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Top 10 Junior Rifles

Mark Camoccio lines up the top ten air rifles best suited to younger shooters

Encouraging new blood into the shooting sports must be a top priority for all of us, and of course for manufacturers, it’s vital after all, if the next generation is to be converted into future customers and shooters. Basically, if shooting thrives, we all benefit!

But, if we are to get youngsters to put down the PlayStation and switch off their blessed mobiles for five minutes, we do need hardware that they can handle with reasonable ease. Juniors are still growing and their muscles developing, so any prospective rifle needs to be tailored to their dimensions, physique, and limited strength. And on that note, I’m pleased to say that an increasing number of manufacturers are realising their responsibilities. On show are some of the models available, that are lighter and much more suitable for younger shots to handle.

  • GAMO JUNIOR HUNTER (SPRING-POWERED)

    GAMO JUNIOR HUNTER (SPRING-POWERED)

    Everything about the Gamo Junior Hunter is effectively scaled down, and the result is a brilliant little rifle, dedicated to juniors. That even means a super small pistol grip, complete with attractive panels of chequering, and whilst a simple rubber butt pad would have been nice, with an overall RRP of sub-£100, it’s difficult to grumble. Power is super low, around 3.5ft/lbs, so cocking is smooth and easy, and that’s just what we need at club level, to help kids who are keen, prepared to be safe, yet not up to the rigours of full sized kit. Despite that low power, we still recorded superb accuracy on test, so this gun is quite an eye opener, and surely one of the very best junior spec sporters on the market today.

    Contact: BSA Guns (UK) Ltd www.bsaguns.co.uk

    Accuracy; ½” @ 30 yards

    RRP £100

  • WEIHRAUCH HW30S KIT (SPRING-POWERED)

    WEIHRAUCH HW30S KIT (SPRING-POWERED)

    I tested the standard HW30S a few years back, which comes fitted with open sights, but this kit version comes with a sleek cocking aid fitted at the muzzle, and a Weihrauch 4x32 scope and mounts as standard, which on the face of it, looks great value for money all in. Weihrauch have also trimmed two inches off the barrel, and slimmed everything down still further, which in turn has lost a modicum of weight along the way. The result is a highly compact, break-barrel, spring-powered sporter, that has a specially reduced power plant, a quality two-stage trigger, and a smart ambidextrous beech stock. Consider that this model is designed to produce between 7 and 8 ft/lbs, and it should come as no surprise just how easy it is to cock the action. Their Rekord 2-stage trigger unit helps of course, with plenty of potential sensitivity available, after some judicious adjustment. All in all, a quality option, that can’t fail to impress.

    Contact: Hull Cartridge Ltd, 01482 342571 www.hullcartridge.co.uk

    Accuracy: sub-½”@ 30 yards

    RRP £210

  • AIR ARMS S200 (PCP)

    AIR ARMS S200 (PCP)

    The Air Arms S200 is a well-established favourite, and whilst it isn’t a dedicated junior model, it has proved highly versatile. The majority of this rifle is made by CZ in the Czech Republic for Air Arms and sports their own top grade CZ barrel- so it nicely fills a gap in the market for a high quality, relatively low-priced pre-charged pneumatic (PCP). An extremely accurate recoilless action sits in slim-line woodwork, and it’s a combination that has proved highly popular with ladies and juniors alike. Admittedly, the S200 isn’t the bargain it once was, but it does represent a sound investment, capable of superb accuracy. Expect 45-55 shots from a charge and remember to factor in the cost of charging gear; roughly £100-£150 for a pump or diver’s bottle and gauge.

    Contact: Air Arms, 01323 845853 www.air-arms.co.uk

    Accuracy: ½” @ 35yards

    RRP £487

  • BROWNING M-BLADE (SPRING-POWERED)

    BROWNING M-BLADE (SPRING-POWERED)

    The Browning M-Blade is another deliberately low-powered spring-piston airgun, aimed specifically at junior shooters. This one comes with scaled down dimensions overall, and there’s plenty of detail and design flair. It comes well specified with a stylish forend and a decent rubber butt pad, whilst the pistol grip is slightly more compact than normal, so small hands won’t be at full stretch. Build quality is also worthy of note, and being made by Umarex in Germany, as expected, engineering is quite refined, with good quality deep bluing on the main cylinder, and a precisely moulded synthetic stock. The barrel and breech block are coated in a plastic compound, and whilst this could feel cheap, it’s actually really well done, with a nice protective feel. The M-Blade operates around the 6 ft/lbs level, and that low power equates to less effort and milder shooting characteristics, and that’s exactly what we get here. A good budget option then.

    UK Distributor: John Rothery (Wholesale), www.bisley-uk.com

    Accuracy: 1.3” @25 yds

    RRP £130

  • BSA ULTRA JSR JUNIOR (PCP)

    BSA ULTRA JSR JUNIOR (PCP)

    BSA took a bold step when they introduced the Ultra JSR Junior, as it was the first PCP designed specifically for youngsters. It’s a multi-shot pneumatic, utilising their latest 10-shot magazine, and the spec is impressive. Bolt action, pressure gauge, beech sporter stock, quality 2-stage trigger and floating barrel. Yet take a close look, and it soon becomes clear that this gun is no half measure. For at last we have a properly scaled down stock that juniors can handle with ease. And whilst the action is identical in appearance to the standard Ultra, BSA have cleverly opted for reduced energy levels, down to 6 ft/lbs. This has multiple benefits, as it means that this gun can be used in more confined areas with less noise generated in the process. Beginners and juniors just don’t need full power, and low power in a pneumatic equates to far more shots per charge, in this case 80 consistent shots, and 120+ in the tank! Overall then, the JSR is an excellent PCP option, that shoots as well as it looks.

    Contact: BSA Guns (UK) Ltd www.bsaguns.co.uk

    Accuracy: 3/8” @ 25yards

    RRP £379

  • KRAL CHAMPION (SPRING-POWERED)

    KRAL CHAMPION (SPRING-POWERED)

    The Kral Champion is a conventional break-barrel, spring-piston design that generates full power, yet with its relative light weight and easy handling, it remains highly suited to the younger shooter. The thumbhole configuration, coupled with that oversized barrel/fore-sight assembly, is fairly pleasing to the eye; though the finish to the synthetics is a bit plasticky. Get past that slightly garishly exterior though and this gun really does have much to offer. The stock moulding is actually very comfortable in the aim. As for the cheek piece (part of the fully ambidextrous configuration), I found I still managed good alignment with the scope, despite it looking too low. The breech lock-up is very sweet in operation, the cocking stroke highly manageable and fibre optic sights come as standard. The trigger is basic, but overall, the Champion is a good performer, and one to ‘grow into’.

    UK Distributor: Rangeright, 01423 881919 www.range-right.co.uk

    Accuracy: ½” @ 25yds

    RRP £178

  • HATSAN 1000S STRIKER JUNIOR (SPRING-POWERED)

    HATSAN 1000S STRIKER JUNIOR (SPRING-POWERED)

    Juniors like to be trendy in my experience, and black synthetics are all the rage; so, the Hatsan Striker Junior has a head start in that respect. It’s a scaled down version of their popular Striker model and features a composite stock that keeps weight to a minimum, whilst displaying plenty of design flair in the moulding. A pleasingly angular forend, coupled with a well-defined cheek piece, is a good start, along with plenty of crisply moulded panels of chequering and a rubber butt pad. Where this rifle really scores though, is with the shortened length of pull, which should gain it many junior fans. Hatsan also keep power levels low, which in turn means cocking and handling are easy. They claim 5-6 ft/lbs and on test chronograph figures returned around 4 ft/lbs with a variety of pellets. However, at the relatively close ranges over which these guns will be used, an odd ft/lb is neither here nor there, as power becomes largely irrelevant. A good budget option then.

    Contact: Edgar Brothers, 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com

    Accuracy: 1.5” @ 20yds

    RRP £207

  • NORICA THOR GRS (GAS-RAM POWERED)

    NORICA THOR GRS (GAS-RAM POWERED)

    The only gas-ram powered model in my line-up is the Thor GRS, from Norica and it’s another junior, again with an eye-catching, if a little garish, synthetic stock. Various colours are available, which will probably appeal to younger shooters, but my blue version did have a curious odour of washing up liquid about it! As for overall feel, the ambidextrous configuration is pleasingly supportive. A well-defined cheek piece and, a decent butt pad always helps and although the trigger is basic, this model does come with a handy foresight assembly which acts as a cocking aid. The grip is also very comfortable, although full sized, with the main negative perhaps the ragged edges of the inside of the forend. Norica have designed the Thor GRS to produce medium power, in the region of 9 ft/lbs, and whilst not as easy to cock as some rivals here, it still handles well.

    Contact: Regael Wholesale, www.regael.com

    Accuracy: 1.2” @ 25yds

    RRP £124.99

  • CROSMAN 760 PUMPMASTER (PUMP-UP PNEUMATIC)

    CROSMAN 760 PUMPMASTER (PUMP-UP PNEUMATIC)

    Crosman’s 760 Pumpmaster is another scaled-down, super lightweight model, aimed at juniors, and can be supplied with a wood-effect stock, or even a pink version for a bit of fun. It’s a multi-pump design, so recoilless, and sees a two-part stock, with the forend acting as the pump handle. Crosman advise a minimum three pumps, and a maximum of ten, and the Pumpmaster is designed to shoot both lead pellets and steel BBs, although I would always advise pellets, due to BBs having a tendency to ricochet. Power, again, is deliberately kept low, but with a manual, 5-shot pellet clip to play with, there’s plenty to recommend. Whilst the compression chamber and barrel are formed from steel, pretty well everything else, including the receiver, is formed from high impact plastics, and of course, this plays a big part in keeping the overall weight down to an incredible 2.75lbs. Get past the slight toy-like feel though, and this rifle is a neat little performer.

    Contact: Anglo Spanish Imports, 01728 688555 www.a-s-i.co.uk

    Accuracy: 1” @ 20yds

    RRP £70

  • WEBLEY VMX CUB (SPRING-POWERED)

    WEBLEY VMX CUB (SPRING-POWERED)

    Webley’s new models were on show at the British Shooting Show, and the highly attractive VMX Cub took pride of place alongside its adult stable mate - the VMX Classic. The Cub has all the same attributes, but in a scaled down format, and with its break-barrel configuration and attractive chequered hardwood stock, it really looks the part. Fibre Optic open sights come as standard, as well as a 2-stage trigger, rubber butt pad and Powr Lok mainspring. As previously mentioned, novices learning the art of shooting don’t need full power, so Webley have designed the Cub to produce between 5-6 ft/lbs energy. It has a shorter cocking stroke, and a weaker mainspring, so is significantly easier to cock than a full size gun. A weaker spring in kinetic terms translates to a milder trigger which can be set lighter; and reduced energy means less recoil, meaning the whole shooting experience is more enjoyable.

    Contact: Highland Outdoors www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

    Accuracy: sub-¾” @ 25yds

    RRP £129.99

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