Some questions for Springer enthusiasts

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

Six rockchucks Friday morning with the 135 Carnivore. 

 

[Guest]

Target and hunt with an HW95 in .22

 

[Arch_E]

No, I don't shoot in competitions but would like to get involved. Covid and job definitely hinder that.

No, I shoot yard pests and plink. 

Yard pests (primarily squirrels whose ancestors declared war on my house), I shoot from 8 yards (rarely) out to 30 yards, with 20, 25-28 yards the most common shot opportunities. I successfully make clean, head shot or lung/heart shots with my HW30 at all these distances, along with but less often used HW95 and HW97K. The extra power of these guns is just not necessary for squirrels, rabbits, and birds (which I've taken with .177s). I also pest successfully with a Crosman Venom Dusk and a Gamo Swarm Maxxim. The Gamo performs as well as the Weihrauchs but took nearly 1200 pellets to settle in; the HWs came out of the box shooting well. I've got to replace my Crosman trigger; but, it's a solid gun.

I have a CO2 Hammerli 850 gen 1 that's also an awesome shooting gun out to 27 yards (my longest kill with it so far). The temp sensitivity being its only issue. I'm amazed at how well CO2 guns shoot, like my second favorite 2240KT, 14" barrel. It's a superb BUT LOUD gun.

No PCPs for me yet; but, I'm plotting and planning. When you can consistently kill squirrels in trees or on the ground at 30 yards, what more is needed--unless further distances and larger game are the context. 



Of course, this is simply my experience and life context.

Looking forward to seeing the replies to this thread.

Arch_E

 

[Michigander]

I shoot a lot of paper but no longer compete. For garden rabbits it's the TX200HC in 177. For pest birds I use the FWB 300s for safety reasons.

 

[thumper]

1) Competition very rarely. So rarely I just show up with my hunting gun and something to sit on and proceed to "compete" LOL

2) A good bit. Mainly to practice for hunting and to try out different tunes. 

3) I hunt a LOT with air rifles. I don't mean shooting critters in the yard, I mean getting in the truck and driving to the National Forest to hunt squirrels. Have for as long as I can remember. I have PCPs, but almost always use a springer. 

Go to rifle is an 80s HW77K in .177 with oring piston seal. Running at 13fpe. I have two .177s and a .22.

I'm building an old R10 for this season to try out, but I have a feeling I'll go back to the HW77K. They shoot so good it's hard to change.

 

[Septicdeath]

1) Competition very rarely. So rarely I just show up with my hunting gun and something to sit on and proceed to "compete" LOL

2) A good bit. Mainly to practice for hunting and to try out different tunes. 

3) I hunt a LOT with air rifles. I don't mean shooting critters in the yard, I mean getting in the truck and driving to the National Forest to hunt squirrels. Have for as long as I can remember. I have PCPs, but almost always use a springer. 

Go to rifle is an 80s HW77K in .177 with oring piston seal. Running at 13fpe. I have two .177s and a .22.

I'm building an old R10 for this season to try out, but I have a feeling I'll go back to the HW77K. They shoot so good it's hard to change.

There's something about the simplicity of a springer. A tin of pellets. Only one chance at bagging your critter. I enjoy hunting with my Springer's more than my PB's. However my muzzle loaders also give me similar satisfaction as my break barrels. 

 

[thumper]

1) Competition very rarely. So rarely I just show up with my hunting gun and something to sit on and proceed to "compete" LOL

2) A good bit. Mainly to practice for hunting and to try out different tunes. 

3) I hunt a LOT with air rifles. I don't mean shooting critters in the yard, I mean getting in the truck and driving to the National Forest to hunt squirrels. Have for as long as I can remember. I have PCPs, but almost always use a springer. 

Go to rifle is an 80s HW77K in .177 with oring piston seal. Running at 13fpe. I have two .177s and a .22.

I'm building an old R10 for this season to try out, but I have a feeling I'll go back to the HW77K. They shoot so good it's hard to change.

There's something about the simplicity of a springer. A tin of pellets. Only one chance at bagging your critter. I enjoy hunting with my Springer's more than my PB's. However my muzzle loaders also give me similar satisfaction as my break barrels.

You are right on that. Totally agree! Plus I like the traditional lines on the wood and steel springers, especially the older ones that I shoot most. Most new rifles look like GI Joe toys to me if I'm being honest. 

I did happen to build a Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle in .36 over the winter I'll have to try out soon as the season opens.

 

[mng2020]

I shoot a lot of ground squirrels with mine and the occasional pigeon or starling if one happens to land close by.

 

[Ohplnkr]

I don't compete, might try some FT at a club if I ever find one. Only hunt varmints and pest around our property , mainly target shoot on my home range 30-50 yds. My go to's are my Crosman Nitro Venom .22 and my Benjamin Trail .22.....love Springer's!!

 

[bandg]

I don't hunt any longer but grew up hunting rabbits and squirrels a lot in the 60's and 70's. Often used a break barrel springer back then in .177 and took many with it. These days I just plinker (or is it tink) around but I value the simplicity and dependability of a good springer.

 

[270windude]

I don’t do competitively but maybe one day I’ll do field target and benchrest competitions. I have benchrest dna. I absolutely become obsessed with learning and thinking. I don’t have the equipment currently to make the stuff I need though. Most of my shooting it attempts at reducing shot groups or maintaining good velocity spread. I don’t think I could fire a pellet “for fun” without some level of stress for wasting a shot lol. Lots of paper. I have always been interested in small game hunting. I have a squirrel dog even that is the smartest and most well behaved dog I’ve known. So in theory this will be my first year squirrel hunting if I can find them. I rarely see squirrels in the mountains. They’re all over in the city but I can’t recall ever seeing a squirrel in the Oregon coastal mountains nor eastern Oregon. Maybe I can find a patch of public land for ground squirrels. 

Ive target shot lots of guns but I always want to tinker with my springers the most for some reason. I had a boring accurate qb78 that I’d go to if I wanted to have hard hitting .22 cal fun. A modded 2240 that I liked for sub 30 yards. And a Gamo accu that I hoped to hunt with as it could hit a fly at most normal ranges. Now I’m working my CFR to be my one and only. - sorry for the long post. Kratom and energy drink kicked in...

 

[Septicdeath]

Great stuff guys. Love those Springer's. 

 

[SteveV]

#1 - YES I have participated in field target matches, so the answer to question #1 would be a YES

#2 YES Whether it be a beer can, squirrel, or a bullseye, OF COURSE I only shoot at targets - what else would a fella shoot at???

#3 YES I have been known to hunt with spring guns, just not exclusively.

Don't own any high dollar pcp's, but I do roll my own, based on the 22XX/Discovery format, from all AMERICAN MADE PARTS

Vines



EDIT: my go to springer is a Panther M34

 

[Septicdeath]

#1 - YES I have participated in field target matches, so the answer to question #1 would be a YES

#2 YES Whether it be a beer can, squirrel, or a bullseye, OF COURSE I only shoot at targets - what else would a fella shoot at???

#3 YES I have been known to hunt with spring guns, just not exclusively.

Don't own any high dollar pcp's, but I do roll my own, based on the 22XX/Discovery format, from all AMERICAN MADE PARTS

Vines



EDIT: my go to springer is a Panther M34

I hope you don't get in trouble for the hunting pics. I don't think they are allowed in regular threads. They have a hunting category. 

 

[SteveV]

not worried

 

[djna]

1 - only competition would be between some friends and family for fun.

2-shoot targets & some hunting / pest control- mainly Starlings and pest birds 

3- Usually hunt with pcp’s but starting to get back into springers -as far as hunting with springers - Air Arms Pro Sport .177( needs repair broken ) RWS 94 .177. I just bought HW97 in .22 en-route this week- Also purchased HW30 hopefully get this week as well- on back order.

My go to guns AA Pro Sport When working lol

AA 410- PCP lights out accurate 



Last few years between Work and other responsibilities hindered my Airgun shooting - I’m starting to shoot a lot more now & Definitely got The Springer bug again - can’t wait for new ones to get here.

 

[uglymike]

1. I've only competed against other air gunners twice. ( I won both of 'em in springer class) I live waaaaay out in the boonies, a days drive or more just to get to a field target club. 

2. Small game and pests, paintballs, pine cones, spinners, playing cards, green army men, paper targets, knock-downs, the list is endless with targets.

3. All of my springers are small game or pest worthy.

 

[JohnL57]

#1 I don't shoot springers in competition. Have done some FT, but most matches near me are on Sundays and I work (worked before pandemic) most Sundays so I rarely get to shoot FT.

#2 When I just want to relax and have fun I grab my R9 or HW55 and some pellets and go "leaf cutting" I rarely shoot paper, it's too humbling!

#3 My go-to hunting springer is my R9, most of my rabbit hunting is in heavy cover and I get lots of opportunities at 15 yards or less.

 

 

[Guest]

I do not shoot competitions. I have not shot any of my pellet guns outdoors yet. I bought them to get trigger time in the basement. The two I would hunt with are my HW97 .177 and HW50 .22. I have permission to groundhog hunt a nearby farm but I cannot get within air rifle range so I will be taking my 17 hmr. Sometime soon I will be taking the 97 and the 50 to an outdoor range to see what they can do at 25 yards and beyond. 

 

[intenseaty22]

I don’t compete, although I would love to give it a go. Small kids and working opposite of my wife to be home with kids makes it hard to get away. I’d probably suck anyway, but would be fun to try. I did buy a competition ready HW97 in the hopes of competing. May sell it if I can’t do it within a year or so. 

I shoot all of my Springers at home and do a lot of pesting. My number one go to Springer is my HW30s Urban Pro in .177. It just puts a big ol smile on my face every time.