Following on from TeeDee's post regarding pistols and Broch's advice to start a new thread, I'm interested in an air rifle but not expensive to start out on plinking. We do have a good angler/gun shop quite locally but too expensive for my tastes. Any suggestions? Looking at around under the 200 mark perhaps lower if there's one available. Possibly with a cheap scope as well or am I blowing in the wind here at that price.
Cheap Air Rifle To Start Off With
- Thread starter StevieE
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You can pick up a tidy springer for under £200.
Have a browse through https://www.gunstar.co.uk/ for an idea.
I have probably shot more squirrel with my old BSA Supersport than any of my other guns - springers are perfectly fine for plinking and pest shooting. Charlie Portlock's book 'How to Shoot Spring Rifles' (£1.99 on kindle) is a useful tutorial if you're a beginner.
Have a browse through https://www.gunstar.co.uk/ for an idea.
I have probably shot more squirrel with my old BSA Supersport than any of my other guns - springers are perfectly fine for plinking and pest shooting. Charlie Portlock's book 'How to Shoot Spring Rifles' (£1.99 on kindle) is a useful tutorial if you're a beginner.
Personally I'd go for a Cometa. I have a 13 year old Cometa 220 which is a little rough around the edges but shoots as accurately as anything else I own (5 Weihrauchs and an Air Arms). It's also dead easy to work on. Newer versions are more refined and you might want to go for the 300 or 400 since they are more powerful.
Generally I get the impression that the budget end of the market is pretty reasonable but I can't really comment on brands that I've never used.
As for scopes, my favourite is a 6x40AO Mountmaster which is pretty cheap scope but everything I need and nothing I don't. More money will get you more scope but large objective lenses = more weight and huge zoom magnifications are just unnecessary.
Generally I get the impression that the budget end of the market is pretty reasonable but I can't really comment on brands that I've never used.
As for scopes, my favourite is a 6x40AO Mountmaster which is pretty cheap scope but everything I need and nothing I don't. More money will get you more scope but large objective lenses = more weight and huge zoom magnifications are just unnecessary.
I would start with a break barrel spring gun. Gamo,hatsan ,bsa and norica all make rifles within your budget.
Personally I would advise Waiting for a good deal or spend a little bit more on a Weihrauch, you won’t need to upgrade in the future just get a tuning kit at some point. Plus they will always sell back on easily if you decide it’s not for you.
Good luck on your search, hope your plinking soon!
Good luck on your search, hope your plinking soon!
A cheap springer will not give you the right concept of plinking etc
Hard to cock ,twangy recoil etc
Look for a HW99s or hw35 secondhand or a old bsa not the later ones .
Avoid c02 as they are to inconsistent ,
Also cheap scopes are bit like cheap air rifles personally I prefer open sights to a cheap scope.
Hard to cock ,twangy recoil etc
Look for a HW99s or hw35 secondhand or a old bsa not the later ones .
Avoid c02 as they are to inconsistent ,
Also cheap scopes are bit like cheap air rifles personally I prefer open sights to a cheap scope.
Has anyone experienced this? No scope but cheap at 120 quid from a local dealer. Brand new.
BSA Hornet Break Barrel Air Rifle
It's a new entry level spring powered rifle fron bsa using the old hornet name. Should be similar to the super sport ,comet and metor models. Good as a stater gun.
Well, if it's comparable to a Supersport that retails at about £250 (last time I saw one) then it's very good value.
It looks like the £120 is standard on this synthetic stock gun. It also says it's a BSA barrel - whatever that means these days.
Weight: 2.50 KGS
22 Calibre: 22 calibre
Manual safety: Manual Safety
Synthetic Stock: Synthetic Stock
Full Power: Full Power
BSA Hornet Break Barrel Air Rifle
£120.00Weight: 2.50 KGS
DESCRIPTION
Full power, hunting standard accuracy, fast handling and a choice of sighting systems all come as standard with the new BSA Hornet, along with a whole range of exciting features. These include hi-visibility, fibre-optic enhanced open sights, that allow instant target acquisition in virtually any lighting conditions. Fitted with a top-specification BSA barrel, scope mounting grooves and fully backed by our guarantee of quality, this lightweight, affordable sporter is set to become a star in its own right.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Break Barrel: Break Barrel22 Calibre: 22 calibre
Manual safety: Manual Safety
Synthetic Stock: Synthetic Stock
Full Power: Full Power
As far as I understand it all the BSA spring powered air rifles are now made in Spain at their parent company’s factory and share parts and design in common with Gamo air rifles. The PCP rifles are made with parts from both sites but still assembled in Birmingham (UK) from mainly UK manufacturing.
I have had one of those Gamo springers before and it was actually ok, it came with telescopic sight and gun bag bundle under £100
One of the methods used by the manufacturer to reduce power for the UK market is to drill a tiny hole right through the piston. Easy to fix by removing the piston and filling the hole by tapping it and adding a grub screw giving you approximately 17 f/Lbs muzzle energy. Some of their rifles marketed as gas ram do not get the gas ram when manufactured for the UK market, no idea why. Check before you buy.
I have had one of those Gamo springers before and it was actually ok, it came with telescopic sight and gun bag bundle under £100
One of the methods used by the manufacturer to reduce power for the UK market is to drill a tiny hole right through the piston. Easy to fix by removing the piston and filling the hole by tapping it and adding a grub screw giving you approximately 17 f/Lbs muzzle energy. Some of their rifles marketed as gas ram do not get the gas ram when manufactured for the UK market, no idea why. Check before you buy.
