Air Gun Home :: View topic - "Field Target" What to use? PCP or Springer (pics)

BBGun Bob · Veteran Member

Hello Fellow Shooters From Sunny SE Michigan temp. 80 F.,
I have shot a few FT matches in the last 3 months,my first using a unmodified .177 Disco after lugging around a the rifle,refill bottle,fill hoses,and pellets one time I thought (What A hassel ! Also concentration was broken more that once worrying about fill pressure and POI changes.
When shooting at targets from 10-55 yards with kill zones between 1/2 inch and 1" consistency in your gun is the name of the game.To stay consistent I had to top-off at least twice each match(another pain in the butt) .
The second trip I decided to use my old faithful Diana 48,a very accurate critter with less than 9FPS in deviation.I scored better with the 48 than the PCP imagine that.
Now to the other reason for this story.....
I had a choice to make based on what others have written on there favorite springer for FT/Paper target, use,,, it came down for me to choose between the ever popular Air Arms TX200 MkIII or the Beeman/Weihrauch HW97K Mk111 Blue Laminate Stock Blue/Gray).My problem was I wanted .20 caliber so I could use it for hunting when not shooting FT matches.I have studied the flat trajectories of the .20 caliber and it damn near matches the .177 in flatness out to 50 yards at given proper speed .
I received my HW97K last week,brand new never fired.I decided on a Leapers 4-16X56mm because that's what I was using on the 48 and I knew once set it will remain in proper position and is a very repeatable scope.
Imagine my surprise when finally set up with scope and a target set at 35 yards it put three of three shots in the same hole!!I almost crapped my Knickers(UK) skivies(USA) off a bench.
My next match is not till Sept. so I have a lot of time to familiarize myself with this beautiful beast and learn what she likes and dis-likes .
I must say the rekord trigger is a work of art ,,,factory setting was 2lbs,I have since reduced it to 1.2oz.Also it shoots as smooth as a tuned air rifle,my 48 was done by Maccari himself and I do believe the 97 is just a tad smoother.

Take Care Guy's
Shoot often and always safe.
BBGun Bob
SE Mich.

.20 Cal. HW97K Mklll

Roy · Veteran Member

That rifle is excellent ! Thanks for sharing.
Many competitions have different classes for the springers and PCPs. Generally, it is easier to shoot higher scores with a PCP, but that of course depends on the rifle. Your HW97 is definitely a step up from the 48 and Disco.
How light is that trigger ? Twelve ounces or 1.2 ?

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Nice choice Bob, you won’t go far wrong with a 97 and like you say things don’t vary so you always know where the pellet is going, I have used a borrowed BSA scorpion pcp for field target and liked it for it’s light weight, but after getting half way round and getting used to the fps drop it needed a recharge and from there on things just fell apart. So I stick with my Tx200. I have tried a Daystate Air Ranger and with it’s big tank it will easily do a course with very little drop in fps, but there again the cost is prohibitive.

I like the blue Bob but you do like flashy toys. Laughing

Al

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Yeah, those Germans still make em good guns. Supertoll klasse!

I'm surprised! No dieseling? Hans Weihrauch has the weird policy to overlube his rifles with some kind of greasy stuff. Neutral

A bit in front of the piston and "kablammo!". Shocked

Seems you got a good one. Wink

BBGun Bob · Veteran Member

BBGun Bob · Veteran Member

Al & Broom,It truly was a hard choice for me to make,I've had my eye on both the TX and 97 for over 2 years,on every FT match I've been to both were used by different individuals and both shooters are accomplished shooters.The fellow with the 97 always seemed to do just a little better,at one of the shoots they traded rifles after the match and shot 3 lanes to see what each others rifle would do in different hands.Both allowed each other to resight the scope to there liking.The chap who owned the TX finally was able to out shoot the 97 owner.
I asked/begged if I could try each rifle back at the paper target range,neither gun was professionally tuned and both were more than a few years old after shooting 10 shots from each rifle I was sold on the 97,,,it just seemed to me to be a little smoother and faster on shot cycle,triggers were so close in action they were almost identical,but the TX seemed to still possess a small amount of twang or boing to it where as the 97 was just a quick solid thunk.With me shooting 10 shots from each at 35 yrd's they both produced a small 7mm cloverleaf hole.
I think the Blue Blng factor(you both know my taste well) and me being of German decent had a lot to do with my choice Nothing against the Brits or the TX .. German quality has always been superior to any nation in the world.Also this 97 I bought was found on the Yellow Forum classified at a bargain price of $550 shipped from Texas.The fellow had quite a few new unfired rifles for sale brand new in the boxes.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/thread/1247671446/HW97K+.20+cal+w-Blue+Stock%2C+RWS+350+.22+cal+RFM+Tune%2C+Gamo+Hunter+Extreme+1250+.177cal+NIB
I didn't ask why I just jumped on the opportunity to save myself nearly 200 buck-a-roo's in US $$$.
I hope everything is well with you,,and your family's are all fine! Everything here is OK,but I lost my Father(83) on Mothers Day,my mum preceded him 14 months prior from cancer.
Cause of death for Pop's was listed as congestive heart failure(Broken Heart) is my opinion after 61 years of marriage it seems when one dies its not long before the other follows soon after the first one leaves this earth no matter who they are.
God Bless them both! And You guys too!
Enjoy your summer and please stay Healthy and Happy!!

Your AG Friend in USA

BBGun Bob

Time to go play outside summer is short!