Springer vs. PCP
- Thread starter PNWTrekker
- Start date
Hi Airgunners ! 
I use both PCP and springers to hunt iguanas here in Puerto Rico .
I walk with a JTS .25 and a Dana 34 .22 (shorter barrel ) , when no more shots from the PCP , then is time for the Diana 34 to shine .
Iguanas hate both !
I use both PCP and springers to hunt iguanas here in Puerto Rico .
I walk with a JTS .25 and a Dana 34 .22 (shorter barrel ) , when no more shots from the PCP , then is time for the Diana 34 to shine .
Iguanas hate both !
Upvote 0
A great representation of what has been discussed here at 25 meters!
Repeat at 50m and 75m and the tables will likely turn, but you never know!! I think at 75m the pcp takes over with ease (likely due to the caliber, but recoil and hold sensitivity will certainly play a part). At 50m its likely the PCP will shine but at that distance a good springer can shoot well, if you have the room/time i'd love to see the results.
Upvote 0
I started with a D34 for ratting purposes, then I got a Daystate Regal and don't have a springer anymore although I would like to get an HW97 one day. I have an Umarex Notos that is my dedicated ratter, it is very affordable, accurate, compact, light and can easily be filled with a hand pump, this would be my suggestion to research. I have a RAW HMx & a Taipan Vet2 and the Notos is as accurate as these at close distances up to 20yds.
Upvote 0
The HW97 springer is in .177 caliber and shoots the lighter 7.87 grain JSB's, so it's only logical that this rifle will be outshot by the .22's that shoot substantially faster with heavier pellets without practically any recoil. But under perfect (no-wind) conditions, the results should be more or less the same, with group sizes for all these rifles opening up a little bit due to differences in weight and size of the pellets. And that is what I mean by "springers can be just as accurate as PCP's ", just as long as you do each individual shot the same as the last one (hold, trigger control, breathing, between heartbeats, etc.). Same goes for my center fire and rim fire powder burners.
It's not that pellets will change it's trajectory spontaneously in those last 25 meters, so what you see here is more or less what you can expect up to 35 to 40 meters consistently. At longer ranges (especially beyond 50 meters), the .177 will lose of course, and the advantages of a larger caliber PCP will become more and more clear. Especially when shooting slugs that have a way lower BC!
Last edited:
Upvote 0
I think a scoped Diana 34 is absolutely the right move. It’s reliable, proven, and fits your lifestyle. You can always explore PCPs later if the bug bites hard, but for now? You’re choosing the path of less resistance and more fun.
Upvote 0
either way you go,springer or pcp, you will need to try several brands of pellets and pellet weights. Your best source for accurate pellets are the brands ( H&N Field Target Trophy {FTT} and JSB Diabolo ) Oh, order them from Pyramid Air. They package them the best and pellets are very easily dented. They also sell sample packs of pellets. good luck
Upvote 0
30 yards with a springer is going to get boring fast. you WILL try to shoot farther and when you realize that the springer won’t let you, you’re going to get a pcp. go for something easy to fill like a notos and a manual pump if you want to keep budget low. fill it up, shoot until about 1900-2000 psi and pump it up to keep minimal effort on pumping.
Upvote 0
Hand pumps start around $40
Compressor, start around $120 ($160 on Amazon)
Save $80 and spend a LOT of time pumping. How much is your time worth per hour?
Upvote 0
55-60 pumps to fill from 2100-3650 psi. i agree that a compressor is a real time saver but not the compressor you sent a link for. i’ve had that one and it’s a big waste of money. how much is your pay per hour
Upvote 0
$250 if we like you
$300 otherwise.
55-60 pumps for a tiny tube/bottle that you have to do quite often. Which has to be done from zero at least one time.
The examples were just that. Show the starting point.
Upvote 0
Hate to disagree with you daddypaddy but both my springers 48 and 97K can easily compete any PCP of which I have 2 top tier models, at 40 and 50 yards...assuming they all have scopes and all use JSB Exact Monster 13.43 pellets. I am talking about .177 which is my caliber which competes and exceeds .22 at the longer ranges (13.43gr .177 at .22 pellet weight, but .177 flat trajectory). If you are talking about iron sights at 30 yds. you are correct....but that includes PCP's as well.
Upvote 0
hmm Op did say it was going to be for inking and no larger than squirrels… maybe a sprinter might suit his user case scenario better. i do have to say that even a cheapie pcp that’s properly tuned will perform at and most of the time better than almost all springer. they’re much easier to shoot accurately as well
Upvote 0
Sounds to me like daddypaddy needs a PCP since he evidently doesn't know what springers can do. Could just be lack of exposure or perhaps lack of skill.
Upvote 0
PCP are absolutely easier to shoot.
Single shot, lever action, semiauto or full auto.
Bigger for me
No taking your eye(s) off the target to cock and load.
Upvote 0
I've stayed off this thread for awhile but I will repeat what I said earlier. All those who claim their springer is just as accurate as a PCP need to shoot a 30 yard challenge target and prove it. It's easy to type out a note and claim something. Prove it. Last I looked the best springer score as a 192 if I remember right. 200 is the goal and has been reached multiple times this year by PCPs. I have several 198s posted. Get up to 195 or better if you want to claim your springer can complete. You might be able, I am interested to see.
My 198s were not shot with PCPs that cost thousands of dollars, they were shot with PCPs that cost less than $500. Less than some of your springers. If you only look at one gun the cost of getting air to refill a PCP makes the cost higher but if you have several guns I do not think it is fair to argue springers are less expensive. It could go either way depending on what you choose. My latest compressor was a GX CS2 with cost $250 delivered from GX last I looked. That is not my only fill option but I also have 8 PCPs so my compressor/gun cost is not that significant relative to the cost of the guns. Getting air to my guns cost me less than $100/gun to have two compressors and a bottle with fill set. When you start with mostly relatively inexpensive guns your total cost is still not excessive.
My 198s were not shot with PCPs that cost thousands of dollars, they were shot with PCPs that cost less than $500. Less than some of your springers. If you only look at one gun the cost of getting air to refill a PCP makes the cost higher but if you have several guns I do not think it is fair to argue springers are less expensive. It could go either way depending on what you choose. My latest compressor was a GX CS2 with cost $250 delivered from GX last I looked. That is not my only fill option but I also have 8 PCPs so my compressor/gun cost is not that significant relative to the cost of the guns. Getting air to my guns cost me less than $100/gun to have two compressors and a bottle with fill set. When you start with mostly relatively inexpensive guns your total cost is still not excessive.
Upvote 0
30 yards is 27.5 meters, this was shot at 25 meters. Those 2.5 meters aren't going to make much difference.
I disagree with you, a springer can absolutely be just as accurate as a PCP. It has been proven many times over, and during competitions I frequently outshoot PCP's at 25 and 50 meters. A well tuned high quality springer like this one in the right hands, can absolutely do that. Proof? Here you have it! Yes, it this thing costs twice the amount of a standard FX DRS, but still... it's a springer.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Great for you Jonnes.....I love my HW97K as well! Super accurate, smooth and oozes quality. And the best part...no compressor, no filters, no worry about running out of shots. Need it at a spur of the moment...grab it and go! If you are in for experimenting, pick up a tin of JSB Exact Monster 13.43gr; another super accurate 97K load....with a heavy body of a .22 and flat trajectory of a .177.......FUN! Best part your generations down the line will enjoy your 97K as well....my 48 dated 2012 purchased new fires like fine watch today....I wonder how my PCP's will operate 13 years from now or even 5 years from now? I know your 97K and my 13 year old 48 will run perfectly well another 13+++++years in the future.
Upvote 0