Entry PCP Compared to Field Target Springers....Which is More Accurate?

I specified that my Whispers were professionally tuned. By Charlie actually. That puts them up there.

What I did not see what that the OP asked as to how one such higher springer compares to a .177 Marauder. That’s easy. No springer on earth can outshoot a .177 Marauder that’s properly set up and using the right pellet. Few PCPs can outshoot one for that matter




 
"I would say the Whisper’s tune job put them more in a high end class than where they started."

Perhaps Gamo has upped their game a lot but my Gamo440 shot "can rolling accuracy" of 1" ctc at 30 yards after some internal work and a trigger insert that made the trigger at least useable!

Here are a few Gamo Whisper Fusion groups I found posted on the internet, shot at 25 yards...........

H&N Baracuda match:





JSB Exact RS:





Your groups must be a LOT tighter to put your Whisper "more in the high end class than when they started" and I don't doubt that your PCPs group MUCH better!.
 
A good trigger makes a huge difference, as does the lack of recoil in a PCP. I have a HW97 that I love, but shoot only rarely. I just can't seem to master the technique of a springer. This is a 5 shot group I shot today with the Red Wolf .22 at 30 yards, and it's not exceptional for this rifle. It is so easy to shoot. 

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Another "issue" I've found with my HW break barrel springers is that they don't "like" being bench rested when I'm steering the gun so almost all my shooting is done sitting on a bucket resting the gun on cross sticks. I believe that the motion of my springer shot cycle is the reason for this, however occasionally I find almost PCP quality groupings. This 5 shot .177 cal group was shot at only 18 yards but I think it's PCP quality...........



Anywhoo....me thinks that the accuracy of an accurate piston gun is more affected by the shooter than the accuracy of a relatively motionless PCP. Here are a couple 50 yard groups shot by my brother with the .177 R9 I home tuned and sold to him when living in West Virginia. At that time he had only shot "powder burners" so his normal groups were 3 shot groups instead of 5, however I feel that two 3 shot groups back to back is as good as one 5 shot group. Also, for some reason he could shoot his .177 R9 accurately from a bench so accurately benching a piston gun is possible........




 
cocking effort - avoid any gun that is a "Magnum". That just means a heavier spring, more cocking effort. I'm not a Field Target shooter, but I believe most competitions will limit you to 20 foot pound in the US for any class and 12 fpe in International / European competitions. Heavier guns destroy targets.

Sometimes, less is more. In my own paltry springer experience, most of the time, power is inversely tied to accuracy. the Magnum guns have so much vibration that accurate shooting is extremely difficult, where lower powered springers don't vibrate nearly as much, making accurate shooting easier.

That's why PCP's are so much easier to shoot. No piston vibrating the gun, just a valve opening and letting air through.

The problem with PCP's is the support system you must have. Pumps, tanks, access to High Pressure Air, and the rest. Advantage to Springers on the support system. Just need the gun and pellets