What springer to buy?

[Hunt4Dinner]

I’ve been thinking lately about buying a springer to take squirrel hunting. Sometimes if I want to head to my cabin hauling my pcp and gear gets to be too much. I’m thinking a springer would be nice because I would only need the rifle and a case. I was looking at flying dragon and one of his with a tune was reasonably priced. I’d like one with enough power for a squirrel at about 25yds and also accurate. One that doesn’t ruin scopes would be nice also. Any advice and options would be appreciated because I honestly have no idea on these. I don’t mind spending a few hundred in a good quality rifle. 

 

[bubblerboy64]

HW30. Just a nice rifle easy to carry. There may be others but this is certainly one to consider. One of those bug buster scopes on top. A sweet hunter. 

 

[intenseaty22]

At 25 yards the HW30 might be a little underpowered for squirrels. I personally like HW97, LGV Master pro, both in .177. 
I think you would also do well with either an HW50 or HW95. Most folk recommend the 95 when I see the same question being asked. But I don’t own either of the latter....yet. 

 

[bubblerboy64]

The HW 97 is a great gun. Only issue at all is it’s rather heavy to carry or at least it would be for me. At don’t hunt squirrels but at 25 yards I believe a 177 HW30 would shoot right through a squirrel. Beyond 50 I’d agree

 

[Beeman22]

An HW30 will take down squirrels no problem with a well-place shot at closer ranges. Most of my tree-rat shooting has been in my suburban backyard, so my tuned urban pro is plenty lethal at closer ranges, but I would be uncomfortable stretching it out over 20 yards.

I think for most folks, it's hard to beat an HW95 as an excellent, all-around springer. that's easy to carry (which can be an issue with the HW97 for field work), and has plenty of power -easily enough for small game to 40 yards or even beyond. The HW50 is also popular, but it's not that much lighter than the 95, the cocking effort is almost as high, and it doesn't make as much power. Some really like it, but for me, if I had to buy just one all-around springer, it's an HW95, probably in .177. 

Or, if you have some patience, find a nicely tuned FWB124...little less power, but super easy to cock and a delightful gun all around. But going down the vintage gun rabbit hole is more complicated...)

For scopes, you're going to have to get an airgun rated scope for any springer, but an HW95 isn't particularly brutal like some more magnum guns out there. I love the Leupold 3-9 EFR, but a Bugbuster, Hawke Vantage or Airmax 2-7 or 3-9, or a Nikon 3-9 EFR are all very nice, practical field scopes IMHO. 

 

[DualMagMike]

The .177 HW30/Beeman R7 is a 6-7fpe rifle pending pellet at the muzzle. By 30 yds it should be down to 3-4fpe which is very questionable for squirrel. The HW95/Beeman R9 by contrast is still making 4-6fpe at 50 yards a far more ethical choice. Many people seem to like their RWS34 a close competitor to the 95/R9.

 

[Goer]

I say R9. My two cents. 

 

[Bogey47]

I have all of the above. HW97 is too heavy for squirrel hunting. HW30 is underpowered at over 20 yds. HW50 is a good choice up to 30 yds. IMHO the best option for tree rats is the HW95. Caution,without a good tune the shot cycle can be a little harsh. 

 

[bubblerboy64]

I have all of the above. HW97 is too heavy for squirrel hunting. HW30 is underpowered at over 20 yds. HW50 is a good choice up to 30 yds. IMHO the best option for tree rats is the HW95. Caution,without a good tune the shot cycle can be a little harsh.

Take the advice of the fellow with the experience. Sounds like the 95 is the gun for the job 

 

[Goer]

I have all of the above. HW97 is too heavy for squirrel hunting. HW30 is underpowered at over 20 yds. HW50 is a good choice up to 30 yds. IMHO the best option for tree rats is the HW95. Caution,without a good tune the shot cycle can be a little harsh.

Take the advice of the fellow with the experience. Sounds like the 95 is the gun for the job

It’s possible some of us also have experience. Killed them with R7 .20. R1’s TX200. R1 can be a beast to carry all day at time. R9 still stands for what he asked. Get .20 or .22. Now you got 4 cents outta me. 

 

[bubblerboy64]

I have all of the above. HW97 is too heavy for squirrel hunting. HW30 is underpowered at over 20 yds. HW50 is a good choice up to 30 yds. IMHO the best option for tree rats is the HW95. Caution,without a good tune the shot cycle can be a little harsh.

Take the advice of the fellow with the experience. Sounds like the 95 is the gun for the job

It’s possible some of us also have experience. Killed them with R7 .20. R1’s TX200. R1 can be a beast to carry all day at time. R9 still stands for what he asked. Get .20 or .22. Now you got 4 cents outta me.

No offense intended. I favor the HW guns. But you are correct there are certainly others worth considering 

 

[Hunt4Dinner]

I appreciate all the replies everyone. Looks like I have a few options to look over! I hope to have one before the year ends and I’m glad the bug busters work well on these. I might just have one laying around and if not they’re cheap to buy. 

 

[bandg]

The Walthers (LGV and LGU) are a little heavy but if carrying one would be manageable for you I would consider them strongly. Smooth, accurate, and plenty of energy for small game.

 

[Goer]

I have all of the above. HW97 is too heavy for squirrel hunting. HW30 is underpowered at over 20 yds. HW50 is a good choice up to 30 yds. IMHO the best option for tree rats is the HW95. Caution,without a good tune the shot cycle can be a little harsh.

Take the advice of the fellow with the experience. Sounds like the 95 is the gun for the job

It’s possible some of us also have experience. Killed them with R7 .20. R1’s TX200. R1 can be a beast to carry all day at time. R9 still stands for what he asked. Get .20 or .22. Now you got 4 cents outta me.

No offense intended. I favor the HW guns. But you are correct there are certainly others worth considering

No worries. R9 just a glorified HW50. Only thing I wouldn’t do with smaller HW30 is .177. Now 6 cents.

 

[DualMagMike]

R9 equivalent is the HW95, the HW50 is the R8 smaller lighter and less potent.

 

[Yarddog]

OP, you can't go wrong with a fully tuned Flying Dragon rifle. My fully tuned XS46U is every bit as accurate as my German and English high end guns for a fraction of the cost. The forestock is pretty slab-sided, but that's just an asthetic foible.

 

[Pruitt58]

I have had a lot of Mike's flying dragon air rifles . they will surely do the job out to 50 yds. done it many times!

 

[Septicdeath]

You can never go wrong with on of these for hauling to the cabin or just always having one in your truck. Very reliable you'll own it forever and probably never have a thing go wrong with it. I have a .20 I bought in the 70's still shoots like a champ.

 

 

[Septicdeath]

My favorite Springer I own is Hatsan 125 vortex .25 

 

[sonny]

I own a HW95 in .22 that I have shot out to 60 yards with a peep sight with great accuracy. It has lots of power too.

The can was 3 shots at 60 yards and I can hit a 2inc spinner with regularity .