Magnum Springer Accuracy

[Chief55]

I don't have very much experience with springers, but I have become interested in getting one someday due to all of the enthusiasm for them in the threads. I am curious what you folks that play with them all of the time would consider to be the most accurate Magnum Springer or does all of that recoil from a Magnum Springer tend to ruin the accuracy? How would they compare to say an R9 for accuracy?

 

[Roamin Greco 1]

I don't have very much experience with springers, but I have become interested in getting one someday due to all of the enthusiasm for them in the threads. I am curious what you folks that play with them all of the time would consider to be the most accurate Magnum Springer or does all of that recoil from a Magnum Springer tend to ruin the accuracy? How would they compare to say an R9 for accuracy?

My limited experience is with a Diana 350 Magnum that I bought at an online auction bundled with another airgun I really wanted. However, that Diana surprised me as far as its smoothness and accuracy. It must have been tuned, because they have a reputation for vibration and killing scopes. I have found my specimen to be smooth, powerful and accurate. My only problem is the scope is mounted way too high and I can't get a good cheek weld. But the one piece dovetail to picatinny mount hangs over the front of the scope rail, which stops any chance of the rings walking back. Now I want to pull it out and it again. Maybe I'll chrony it since I have a chrony to play with now.

 

[Danman]

I don't have very much experience with springers, but I have become interested in getting one someday due to all of the enthusiasm for them in the threads. I am curious what you folks that play with them all of the time would consider to be the most accurate Magnum Springer or does all of that recoil from a Magnum Springer tend to ruin the accuracy? How would they compare to say an R9 for accuracy?

I would recommend a medium to med-powerful springer over a full-on magnum, they can be animals! I occasionally shoot two Diana 350Mags in .177. One is (Vortek) tuned and scoped, the other is stock on irons. They are beasts to cock, esp when new, WILL wreck crappy scopes and mounts, and will need some tightening of the stock screws from time to time.
Laat time I shot my dad's I was smashing apples that fell off the trees @ 40Y away without issue.
Long sessions become unpleasant from the cocking and recoil though lol. As far as competition i shoot my TX200 against my brother and his 350 but it doesn't seem fair.....he's never won. Some people will say different im sure, but they don't compare.

 

[Chief55]

Thank you. Yes, I suspected that a 350 might be a bit too much for me and my scopes. I have read good and bad about it, and it is good to see what you guys think of it. I have been missing my .20 Sheridan that I gave my stepson but don't really want another pump, so I am thinking about getting a HW95 Luxus in .20 to have a grab and go without dragging out all the PCP stuff when I only have time for a handful of shots. I am not sure if that is a good match for me or not. I like shooting 30-50 yards the best. If I stayed in my lane, it would be a .20 Condor, but I have 2 PCPs in .22 and 2 more in .25 so another one in .20 seems a bit redundant to me. I liked the .20 much better than .177 for plinking. What worries me is that I have gotten used to shooting in the mid 800s - 900s so I am worried that I would get bored shooting at the slower speeds, a good thwack puts a smile on my face every time. I am also a sucker for exceptional accuracy as long as I don't have to send it to a shop every time it has a hiccup. I was always impressed with McNasty's R9 but I don't see it listed in a .20 anymore.

 

[Chief55]

I have been looking at lots of videos of the different models and the HW50 seems like it would be a lot of fun, a bit lighter but I am a little more drawn to the HW95 Luxus and the Ham report on it has kind of reinforced that. Great report and the second one that has reported the cocking effort to be around 28 pounds rather than 35. Another great report.

Weihrauch HW95 Air Rifle Test Review .177 Caliber - Hard Air Magazine

The Weihrauch HW95 air rifle is accurate, powerful enough for most shooters, easy enough to cock, has an outstanding trigger and great finish

hardairmagazine.com

 

[Danman]

liked the .20 much better than .177 for plinking. What worries me is that I have gotten used to shooting in the mid 800s - 900s so I am worried that I would get bored shooting at the slower speeds, a good thwack puts a smile on my face every time

I had similar thoughts when I bought my TX200. Its shooting currently just over 800fps with 8.44gr.
I loved it so much I bought an HW50 a few months ago that shoots a 7.87gr also to 800fps. It gives plenty of smack inside 40Y on cans (TX will blow through 1/2ply @30Y).
What i love overall is flat shooting and thats why I prefer a .177 or .20 in a springer vs .22. Ill hunt with my pcps if needing the extra clout usually.
I think alot of beginners are turned off on springers as they grab a magnum and have a tough time with it.
The 95 be a good choice out to 50Y, a little more powerful, but not extreme. My Hw50 is a dream to handle, light and pointable. The shorter barrel makes me often grip it by the very end on the open sights for maximum leverage.

 

[Chief55]

True, the .177s are nice for flat shooting but they are so small I fumble around trying to load them and have put them in backwards before because I can't see them that well, so I am just not a fan of them anymore. If I did ever want to shoot a squirrel with it, I believe the .20 would do a better job of it. But I will kick it around a little more before I decide. Overall weight of the gun is important to me as well which also makes a HW50 attractive. I ruled out the tx200 because it says they are 9 pounds before a scope and that's just not fun to me and I ruled out Dianas because I don't want any plastic though I have heard that they shoot well. I love flat shooting as well and that is one of the reasons I shoot Airforce guns. Thanks for your help.

 

[Roamin Greco 1]

True, the .177s are nice for flat shooting but they are so small I fumble around trying to load them and have put them in backwards before because I can't see them that well, so I am just not a fan of them anymore. If I did ever want to shoot a squirrel with it, I believe the .20 would do a better job of it. But I will kick it around a little more before I decide. Overall weight of the gun is important to me as well which also makes a HW50 attractive. I ruled out the tx200 because it says they are 9 pounds before a scope and that's just not fun to me and I ruled out Dianas because I don't want any plastic thought I have heard that they shoot well. I love flat shooting as well and that is one of the reasons I shoot Airforce guns. Thanks for your help.

I have a refurbished Beeman R9 from P.A. in .22; shoots like a dream with HM Field Target Trophys with 5.53mm heads.

I also have an old Diana 36 (a 34D with nicer stock and front sight). I would think a used Diana 34 would suit you as well to try out springers again. If your heart is set on .20 cal, look at HW95 at AoA same as Beeman R9.

 

[Scriv]

True, the .177s are nice for flat shooting but they are so small I fumble around trying to load them and have put them in backwards before because I can't see them that well, so I am just not a fan of them anymore. If I did ever want to shoot a squirrel with it, I believe the .20 would do a better job of it. But I will kick it around a little more before I decide. Overall weight of the gun is important to me as well which also makes a HW50 attractive. I ruled out the tx200 because it says they are 9 pounds before a scope and that's just not fun to me and I ruled out Dianas because I don't want any plastic though I have heard that they shoot well. I love flat shooting as well and that is one of the reasons I shoot Airforce guns. Thanks for your help.

I have a TX 200, HW97KT, HW50S, and two HW30s. I second the idea of getting a HW50S. If I could only have one, that would be it. That will let you experience many things related to springer shooting. You will know if you want more, or less in terms of power. I also enjoy shooting .177 due to the variety of pellets. On the other hand a .20 keeps it simple, you only have a few choices. I had an rws air king in .22 years back. A lot of work to shoot for sure.