Walther Rotex RM8 Varmint

The Walther Rotex RM8 has been a progressively popular multi-shot pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) not only due to performance, but also its very affordable price tag. Encouraged by this, Walther decided to release a synthetic variant. I’d wager that they’ve taken a good look at the current market, as this model is offered in a thumbhole stock design, which many prefer and, for this reason, it’s designated a ‘Varmint’ model.

Ambi, all-weather

The ambidextrous, all-weather, black synthetic stock retains a high and well defined cheekpiece with a nicely curved ventilated thick black rubber butt pad. Behind the pistol grip is the now familiar elongated thumbhole, which combines with a very slim and quite narrow neck ‘bridge’ to give easy and full access to the chunky and steep, drop-down pistol grip. This also has a generous palm swell, and the forward area is curved and contoured for maximum finger contact, to give an assured hold.

The open-ended forend swells out just past the trigger guard into a wide and bulbous shape that covers about half the air reservoir that looks more like a buddy bottle, although is non-removable. So, and unlike many other designs of this style, the shooter will not suffer from frozen hands in the colder weather, as there’s plenty of insulating plastic to get hold of. The well-rounded underside curves slightly inwards to where the fill point and button size air gauge are set adjacent to each other. Just forward of this, on the underside, is another flat area with a short section of alloy Weaver rail, which is useful for lights and lasers, but also makes an impromptu hand stop that some might find useful.

Aggressive ridging

Instead of chequering, the stock shows panels of what can only be described as decorative panels of aggressive ridging. This is applied along most of the forend and the underside and is also seen on the pistol grip along with the company name logo. All this combines to not only make this a very easy rifle to hold, but also offers a unique style and overall appearance.

Talking of looks, the buddy bottle has been bead blasted, which adds even more individuality and is as practical as it is stylish, resplendent in a matt black finish. Charging the fixed 200cc reservoir is via the deeply recessed fill point mentioned earlier, which takes an elongated, brass fill probe supplied. The company state that a recommended 232bar gives approximately 160-shots in .177 calibre (as per rifle on test) and nigh on 180 in .22.

Super 10 reminiscent

The action is a little reminiscent of the old BSA Super 10, with its side-mounted bolt handle that moves in an inverted, U-shaped gate. Although practical and easy to operate, there are a few nuances of particular note. To remove the 8-shot alloy magazine, the steel, ball-ended cocking bolt needs to be lifted from its original forward position and pulled back until it locks fully rearward. Next, slide back the long, chequered catch positioned directly behind the housing on the right. Once slid back, you can then lift the magazine out from the left-hand side of the action.

To fill the magazine, place pellets into all the empty chambers with the centre boss facing you, ensuring that their skirts fit flush or below the rear face. Once filled, slot it back into its housing and then push the cocking bolt forward and return it down to its original position. Yes, you read that correctly, as upon returning the bolt to its original position it takes the retaining catch ‘forward’ with it; so, effectively, if you forget to close the catch, the action will do it for you. Neat!

Annoying auto safety

It must be noted that the rifle is equipped with an auto safety positioned at the rear of the action, which engages (pops-out) every time the action is cocked. A bit annoying on a multi-shot rifle in my opinion, it also uses what is known as a double safety system. This consists of a slim, vertical slide within the rear of the larger thumb pad, which has to be moved down and inwards first before the main pad can be pushed forward to its FIRE position, which shows a red dot on top of the action rear base plate. A safety within a safety so to speak; once used to this particular nuance of operation, it doesn’t overly slow the procedure, rather ensures that when loaded and ready, unless manually overridden the rifle is always on SAFE. If you should decide holding off on taking a shot, it can be manually re-set at any time, by simply pulling it back using your thumb and forefinger.

Teamed up

For test, I teamed the RM8 Varmint up with a Richter Optic 3-9 X 50AE in a pair of high mounts, which suited the rifle’s high cheekpiece perfectly. Plus, and due to the uninterrupted receiver, fitting any size of optic won’t pose a problem, as the magazine does not stick up above the action. I was soon achieving ragged .177, pellet-size groups at my 30 yard set zero, which only opened out to sub- ½” when I pushed out to the 40 yard mark. The more I varied pellet brands, I’m pleased to report that as long as I fed the RM8 quality lead, it wasn’t in the least bit fussy!

The so termed XT, 2-stage, adjustable
trigger mech has a nicely curved blade, but here again we come to a nuance quite rare on hunting a PCP, as it’s only adjustable for length of travel and not let off, which is factory pre-set. I didn’t realise or notice this on the original wood stock model (which of course uses the same trigger), so it couldn’t have been that alarming. However, this time I had more time to spend with the rifle, but if I hadn’t been instructed on this I wouldn’t have cared, as the trigger trips the sears crisply and cleanly and, by my reckoning, is a unit that isn’t in the slightest one to cause concern. Anyway, we shouldn’t nor neither want a hunting rifle to have a hair-trigger.

Free-floater

The free-floating barrel has a stylish ported muzzle break, which serves no real purpose, other than to protect the ½” UNF threads it’s screwed onto, but it does of course add to the rifle’s cosmetic appeal. However, for practicality, most hunters will fit a can of choice and using several popular mods at my disposal all proved that the RM8 is a rifle that has a very low signature upon firing. However, an average sized silencer will add up to 6” to the RM8’s overall length. The only way you can get a balance between reasonable sound reduction and not making this overly long is to use a reflex design that sleeves back over the barrel. For most of the test, I spun a Daystate Airstream Mk5 can up-front and, although the rifle wasn’t totally hushed, it became far more acceptable.

The Walther Rotex RM8 Varmint is undoubtedly a top-quality PCP, it’s not overly heavy, capable of good accuracy, plus handling and balance are highly desirable for such a chunky, mid-weight gun. The stock design is one of the standout features, as it certainly feels good in the hold, sits solid on aim and is stylish to boot. The underslung Picatinny rail is a useful feature, ideally positioned to accept an appropriate bipod, or lights and lasers.

However, I’d like to see Walther address the length of the barrel, as if made shorter, then any standard can of choice could be fitted without making the rifle overly lengthy. Having said that, if you’re looking for a multi-shot PCP to use an ambush hunter shooting off a bipod then the Rotex RM8 Varmint will certainly deliver and won’t cost the earth even when teamed up with the necessary accessories of scope, moderator and bipod.