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Some questions for Springer enthusiasts.

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Septicdeath
(@septicdeath)
Washington
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 437
Topic starter  

A few questions for Springer enthusiasts.
1. Do you shoot in competition?
2. Do you shoot only at targets?
3. Do you hunt with your Springer's?
If so your go to rifles.

I don't do competition, shoot at targets several times a week and hunt when opportunities arise. I have four go to models of rifles for hunting.

Hatsan Carnivore or 130QE .30
The 125 in .22 or .25
150 sniper vortex .22
Xisico XS-28M

Six rockchucks Friday morning with the 135 Carnivore.

20200515 184532

   
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(@ekmeister)
Texas
Member of Trade
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 739
 
Posted by: @septicdeath

A few questions for Springer enthusiasts.
1. Do you shoot in competition?
2. Do you shoot only at targets?
3. Do you hunt with your Springer's?
If so your go to rifles.

I don't do competition, shoot at targets several times a week and hunt when opportunities arise. I have four go to models of rifles for hunting...

Hi, all good questions!

1. I've never shot in a competition. However, I did have some good success before, shooting some small spinner targets at 50 yards, using one of my R1's. So, maybe the two of us would have had a chance in Hunter FT or Piston Class. (???).

2,3.  I used to shoot at targets, and I used to hunt. In fact, personally, I don't see how you can do what's considered to be proper, humane hunting without doing some serious target practice from time to time. In my case, my hunting was limited to squirrels.

My go-to hunting springers in the past were a Marksman 70 with the upgraded trigger unit (kind of like a Beeman R10), a couple of R1's (all in assorted calibers), and an RWS52 in .22 caliber, all of them tuned.

All of those guns got sold when I needed some cash in a hurry, to move.

However, I now have a fully-tuned RWS 34 Panther T05 in .22 caliber. Although I stopped hunting years ago, with its power and accuracy, I feel sure my 34 could do well with small game hunting as well as targets. 

I just don't need to hunt to put meat on the table. However, if that ever changed, I'd probably go back to squirrel hunting again. FWIW, though, my choice of convenient hunting spots isn't nearly as good as it used to be.


   
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sonnysan
(@sonnysan)
California
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 620
 

I've only hunted with my springers.  Steps I've followed forever:

1.  Clean barrel and check stock screws.  Invest in a good cleaning rod.  I lube all my pellets with krytech:

https://smile.amazon.com/Dewey-Rods-17C-26-Nylon-Coated/dp/B001OPLEM8/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=dewey+coated+rod&qid=1589653734&sr=8-16

https://smile.amazon.com/Finish-Line-Lubricant-Squeeze-Bottle/dp/B00Z779I4A/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=krytech&qid=1589653858&sr=8-1

2.  Sight in gun at distance you usually shoot game.  Invest in a good set of targets:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKER0Y/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

3.  Refine your technique if you miss the target.  If you miss two out of three times, it might not be the gun:

http://www.champchoice.com/store/Main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=WR100

4.  Mounts:  If you are shooting a Beeman R-1 or higher, invest in BKL 260 mounts (droop or non-droop).  Torque down screws to 50-55 inch ft. lbs.  

https://www.bkltech.com/BKl-1-6-Screw-Unitized-Dovetail-Mount-p/bkl-260.htm

If there is no live target, the guns do not get shot.  Springers of choice in the last decade:

1.  Beeman Laser MKIII .177

2.  Beeman RX-1 with deluxe stock .177

3.  Theoben TB-90 .22

4.  Theoben Dual Magnum .22

5.  Beeman R-1AW .20

6.  Theoben RA-800 .22

 

 


   
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(@_270windude)
Oregon
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 61
 

Sonnysan that’s a very impressive list of springers there. Extremely classy.  Here I am with my CFR lol. 


   
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Fred-J
(@fred-j)
Wisconsin
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 13
 
Posted by: @septicdeath

A few questions for Springer enthusiasts.
1. Do you shoot in competition?
2. Do you shoot only at targets?
3. Do you hunt with your Springer's?
If so your go to rifles.

I shoot my TX200 in Field Target competition

I shoot targets with this rifle on my home range out to 55 yards

I typically don't hunt with the TX200, but if a chipmunk, squirrel or rabbit shows up on my home range...

For pesting, I go to my Marauder PCP, because it has a ten-shot clip.


   
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airmojo
(@airmojo)
Ohio
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 630
 

I have never shot competitively, but fortunately have enough outdoor property to shoot on, as well as a 42 foot indoor basement range, so I have the luxury of being able to shoot almost anytime I choose (indoors a lot due to weather conditions).

Outdoors, I like shooting various reactive targets... I have an area where I shoot where I marked off the yardages from 0 to 80 yards... and there is still plenty of room after the 80 yards, if desired.

I like shooting field targets, spinning targets, bell targets, empty steel cans, and aluminum cans... when my son was younger, we would set up the fast food kid's "happy meal" toys that he accumulated, and have a blast shooting them !

Indoors, I mainly shoot paper targets using homemade box pellet traps stuffed with rags, or my metal pan filled with electricians' duct seal... I also have an RWS metal magnetic duck pellet trap, that I shoot at with certain airguns, limiting that to lower powered models.

I don't hunt, but occasionally have to eliminate some chipmunks running amok !

I have a lot of squirrels running around, since I live on a large wooded lot, but as long as they are not destructive, I live them alone... I enjoy watching them, constantly foraging for food !

My favorite springers are (not in any particular order):

1. HyScore 810M recoiless match rifle, .177

2. FWB124, .177

3. R9TK, .177

4. HW95TK, .22

5. R1TK, .22

6. Webley Eclipse, .177

7.  HW77K, .20

8. TX200, .177

 

Here are a few of my favorite targets.

Indoor Airgun Targets
Frank Bobbio Bell Target 4
Frank Bobbio Bell Target 3
IBM Bell for Airgun Bell Target 16
IBM Bell for Airgun Bell Target 13
My Quigley FT Bell Target 1
Beeman Swinging Targets (#4050)

 

 

 

 


   
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(@rpryor)
Illinois
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 31
 

I've never shot in a competition.

I usually shoot at targets, either paper or just out and about plinking at small objects.

I have used my springers to hunt, but only rabbits or squirrels.

My go to is a Santa Rosa Beeman R10 in .20 caliber topped with a Leupold 3X9X33 EFR.

 


   
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(@harvey)
Minnesota
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 199
 

I tried competitions a few times.  It's fun but way out of my way these days.

I regularly hunt with my springers.

Small pest birds:

HW55

HW35

P1 (yes, really)

B20 (Chinese R9 copy)

Everything else:

R11

FWB124

HW77K

BSA Supersport

TX200

Prosport

HW97K

I feel like I'm missing some stuff...

Harv

 


   
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timjohnston
(@timjohnston)
Nebraska
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 102
 

Yes Sonnysam has a really nice collection. Only they are not springer's listed, they are gas rams. While his advice is as solid as it gets, gas rams behave a little different than a spring version of the save gun. I once lived in a far off land called youth and ignorance, and had a original English stocked Webley C1 carbine in .22. I shot many thousands of pellets though it. I really loved that gun. 10 years after getting it and enjoying it, I decided to have the Master Dave Slade install a gas ram. To cut to the point. Dave did a great job as he always do's. After shooting for about a year I sold it. Remember I once lived in a far off land called youth and ignorance. The firing cycle had changed, it was sharper and the English stock was no longer as fun to shoot.

 

tim


   
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nced
(@nced)
North Carolina
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 144
 
Posted by: @septicdeath

A few questions for Springer enthusiasts.
1. Do you shoot in competition?
2. Do you shoot only at targets?
3. Do you hunt with your Springer's?
If so your go to rifles.

I don't do competition, shoot at targets several times a week and hunt when opportunities arise. I have four go to models of rifles for hunting.

Hatsan Carnivore or 130QE .30
The 125 in .22 or .25
150 sniper vortex .22
Xisico XS-28M

Six rockchucks Friday morning with the 135 Carnivore.

20200515 184532

#1.    Hunter class field target matches are part of my airgunning outings.

#2. I don't hunt as much as I did when living in WV several years ago so almost all my shooting is simply casual target shooting and an occasional field target match.

#3. Yep, used to often hunt squirrels when living in West Virginia. At that time my shooting an averaged 10,000 CPLs a year (almost a 1250 count box per month). My main reason for starting airgunning was for squirrel hunting. LOL, even the field target matches I attend are a way to do some "squirrel sniping practice" during the off-season and I use the same equipment and similar techniques for both field target and squirrel hunting. I've only used .177 Beeman R9 or my .177 HW95 for all shooting during the past decade or so.

 

 


   
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Motorhead
(@motorhead)
California
Member of Trade
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 389
 

Not much the past couple years .... BUT

 

Yes shot / shoot springers in competition.

10 meter / Bench rest / Field target

Hunt .... not for years, PCP's are so vastly superior.

 

Diana 75 

Diana 100

FWB 124

Diana 34 TO1

Hw-35's x3

TX-200 Mk3

 

many more sold and forgotten in lieu of PCP's


   
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(@dcw)
California
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 78
 

i shot archery competition for many years if that counts...?  ? 

for hunting: 22 cal HW90 with open sights. or...RWS/Diana 54 22 cal with open sights.


   
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Kerndtc
(@kerndtc)
California
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 142
 

I almost only shoot Springers in competition. 

I will take game with them if they show up on my sight in range while practicing. Field target is my main game with springers. 

My main guns:

TX200HC w/ 22mm internals

TX200 mk3

Bam40/ TX200 mk3 (bam piston, bam trigger, bam underlever/ cocking linkage) TX200MK3 Barrel and main tube, TX comp tube and shoe. 

HW97KT w/ 22mm internals

2x hw97kt 26mm

And a bunch more. 


   
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(@mark_in_az)
Arizona
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 231
 

I have been watching this thread for some time and am curious why more folks are NOT shooting competition.

Yes, I shoot competition.  Depending on the location (read "elevation") I will shoot springer, because I like shooting springers.

I need to clarify; at elevations of 3500 feet or lower, I will shoot piston.  Above that (Mormon Lake) I will shoot PCP.  Love 'em both

I don't just shoot target, but have hunted with both piston and PCP.  Taken out a ton of pigeons and a bunch of cottontails.

My go to piston gun is Miss Diana, my Diana 54, short stroked by CCA and amazingly accurate at 12 fpe.  Also use my TX200 at 12fpe but shoot both in open piston instead of WFTF.

Like Cameron, I will shoot piston wherever I can, but will also shoot PCP if desired/needed.  If you want to become a better, more ethical hunter, shoot field target competition.  It is FUN, it will challenge you, and you will get to know your equipment intimately, and know your limitations.


   
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gonzav
(@gonzav)
Connecticut
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 306
 

Like Cameron, I shoot mainly field target with my springers all .177 cal. and factory internals - LGU, HW97K STL & TX200HC. All of them have custom made stocks for field target shooting. I have 101 knock down field targets in my personal collection that I practice with and some I keep as mantle pieces. I run field target matches as well.

I do like watching the birds, squirrels and rabbits go about their business feeding while I am shooting/practicing in my backyard.

During hunting season, I will take a head shot at a squirrel at 45 yards - DRT. 

Stay safe and healthy,

Leo


   
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(@hector_j_medina_g)
Maryland
Moderator
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1298
 

Dunno where this is going, but I'll "take a shot" at it, LOL!

1.- I DO shoot competitively. Always have. Without the training of shooting under pressure, IMHO, there is little to prepare you for more serious shooting pursuits.

2.- "Only" has many different ways of being understood. FT is one form of target, Metallic Silhouette is another, Olympic Match is another, Paper punching is another, each have their own challenges and nuances, and they all provide some positive aspect / angle to enhance your marksmanship.

3.- Yes. I've hunted with MSP's for the challenge, and even PCP's, specially when hunting "dangerous" game (as in 100 lbs feral dogs), or needing to take out something specific at distances that the my 0.20" DIANA 54 would be a poor/unethical choice.

For competition, my "Goto" gun is a short stroked DIANA 54 in 0.177" cal.

As a gunsmith, I shoot a LOT of airguns, but there are VERY FEW that are TRULY MINE, and I believe the adage "Beware the man with one gun . . .".

Keep well and shoot straight!

 

 

 

 

HM


   
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