Air Arms TX200 MkIII

I’ve owned the TX200 MkIII since 2011 and during this time I’ve fired thousands of pellets down range. I love the quality, the accuracy and the enjoyment that shooting it brings me. It’s a pleasure knowing that if I do my part the TX200 MkIII will deliver every time. Unlike less expensive air rifles the TX200 MkIII performs consistently well and is therefore very predictable. I know exactly what to expect at different ranges and in different conditions. We've all read about the beautiful stock, the deep rich bluing and the trigger which is second-to-none. It is truly a quality "bit-of-kit" as the British would say and I'm very pleased with mine.

I've had the opportunity to hunt a variety of quarry in some very diverse conditions. Armadillo, Chipmunk, Fox-grey, Possum, Prairie Dog, Raccoon, Rats, Skunk, and Squirrel as well as a plethora of birds. I've taken birds with shots up-to 75 yards although I prefer to stay within 50 yards. The Fox was 10 yards while most of the Chipmunks and Prairie Dogs were between 25 and 35 yards. I use a 12.65 grain pellet at 18 ft/lbs and I ONLY take head shots. The TX200 MkIII is a spring powered air rifle and it was not designed to compete with PCP(s) that are deadly at much farther distances using much heavier pellets. I've developed reasonable expectations and a good understanding of the limitations of my TX200 MkIII and I've done my part to both attain and maintain the outstanding performance and accuracy that this air gun is capable of producing. I found the pellet which works best, plotted the trajectory with "ChairGun Pro" and then confirmed it with real-world shooting. The TX200 MkIII is easily rebuilt as there are no special tools or training required. Compare the videos available on YouTube and decide which spring powered air gun you would rather rebuild.

If you reside in a dry climate the stock will shrink. I've experienced this with two different TX200 MkIII(s). The first was manufactured in 2010 and shrank while I was in southern Colorado during the summer. The temperatures were in the 90(s) and 100(s) with very low dew points. The second was manufactured in 2014 and shrank while I was in northern Maine during the winter. The temperatures were below freezing with very low dew points. This did not present any long term problems. I carefully hand tightened the screws and after 3 months I did't have to tighten the screws again. The TX200 MkIII is a heavy air rifle as both the cocking mechanism and barrel shroud are made of steel. Including the scope, my TX200 MkIII is weighing in at just over 11 pounds. There is a rubber stopper on the bottom side of the barrel shroud. This stopper prevents the cocking arm from impacting the barrel shroud and wearing away the bluing. Quite honestly, it is less than useless. It's made of a very soft rubber and will fail very quickly. Fortunately, there are two rings milled into the cocking arm and they are perfect for holding rubber o-rings. These o-rings will prevent the cocking arm from impacting the rubber stopper as well as wearing away the bluing. Walther has manufactured their cocking arm in the same manner and has used rubber o-rings for this purpose.

Unfortunately, my first TX200 MkIII was stolen. This provided me with the opportunity to stay the course with a new TX200 MkIII or go with a Weihrauch HW97 or a Walther LGU. All three used an under lever mechanism and all three were in the same price range. Although the LGU is a fine air rifle, I did not find that the build quality was equal to that of the TX200 MkIII or the HW97. The HW97 was every bit as-good-as the TX200 MkIII except in respect to the ease of rebuilding and it is for that reason that I stayed with the TX200 MkIII.

bobad, I've got the Hawke Sindwinder, 30mm tube, 3-12x50, 1/2 mil dot scope. I use the Leapers 1 piece mount with a stop pin. I've fired thousands of rounds and I've never had a problem with scope creep.

Most people go from a springer to a PCP. Why are you looking at the TX200?