theoben vs daystate

[woogie_man]

Let me start of by saying I need to stay off of the internet looking at rifles....my wife is going to kill me soon.

Well I have been looking shopping and bouncing around ideas for rifles.  I was looking at the Hogan rifles, though received an email from AOA starting that they no longer carry them and that they were not happy with the product.  So that got me to looking again.  When I first started shooting in the pcp side of things I really liked the looks of the theoben rifles, though they were far more than my price range would allow.

Though now with the sale of a few things I will end up getting fairly close to the price of these rifles.  Though now with the introduction of RAW I may be able to get a US made rapid, which is a huge plus for me.  Though since liking have also been lusting over the daystate line of rifles as well.  Again the air wolf is great and really want one, though the price is far too much for me right now.  So enter the air ranger and that is around the price range as the others, and possibly cheaper if I can find a used one.

So that leads me to this post......as you really don't hear much about the theobens much anymore.  So are they outdated or not up to snuff with the rest of the rifles?

What are really the pros and cons of each of them, and is one better over the other?  Needing to keep in mind that I only have access to a hand pump, as nobody in my area is able to fill a large 4500psi tank.



More help the better...Thanks again guys.

[Motorhead]

As our sport has grown ... those top shelf brands / models that are no longer made get kept or hoarded.  So without new ag'ers getting there hands on them and talking them up, the public awareness wains.
Not only that but due to these rifles VERY HIGH cost there viewed as a novelty by many whom would by there own admission would NEVER spend that kind of money for an air gun.

So even current models you can get are purchase by such a small percentage of shooters relative too how many enthusiast are out there, you have talking so few folks the chat about such guns remains pretty low. 

[grumpy]

I have owned all of the rifles you mentioned. All of the rifles you are considering are top notch. My Rapid was a UK made one but I have also spent a lot of time with the US made ones. Now some will go on and on about how the UK built guns are better but to be honest I found zero difference. They both shot superbly and were top quality made.

Now as to the Air ranger, well I have owned 2 and loved them both. So much so that the 50 fpe .25 cal has a permanent place in my safe. The Airwolf is also a great gun if you can get past the electronic trigger.

I'll throw another log in the fire here and mention Impact Air. They are the new company that just reopened up shop in Theobens old factory in the UK. There is a great write up on their new line in the new issue of Airgunner magazine.

Now the RAW guns are sweet as heck too. I just recently picked up an HM1000X in .25 cal and WOW is all I can say.

Getting back to your question about which depends on what your looking for, what caliber, power level, regulated or not. Once I know these things ill be glad to offer up my 2 cents.

Dave

[woogie_man]

Looking in the .22 range for the knock down part at the longer ranges.  The rifle will mainly be used for hunting most critters, from small to fox.  Being as I am seeing my .22lr, all ammo, and a few other things rifle related,I am wanting something nice that will take their place.

Regulated would be nice for the flatter shot string, though my s200 isn't regged she is very consistent.

Really something heirloom quality, that I can use for years to come.

[silent_airman]

As our sport has grown ... those top shelf brands / models that are no longer made get kept or hoarded.  So without new ag'ers getting there hands on them and talking them up, the public awareness wains.
Not only that but due to these rifles VERY HIGH cost there viewed as a novelty by many whom would by there own admission would NEVER spend that kind of money for an air gun.

So even current models you can get are purchase by such a small percentage of shooters relative too how many enthusiast are out there, you have talking so few folks the chat about such guns remains pretty low.

It's like a Chevy owner reading about the merits of Ferrari vs Lamborghini. Interesting reads, but you know you'll never even get to test drive one, never mind afford one.

[grumpy]

Ok. since your using a pump I would not suggest the Ranger. I love mine but its higher fill pressure will do doubtly make it harder on you. The RAW HM1000X would fit your bill perfectly, so would the Rapid but the 1000X is cheaper in regulated and also has the quick fill where as its an option on the Rapid. The draw back to both of these guns is they are heavy in my opinion for a field gun. The Ranger is much lighter but again the fill may get old pumping. Can I suggest a Huntsman XL in .22 ? Mine with scope is my go to field carry gun. Its just a tad over 7 pounds scoped.  Here is a couple of my hunters that are great field carry guns.

BSA R10 MK2, very light weight


HM1000X .25 cal, great hunter but a tad heavy for me


Steyr Hunter LG110


.25 Air Ranger


Huntsman


.25 Rapid




 

[Nomadic Pirate]

Those Huntsman, and the new Regal sure are sweet looking rifles

[woogie_man]

Forgot about the huntsman honestly. 

Was unaware of the higher fill pressure of the ranger.

Have seen the r10 mk2 recently, and haven't seen much about them.  One of my first air rifles was the sportsman hv.  Great rifle just didn't know much about the hobby yet, and sadly sold it.  How many shots per fill would you get out of the R10, Huntsman, and Theoben in the .22 variety?  Being as I pump the more shots per fill is going to be a HUGE plus.


While doing some looking here at work, I am unable to find a site for the Impact Air company.  Keep getting pneumatic drills and such.