New Diana 56 Target Hunter

It’s been three months since I had ordered my new D56. I called the gun shop this morning to see how it’s going. Last week they told me it had cleared customs. After a quick chat they said they would call me back, just got off the phone. It seems NIOA the company who imports all things gun related only ordered five, i was number six.

To say I’m not happy is an understatement, I’m really really disappointed. The company doesn’t know when they will order in again it depends on the number of requests. My permit to acquire will expire soon and that’s another cost. 

Now I’ll have to renegotiate with the bank of wife.

Well the grieving process didn’t last long. My next pick after the D56 was the hw 77. I found a new one 3 hours drive west from me. It’s the HW77 stainless with walnut stock in 22 cal. I put a deposit on it and drove an hour up the road to retrieve my permit to acquire of the*’l%# gun shop that was supposed to supply my D56, deep breath.

I have now posted of that permit to acquire with a letter explaining what had transpired and could weapons licensing post an amended one back to me. Hopefully this will all be seamless and in a week or two I’ll have my hw 77. What’s waiting another couple of weeks when I’ve waited over three months already, another deep breath.

I really hope it’s not twangy if it is I’ll have to find a tuning kit. Does anyone know what’s available in Aussie. I think I’m getting ahead of myself, I’ll wait until I have it and tested it.

Will keep you posted

Gary

Thanks guys, it was disappointing especially after waiting that long. Anyway all the write ups about the 77 on this forum have been positive so it should be a good rifle.

When I get it I’ll start a new thread and provide some pics and groups.

Gary

G’day Ken and welcome to the forum. Your first airrifle hey as you are probably aware airrifles aren’t cheap here in our great land not like our cousins over the pond. There is an old rule that I’ve followed 22 cal for fur and 177 cal for feathers but these new break barrels and under leavers in 177 cal can comfortably take our bunnies out to 40 metres ( my ethical shooting distance). I had a 177 Benjamin Titan that could really zip a 10 grain pellet and was accurate as heck. Took many a bunny down in Tenterfield and on our place.

If you are buying new or second hand I would recommend either a HW or a Diana it depends on how much you want to spend. Calibre is up to you but I prefer 22 cal over 177. Some say the 177’s shoot flatter and whilst that is true but depending on the distance you have zeroed your scope there isn’t really that much difference. I would stay away from the cheaper airrifles that advertise speeds at over 1000 fps as they are usually hard to shoot accurately. Something around 15 foot pounds is ideal in my experience. 

I own a Hw77, HW50S ( shot only paper so far), Walther LGV and a Benjamin Titan all 22 cal and all accurate hunters. I can only give you advice on my personal experience and if I had to pick one it would be the Hw77. It’s a little heavy but I’ve never been shooting where there isn’t a tree to lean on besides if I’m out in the open the bunnies usually see me and bolt.

I’m not into pcp’s and as you mentioned they are expensive here but there have been some advertised on the internet under second hand airrifles in Aus that may interest you. I recall that Diana have a base model pcp that is fairly cheap by our standards.

There are many, many knowledgeable people on this forum who could give advice to help steer you towards obtaining your first springer. The only other advise I can give you is that faster is not always better. Pm me if you need any further help and let us know what you decide on. Happy hunting.

Gary

25 cal that must really pack a wallop. I still haven’t bought one, maybe one day. The rifles I have keep me busy.

What’s the accuracy like at longer distances with the 25 cal ?

Wayne I didn’t end up getting the 56, the Australian importer only ordered 5 and I was number 6. No one at the gun shop thought of telling me that small piece of information after waiting many months. Anyway I bought a 22 cal Hw77 stainless and I’m very happy with it.

Oh and one more thing, my then 177 Titan killed the UTG a few months after posting the above thread.

Gary