ken
PS not a bad price point for a rifle with both .177 & .22 cal.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/s4-sniper%92s-hide%AE-equipment/204580-pellet-rifle.html
I got one of the Kodiak's and the thing seems to be good to go. I have not had any problem with it. I havn't tried the .22 barrel out yet. Exo states the .22 barrel on his shoots lights out.
Ken
PS not a bad price point for a rifle with both .177 & .22 cal.
I have a certain accuracy requirement because I need it for FT matches. That is where hold sensitivity becomes more apparent while trying to hit a tiny kill zone. 98% of my misses out of the kill zone still would of dropped small game DRT.
I'm definitely not versed in springer tuning. I'm sure it helps but there will always be the violent forward motion of the piston slamming forward to deal with. Getting the pellet to exit the barrel when pointed in the right direction every time is the trick. Sometimes we put our targets up in trees or down in gullies. Those are the shots that screw me up with my springer. The weight of the rifle being biased forward or rearward throws off the shot, plus I'm in a compromised position and off balance myself.
I bought my TX used and don't know whether the internals were tuned or not. For hunting I think you'd be fine though.
I don't really use the artillery hold, I try to hold the rifle the same way every time though.
The RWS 54 is decent out of the box.
Accuracy depends on quality and shape of the pellets used.
I tested with the Benjamin sample pack at 20 yards. (max distance in my backyard)
Typical bench setup
Target results at 20 yards, out of the box
Accuracy depends on quality and shape of the pellets used.
I tested with the Benjamin sample pack at 20 yards. (max distance in my backyard)
Typical bench setup
Target results at 20 yards, out of the box
After going all the way up to a Beeman R1, I have settled into using an HW50S and an R7 almost exclusively. I think for target shooting in the back yard, you can't beat the R7. It is light and portable, and the recoil is so negligible that you can really shoot some tight groups with it. A real pleasure to shoot. It will waylay pigeons and such with headshots. I have found it to be more of a squirrel wounder than a squirrel killer. It will kill squirrels, to be sure, but you pretty much have to be a wizard to do it consistently. The good part is that it is so accurate that it actually gives you the chance to shoot like a wizard.
The HW50s is also a very accurate gun, although it is more noisy. I have knocked down a number of squirrels with it, although they sometimes require a finisher.
The R1 will send pellets all the way through squirrels, but it is much more challenging to shoot accurately and makes a lot more noise. Even using a Hawke airgun-rated scope, my R1 has a wandering POI. It loosens the all of the screws in the rifle as you shoot it, and when you loctite all of the screws down, it breaks the loctite. and it's heavy.
So anyway, that's the story of why I like the light springers instead of the magnums. YMMV. Some folks think an R7 is boring.
I don't have personal experience with the TX200, but my understanding is that it's a good one. The power level is somewhat between my Hw50s and the R1. Probably better suited to a .177 than a .22, as mentioned above. It is a heavy gun, though, so that helps some with the recoil management. Also makes it more of a bear to carry anywhere.
The HW50s is also a very accurate gun, although it is more noisy. I have knocked down a number of squirrels with it, although they sometimes require a finisher.
The R1 will send pellets all the way through squirrels, but it is much more challenging to shoot accurately and makes a lot more noise. Even using a Hawke airgun-rated scope, my R1 has a wandering POI. It loosens the all of the screws in the rifle as you shoot it, and when you loctite all of the screws down, it breaks the loctite. and it's heavy.
So anyway, that's the story of why I like the light springers instead of the magnums. YMMV. Some folks think an R7 is boring.
I don't have personal experience with the TX200, but my understanding is that it's a good one. The power level is somewhat between my Hw50s and the R1. Probably better suited to a .177 than a .22, as mentioned above. It is a heavy gun, though, so that helps some with the recoil management. Also makes it more of a bear to carry anywhere.
Thanks for the replies. A friend is going to let me borrow his RWS 34. I know it is nothing like the Air arms but hopefully it will get me an understanding of springer rifle recoil. If I don't like it I will not be paying 700.00 for a more expensive model. Why will the tx200 not be good in .22?
Also, on my dad's Marauder, we have been using the hand pump. By the time I pump it up I don't really enjoy shooting it anymore. I just wanted a rifle that I could get out in the yard or hunt with it and never have to worry about having an air source.
Also, on my dad's Marauder, we have been using the hand pump. By the time I pump it up I don't really enjoy shooting it anymore. I just wanted a rifle that I could get out in the yard or hunt with it and never have to worry about having an air source.
The TX200 will be plenty accurate and have more knockdown power but the trajectory will be loopy because of the heavier 22 cal pellets. Just guessing but likely in the high 600's low 700's fps with the 14-15 grainers.
I'm at 840 fps with my TX shooting 8.44's.
I had a Beeman Crow Mag once in 5mm/20 ftlbs. It would always shake the screws loose too, even though I'd locltite them. I don't think I ever picked that rifle up the next time I shot it without having to re zero.
The only springers I have are the TX200 and FWB300, a fixed barrel is the way to go!
Another solution, although expensive, is to buy a Shoe box compressor. Home << ShoeBox Compressors - The World's Smallest & Lightest 4500 PSI Compressor
None of my rifles are "twangy". I had a Gamo Big Cat once that was terrible. It twanged and vibrated. My B28 does have a pretty good kick. The TF 89 is pretty darn smooth right out of the box as is my RWS 94. I think when I see posts on the big air rifle forum that a lot of people are getting their rifles tuned so they can join the "popular crowd".
I may just get the TX200 one day just to see how it compares with my other air rifles.
Almost forgot - both my 94 and 89 love the 10.65 gr Baracuda pellets. If one believes what you read on the GTA forum then I am flirting with danger. Most say a heavy pellet will break your spring. Hmmm, I have been shooting heavy .177 pellets for years.
I may just get the TX200 one day just to see how it compares with my other air rifles.
Almost forgot - both my 94 and 89 love the 10.65 gr Baracuda pellets. If one believes what you read on the GTA forum then I am flirting with danger. Most say a heavy pellet will break your spring. Hmmm, I have been shooting heavy .177 pellets for years.
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My friend let me borrow his new RWS 34. I have shot it a lot the last couple of days. I average about an inch at 25 yards. This rifle is probably the most hold sensitive rifle I have ever shot. I shot two groups in probably 4 hours that were what I would call acceptable. I hope that a more quality rifle like the TX200 would not be as bad since it has a fixed barrel. I still think the springer is the way to go for me over the pcp. I made a good hit today on a 12oz can at 67 yards with it. I have also found at least with this rifle I can't seem to shoot a decent 5 shot group but I can do a good 3 shot group from time to time. I may order a tx200 soon. I shot all afternoon and it probably cost me no more that 8 dollars in ammo. Whatever I get I just want something that will be more accurate than the RWS 34 I shot today. The RWS is a fine rifle for hunting but I am looking for more accuracy. Any more advice would be helpful.
How does the RWS 54 stand against the TX200 on accuracy? Some have said the 54 was the way to go because of its no recoil design. It doesn't look as nice though and it is more expensive than the TX200 in beech.
Not a .22 cal but I love my Beeman R9 .20 cal
I bought it about 10 year ago
It came with a Bushnell 4-12x40 AO scope.
It shoots the Beeman FTS pellets extremely well.
It will drive thumbtacks at 30 yards and I have dropped crows at 70 yards.
Love it
I bought it about 10 year ago
It came with a Bushnell 4-12x40 AO scope.
It shoots the Beeman FTS pellets extremely well.
It will drive thumbtacks at 30 yards and I have dropped crows at 70 yards.
Love it
I haven't owned a 54 so I can't help you.
I will say this...Just like any production gun accuracy varies between each unit. You could get a RWS54 that shoots 1/2" at 50Y and a TX200 that shoots 1.5" groups at the same distance, or visa versa. Having said that I haven't seen but one or two 54's at our local FT match, mostly new guys giving the sport and there newly acquired air rifle a whirl. They usually leave discouraged and don't show up again.
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