Shooting a high-powered springer at looooong range - what’s the point?

[Flintsack]

I’ll be honest. I haven’t done this for a while. It’s much easier to shoot PCPs. I’m going to change that. It took me a good half an hour to figure out how to get the rifle shooting. I started out shooting softball size groups, I was shooting at 100 yards.

Then I started to get a feel for what it needed. One of the groups below was shot with a fairly loose hold, front rest only. The other group was shot with a front and rear rest and a firm hold.

what’s my point? First of all it was a lot of fun and a great challenge to get it to shoot accurately at that range. But more importantly, the next time I shoot my PCPs, I will shoot better. I will think more about follow-through, about doing everything the same.

I really do believe that every single PCP accuracy shooter should own either an R7 or an R9....And I would highly recommend if it’s your first springer that it would be the R7.

The biggest mistake I see most guys who shoot Springers for the first time, is that they buy some super powered magnum. ..pellets fly everywhere. And then they become a tomato steak, in the garden. Instead of the varmints worst nightmare...in the garden. 

IMO There is no better way to learn to shoot super small groups with your PCP, than to master a well-made accurate Springer.

Food for thought, enjoy your weekend.

For those who love beautiful wood. This is a Theoben Crusader with a refinished Hayuda stock from a Crow Magnum. 

20 caliber, shooting old Crossman premier’s...at yds.

mike

 

[vmaxpro]

Thats awesome! I dont think Ive ever shot my crow magnum past 30 yards lol. 

 

[JamesD.]

Thanks Mike,

You're absolutely correct on that advice. Nothing like mastering a springer to get the most from a PCP or anything else. Also, all you original springer shooters did all the research on how & why pellets work best. Thanks again. 

 

[Cannonball]

That’s a nice piece of walnut on your rifle. Nice shooting at that distance as well.

 

[8thman]

Nice groups and what a beautiful gun!

 

[boscoebrea]

I remember back "when" about 1980s, I would go through the Beeman catalog and lusted for those rifles....I believe some had the Anscultz barrels.

I am happy to shoot 50yds with a springer at get a group the size of a cantaloup.LOL.

You gave great advice for a first springer,the R-7 .177 was my first and I got it at the San Rafael store in 1981.Then R-9 in .20.and then the list goes on...

 

[JohnL57]

Fine shooting and beautiful rifle! 

 

[Micro]

Great shooting and a very fine gun - nice to see there are other people who still have some older pellets to shoot..

 

[Flintsack]

The Looks!
The wood stock was as gorgeous as it always looked in the magazine and catalog photos. The African Heydua wood was highly figured and sculpted with an extremely high cheekpiece that was ideal for scope use. 

 

[GeneT]

That's awesome! And excellent advice to boot! I'm one of those idjits that bought a super-magnum springer (many years ago) and it definitely would have served me better as a tomato stake. 

GsT

 

[vmaxpro]

Great shooting and a very fine gun - nice to see there are other people who still have some older pellets to shoot..

That yellow tin of crow mags takes me back!

 

[Twinkees_n_Pb]

Great looking stock there. 1000% agree with your stated perspective @flintsack. In the end will only help make one a more well rounded shooter; technique, muscle memory, experience. And if nothing, the challenge of it is pure fun! ...I guess if you're into that.

Personally I actually took such a step further (cuz the challenge is pure fun) and shoot from my weak hand along with the corresponding eye. Been doing this past the 10years (in powder burning and bow/arrow world) and now am equally comfy left handed or right handed. Same with pistols; two handed/ single handed/ lefty/ righty. Point is, you have to want to make it happen for one reason or another, and then like anything else practice practice practice... cuz it's so damn fun.

 

[Flintsack]

Twinkies...

I must admit that I am intrigued. I practice shooting left-handed from my Deerstand, in case that’s the only shot I get. I found that I can shoot almost as good. I suppose with practice I could get even better. Interesting.

mike

 

[Ezana4CE]

Gorgeous stock! I didn’t know a springer could be accurate at that range. Learned something new. 

 

[Twinkees_n_Pb]

@flintsack for sure you can do it ...will feel awkward at first (and prob for a while); just go slow with everything you do, ie cocking, loading etc. Ability to operate/use both hands in our sports shooting world extends beyond that, and is priceless

 

[Vetmx]

For some reason, my niece is a gifted springer shooter. Now I never handed her a box store plastic canon but the groups she shoots with my Webley Vulcan and TX 200HC blow my mind. They are .177 so I never stretched her to 100 but I did to 60 yards. I asked her how do you do it? She said I don’t know, I just shoot the way I’m comfortable. Even if I never understand her secret, I know it can be done. She does it with a front bag rest only. Gun laying on the bag without her hand between the bag and stock like I do. I’m better with laying my hand on the bag, then the gun on my hand.

 

[Flintsack]

I’ve shot my best springer groups Exactly like your niece shoots. The only thing touching the rear of the rifle, is me. But I do keep a Small sand bag nearby that I can rest myself against in the rear.


I actually think springers shoot the very best, from a field target position. However that’s difficult to maintain. Front rests don’t get tired. 


there is no rule that says you can’t use your left hand up near the front rest while you’re shooting from a bench. My hand is right behind the front rest, on the stock. But not in contact with the front rest. Might be interesting to see what happens if I had my hand touching the front rest, or against it.

You guys are making me think. I like it.

mike

 

[Motorhead]

Great shooting and a very fine gun - nice to see there are other people who still have some older pellets to shoot..

That yellow tin of crow mags takes me back!

LOVE the misprint on the BOXED Crosmans.

.20 cal certainly ARE NOT 5.5mm Lol

 

[Vetmx]

I have these homemade 1” spinners everywhere. She is the only person in my family who doesn’t need a PCP to spin these at 40-50 yards almost every time. She gets no enjoyment out of shooting paper but I know she is holding 1” groups at 40 and not much worse at 50 with a .177 springer. I will say the pellet of choice is critical but it’s easy to find the best pellet when someone can shoot that good. When searching for the best pellet for the springers in our collection, I always have her and I shoot paper.

Surprisingly the pellet of choice for my .177 springers is not the popular 10.3.

 

[Flintsack]

You need to share what the choice is?

that’s awesome that she has that kind of skill.

mike