Looking At Springers, What is the Best that is Readily Available ?

Only advice I have, is don't let the recommendation of the older "holy grail" rifles from dudes looking through rose colored glasses lead you to spend a lot of money on something that's no longer in production. I've had most all of them, and for the most part, there's a good reason they were discontinued. 

If you want my opinion of the best springer you could ever buy, here it is: 

HW77K or an HW97K in .177 running at 12fpe with a drop in ARH tune kit. 

No, they won't group in a dime at 75 yards consistently. Yes, they are heavy. Yes, they have twang out of the box. No, they won't shoot 17fpe and still be able to hit anything. 

But they don't have lockup issues like the "other" famous underlever. They are readily available new. They aren't as heavy or complicated as the RWS54 or 56. They are easier to shoot accurately than the break barrels. They have excellent triggers. 

I've had about all of them at one time or another and those are what I can recommend to be consistently good performers. The current production has quite a bit of spring preload, and really need turned down a bit to be their best IMO. A simple drop in tune kit from ARH will be all they need to remedy that. 

Good luck and have fun. 




 
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For closer range & small game (mice, chipmunks, & birds), extremely accurate, fun, easy to shoot, my money is on an HW30.

For hunting and maybe a little target out to further & larger game (squirrels, rabbits) Very accurate & reliable as well as not too heavy, my vote goes to the HW95.

Another all around phenomenal gun is the Walther LGV/LGU if you can find one. 

If target more than hunting, probably an HW97.

All of the aforementioned in .177 is good to go. 
 
I don't have knowledge of other models or makes BUT the HW95L is an excellent choice that is accurate and loads of fun to shoot. I highly recommend this rifle to anyone interested in a quality air rifle.

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Build quality wise, I’d vote for the HW series guns before the Diana . The 54 and 56 are super accurate but the weight is not something I’d walk around with. They remind of the Mauser weight wise. I own and have shot a variety or springers and have sold all but my Weihrauchs , my favourite in the bunch for hunting , plinking and the odd paper punching session is the HW80 , I pick it over the 95 only because I find the extra weight helps to hold it steady. The .22 version of the 80 is a real hammer but not overly powered to rattle your teeth like the other magnum springers out there. With that being said the HW97 will be with me til the bitter end , at 15fpe in .177 , shooting 1” at 50 yards is not a problem.
 
Well, it’s hard to choose. I’ve shot Weihrauch’s and the TX200 and Pro Sport, and I must say that each are just as accurate as the other. It just boils down to what you prefer for the stock and the look. However, I do tune all of my springers, never shoot it stock because it’s no fun. Air Arms makes some beautiful Minnelli stocks. I think Weihrauch continuously update their stock so I don’t know what the current stock it.

I do want to mention that the underlevers are definitely more accurate than the ones without fixed barrels. So keep that in mind. I can’t speak to the Diana’s, but if Odoyle thinks its good....then it must really be that good. But, I’m sure he tunes his too. I easily get half inch groups at 50 yards with my springers. However, they are all in .177 so there is that to consider. The pellets are much smaller. 

If this helps, hit that plus under my name and give me some feedback. Thanks!
 
Great to see everyone loves the Diana 54 as much as me. Mine is not pellet picky and shoots many different pellets in 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 50 yards. The gun weighs in at ten pounds though so that has to be taken into consideration.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/shot-some-targets-50-yards-with-the-diana-54/

Biohazardman makes a good point. Though I enjoy shooting my Diana 54, I'm not so sure I'd be willing to carry that ten pound behemoth over hill and dale all day long.