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Top 10 Hunting Rifles

Take to the field after live quarry, and the hardware needs to be well thought out, comfortable, accurate and reliable. All the rifles here have plenty to offer the outdoor sportsman, and whilst the majority are pneumatics with pedigree, I have also included a couple of my favourite spring-powered models, which are highly capable, given the right conditions.

  • AIR ARMS S510 TDR (PCP)

    AIR ARMS S510 TDR (PCP)

    The S510 TDR is the latest version of Air Arms’ special Take Down Rifle, and this time, it gets the barrel shroud and side lever from the S510, along with a larger hard case to put it in. Increased case dimensions means some of the lowprofile appeal has gone, yet the big plus is that the new Q-Tec silencer included, can now be left on and packed away in situ. The winning combination of a quality, genuine 2-stage trigger, Lothar Walther, match-quality barrel, consistent power plant, and great Air Arms build quality and finish, make this latest TDR every bit as desirable as the standard model on which it’s based. They quote a conservative shot count with this model, but we’ve had just under 70 super consistent shots from the test rifle, so have no fears on that score. Their magazine system is nice and simple too. Add in the ingenious way that the action comes apart and stows away, and it’s hard not to be impressed by surely the best take down hunter of them all! Accuracy on test : ¼” @ 35-yards RRP: £889 Contact: Air Arms www.air-arms.co.uk

  • BROCOCK BANTAM COMPATTO HI-LITE (PCP)

    BROCOCK BANTAM COMPATTO HI-LITE (PCP)

    Brocock’s standard Compatto gave us a new approach, since it moved the action around 5-6” further back, but unlike a full Bullpup design, still offered a conventional butt layout. The Bantam Compatto Hi-Lite, builds on the success and popularity of the Compatto, but switches power source to a sizeable, front-mounted, carbon fibre buddy bottle, meaning shot count is huge and weight is also reduced. For fans of this style of PCP, it’s a welcome development for sure. The bolt action uses the standard, rotary, 10-shot magazine cassette, and comes complete with an integral pressure gauge, 2-stage semi-match trigger, Slingshot hammer system, re-settable safety catch. The beech stock is a stained and lacquered, ambidextrous skeleton build, with adjustable cheek and butt sections. Add in a reach-forward scope rail, full length barrel shroud with integral baffled silencer and adaptor for second stage unit and adjustable power to 3-levels. In short, that’s quite some specification sheet, and a clever evolution of the Compatto format. Accuracy on test : sub-½” @ 35-yards RRP: £849 Contact: Brocock; www.brocock.co.uk

  • FX STREAMLINE (PCP)

    FX STREAMLINE (PCP)

    Compact and versatile sums up this new model from those innovative chaps at FX in Sweden. Looks-wise, the Streamline is just as its name suggests; unfussy, smart but maybe a little conservative. Look closer though, and it comes bristling with features that are what we have come to expect from them. Firstly, the pneumatic action is regulated, and can boast an impressively high shot count. Then there’s the Smoothtwist barrel, shrouded, but with the option to fit a secondary silencer. There’s a highly competent 2-stage trigger, manual safety catch, manometer, and of course that ultra-subtle side-lever. FX’s multi-shot system is here too, and this time an 11-shot magazine sits at its heart. There’s even an on-board power adjuster, with 3 levels 4, 8 and 11.5 ft/lbs approx. and with 200-shots in .22 calibre recorded, set to full power on test, this is an impressive rifle for sure. Our gun was right-hand walnut spec., but a synthetic stocked version is also available, and this will trim the asking price by around £100. Accuracy on test : ¼” @ 35-yards RRP: £849 Contact: ASI; www.a-s-i.co.uk

  • WEIHRAUCH HW100 KT SYNTHETIC (PCP)

    WEIHRAUCH HW100 KT SYNTHETIC (PCP)

    Best described as ‘typically Weihrauch’, the HW100 family are well designed, super solidly engineered rifles, from one of the most famous names in the business! The new Olive synthetic thumbhole stock is a clever addition to the range, and with soft grey inserts around the grip and forend, it feels great in the aim. Pick up an HW100 and it soon becomes obvious that your holding a properly engineered rifle, built to do a job. Yes, it’s true that they have made little changes to the original specification of the action since the outset, yet the success of this model is proof that they got it pretty well right from day one! Their rotary mag with its multi tooth, retention and indexing system, is one of the very best on the market, and whilst I’m no fan of guns that need their cylinder to be removed for charging, here, Weihrauch have arrived at an ideal spec, where it can also be charged in situ, yet still be removed for safety inspection at some point further down the line. All very reassuring. Weight 7.5lbs Accuracy on test : ¼” @ 35-yards RRP: £849 Contact: Hull Cartridge Ltd; www.hullcartridge.co.uk

  • WALTHER ROTEX RM8 VARMINT (PCP)

    WALTHER ROTEX RM8 VARMINT (PCP)

    The Walther brand, built by Umarex in Germany, has earned a reputation for quality over many years, but their foray into the buddy bottle sector, was a while coming. The Rotex RM8 offers an un-regulated compressed air design, with a 200cc bottle at its heart, and an 8-shot rotary magazine, neatly installed in the breech block, and it all works well. The new Varmint version is a clever addition to the range and brings further versatility to this popular buddy bottle-fed model. The new thumb-hole configuration feels distinctly different from the original spec, with that attractive swell of the forend creating a hand shelf, with much the same sweep as the latest BSA’s for example. In other words, the Varmint stands as a clear option from the original model, which is as it should be. We still get the huge shot count (in the region of 180 on test) from the action, and all the same features are here; just sitting in a great handling synthetic stock. Factor in the sweetly weighted, 2-stage trigger, and this model must be seen as great value for the current asking price. Weight 8.5lbs Accuracy on test : sub-½” @ 35-yds RRP: £400 Contact: Armex Ltd; www.armex-airgun.co.uk

  • GUNPOWER STEALTH MKIII (PCP)

    GUNPOWER STEALTH MKIII (PCP)

    Unorthodox, and unique in its utilitarian styling and construction, the British-made Gunpower Stealth is aimed at a certain sector of an increasingly demanding market, that has a desire for semi-military styled airguns. Whilst this type of rifle will most definitely not be to everyone’s taste, (features such as a rather crude trigger and safety do it no favours) having shot one extensively on test, I can certainly vouch for its large shot count (derived from the sizeable buddy bottle that effectively forms the cheek piece and butt), and serious performance on offer. Styling is admittedly a little bit Star Trek, yet the pop-open breech and direct feed action, is not only efficient, but has a unique and endearing charm about it. Enormous shot counts of 450 plus from a 500cc buddy bottle, may account for much of the brand’s popularity, but genuine ragged holes over 25 yards on test, that could support a .22 pellet, may also be part of the reason why these rifles continue to go down a storm Stateside. Accuracy on test : ¼” @ 25-yards RRP: £580 Contact: Gunpower, 01233 642357

  • AIR ARMS ULTIMATE SPORTER (PCP)

    AIR ARMS ULTIMATE SPORTER (PCP)

    One of the new breed of high-end Air Arms models, the Ultimate Sporter is aimed at the serious hunter, who demands refinement and versatility from their chosen kit. This model comes complete with an adjustable, ambidextrous laminate stock, which is superbly finished, and allows for the cheek piece to be raised and lowered, as well as the butt pad to be adjusted. The result is a sporting gun that can be made to fit the shooter, relieving stress and muscle fatigue in the aim. The action is based on the company’s highly successful S510 design, which incorporates that super slick side lever, and of course their 10-shot rotary magazine system (same as fitted to the TDR). With just a simple rotary centre, free from any wind-up mechanism, the magazine cassette has proven to be one of the most reliable on the market too. Other features include a 2-stage trigger, sling mounts, an accessory rail, shrouded barrel, and the latest Q-Tec style silencer. All in all, a seriously refined piece of machinery. Weight 7.1lbs Accuracy on test : 3/8 ” @ 35-yards RRP: £955 Contact: Air Arms; www.air-arms.co.uk

  • DIANA 280 CLASSIC (SPRING)

    DIANA 280 CLASSIC (SPRING)

    The super compact model 280 has been one of my all-time favourite break-barrel springers, ever since I first tested one several years back. It’s the combination of Diana’s pedigree, great build quality, and a super neat, highly practical design. Weighing in at 7lbs, it offers full power performance, in a delightfully slim-line package. Previous Dianas have slightly irritated with the inclusion of plastic trigger blades; spoiling otherwise well engineered rifles. No such problem here though, since the latest models to leave the Mayer and Grammelspacher factory all sport the highly regarded T06 metal spec trigger unit. This features a broad, neatly ridged surface on the blade, and a clean breaking, relatively light release. This 2-stage unit really aids performance and must go some way to explaining the impressive down-range performance. In short, what we have here in the Diana Model 280, is a hard hitting, ultra-sleek, super accurate sporter, that can definitely multitask. Ladies and juniors will appreciate the dimensions, though effort around the cocking/breech area may be a little challenging. As a lightweight hunting tool though, the scaled down elegance of the 280 excels. Accuracy on test : ¼” @ 30-yards RRP: £300 Contact: Edgar Brothers; www.shootingsports.edgarbrothers.com

  • BSA R10 SE CCS (PCP)

    BSA R10 SE CCS (PCP)

    BSA’s R10 has proved a popular model in their line-up over the last few years. It’s a multi-shot bolt action, regulated pneumatic, with a 10-shot magazine, 200cc on-board buddy bottle, 2-stage, semi match trigger, and that deliciously stylish walnut stock. The latest version is even more versatile, and the clever bit is that it can be easily altered to allow the shroud to be added or removed; CCS denoting ‘Customer Configurable Shroud’. BSA supply all the necessary parts in the box, along with the rifle, and there’s no doubt it adds a new dimension and a bit of fun for those of us that like to tinker. Shroud and silencer, or just the silencer- only, the choice is yours, giving this rifle a distinctively different look. Noise suppression and accuracy are pretty well identical, in either guise, so it’s a cosmetic exercise at the end of the day, but clever marketing from BSA nonetheless. For what it does, is allows us enthusiasts to alter the look of our gun, without seriously changing it at all! Accuracy on test : 3/8 ” @ 35-yards RRP: £799 Contact: BSA Guns; bsaguns.co.uk

  • WEBLEY VMX OS QUANTUM (SPRING)

    WEBLEY VMX OS QUANTUM (SPRING)

    This no-nonsense and traditional, spring-powered model is the latest incarnation of the company’s Valuemax (VMX) specification, and they really do punch way above their weight in terms of performance! The synthetic stock is the obvious eye catcher, but it also comes fitted with that snazzy, full-length barrel shroud, that incorporates sound suppressing features within the body tube. Synthetic stocks are comparatively cheap to make, so help keep production costs down, but their ultra-robust knock-about qualities also make them highly practical for many shooters. The VMX OS Quantum is a full-sized adult airgun, yet given its inherent light weight, it can be equally suited to younger shooters and novices alike. The moulded pistol grip is quite thick, but a well-proportioned forend and defined cheek piece lends this model a purposeful profile. The rear section is hollow in places, which can slightly increase resonance, but the textured finish of the stock feels good. Performance-wise, the Venom-inspired, Powr Lok mainspring and guide, ensure smooth power delivery, yet the trigger is basic, despite a wide and nicely curved blade. That aside, these rifles handle and shoot well, and are something of a bargain at the asking price. Accuracy on test : 3/8 ” @ 25-yards RRP: £175 Contact: Highland Outdoors; www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

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