Best .25 Caliber Springer?

[DevilsLuck]

While I know many folks don’t really care for the .25 in a “springer” platform; be it a coil spring, or gas ram... I’ve long been intrigued by the idea. Owning .177, .22 and .30 cal springers, and having some guns that will shoot each well, I feel I’m missing out on something. A good example of a .25 cal springer.
What are some of the best examples of the .25 caliber springer? If a guy was determined to give one a shot, which models would y’all suggest; that is capable of properly representing the .25 caliber?

[gendoc]

HW90   

[Back_Roads]

 Just shot a dozen or so shots out of my 125 hatsan, after a few remember how to shoot a springer shots, I ran a 5 shot group @ 10 yards, I had to check the barrel to see if the pellets were exiting due to the tightness of the 4 one hole shots then I threw the last shot off a pellet width off just to make the hole bigger.
 IMO the 125 135 Hatsan is the best .25 spring or gas ram out there.

[DanD]

The old Beeman Crow Magnum  (Theoben Eliminator) was a really beautiful, nice shooting rifle as far as 30fpe springers go.

[SteveP-52]

There isn't near as much out there in .25 as you'll find in .177 or .22 and most, with a few exceptions, are either Hatsan or Crosman and most of those are of the gas ram variety, not true spring piston power plants as even Hatsan seems to be veering away from springs in their guns, so if you're looking for a true springer, options appear to be kinda limited.

Look hard and far enough and you might still be able to find the Hatsan 135 with a spring. I have no experience at all with their underlevers so not a clue what to tell you about guns like their Dominator 200S or the Torpedo 150 and 155's but maybe someone who owns one will chime in here.

Another one that comes to mind but you don't hear much about is the XS28M from Flying Dragon which in .25  is something like $264 unless you want Mike's full tune done which adds another $100.

Last but not least, pellets in .25 ain't cheap...lol

[triggerfest]

Hatsan 125 Vortex shoots pretty smooth and very accurate for a magnum "springer"... And has power enough to sling the .25 pellet away...

[Jeff Marshall]

What does that even mean? 

[DevilsLuck]

What does that even mean? 

Taking advantage of its potential, while not simply covering ground that other calibers can manage.

[Bryan Heimann]

My choice is the .25 caliber xs28m with the full performance tune from Flying Dragon, and here is why:

I can't imagine how another magnum piston gun could beat it overall.  Very accurate, smooth shooting gun in the ballpark of 25 fpe, and not that heavy.  The weight balance is a bit too far forward for my liking, but that is the same story for any magnum springer that can push the .25 pellets fast enough to be useful to 35 yards or so.  The open sights are metal, with a fine front post in a steel globe.  Considering the power level, it is not that hold sensitive.  Yes, it will break your scope eventually, but no faster than a typical mid powered breakbarrel. 

Overall the most useable magnum spring gun I can think of, with enough power for .25 without opting for the lightest pellets you can find.  I love it to death.

[DevilsLuck]

My choice is the .25 caliber xs28m with the full performance tune from Flying Dragon, and here is why:

I can't imagine how another magnum piston gun could beat it overall.  Very accurate, smooth shooting gun in the ballpark of 25 fpe, and not that heavy.  The weight balance is a bit too far forward for my liking, but that is the same story for any magnum springer that can push the .25 pellets fast enough to be useful to 35 yards or so.  The open sights are metal, with a fine front post in a steel globe.  Considering the power level, it is not that hold sensitive.  Yes, it will break your scope eventually, but no faster than a typical mid powered breakbarrel. 

Overall the most useable magnum spring gun I can think of, with enough power for .25 without opting for the lightest pellets you can find.  I love it to death.

Great post! Just the kind of detailed info I'm looking for.

[dmiller]

 I´d recommend the Hatsan Torpedo 155.  I purchased it from a field supply sale around a year ago- it has been an excellent gun so far; would highly recommend it.  I have been able to hit clays fairly easily at 50 yards (stepped) and reach out to 75 yards (also distance stepped.) Living in town I don have a chance to to shoot it a lot, but really enjoy it when I have a chance.  I topped it with a Hawke Panorama and have really enjoyed shooting it.  Only downside is the weight, around 11-12 lbs scoped; however, a .25 polymag hitting anything does make an impressive whop! (:

[jehicks87]

The old (UK) Webley Patriots seem to be very highly regarded for a .25caliber springer. Plus they're a fine collector piece.

I have a Turkish Patriot and go back and forth between rebarreling to .25 or leaving it .22. Fwiw, the 22 patriot is able to achieve a higher fpe thank the 25. I don't know why.

[AG72]

If you have said the beast, probably Hatsan 125/135 hehe, cause they are! But the best, probably Hw 90 gasram or Hw80 springer, atleast if you think of buildquality, not so common on the market, but sure would be nice to try one, might be one for an early christmas gift to myself for being a good boy the hole year right? Right...

[DevilsLuck]

The old (UK) Webley Patriots seem to be very highly regarded for a .25caliber springer. Plus they're a fine collector piece.

I have a Turkish Patriot and go back and forth between rebarreling to .25 or leaving it .22. Fwiw, the 22 patriot is able to achieve a higher fpe thank the 25. I don't know why.

I've heard great things about the UK made Webley Patriots. Kinda hard to get ones hands on one though...

[swoab47]

I have an Umarex Octane that I bought on sale for $100.  It came to me as a .177.  A quick phone call to Mike @ Flying Dragon and I had a .25 barrel on the way. 

It is very simple to swap out the barrel, and viola I have a .25 cal Octane that puts out 24ftlbs with Air Arms Diabolo Field 25.4 grain pellets, and 28 fobs with Predator GTO 16.54 grain pellets.

Accuracy has been real good so far.  Sub 1 inch groups at 25 yards from the bench resting on a bag.  Finding the right hold, grip and cheek pressure wasn't too bad but definitely makes a difference, but then again it is a magnum springer.

The Umarex break barrel triggers are also easy to work on if you are somewhat mechanically inclined.  I have mine set with a short, light first stage that comes up to a solid wall then breaks with 1.5lbs of pull.  It took a lot of polishing and a little bit of work on the trigger blade itself, but it's right where I want it.

[Nomadic Pirate]

I would definitely go for the Benjamin Trail NPXL .25

used to have one in .22 and really liked it, also has several Benjanin/crosman Nitro pistons and always been happy with them,

Also had a few Hatsans, a 125 in .25, a Torpedo in .22 and a 135 in .22 and would go Benjamin over Hatsan any day.

[DanD]

I would definitely go for the Benjamin Trail NPXL .25

used to have one in .22 and really liked it, also has several Benjanin/crosman Nitro pistons and always been happy with them,

Also had a few Hatsans, a 125 in .25, a Torpedo in .22 and a 135 in .22 and would go Benjamin over Hatsan any day.

I agree.  A friend of mine has an NPXL in .22 with an aftermarket trigger that shoots really nice.  I had a Hatsan 95 .22 I was happy to sell, and I have a Hatsan Striker .25 that maybe I'll tune someday. The NPXL is a nicer gun.