Opinions on RWS 54 vs Air Arms tx200

[Mitch]

Hello Everyone,

I'm brand new to this site and have purchased my first adult airgun at 43 years old two years ago.  I purchased an RWS 34 .177 cal with some sort of Leeper scope base and Weaver low profile rings to keep the scope from shifting.  I'm using the gun to eliminate sparrows and starlings as they compete with the Eastern Bluebirds for nest boxes.

I wanted to get some general opinions (I'm not knowledgeable at all when it comes to air rifles)  but from the little I've read it seems the RWS 34 can be a nice rifle ONCE it is broken in with a 1000 shots or so.  I do like the quality of it and it appears to be somewhat of a classic model out there. 

The opinions I'm after is how this Air Arms tx200 compares with the RWS 54 recoilless .177 cal rifle?  Any input or opinions would be appreciated.

Mitch

[s10gto]

Welcome to the GTA and Congrats on your new shooter. The 34 is a fine rifle.

As for the 54 and 200. Both very nice rifles. The 54 is a little too powerful for .177 and better in .22 IMO. The recoiless shooting is awesome and is a very accurate rifle. The TX 200's stock and bluing IMO is second to none. The TX is I think the most smooth shooting rifle you can take out of a box. Also very very accurate.

Both are heavy but IMO two great examples of quality airguns.

Dustin  

[Onebaddj]

Welcome to the forum! I dont own either of the rifle asked about just wanted to say Welcome aboard.

[Mitch]

Thanks guys for the input.

I'm shooting Crossman Premiers .177 and they are a (I believe) at 10.5 grain pellet.  I noticed most other .177 pellets where in the neighborhood of 7-8 grains.  Would there be much movement difference at 25 yards between a 10.5 grain and an 8 grain pellet?

Mitch

[Mark 611]

What do you mean by movement? do you mean point of impact? if so yes.

[Mark 611]

Get the TX, I gave you my view on the Yellow about this the 54's are ok but don't compare to the AA guns as far as quality or accuracy.

[s10gto]

A couple pics for you.

One of  The 54 and the rest my TX

Dustin

[only1harry]

Not sure if this is a fair comparison.. being that one gun produces at least 3-4fpe more than the other.. but a tuned 54 can be superb in accuracy, and a lot better than a factory stock TX200.. although the 54 is very accurate out of the box as wel. But that's not comparing apples to apples.  As an FYI, Hector Modena took 2nd place at the FT Nationals this year with his 54.  Do not underestimate the 54 and its recoilless design.  

Anyway, the "new 54" is now the 56 model with the T06 trigger.  I would seriously be looking at the 56, not 54, but that's me.  I strongly believe it is as good as the TX200 but with more power.  There are just not many around yet to know for sure.

The wood and finish of the 56 are way better than the 54's, and it also has an adjustable butt pad.  It also comes with the much praised new T06 trigger which has been measured between 1.8 and 2.2lbs from what I 've been reading, but mostly under 2lbs.  Many say it is very very close to HW's Rekord trigger, if not equal to it.  The 56's price is about $100 higher than the TX200, but the new 470 model (underlever) is very close to the TX200's price.  

In all fairness I am not sure we can compared the 2 guns.  The 54 or 56 (and 470) are Magnum Springers with >20fpe of kinetic energy.  The TX200 is not.  The 470 .22 is a "beast" and can produce very close to 900fps with 14.x pellets, but can still be very accurate.  I doubt as accurate as the TX200, and would probably not be my 1st choice for FT competition.  However, "detuned" or less powerful 54's are extremely accurate, and have proven themselves in many FT matches as well.  They are more accurate than if they had full power.  Obviously the main reason would be a more tame spring, which produces a smoother shot cycle alone by design.  But, you usually can't go wrong with a TX200, although I know many that have sent them out as well for a full tune, as soon as they arrive new in the box.  All springers benefit from a good tune, and the TX200 is no exception.

A pic of the 56:

[bcshooter]

  :)Hi Mitch, welcome to one of the most knowledgeable places about Airguns that can be found, IMHO. These two AG's have unique characteristics. The Diana/RWS Model 54 is a smooth shooting recoiless platform. The compression tube rides on two sleds incorporated in the stock. Very similar to a military artillery piece. No recoil so you stay on target. This AG weighs in with a scope around 11lbs plus, depending on what type of scope you pick and mount. BTW this platform has a reputation of  destroying scopes.
       Whichever caliber you decide on depends on what you plan to do. IMHO either caliber can do it all target,plinking,hunting etc.
        Air Arms TX200, another smooth shooting AG. Very pretty,well detailed stock,rich dark bluing of all the metal components. Extremely accurate if you do your part in the equation. When you squeeze the trigger you will hear a solid thunk. The sound of a well constructed AG. IMHO either caliber can do it all, but .177cal is less expensive to buy..........Shoot Safe and Enjoy......Bill      

[Nathan]

They are both great rifles in their own way IMO and I own both as well. But that's really an apples to oranges comparison. Obviously one is a sidelever and the other a underlever, each which has is own advantages and disadvantages. A better rifle to compare to the TX-200 would be the HW-97.

Nathan

[RedFeather]

A comparison is a bit difficult.  I have a 54 in .177 and a nicely tuned BAM40 (TX clone).  You really can't compare a (to the shooter) recoil free gun to a conventional springer.  They are a bit too far apart. 

Regarding your 34, those slightly heavy pellets (which do well in a 54) are OK but might wear your spring out a bit faster than 7.9 grainers.  And I doubt a sparrow could tell the difference.  Of course, if they are shooting well, you can stick with them.  Just be aware that you probably will be changing the spring sooner.  BTW, springs are considered consumable items.  It's not uncommon for one to break after several thousand shots, especially if you are a heavy user.