TX200, 97K, R11

[56S]

Jesse, I have to ask; did the 97 or the TX scratch that itch?  I have a suspicion that after I buy that nearly thousand dollar walnut Prosport I'll still be wanting something else.  Doctor?  Is it too late for me?  Do I have it bad Doctor?

[Sfttailrdr46]

Jesse, I have to ask; did the 97 or the TX scratch that itch?  I have a suspicion that after I buy that nearly thousand dollar walnut Prosport I'll still be wanting something else.  Doctor?  Is it too late for me?  Do I have it bad Doctor?

Once you start down the path the slope keeps getting steeper and slipperier. then the decisions have to be made. Which to sell to keep from becoming overloaded with excess equipment I own 4 springers and am considering selling off 2 just can't decide which 2 to sell I like them all and all have different personalities

[Booger]

Jesse, I have to ask; did the 97 or the TX scratch that itch?  I have a suspicion that after I buy that nearly thousand dollar walnut Prosport I'll still be wanting something else.  Doctor?  Is it too late for me?  Do I have it bad Doctor?

Once you start down the path the slope keeps getting steeper and slipperier. then the decisions have to be made. Which to sell to keep from becoming overloaded with excess equipment I own 4 springers and am considering selling off 2 just can't decide which 2 to sell I like them all and all have different personalities

It is a viscous circle, I sell 2 to get my collection down and turn around and buy 3. Then sometimes I regret selling one and buy another one just like it.

[56S]

Oh, I understand all too well.  I also have a thing for Sako bolt action rifles and O/U shotguns.

[Sfttailrdr46]

Oh, I understand all too well.  I also have a thing for Sako bolt action rifles and O/U shotguns.

Sold a Remington 1100 12 gauge 35 years ago and still regret that decision to this day

[palonej]

Maybe it's a bit premature but I want away from the inconsistencies of the break barrel design.  I just don't see how a break barrel can be as consistently accurate as a fixed.  Since this will be my primary home defense weapon (chipmunks) it will seldom ever go any further than the lawn chair on my front porch so weight isn't an issue.  For scouting missions, I'll keep my Lightweight Ruger.

I have all 3 plus a Pro Sport all in 177.
I was totally blown away by the 98. No lock up issues whatsoever after well over 27,000 rounds.
It is just as accurate as all my fixed barrels and built like a tank!
I have shot my tightest groups with her and taken squirrels out to 65 yards with head shots.
I have TOTAL confidence with it!!

[Brazos]

I will agree with Booger that the R11 will hang in there, accuracy wise, with any of the very best spring guns.  I also find the R11 much easier to cock than the TX200.  I believe this is the fact it is a brake barrel.  The barrel is also a heavy bull barrel and I think the weight of it helps when cocking.  Just does some of the work for you.  For the money I would probably choose the TX as I think it is a nicer gun (just a little assuming a Beach stock) for the cheaper price.  Unfourtunately R11's aren't cheap.  Great rifle though, and if you choose it over a TX or 97 you have nothing to be concerned about.  The R11 was my first real air rifle as an adult and I still have it.  It still shoots great.  I may very well have been better off stopping with the R11 but you have to try other things to realize that.  It's just one of those rifles, once you shoot a bunch and is broke in, that you gain confidence in and shoot very well.  To date mine has never been tuned or taken apart, not even has the stock been removed.  Just the trigger adjusted.

Though I do not own a 97 I have shot a few and that is not the same thing.  They seem to be a great rifle but I can only compare the 2 out of 3 listed that I own.  You have to own a gun to really compare.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Sharky it doesn't matter what you are shooting you raise the bar for all us lesser mortals  but now I have a PCP that promises to make the Synthetic Marauder .25 look like 3rd string QB. If it lives up to the promise of tonight at longer distance this will be the all time best reach out and ring the bell annoyingly rifle yet . This beauty is stacking 5 at a time and I did a tight 10 shot group that was maybe .30" at 10 yards .

[palonej]

Can't wait to fondle your new girl Don!!!
 

[triggerfest]

Many times questions come up on which gun should I get. So I thought I would do an apples to apples to oranges comparison as I see it. Many people look at things in a whole different light. I wish my R11/HW98 was tuned then I could plug in better numbers. So Joe just send my your HW98 and I can update my excel work sheet. I really would like to compare them both tuned and untuned, but that is for another day after I hit the lottery.

                                TX200 .22      HW97K .22     R11/HW98 .177
                                 Full Tune        Full Tune            Untuned
Trigger                            1                    2                      3               
Cocking Effort                  1                    3                      2
Shot Cycle                       2                    1                      3
Accuracy *                      1                     1                      1
Shouldering                     3                    2                      1
Power **                         1                    2                      3
Loudness *                      1                    1                      3
Loading ***                    3                     1                      1
Grip ****                       3                     1                      1
 
Total                             16                   14                    18
Average                       1.78                1.56                  2.00

* No clear winner
** FPE                        16.82              16.27                 14.9
***    HW breech is wider Crosman tend to fit tight in the TX
****  I have small hands


Edit:
I tried to straighten these a little for you.
-Niko

Nice comparison !

So obviously the HW97 is the winner ? But is that also according to your "overall feel factor" though ?

[Booger]

Many times questions come up on which gun should I get. So I thought I would do an apples to apples to oranges comparison as I see it. Many people look at things in a whole different light. I wish my R11/HW98 was tuned then I could plug in better numbers. So Joe just send my your HW98 and I can update my excel work sheet. I really would like to compare them both tuned and untuned, but that is for another day after I hit the lottery.

                                TX200 .22      HW97K .22     R11/HW98 .177
                                 Full Tune        Full Tune            Untuned
Trigger                            1                    2                      3               
Cocking Effort                  1                    3                      2
Shot Cycle                       2                    1                      3
Accuracy *                      1                     1                      1
Shouldering                     3                    2                      1
Power **                         1                    2                      3
Loudness *                      1                    1                      3
Loading ***                    3                     1                      1
Grip ****                       3                     1                      1
 
Total                             16                   14                    18
Average                       1.78                1.56                  2.00

* No clear winner
** FPE                        16.82              16.27                 14.9
***    HW breech is wider Crosman tend to fit tight in the TX
****  I have small hands


Edit:
I tried to straighten these a little for you.
-Niko

Nice comparison !

So obviously the HW97 is the winner ? But is that also according to your "overall feel factor" though ?

I would not say winner, they all are great guns. Just a comparison. Some things will matter more to some people than other things. The R1 has not been tuned, so you have your orange. Some people the trigger is the most important thing, where cocking effort might be the most important to others.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Jesse now that the chart is aligned I like the format and I will add that I will agree with your appraisal that some of the value calls are definitely personal what yo need to do is plan to make the trip to the South Carolina GTA fun shoot and do a random sampling of as many members as are willing to do the comparrison using your scale and then you will no longer be totally subjective

[Booger]

Jesse now that the chart is aligned I like the format and I will add that I will agree with your appraisal that some of the value calls are definitely personal what yo need to do is plan to make the trip to the South Carolina GTA fun shoot and do a random sampling of as many members as are willing to do the comparrison using your scale and then you will no longer be totally subjective

I would like that, but my thumb would be sore after hitch hiking there. LOL

[Nikoman]

Since it's a personal thing, I might add that the Pro Sport would spank the pants off all of them
There, I said it, LOL!
Now all I need is all the Pro Sport owners to back me up (there isn't very many of us so I'll run off and hide now)

Jesse, you did a nice job on your list and it illustrates well how you feel about your rifles and it will certainly help some folks out so it's very much appreciated.

[Booger]

Since it's a personal thing, I might add that the Pro Sport would spank the pants off all of them
There, I said it, LOL!
Now all I need is all the Pro Sport owners to back me up (there isn't very many of us so I'll run off and hide now)

Jesse, you did a nice job on your list and it illustrates well how you feel about your rifles and it will certainly help some folks out so it's very much appreciated.

Hey brother, you could just send me all your rifles and I could just add them to my review.

Thank you for your compliment, if you notice I never did say which rifle I grab first when I go shooting.

[Nikoman]

For some reason, I'm guessing you grab the MkIII first.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Jesse wants a Pro Sport Walnut stock he is just having trouble finding a nice used one for $150 

[Nikoman]

Don, I see what you did there.
You just unleashed Stage 1 of Enabling; crack joke about certain rifle.
Don't give in to his jab, Jesse.
Instead, wait for Joe to respond with pics of said rifle

[palonej]

Hmmmmmm......this one Niko?

[Nikoman]

Enabling Level 2, unleashed