Hi guys! I’m looking to get a rifle & pistol. I recently found out they do target shooting near me. I would like to participate in. They have 20fpe limit. So I’m thinking spring or gas piston. I will also be using rifle for small game hunting. What would be best for both? Thanks for info!
N/A Spring or gas piston?
- Thread starter Airgunner79
- Start date
Don't buy anything yet just go. Tell them you're interested and would like to try a few things before plunking the money.
Spring and gas pistons are great when you are looking for moderate power at moderate ranges. What small game do you intend to hunt?
Spring and gas pistons are great when you are looking for moderate power at moderate ranges. What small game do you intend to hunt?
It is not a matter of spring or gas; it is a matter of quality, and you can find that in both types.There is more selection in springer.I will say I have a BSA gas springer. The BSA is, without doubt is the best handling and looking of all my non PCP rifles; it is also the worst shooting 
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TX200 or HW97. Easier maintenance with the TX, no spring compressor need. Both very accurate with good triggers.Both very accurate.
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Depending on what type of target shooting near you. Field Target? get a TX or HW 97, Silhouette? get a Beeman R9 or a HW 50, 10 meter? FWB 300.
The only ones suitable for most air rifle type hunting is the Beeman R9 or the HW 50 (lighter and easily shouldered)
If it was me. I would get two air rifles. One for competition and one for hunting.
If your budget is limited, get the R9.
Currently, there are more quality springers vs gas rams. Plus the advantages of a gas ram are easily mitigated if you know the limits of your springers.
If you were thinking of doing this with those big box springers/gas rams...Norica, Gamos, Crosman, Hatsan etc, good luck. I'll let others with more positive experience with these products guide you.
The only ones suitable for most air rifle type hunting is the Beeman R9 or the HW 50 (lighter and easily shouldered)
If it was me. I would get two air rifles. One for competition and one for hunting.
If your budget is limited, get the R9.
Currently, there are more quality springers vs gas rams. Plus the advantages of a gas ram are easily mitigated if you know the limits of your springers.
If you were thinking of doing this with those big box springers/gas rams...Norica, Gamos, Crosman, Hatsan etc, good luck. I'll let others with more positive experience with these products guide you.
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Good advice to buy the highest quality gun your budget permits. In the higher quality category, you will find both steel springs and gas pistons that can deliver excellent accuracy. That said, among spring gun enthusiasts, steel springs are far more popular than gas pistons. Springs last a very long time, are pretty cheap to buy, and are relatively easy to service and replace when necessary.
For primarily target shooting or FT competition, the TX200 and hw97k own that category. They can certainly hunt too, but are relatively heavy to lug around in the field. If hunting is more important and you prefer a lighter but still accurate gun, then an hw95/R9 or hw50s are good options.
Also, the sweet spot for spring gun power is 12fpe-17fpe. In my experience, anything over 17fpe and you start to struggle with consistency and accuracy.
Good luck choosing.
R
For primarily target shooting or FT competition, the TX200 and hw97k own that category. They can certainly hunt too, but are relatively heavy to lug around in the field. If hunting is more important and you prefer a lighter but still accurate gun, then an hw95/R9 or hw50s are good options.
Also, the sweet spot for spring gun power is 12fpe-17fpe. In my experience, anything over 17fpe and you start to struggle with consistency and accuracy.
Good luck choosing.
R
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Ok so for rabbit and squirrel I’d pick up any good springer between 12-20 ft-lb in .177, .20, or .22. If it’s field target competition then stick with .177.
I don’t know pistols so I’m talking only about the rifle.
In springers the TX200 and HW 97 are top of the heap. Both shoot about 14ft-lb out of the box and both shoot more accurately when tuned to 12ft-lb.I bought my TX 200 this winter and it was very good. I got it tuned and it became outstanding. But investing $1200 in a springer is not for everyone. Fwiw I do consider that near the top end for this application and if that fits your budget I will heartily recommend that.
Gas pistons have a place IMHO at the 20ft-lb end but still I don’t think they necessarily beat a good magnum coil springer. Diana 54/56 is a very good accurate gun.
The HW95 / Beeman R9 is also a great gun that’s a bit lighter than the tx200 and 97.
With small game being able to take clean head shots matters as much as delivering impact energy. So producing a more accurate shot is often worth losing a few ft-lb.
I don’t mention Gamos or other big box brands because I’ve not had good experiences with them. If your budget stops there then I’m sure there are decent options I’m not entirely sure what they are. Id call Jon Halpin at Keystone Airguns before id buy a random big box airgun with whooshy 1200fps lies on a colorful box.
I don’t know pistols so I’m talking only about the rifle.
In springers the TX200 and HW 97 are top of the heap. Both shoot about 14ft-lb out of the box and both shoot more accurately when tuned to 12ft-lb.I bought my TX 200 this winter and it was very good. I got it tuned and it became outstanding. But investing $1200 in a springer is not for everyone. Fwiw I do consider that near the top end for this application and if that fits your budget I will heartily recommend that.
Gas pistons have a place IMHO at the 20ft-lb end but still I don’t think they necessarily beat a good magnum coil springer. Diana 54/56 is a very good accurate gun.
The HW95 / Beeman R9 is also a great gun that’s a bit lighter than the tx200 and 97.
With small game being able to take clean head shots matters as much as delivering impact energy. So producing a more accurate shot is often worth losing a few ft-lb.
I don’t mention Gamos or other big box brands because I’ve not had good experiences with them. If your budget stops there then I’m sure there are decent options I’m not entirely sure what they are. Id call Jon Halpin at Keystone Airguns before id buy a random big box airgun with whooshy 1200fps lies on a colorful box.
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The club here shoots 10m silhouette indoors. I really like the tx200, & I was looking at air arms pro sport. For the target shooting. But for hunting I was thinking gas piston. I think I read somewhere that gas ram is better for hunting. Because you can leave it cocked longer.
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I find that overrated. Just make sure to fire off the pellet in the dirt before the end of the hunting session. But leaving it cocked for a few hours is fine.
For hunting a true step up is a PCP. Gas rams aren’t much upgrade over a spring. Others will share different opinions.
For hunting a true step up is a PCP. Gas rams aren’t much upgrade over a spring. Others will share different opinions.
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All gas piston marketing material makes that claim, but my experience, and a good bit of empirical testing, have shown it to largely be a myth. You can leave a steel spring cocked for hours with no ill effects. There may be an impact on power if you go for weeks, but I've never done a test to find out. I've never been in a hunting situation where I needed to leave the gun cocked for more than an hour.
R
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I agree with post #2 go to the match First , see what they shoot , most will let you try their gun . as far as hunting i would say an HW 50 would be good for squirrels and rabbits , with a head shot . HW 50 not really for serious targets .
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Don't worry about leaving a springer cocked, it will be fine. The good German and English rifles are all rebuildable anyway. Most of the nitro piston guns are lower quality that you will not be happy with as a competition shooter. Go to some shoots first to see that they are actually competing with springers, because in most places that class has been just about wiped out. Most use PCP rifles.
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I have to put my vote for spring over gas. Until recently I wanted a gas spring and finally got one. Admittedly it's a hatsan 135 so it's not a high quality rifle. As soon as I can get the parts to convert it to steel spring the better.
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Thanks for the info! With the new info I’m going with spring. I have pcps that I hunt with now. I’ve been wanting to get a springer for hunting. I started with a Benjamin nitro Trail. Thin moved into pcps. The only spring gun I’ve tried was a gamo.,Didn’t really like it. And from the pictures they sent me they are shooting pcp and brake barrels. So I’ll bring the notos first time and hopefully someone will let me try a springer. Should be fun thanks guys
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Here you go; I have the .22 version & its very powerful & accurate. Almost entirely wood & steel, PCP power, but will require some arm strength from the shooter. Alot of Gamo-hate on the forums- Im glad that I didnt listen. https://gamousa.com/product/hunter-extreme-utimate-kit-25/
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I didn't read all of the earlier posts so I may be giving old info but Between a gas ram and a spring , go with the spring every time for the same cost. Springer is more economical. Right now the only new gas ram you can get is the hw90. I have one and I love it but it is heavy in weight and heavy cocking.
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There's advantages to both. My two favorite aiguns are the tx200 and hw90.
For hunting and longer distances I prefer my hw90 in .20. It is less affected by wind (than .177). It has a resetable safety, a faster smoother shot cycle, and is has infinitely adjustable power level to find that sweet spot.
My tx200hc is my most accurate inside of 50 yards. I love the maneuverabilty of the carbine. It has the best trigger, and is the easiest to work on of all the available airguns. I also hunt with this gun and it is very capable. My only advice is stay away from the cheap airguns whether gas or coil spring.
For hunting and longer distances I prefer my hw90 in .20. It is less affected by wind (than .177). It has a resetable safety, a faster smoother shot cycle, and is has infinitely adjustable power level to find that sweet spot.
My tx200hc is my most accurate inside of 50 yards. I love the maneuverabilty of the carbine. It has the best trigger, and is the easiest to work on of all the available airguns. I also hunt with this gun and it is very capable. My only advice is stay away from the cheap airguns whether gas or coil spring.
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I have HW95, HW97k and between them I've broken 4 factory springs in 6000 shots. They both have aftermarket springs and are performing well now but the time and expense to make reliable rifles out of them was substantial.
I have a Cometa 400 gas ram with 26,000 shots and still going strong. More than 4x the number of shots of both HW combined and it shoots smoother and faster than any HW I've owned.
I'll take a gas ram over a spring any day. In my limited experience they last longer, shoot faster, recoil smoother and are just as accurate. Half the price of an HW and much easier to repair. You can rebuild one on the tailgate of your truck with no tools in 5 minutes.
For a hunting rifle the Cometa is superior. It's lighter, swings better and balanced better. It's not as finely finished as the HW but the rifle is much better suited for carrying and shooting in the field.
I have a Cometa 400 gas ram with 26,000 shots and still going strong. More than 4x the number of shots of both HW combined and it shoots smoother and faster than any HW I've owned.
I'll take a gas ram over a spring any day. In my limited experience they last longer, shoot faster, recoil smoother and are just as accurate. Half the price of an HW and much easier to repair. You can rebuild one on the tailgate of your truck with no tools in 5 minutes.
For a hunting rifle the Cometa is superior. It's lighter, swings better and balanced better. It's not as finely finished as the HW but the rifle is much better suited for carrying and shooting in the field.
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