Unlimited power hunting rifle suggestions please

[vjanda]

Hi all,
I lived in the UK for 20+ years where I hunted regularly with various 12 ft/lbs powered .22 rifles.
I had A HW77 and later a HW90 which I sold.

I've have moved abroad a few years ago where the is no restriction on air weapon power (you must hate me I know)

I'm looking to get a new high power hunting rifle with good quality optics.
I've not followed the trends in hunting rifles for about 5 years and need your help in choosing a nice hunting setup.
I was considering a spring Diana RWS 350 magnum or a cheap n cheerful Turkish Hatsan 125.
They both spit out a .22 around to 900ft/sec. The recoil is brutal so I will probably opt for my first pcp.

Any suggestions for the following gear I need are welcome:
- a high power .22 pcp rifle (30 ft/lbs+) budget around 600 pounds
- scope, probably a 3-9x50, budget of 100. Would that be a good magnification range as the rifle can take a magpie up to 100 yards out. What brand? Bushnell Banner, Tasco, Gamo, Hawke....

Many thanks

[muzzy76]

Rifle wise I'd opt for a Theoben Rapid 7. Good rifles with a decent shot count at high power. FAC versions can be found relatively cheap too. As for optics its down to personal choice, everyone has their own opinions/favourites. Any of the high end Hawke scopes or one from the MTC range would suit it fine.

[Accuspell]

There is an MTC Viper, with SCB (Small Calibre Ballistic) reticle for £120 I saw for sale the other day - great scope for the price. Brand new, the guy couldn't get on with it...learn to!

I was also going to say a Rapid & - proven reliable over a period of years. Cheap for what you get, that pairing would suit you down to the ground - go on the Rapid 7 owners club for detailed knowledge an dinfo.

[vjanda]

Rifle wise I'd opt for a Theoben Rapid 7. Good rifles with a decent shot count at high power. FAC versions can be found relatively cheap too. As for optics its down to personal choice, everyone has their own opinions/favourites. Any of the high end Hawke scopes or one from the MTC range would suit it fine.

Thanks.
I guess the pcp's are a lot easier on scopes compared to high powered spring rifles?
What sort or recoil if any can I expect from a rapid 7? Is it's power adjustable?
What about charging the rifle? Can the rapid 7 be pumped up manually with a pump and if so is it something that takes a lot of time?
I see the rapid 7 is around a grand which is a bit too dear for me

[muzzy76]

No recoil at all mate. The Rapid rifles are adjustable if you know what you're doing. Very simple design and easily worked on yourself. They can be charged with a pump but it's a pain getting a full fill in to the buddy bottle. SO much easier with a tank.

[vjanda]

No recoil at all mate. The Rapid rifles are adjustable if you know what you're doing. Very simple design and easily worked on yourself. They can be charged with a pump but it's a pain getting a full fill in to the buddy bottle. SO much easier with a tank.

Does that mean I could buy a second hand rapid 7 12 ft/lbs and up the power for use abroad with some new parts and tuning?
It would be great but somehow I doubt it's possible.

[Accuspell]

Again, go on the Rapid 7 owners club and ask the experts over there. I think what you suggest is easy to do - get the parts and uprate it. there is a Mk 1 rapid for sale (outfit) at the moment for £550 - you would have plenty of money left to do the mods. Sometimes you see FAC rated rapids for sale at reasonable price too. They are very robust, simple and proven design. The Technical section has loads of info on how to work on your rifle. There are even guys on there who make special parts for their rifles.

[vjanda]

Cheers, sound like just the place for all my answers. Now if only I could find the damned register button for the rapid 7 owners forum

BTW what scope range is most appropriate for hunting considering the high power/range or the rifle I'm after. 3-9, 4-12, 4-16...?
There's a nice mint Hawke Eclipse 30 SF 6-24 X 50IR on ebay that I have my sights on but I'm worried the range might be too high.
All I ever used was a tasco silver antler 3-9x40 back in the old days...

[Accuspell]

Get a GOOD scope, not Tasco / Hawke/ Nikko rubbish. If it were me, I would be looking more at the Nikon Monarch range with either a mildot or BDC reticle would be my choice: 3.5-10 x42 would be a good one. There is a 4-16 x 42 too, or a 3-12 x 42 - with side focus parallax for ranging. For long range or precision shooting that is the one to get - around $400, but break that down over the next 20 years and it is nothing, $20 per year.

[muzzy76]

Here we go again with people slagging Hawke etc scopes off. It's a air rifle for god sake not a .243.

Slap a Hawke Sidewinder or similar on it and it will do everything you need it to.