British shooting show expectations

Silent sausage

Silent sausage

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Hey folks,

I started shooting mid last year. I’ve tried a few guns out, I’ve had a million conversations, I’ve had fun and I’ve learnt a touch about benchrest.

Let’s be clear - I’m new. My first comp I’m shooting 25m and averaging about 89-94, I’m dead chuffed. I’m using some good, but well used club equipment and a 12x scope. It’s taught me a huge amount about what I need (like 24x magnification for a start) and what I dislike.

I’ve saved up a few coin, and I’ve got a budget of around £1500 marked out for my first rifle that I want to purchase at the NEC next month as I hope this will give me best bang for buck.

Whilst I guess I could stretch up to £2500 if it really was perfect, I hope to achieve a rifle, case, scope (and mounts) and a pump as a back up (buying a compressor later in the year).

I enjoy benchrest and I can use out outdoor 50m range when we have some longer days. But I suspect I will want to try my hand at a few different disciplines when I have my rifle - hft looks too good to not try and I can see me picking up a springer down the line for some standing work.

I’ve got my eye on something like the Daystate Huntman Revere (safari probably), an airarms ultimate sporter or - if the deal was right, a black wolf. I’m looking for something I will enjoy more than the absolute best benchrest rifle or hft rifle I could own, I figure every gun will outshoot me for some time so I should just enjoy it.

The huntsman is probably the realistic option, but before I go - I’m wondering what I could expect to achieve in terms of pricing and deals at these shows? I’ve not been before so it’s all a bit new. Perhaps others have tips they could share?

Keen to lean in to the community that CLEARLY has far better knowledge than I.
 
The show is best suited to looking. There will be some dealers there selling new and used guns but you are probably better off buying from a dealer near your home. The manufacturers don't sell to the public from their stands although they may have offers which the dealers can do. I would say it's best to use the show for research and look at everything on offer but don't rush into buying the first shiny thing you see, do more research and take everything you see or hear with a pinch of salt. Hve fun.
 
Welcome to the AGF. Nice opening post :giggle:(y)

Purely personal opinion here, and in reality, you need to get up close and personal with a few options to decide upon what really suits 'you'.

If a magazine isn't a requirement, my vote would go to the Air Arms HFT500, which is single shot loading only and about as accurate as anything out there. It also features a decent adjustable stock, which will lend itself to FT, HFT and Benchrest, so a truly versatile proposition. They're also very highly regarded and reliable.

Another option is the Daystate Redwolf, although you would probably be looking at a used exmaple when you factor in your budget including everything. Essentially a mag fed electronic rifle, with an excellent trigger, and again, as accurate as anything else available. Fairly light in weight, fully adjustable stock and huge shot count, which will easily last your entire range session.

Buying used is an option, which although without a warranty, leaves plenty in the budget for better glass etc.

Happy 'hunting'.
 
Hello, If your looking at a PCP with £1500 you should get a decent Rifle/ Scope, and Air Cylinder rather than a pump, Or just go for a compressor, Have you looked in Ian Coleys gun shop
 
Trouble is, it's very busy and a bit of a cattle market. The last thing you want is buyers remorse from feeling rushed to make a purchase. Go and look feel, perhaps you could ask to try a rifle on one of the ranges.

Then step back, come away, do some proper research and take your shot more carefully with the help of your local rfd 😉
 
If you're interested in having a look at a few rifles, the show is an ideal place to handle them.
It is also possible to shoot them but there is usually a queue so be prepared to wait for your go.

If you are looking for a scope, Vector Optics usually have a stand where they have about a hundred scopes on show which can be inspected. . This is obviously better than buying one without ever having seen it "in the flesh".

Be prepared for lots of walking.
Refreshments are available but they aren't cheap. . It is better to take your own.
 
Went myself 2 years ago , wouldn't go again, would rather go to a well stocked shop look ,chat and think , and most will give you great advice,
Carnt say it was rubbish far from it, just so much to take in ,I found myself rushing to see as much as possible , and probably missed alot of good stuff , this is just my experience,
Go see for yourself , its the only way ,
Yes as mentioned drinks/food expensive,
As I said a good well stocked shop is just as good and you have all the time you need
 
Remember first gun is either the only one you’ll buy for a few years, or the starter you’ll replace in a few months once you work out what you like and don’t like. It’s better to look around for a while decide what you like on paper then use the show to hold a few and see how they feel, what’s the build quality like. Then use all the usual places to see what you can buy second hand. Someone has always bought a gun new and seen a new shiny one they think will be more accurate.

I used too get a sales bonus each year and it always came about the same time a new digital camera was released, took me a few years and a lot of money before I realised a new camera didn’t make my pictures any better. So I bought the best I could justify with a great bit of glass and I learnt to use it.

I’m the same with my airgun, I bought a secondhand Redwolf knowing it will last and if I miss it’s me not the gun.
 
I’d give one bit of advice buying a new gun.

Buy local not from a big show (laughing now the NEC isn’t a big show). You could buy the gun of your dreams from a supplier who’s in Plymouth at a great price. If it goes wrong you have a long drive and hassle.

Go look I won’t piss in your bonfire, but use a local shop for the above reason.
 
Hi . As others have said, the shooting show for us air gunners is more of a looky, feely occasion. Perfect for handling a few guns and optics, seeing what you like/ dislike. What fits & what doesn't! Air arms & Hw had stands last Yr where you could pay a couple of £££ & try a selection of their wares.. I had a couple of rounds on the AA course using an HFT500 & poss the U/S 🤔 Don't go expecting bargains galore. Take your own food /drink unless you take out a 2nd mortgage. Yes vendors have to cover costs etc but even so......
 
Plenty of sage advice on guns so far at the show.
If Optics Warehouse have a stall there they are worth taking a look at. Historically they have had some good discounts on scopes, and a good chance to have a look at a few. For benchrest I think you are doing well with the 12x you are using, and I have no doubt a 24x will improve that, but have a look at the Vector Sentinel 10-40x50. This is a great entry level scope at a price point that will free up your budget. if you can get one out of the box, put it up to maximum magnification and have a look through to see the image is clear and not milky as some can be.
 
There will be lots to see and try have a go with some of them on the shooting range they mostly have pay to have a go for your mentioned guns.

Feel free to pop and say hi to me I will be on the Airmaks stand
And if you want a free shoot of a gun the Airmaks range is always free of charge to shoot on
 
I would echo what others have said about it being a good chance to look at and compare lots of kit, but there aren’t that many deals to be had…

BUT, I went last year and the year before (saying I wasn’t buying a gun) and came home with a gun on both occasions 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

One was just the exact thing I wanted and there were virtually none advertised for sale anywhere at the time, and the other just a really good deal for my first PCP from City Air Weapons - their stand is generally chaotic (being polite), but they do have some bargains and are good to deal with.

In summary, don’t go there expecting to see loads of bargains and to come home with a gun, but you might 👍🏼
 
Varminter said:
I would echo what others have said about it being a good chance to look at and compare lots of kit, but there aren’t that many deals to be had…

BUT, I went last year and the year before (saying I wasn’t buying a gun) and came home with a gun on both occasions 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

One was just the exact thing I wanted and there were virtually none advertised for sale anywhere at the time, and the other just a really good deal for my first PCP from City Air Weapons - their stand is generally chaotic (being polite), but they do have some bargains and are good to deal with.

In summary, don’t go there expecting to see loads of bargains and to come home with a gun, but you might 👍🏼
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They are the jumble sale of the airgun world lol
Always a top hat 🎩 on though
 
Can only agree with what everyone else has said - look and try guns at the show then buy from a local dealer. I bought an S410TDR at the show years ago as it had a decent discount and didnt consider if it went wrong (it did) that the dealer was 200 miles away from where I lived. If its at a big discount or something you cant get anywhere else the maybe worth the risk, but if its a new gun from a major brand like Daystate or AirArms would try and get locally.
 
Ganton Gunner said:
There will be lots to see and try have a go with some of them on the shooting range they mostly have pay to have a go for your mentioned guns.

Feel free to pop and say hi to me I will be on the Airmaks stand
And if you want a free shoot of a gun the Airmaks range is always free of charge to shoot on
Click to expand...
Thats good to know - am now considering the Katran or Krait and will be there on the Sunday.
 
Guys, thank you all for such fantastic advice - group sourcing for decisions like this seems to be a great way to go.

I’m in the shires, Ian Cowley is just down the road and there are a few other smaller places around. I won’t mention names, but the last place I went to was reasonably busy but it was impossible to get into a conversation with the staff member/s (not super clear who they were) so I walked without a sale or advice.

I will be honest, looking at airguncentre they sure look to have some good deals and lifetime servicing at prices I’m keen to buy at. But, I’m feeling the vibes here - buy local is best.

I’m kinda torn for the shooting show now if I’m honest and I think that’s ok too.

I also think the vector sentinel is a no brainer. I guy who shoots really well and who I very much respect down at the club said this was the last word in first scopes and I wouldn’t look back.

Neither of the two or three real local gun shops are stocking some of the guns im most interested in. Do I call them and say hey im kinda thinking about X and Y could you get one in for me to look at? Or is it best to travel the earth to shoulder them all before asking a store for a bit of a deal? Or should I mail order though airguncentre?

Ganton - that’s a seriously kind offer, if I go I will be sure to swing by and say thanks!
 
Get to the show and shoulder a few guns if nothing else, and (of course) say hello to @Ganton Gunner. Leave your credit card at home (unless to plan to buy lunch).
Seeing the guns in the flesh and getting hands on can help you with a decision, some haven't shouldered well for ne or you discover some other nuance that you think may be a nuisance over time.
Getting time to talk with your local RFD is worth doing, some may not all certain guns because they have had a bad experience with quality or servicing, try and get in again, most RFDs should be rubbing their hands at the opportunity though many will want to sell you what they have in stock. Maybe call ahead to ask when is a quiet time to visit.
 
Here’s my opinion….. go to the show. Handle as many guns as you can. This will be the first stage of importance as if it doesn’t handle well, it doesn’t matter how good it shoots…..
After that go on the range and shoot the guns you are interested in.
I personally would opt for a second hand set up. Purely because you can get a lot more for the money. Unless of course it’s a new gun that’s only just been released.
Judging on the rifles you have shortlisted I would also include the hw100/hw100x they are excellent rifles.
BKL mounts will serve you very well as they seem to fit almost anything
As for scopes, this can be a bigger rabbit hole than searching for a rifle! I don’t know what you’re intending on using it for, but the whole delta range seems to have something for each discipline and are incredibly good value for money!
 
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