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pianoman

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Everything posted by pianoman

  1. pianoman
    If your budget for a quality scope runs to better than Hawke Panorama series, then the Hawke Sidewinder series of scopes are a seriously good buy. I have one of these currently mounted on my Daystate Regal .177 and I cannot fault it for the money. But again, I also have a Nikon Fieldmaster 6-18x40 with side-focus and that scope, while not cheap, is a masterpiece of precision and clarity above its price-point.. Im using it on my HW77 .22 spring rifle and it matches the rifle absolutely perfectly.
  2. pianoman
    If you look at the advert photo of the rifle on the 1st page of this thread, it indicates a batch made for the US and European markets are for FAC holders. If Air Arms made the Pro Elite available in any number set at sub-12 ft/lbs you have nothing to worry about fella. But they made a lot of this rifle as an FAC model set at about 20 ft/lbs in .22. Whether the limits set on .177 and .20 versions were for the FAC market also, there's nothing to say for certain. I've just had a cast about the net and it would seem, from some forums and sales sites there was a number made and set for sub 12
  3. pianoman
    Ahh..The question here is, do you have an FAC and have you transferred this rifle to your licence? This is where you rreally need to be careful engr82. I'm going out on a limb of my memory of these rifles, so forgive me if I could be wrong here. But the Pro Elite was, I believe, a purpose-built air rifle for FAC holders only. At some point this Pro Elite will have been sold new to someone with an FAC. As far as I'm aware, ALL of Air Arms' Pro Elites sold in the UK were made for the FAC air-rifle market and ALL of them were set well above the 12 ft/lb limit. I certainly remember seeing the
  4. pianoman
    These were on-ticket FAC only and a beautiful looking rifle and shot really well for an FAC-tuned recoiling spring rifle. Much better than Theoben Eliminator for higher powered air rifles on ticket. They should have made a sub-12 ft/lb version, it would have been a serious rival for the HW80. As it is, the HW80 on ticket is an incredible rifle. Air Arms seem to have taken some puzzling decisions over their spring rifle productions over the years. No left-handed Prosport available and then, after a very brief short run of left-handed stocks, they scrapped it. Their Khamsin was a nice-looking
  5. pianoman
    One of the best scopes I've got is a Hawke Panorama 4-12 x50mm EV with an illuminated 10.5 mildot reticle. For £130 quid or so, this is a beautiful little scope on my HW97K .177 and stays bang on zero all through my hunting days/nights. I've even had a few successful wins in HFT with it on the same rifle over the years I've owned it and it still is as good as new! You can spend as much as you like on scopes but, for an air rifle hunting out to decent ranges, I fail to see what more you would need than this little cracker! The Hawke Panorama 4-12x40mm version is just as good and you can pick t
  6. pianoman
    Rabbits see in monochrome black and white, they don't have colour vision. So RED light filters have been proven to work well. It doesn't glare in their sight as cold, bright light will. Almost as if they cannot see the changes in light from a red one. Jocky. Does your scope have an illuminated reticle? I use a Hawke Panorama 4-12x50 and a 4-12x40mm pair on my Daystate Regal and HW77 .22 and set them on a medium strength of Blue light against the red beam of the lamp. Also, try practicing aiming and re-adjusting your rifle/scope/lamp set up in the dark in your garden if you can. That might he
  7. pianoman
    Right I'm opening with what I think is honest, open-minded advice on the Regal based on owning one after a lifetime of spring rifle shooting. DEFINITELY buy one in .22. But be aware that there's an annoying niggle or two to get round to get the best out of them, off the peg. I own one in .177. It is an elegant handling rifle, beautiful to look at as much to shoot with. It is really, phenominally accurate. A genuine one hole, pellet-on-pellet group at 40 metres cannot be sniffed at or dismissed as a poor show in accuracy. The downside is, it is an un-regulated rifle and that means it has a
  8. pianoman
    sundown model shop on ebay are my suppliers for AA field .177 4.51mm headsize ammo. Never had a suspect tin, ever, from them.
  9. pianoman
    Great to read this about your lad Mac. Keep us updated about his progress. The Parachute Regiment is one of our greatest military forces. Your lad deserves a crack at getting his red beret and I'm sure they'll give him all the help and push he needs. All deepest respect from this old Rock Ape! Simon
  10. pianoman
    Hi Mike. TWO quality modern scopes of my choice would be NIKON PROSTAFF. Really top notch quality and reasonable money for the level of quality on offer. I've been using my Nikon Fieldmaster 6-18x40mm scope on my HW77 .22. Blisteringly accurate zero and beautiful sightpicture. I really rate these scopes for any HW spring rifle. Hello Simon Is there a new scope that comes a close second ? regards Mike.
  11. pianoman
    You cannot get a better, classical/retro looking scope for an HW80 than a... SIMMONS WHITETAIL CLASSIC. 4.5-14X40mm AO SUPERNIGHTVIEW. They have a 30/30 "truplex" reticle and a brilliant low-light, wideview performance. This scope perfectly matches the rifle in looks and performance better than any other I've tried over the 18 years I've been shooting with this rifle. Sadly, these are no longer made by Simmons but, if you see one on secondhand markets in good condition, snap it up! There are examples in all conditions out there but, these are amazingly well built scopes. Expect to
  12. pianoman
    That's a rifle to go for. One of the original and best of the breed. I'd snap that up if I was out for a secondhand HW80 at that price. To attest to what Rez has said. Mine is an 18 year old .22 veteran of thousands of rabbits and has given me some of the best dusk and dawn hours of my hunting life out shooting with it. Those who appreciate this German icon of a break barrel air rifle, say it is the best HW80 they have ever come across. Long barrelled and a long range pest killer. I use it against rabbits, rats and Mink that roam on my permissions. Against Mink especially, it is
  13. pianoman
    I've always bought quality air rifles from the best makers in the business so, I never had a duff one I regretted buying to speak of. But, 18 years ago, I bought a cheap Chinese scope;- I cannot remember the name of, that looked terrific. Pin sharp focus, fine-hair 30/30 reticle, the turrets clicked silently and positively firm with a coin; it was approved and proofed for heavy recoiling firearms. "Aha! I thought, 'this might be just the scope for my then-brand new, just-tuned FAC HW80 .22 it had so much going for it, I snapped it up on impulse. 65 Quid! Mounted it up on the '80, ze
  14. pianoman
    I agree with Coypu Hunter's, choice here, I never had a moment's trouble with fitting Bisley sling swivels to my HW spring rifle and QB studs to my Daystate Regal. A little insulation tape under the swivel for the barrel makes a snug fit and cushions the grip against the blueing. You have a top quality spring rifle with your HW95. Never spoil it with cheap accesories that can turn out naff for it.
  15. pianoman
    Lovely post here Kanny. It's great to see a young lad and his dad out for a day's fun with a rifle, a tinful of ammo and a field full of fresh air. I started with my dad this way, as so many of us have. Long may it so continue to be this way. I think a lot of youngsters nowadays have to miss out on such a rewarding experience at such a formative time because their "Modern-day mummies" won't allow them near anything or anyone connected with shooting sports. Your boy is a lot luckier than most his age. Best wishes to both of you for so many good times ahead together. Simon
  16. pianoman
    We have been systematically disarmed since the end of WW2 and as the world grows ever more dangerously unstable, the UK Government has reviewed fire-arms ownership to make it next to impossible for the citizen of this country to take up arms and defend himself. That's the greatest fear our political leaders have. That we are not afraid to fight for ourselves and the notion of the citizens of these islands taking up armed resistance, absolutely scares them shitless. Enoch Powell's "Rivers Of Blood" prophecy is getting nearer reality than anyone dares admit to. Just ask Lee Rigby's family about
  17. pianoman
    Avoid cleaning the barrel if you are unsure of how best to do it Lewis or expensive damage usually follows. (New barrel!) Never cleaned one yet and my rifles perform superbly after years of a hardworking shooting life. There are twi distinct camps on lubing pellets as you can see here. Some do it, some do not. I have to say that, these days I tend to shoot my ammo straight out of the tin. ALL my rifles perform one-hole multiple shot groups at their zero ranges, just as well whether the pellets are lubed or not. How much more accurate does that need to be for hunting?
  18. pianoman
    I know you have mate, and I've not disagreed with you.I've even started to think, why not just have one in .22, one in .177 and, maybe, one in .25. Then I'm sorted and don't have to worry about regs, electronics, fecking shite Harper valves or anything else. I'd just have to fill up more regularly. Chris I couldn't agree with these sentiments more Chris. My HW80 FAC .22, HW77 .22 and HW97K .177 are all the air rifles I will ever seriously need. They will absolutely take the pants off a PCP they way they are set up for the type of hunting jobs they do on my permissions. Accurat
  19. pianoman
    You have to recheck zero everytime you go out to hunt. Changing temperatures from cool outdoor to warmer indoor overnight will cause minute expansion and contraction in the metals inside the average scope and shift it off-zero. Might only be a click or two; or maybe needs a bit more but, your scope is the vital sighting element in the shot.
  20. pianoman
    I love my HW97K .177 rifle. That one has a Sandwell Field Sports kit fitted and I love its consistent performance and accuracy. But my HW77 .22 is an incredible rifle. A good friend who knows his spring rifles stripped and polished it internally to perfection. There are no extra tuning parts, just all original Wiehrauch 77. It produces stunningly accurate groups at 35 metres. I zero it for hunting at 30 metres and it just hits hard and sure all day. Both these rifles will stay with me till I die!
  21. pianoman
    I have to say I was far from impressed with the performance of my Daystate Regal but then again, I was not familiar with 'Power Curves' and 'Sweetspots' having been a lifelong devotee of spring rifle shooting. Daystate serviced the rifle and tuned it to 11.3 ft/lbs which for a .177 is very sweet. But at a full 200-bar fill it only produces 10.3. That might be fine for some shooters but, to me barely adequate power is not what I'm after. Tonight, out hunting rabbits with the rifle zeroed at 40-metres and set on 160-bar pressure=11.3 ft/lbs I bagged 6 rabbits, two of which were at over 50 metr
  22. pianoman
    I'm biting the bullet and having XTX Air fit their regulator in my Daystate Regal when I can afford the £200 for the job. My Regal is a cracking good rifle but, only when it's on 160 bar air pressure in the cylinder. It's underpowered and virtually useless at anything above this figure.
  23. pianoman
    Hello ther and welcome to the section. Before you part with your cash, have a trip to the gunshops in your area and try a few good rifles out, like HW Weihrauch spring rifles, or Air Arms TX200 and see what feels good to your shoulder. If a rifle feels right, it's usually right for you. You can buy a top quality spring rifle you like second hand that will do a lot more for your confidence and developing skills than a cheapo Hatstand plinker will. And you'll soon become disapponted with a cheapo rifle and will then wish you'd spent a bit wiser or a bit more for a Weihrauch or Air Arms than th
  24. pianoman
    out as in have ya caught out maybe its a northern thing. Of course, being a Yorkshire lad, we'd say "Have you caught ow't yet?!"
  25. pianoman
    I will Tom. I haven't spoken with him in a while. I'll go find him and see what he's up to.
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