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Air rifles review

Official review in Australian Shooter March 2000

This is the fourth official firearms review for the Australian Shooter magazine. The aim is to compare and test products by a panel of three experts. Our official reviews complement writer reviews in the magazine.
While scores/ratings will be given for each product, it is important to examine the written review to gain a full understanding of the recommendations and results. These reviews are only possible thanks to the co-operation of firearm agents and distributors, range captains, and of course our panel of experts who have kindly taken part.
The air rifles under review were a mixture of hunting and competition match air rifles. The hunting air rifles are used for rabbit or varmint hunting and all had two-stage triggers and safeties.
Competition air rifles normally do not come with a trigger safety. These rifles have adjustable stocks, butt plates, etc, to fit most shooters.
Prices for the air rifles range from $195 for one of the hunting rifles to $2600 for one of the competition rifles.

The range
The State Shooting Park in Virginia, SA

Equipment used
During the hunting rifle review, sandbags were used to help test accuracy, a Simmons ProHunter Scope, a Bushnell Spacemaster II and a Bushnell 45º Spacemaster were used to determine shot placement. An AXSOR (Sweden) air pump was used during the competition match rifle review to charge the match air rifles.
Several different types of ammunition were used throughout each review. They included:
• Gamo Hunter 4.5 Cal (.177)
• Gamo Master Point 4.5 Cal (.177)
• Gamo Match 4.5 Cal (.177)
• RWS Dynamit Nobel Super-H-Point 4.5 Cal (.177)
• RWS Meister Kugeln
• Beeman Crow Magnum Pellets 4.5 Cal (.177)
• Beeman Crow Magnum Pellets 5mm .20
• Beeman Silver Bear Hi-Impact Pellets
• H&N Finale Match Kugeln fur Luftdruck 4.5 mm (.177)

Scoring procedure
Evaluating hunting air rifles is similar to evaluating a normal rifle. Reviewers look for accuracy, feel, recoil, ease of use and at the technical specifications and price of each firearm. The reviewers were given a score sheet and were then allowed to shoot three to five shots through each rifle at 25 and/or 50 metres. After testing each rifle, the reviewers recorded their results on the scoring sheet. After the hunting air rifles had all been reviewed, the experts discussed the rifles and expressed their thoughts and opinions. The same procedure was used for the match air rifles, however, they were shot at 10 metres - the official Olympic distance.
The two types of air rifles were reviewed and scored independently.

Hunting air rifles

Beeman SLR-98 .22
Beeman SLR-98 .22
Supplied By: Beeman Precision Australia
Method of Propulsion: Spring piston
Weight: 3.6kg (7.9lbs)
Overall Length: 99cm (39")
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Simmons Whitetail Classic
Magazine: 7-shot
Stock: Walnut
Safety: Automatic with cocking
Velocity fps: 780
Made in: USA
Score: 18 Highest-scoring hunting air rifle
In the opinion of all three reviewers, the Beeman SLR was a very accurate rifle - about 25mm groups for three shots at 50m. Yvonne said the trigger was good, a two-stage trigger with quite a short first stage but a nice consistent and even release.
The rifle was well balanced and the safety was easy to use. All three reviewers loved the Simmons Whitetail scope and thought it would make a very good rabbit gun.
Mark said the rifle had a well-formed stock that provided good head position for sighting and that it was a very well presented package.
The SLR was the only rifle reviewed that had a magazine, which the reviewers enjoyed. The 7-shot magazine made loading quick and easy and would be handy when out varmint shooting.

Beeman Crow Magnum III .20
Beeman Crow Magnum III .20
Supplied By: Beeman Precision Australia
Method of Propulsion: Spring piston
Weight: 3.9kg (8.6lbs)
Overall Length: 116cm (46")
Barrel: Break barrel, review rifle fitted with a muzzle weight
Sights: Simmons Whitetail Classic
Stock: Hyedua
Safety: Automatic with cocking
Velocity fps: 1060
Made in: USA
Score: 16.5
David thought the Crow Magnum was very accurate. He said the drop between 25 and 50m was only one centimetre, at most. All agreed that it was a heavy but stable gun, a true hunting air rifle or a “rifleman’s air rifle”. The scope provided an excellent picture at 50m and according to Yvonne it had beautiful crosshairs - thin in the centre and thick towards the outside. Mark thought the stock was comfortable and neat looking while David thought it was first class and had attractive grain. Yvonne had fairly decent groupings but said there was a fair bit of vibration when the shot went off.
With a 60lb-pressure required to cock this gun, it would be almost impossible for a woman to cock/load unassisted and even somewhat difficult for a man.

Beeman R9 Deluxe .177
Beeman R9 Deluxe .177
Supplied By: Beeman Precision Australia
Method of Propulsion: Spring piston
Weight: 3.4kg (7.5lbs)
Overall Length: 109.2cm (43")
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Blade front, adjustable rear, 3/8" dovetail rail for scope mounting
Stock: Beech stained
Safety: Automatic with cocking
Velocity fps: 930
Made in: USA
Score: 14
The R9 Deluxe is “one of the lightest rifles for this power level”. It has a fairly light trigger, a fact hunters might want to make note of. Mark said the stock was well formed, placing his head in the ideal position for sighting. He did not, however, care for the sights. He said that while the adjustments had nice big dials for up and down, there was nothing indicating which way to adjust it. The cocking effort of the R9 Deluxe is 40 pounds, which the reviewers found to be a little difficult.
The R9 Deluxe is available in .177 or the most popular .20.

Gamo Hunter 440 .177
Gamo Hunter 440 .177
Supplied By: Highland Sports
Method of Propulsion: Spring piston
Weight: 3kg (6.6lbs)
Overall Length: 109.9cm (43.3")
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Nikko Stirling/Diamond Scope
Stock: Hardwood with laser-carved chequering
Safety: Lever
Velocity fps: 1000
Made in: Spain
Score: 15.5
“Four shots within 40mm at 50m: the best of the .177s so far.” That was Yvonne’s first comment about the Gamo Hunter 440. She also said that this rifle, despite its “spongy” trigger, would be as good a starting rifle as any, especially at the price.
David and Mark agreed with Yvonne that there wasn’t a clear distinction between the first and second stages of the trigger. The internal mechanism stays ready even when the shooter has decided to abandon the shot, which means the trigger is only half released.
David said the Hunter’s sights were clear and well positioned. All three reviewers agreed it was a nice rifle and new shooters would be wise to consider it.

Gamo CF-30 .177
Gamo CF-30 .177
Supplied By: Highland Sports
Method of Propulsion: Spring piston
Weight: 2.9kg (6.4lbs)
Overall Length: 110.9cm (43.7")
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Blade
Stock: Walnut-stained beech hardwood
Safety: Lever, manual operation
Velocity fps: 950
Made in: Spain
Score: 15
The Gamo CF-30 offers easy cocking and a medium weight, suitable for most shooters. It has an optional safety and a comfortable stock. The trigger is clean and crisp but all three reviewers noticed considerable recoil when shooting.
Yvonne said the CF-30 was “surprisingly accurate at 50m - within 60mm”.
It has a micrometric rear sight with a four-position interchangeable windage plate and a rifled steel barrel with a rail for mounting a scope.
Each reviewer agreed that this rifle was very good value for the money.

Gamo Expo 2600 .177
Gamo Expo 2600 .177
Supplied By: Highland Sports
Method of Propulsion: Spring piston
Weight: 2.4kg (5.3lbs)
Overall Length: 104cm (40.9")
Barrel: Break barrel
Sights: Open iron
Stock: Wood
Safety: Lever
Velocity fps: 650
Made in: Spain
Score: 15
The Expo 2600 is a reasonably priced lightweight rifle that is easy to cock. The sights are clear and easy to adjust and the safety is very user friendly. “This would be an ideal air rifle for a junior or a new shooter,” said Mark. David liked the trigger and shot consistent groups, but said the Expo had considerable recoil.

Competition match air rifles

Hammerli AR50 .177 (4.5mm)
Hammerli AR50 .177 (4.5mm)
Supplied By: Frontier Arms
Method of Propulsion: Air compressed
Weight: 4.3kg (9.4lbs)
Overall Length: 108cm (40.9")
Barrel: Barrel weight on the end
Sights: Precision peep
Stock: Laminated wood, universal color
Safety: No
Velocity: 170mps
Made in: Switzerland
Score: 19.5 Highest-scoring competition rifle
The Hammerli turned out to be the reviewers’ favourite competition air rifle - none capable of finding any fault. It is very well balanced, has excellent sights and has a very comfortable stock, fitting one reviewer perfectly without any adjustment. The action opens by a slide, which makes it functional for either left- or right-hand shooters and it offers vibration-free firing. Each reviewer shot excellent groups. This is not a cheap air rifle but the Hammerli definitely lives up to its asking price.

Steyr LG10 .177 (4.5mm)
Steyr LG10 .177 (4.5mm)
Supplied By: Victorian Arms
Method of Propulsion: Air compressed
Weight: 5.0kg (11lbs)
Overall Length: 111cm (40.9")
Barrel: Barrel weight on the end
Sights: Aperture
Stock: Laminated wood
Safety: Lever, not used in target shooting
Velocity: 170mps
Made in: Austria
Score: 19 Runner-up
The Steyr, perfect for right- or left-hand shooters, finished a very close second to the Hammerli in the minds of the reviewers. They all agreed that it is a very nice rifle with absolutely no recoil, as would be expected with a target rifle. It is well balanced and has a nice, crisp trigger. While the price is a bit high, this rifle will not disappoint.
Our reviewers are not the only ones impressed with this rifle. In May 1999, Thomas Farnik, from Austria, used this same rifle to equal the world record of 598 (out of 600) in the 10m Men’s Air Rifle event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich.

Feinwerkbau P70 .177 (4.5mm)
Feinwerkbau P70 .177 (4.5mm)
Supplied By: Beeman Precision Australia
Method of Propulsion: Air compressed
Weight: 4.9kg (10.7lbs)
Overall Length: 110cm (40.9")
Barrel: Barrel weight on the end
Sights: Aperture
Stock: Laminated
Safety: No
Velocity: 170mps
Made in: Germany
Score: 18.5
Coming in third, the P70 wasn’t far behind the Hammerli or the Steyr. “Looking at it from an adult’s point of view, the P70 is a better rifle than the P70 Junior but the Junior would be excellent for young or beginning shooters,” said David. He also said that the P70 was a well-presented rifle as per the FWB usual standards and that it was very comfortable to hold in the standing position. Yvonne said it had a snug fit in the shoulder, because of its excellent butt plate, and that it shot very well.

Feinwerkbau P70 Junior .177 (4.5mm)
Feinwerkbau P70 Junior .177 (4.5mm)
Supplied By: Beeman Precision Australia
Method of Propulsion: Air compressed
Weight: 3.55kg (7.7lbs)
Overall Length: 100cm (40.9")
Barrel: No barrel weight
Sights: Aperture
Stock: Laminated
Safety: Lever, not used in target shooting
Velocity: 170mps
Made in: Germany
Score: 18
Scoring for these competition rifles was tight. In David’s mind, the P70 Junior had to be placed fourth on his list simply due to its reduced sight radius. Other than that, he really enjoyed shooting this rifle, as did all those present at the review. It even allowed first-time air rifle shooters to achieve extremely good results.
Yvonne pointed out that while the Junior was certainly easier to hold in the standing position, the muzzle moved faster because there were no barrel weights, a problem that can easily be solved by adding extra barrel weights.
For people who are not familiar with the equipment, the P70 Junior would be an excellent rifle.

Final comments
The air rifle review ran fairly smoothly. Some of the hunting air rifles were a bit difficult to cock or load but the reviewers pointed out that because all the rifles that were tested were new this was bound to occur. Spring piston air rifles can take 500-1000 shots to break in. Therefore, with use, shooters should notice dramatic differences in the cocking mechanism.
In this review, as in past Australian Shooter reviews, scores were often in line with cost; i.e., you get what you pay for. However, in a few instances the reviewers found themselves more impressed by the less expensive rifles.
The competition review was the best part of the day, with the reviewers enjoying success from every rifle tested. Each would come highly recommended by any one of the three experts.
Again, we thank the suppliers of the air rifles and the reviewers; without them this review would not have taken place.

Editor’s note: Air rifles from Anschutz, Walther, Cometa and Webley were unavailable at time of review and will be reviewed at a later date. For more information on these air rifles contact the distributors:
Anschutz - Forbes Wholesale Pty Ltd on 03 9439 6111 and/or
Nioa Trading on 07 3267 7080
Walther - Frontier Firearms on 08 8373 2855
Cometa - Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd on 03 9347 8044
Webley - Alcock & Pierce Pty Ltd on 03 9347 8044