First up the rifles. Both are top notch air rifles of their prospective types. Both are big heavy guns as in the 10 pound class with scopes. That's why we normally shoot from the bench rested on a bag. Today, though, I was wondering how I would shoot these monsters if I ever ventured away from the shooting bench. Offhand wouldn't work for me because of the weight. Kneeling might, but I'm not comfy with that position. I decided, then, that if I ever found myself out in the field with these two air rifles, I would use my favorite field position, namely, sitting, with or without my back up against a tree or boulder. Today I went with sitting with nothing to support my back. Back in my hunting days, this was my go to shooting position.
First up was my HW97K springer in 177 with the blue laminated stock. This is as good as it gets in a spring piston gun. I've worked long and hard to perfect a bench hold for this beauty and when all things are clicking, it's a sub one inch gun at 50 yards. At thirty yards from the bench, it's always been a reliable half inch shooter for 10 shots. That accuracy comes at a price, though. Spring piston guns are notoriously hold fussy, thanks to their unique double shuffle recoil and it takes a lot of practice to develop a shooting technique that works.
Next up was a vintage PCP in 177 from the late 90s in the Daystate CR-97. Unlike a spring piston gun, there is no recoil with a PCP. That makes them no more hold fussy than a typical 22 LR bench rifle (though, in fact, this particular PCP air rifle will outshoot all but the best 22 LR target rifles at 50 yards).
So how did they do?
The springer was a big disappointment. It obviously did not like wandering away from the bench where I normally shoot it. Oh, given enough time and practice from a field siting position, I could develop a hold that would recover that bench accuracy or at least come close. I probably should have worked on this one a bit more, but I was so frustrated, I walked back to the house and grabbed the PCP rifle.
Picked up the PCP and, uh, it was akin to a shooting miracle. I think I could tie myself up into a pretzel and still shoot this one well.
Two very accurate air rifles. The difference is ease of shooting. Little wonder that PCP rifles own the world of competition air gun shooting and it's been that way for decades.
