GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Air Arms Airguns => Topic started by: MartyMcFly on January 20, 2021, 11:05:45 PM
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I’m contemplating getting a ProSport after years of hearing such nice things about it. Unfortunately, I can’t decide on the caliber. My tinkering half says to get the .177 because there are so many that swear this rifle is at its best closer to 10 fpe, but my bigger is better half is whispering that .22 is the way to go. Any ProSport owners that want to chime in with their experiences? Is .177 the sweet spot for the ProSport? Is there any advantage in .22 for this model?
-Marty
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If you don't want to buy one of each you probably need to decide what the proposed use for the gun will be. If you're mostly a target shooter the .177 is probably the best choice. If you plan to use it for hunting your likely game and expected shooting distance will probably be the determining factors.
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Marty, our PS is in 177 and I do love it for my offhand shooting, which is one of the reasons I bought it, given the TX versions are more muzzle heavy. I like the balance on the PS, better, for the sake of carrying, too. Still a heavy gun, though, for this old granny. :)
I've been tempted to tune it down a bit, though, because that very center balance makes it a touch muzzle light, so I have to pay strict attention to my follow through. Going with the heavy 10 grain plus 177 pellets seems to calm it down a bit. Given the heavier weight of the 22s, that might do the same. Just a thought.
In the end it really depends on how you'll use the gun, I suspect. For long range work, I do prefer the 177 for the sake of trajectory, but we're strictly target shooters, not hunters. I certainly don't think a 22 would be a bad choice, but I have never shot any AA in that caliber.
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If you don't want to buy one of each you probably need to decide what the proposed use for the gun will be. If you're mostly a target shooter the .177 is probably the best choice. If you plan to use it for hunting your likely game and expected shooting distance will probably be the determining factors.
No hunting in my plans. The main concern is shot cycle and long distance accuracy. My fear is that the platform is overworked in .22 and that any gain from better ballistics that help with long distance shooting (with proper holdover of course) would be overshadowed by excess vibration or a lesser refined barrel in .22. I have the TX200 in .22 and although I like it it does not shoot as accurately as an HW97k or LGU in the same caliber. Given the common lineage I’m wondering if .22 is worth it in the ProSport.
-Marty
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Marty, our PS is in 177 and I do love it for my offhand shooting, which is one of the reasons I bought it, given the TX versions are more muzzle heavy. I like the balance on the PS, better, for the sake of carrying, too. Still a heavy gun, though, for this old granny. :)
I've been tempted to tune it down a bit, though, because that very center balance makes it a touch muzzle light, so I have to pay strict attention to my follow through. Going with the heavy 10 grain plus 177 pellets seems to calm it down a bit. Given the heavier weight of the 22s, that might do the same. Just a thought.
In the end it really depends on how you'll use the gun, I suspect. For long range work, I do prefer the 177 for the sake of trajectory, but we're strictly target shooters, not hunters. I certainly don't think a 22 would be a bad choice, but I have never shot any AA in that caliber.
Thanks Joanie. What would you consider a good range while still maintaining acceptable accuracy with your ProSport?
-Marty
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My .177 pro sport is tuned to shoot about 10.5-11fpe and is my most accurate springer for target shooting off a rest. The shot cycle is very mellow and it will put pellet after pellet into the same hole out to 25 yards if I'm using good shooting form. I've tuned mine up to 13fpe and much prefer the accuracy and shot cycle at lower power levels. I agree that the PS balances very nicely. I have never touched the trigger in 10+ years and after tens of thousands of shots it remains excellent. At 10.5-11fpe, I enjoy shooting out to 50 yards. The PS is my one springer that I don't hunt with because of its weight and the wide arc of the cocking arm.
Unfortunately, I've never shot a PS in .22 so can't offer any perspective on that caliber.
Good luck choosing.
R
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Marty, the bulk of our outdoor shooing is at 30 yards, these days, since that's a good fit in our backyard, but we have extended out out to 50 yards at time. That's a bit tricky though, since our 7 plus acres is heavily wooded.
I am very comfortable with the Prosport at 30 yards, of course, and at that distance it's mostly offhand work. I have guns I like better for shooting off the bench, but I have pushed our 177 PS to 50 yards to test for accuracy, shooting from a rest. It certainly shows it's AA lineage, here, using a couple of different pellets, wind and all. Easily a 50 yard springer, in my book, with the right pellet. Never would have guessed it likes the Crosman domed, but you never know until you try.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qM7C8MCg/P1080181.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Marty, the bulk of our outdoor shooing is at 30 yards, these days, since that's a good fit in our backyard, but we have extended out out to 50 yards at time. That's a bit tricky though, since our 7 plus acres is heavily wooded.
I am very comfortable with the Prosport at 30 yards, of course, and at that distance it's mostly offhand work. I have guns I like better for shooting off the bench, but I have pushed our 177 PS to 50 yards to test for accuracy, shooting from a rest. It certainly shows it's AA lineage, here, using a couple of different pellets, wind and all. Easily a 50 yard springer, in my book, with the right pellet. Never would have guessed it likes the Crosman domed, but you never know until you try.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qM7C8MCg/P1080181.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Very nice grouping there. Thank you for sharing.
-Marty
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IMHO the pro sport, and the power it produces is better suited to 177. With the 22 at long range will have to much arc for me.
Tom
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i had a prosport in .22 that shot JSB 14.3 at 740 fps. zero twang or vibration and was able to do 1 inch spinners at 45 to 50 meters from a sitting position, rifle rested on my knees. it is now in the posession of a friend who lowered the power to about 11.6 fpe and shoots jsb 15.9. he shoots at 50 yards and from the bag can easily outshoot my groups. it has become ever more pleasant... that level of accuracy can hunt at either power level. But it is because it can achieve that level of accuracy. I think that the .22 is better at bucking the wind so target shooting can be done with either caliber. .22 is easier to load and seems to be smoother when shot at lower power levels... my .02.
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i had a prosport in .22 that shot JSB 14.3 at 740 fps. zero twang or vibration and was able to do 1 inch spinners at 45 to 50 meters from a sitting position, rifle rested on my knees. it is now in the posession of a friend who lowered the power to about 11.6 fpe and shoots jsb 15.9. he shoots at 50 yards and from the bag can easily outshoot my groups. it has become ever more pleasant... that level of accuracy can hunt at either power level. But it is because it can achieve that level of accuracy. I think that the .22 is better at bucking the wind so target shooting can be done with either caliber. .22 is easier to load and seems to be smoother when shot at lower power levels... my .02.
Oh darn - 740 fps in .22 is a very respectable number and to do it smoothly is a feat... just when I was going to pull the trigger on .177. Though decisions that are leading to analysis paralysis...
-Marty
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Darn it - the ProSports have gone up $100 in price since a month ago and there is limited inventory. I'm guessing that Air Arms is either increasing prices or shipping costs across the Atlantic have gone way up... Maybe its time to look at the new Diana AirKing instead :-\
-Marty
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May not get better anytime soon either, GBP has been rising against the dollar again recently. I agree that there certainly seems to be limited inventory also which never helps with prices.
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May not get better anytime soon either, GBP has been rising against the dollar again recently. I agree that there certainly seems to be limited inventory also which never helps with prices.
I agree with you. The Federal Reserve has vowed to keep interest rates low and the stimulus packages are just more printing of money, which is going to hit us all with huge inflation down the road and dollar depreciation. Guess it’s time to bite the bullet because it doesn’t seem like things will get cheaper... I think 1970s redux is just around the corner.
-Marty
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Its been a while but Pyramyd had a delivery more than a week ago. I frantically pounded on the BUY button the second I saw it and I'm glad that I did because the version I wanted sold out quickly.
I haven't tested it yet but the gun sure looks sweet! And assuming it shoots just as nice I'd like to encourage everyone that wants one to get it ASAP - the British pound is gaining against the US dollar and the shipping problems from Europe are adding shipping costs to the US price. All of this is likely to mean that the cost of this heirloom quality gun is going to stay expensive and maybe even increase as we devalue the venerable dollar.
I'm proud to start calling myself an enabler today! ;D
-Marty
EDIT: I just put it through the Chrony - running hot at 940 fps using the RWS .177 Superdome 8.3gr pellets. Likely dieseling!
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I’m dreading when the left hand version actually becomes available. Gonna probably run me 1k when said and done. It’s one of the 3 left on my wish list.