Springer vs. PCP

[Jonnes]

Only issue i have is cocking force. How easy is it for the child to cock the gun. If they are strong enough you are on the right track. Diana 34 is supposed to be easy, but I'd like to know first.

An excellent springer (I own 2 of them) is the HW30S. My son and daughter learned to shoot with these rifles at the age of 6 and 7. This was actually my first air rifle I bought back in the early 80's. They are fun - for parent and kid - and (again) will last you a lifetime. You can't say that for the el-cheapo PCP stuff. And pumping up a PCP is a phase we've all been through, it get's tiring pretty fast.

 

[Ratzy]

An excellent springer (I own 2 of them) is the HW30S. My son and daughter learned to shoot with these rifles at the age of 6 and 7. This was actually my first air rifle I bought back in the early 80's. They are fun - for parent and kid - and (again) will last you a lifetime. You can't say that for the el-cheapo PCP stuff. And pumping up a PCP is a phase we've all been through, it get's tiring pretty fast.

Give the kids a workout until they are stronger. Then any break barrel is available.

 

[JFranco]

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 !

 

[JW.]

My guess is that they are according to these 10-shot groups, shot from the prone position, on 50-meter ISSF visuals shot from a distance of 25 meters.

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.

 

[Ranchibi]

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.

 

[Jonnes]

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.

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!