Help picking out a Great Springer

Do I understand you correctly that is the loading of the pellet that gives you problems, not the cocking of the gun?

What is it about loading the pellet into a springer that causes you the problem? Maybe a break barrel would give better access to drop the pellet in rather than the TX200 or HW77/97 set up. I have seen the Air Venturi Pellet Pen advertised (not held or used one).

I know how painful loading a springer with your thumb can be, and I don't have arthritis. I bought a pellet pen, but haven't been to the range with it yet. It seems like it will make loading much easier. (And hopefully make my shooting more consistent.) 

I agree with both the above posts^. I also have two pellet pens (.177 & .22) and use them both: they are an excellent way to load pellets in a break barrel (wouldn't help with an underlevers unfortunately). I would even state that it is worth the extra added expense to get the pellet seating tool (looks like a cap for the pen) with the pellet pen. With that, you would never need to use your thumb to seat a pellet. That said, there are a lot of high quality break barrels out there, and I have experience with none of them (mine are all Crosman). Best of luck, GET THE PEN!

I have always had a love affair with BSA springers. However, everyone I had or have are all older models before BSA was owned by Gamo. The barrels are amazing and the older Supersport have an amazing trigger. I have heard plenty of good about the upper end BSA models of today, but have no first hand info on them.

HW80 or HW90.

JoeWayneRhea, we weren't suggesting trying to use a pellet pen to load your TX. We were suggesting them for use with your new break barrel. I know a lot of the more accurate pellets (for my guns anyway) are a snug to tight fit in the breach, requiring me to push them in using some force. The pens make it so you don't have to use the tips of your thumb or fingers to load, and work really well. As far as new break barrels...I guess it all boils down to what feels good in your hands, and is equipped with a good trigger? Is there anywhere you can go to see/handle some new hardware? I've seen articles praising the Walther rifles (LGV & Terrus), and I know the RWS T06 trigger is excellent. 

I have heard good things about the walther spring guns as well might give their break barrel a look. Cant forget about the trusty Beeman R9 or the hw95 variant either though they are amazing rifles.

I don't know if you are opposed to the "main stream/generic" brands, but I really enjoy shooting my brother in law's GAMO in .177 I've had a couple crossman break barrels and the GAMO trigger is light and predictable and the recoil settles out in a way I had never experienced. A really good way. Quick and balanced to the point that viewing the pellet flight through the scope is natural. With the Crossman/Benjamin springers, I can see the impact but not the flight. I think it's a matter of the sight picture being different after the shot and my eye can't react quick enough to reacquire the pellet before impact.

Well I did hit a golf ball 2 out of 7 shots at 100yds for the camera with my Benjamin in this video. I hadn't ever tried it before this, but I was pretty sure I could do it. LOL

 Not sure of your intended use but you seem to have pcp's for hunting ( power) & such, how about buying used?
If your just wanting to shoot targets a tap loader would be a lot of fun for you.
On the Hammerli 401 ( other tap loaders are roughly the same) you simply turn to knob on the loading port, drop in a pellet head first, turn loading port back, cock & fire.





John

I have a B-26 which is a clone of the Beeman R-9/HW95. Mine is in .177 but I'm itching for a .22 upgrade. I have a BSA Supersport in 22 that I like but rifle is loud and cocking effort is stiff. I'm about to buy another .22 springer and am going back and forth between the R9/HW95 and the HW50s. Obviously I'd suggest you eyeball these two guns. The 50s is a 10 1/2 fpe gun and the R9/HW95 is 12-13 fpe gun. Here is the kicker, I really had my mind made up on the HW50s but the HW95 is a little cheaper. Some reviews show the 50 printing slightly smaller groups. Oh, the agony of choosing! I want both.

HW95 is $299 @ AOA. Diana 34P Refurb $179 @ Airgun Depot. Good luck in your search.

Scotty

I got the HW95 in .22 and I am ecstatic with the quality and accuracy. I have the chinese clone in .177 with a tune. PCP level accuracy at 20 yards. 3 five shot groups with Beeman FTS at 20 yards

Why do you need a .22? If all you are doing is plinking and target shooting, the .177 is a much more accurate choice. Consider a Beeman R7 or HW30. These things are so easy to cock and are dead accurate out to 50 yards. They don't suffer from the twang and vibration that the more powerful guns do. Like most red-blooded Americans, I used to think bigger and faster is better, and own plenty of .22 and .25 airguns, but I now like the .177 caliber most of all. I don't hunt, so the larger calibers sit there most of the time.

For what it's worth. Earlier this year all I had we're spring guns. I sold all of my spring guns and replaced with PCP. The only one I kept, and I will never sell is an early 1970's Feinwerkbau 124. I took it to EBR this year and competed in the 25m. 1st time for me, and shot 670 something. I know it's a 177, but over the years it has shot everything from raccoons down to starlings. It is by far the easiest to shoot and cock of any spring gun I've ever shot. And deadly accurate. I traded AOA an early 22 Beeman R1 that was in great shape. I never shot it. If you wanted a horse they may still have it. If they don't and that's what you would like my brother is going to sell his. Also an early 1970's model and in great shape. They sell for about 350.00 and I believe you could keep it for 10 years and still get your money back. As for myself. If I had a choice of choosing ANY spring gun I would get another 124. People that have them absolutely love them.