Beeman R7 air rifle

[peterb]

Given the ammunition situation, I finally went ahead and bought the R7 I’ve been wanting for a long time. I know you can get more power for less money, but I wasn’t looking for high power — I wanted something reasonably light & compact, smooth, accurate, easy cocking, and...nice.

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I just installed the scope and got it sighted in using some pellets I had on hand. I’m very pleased so far. The trigger is nice, and it is much smoother firing than my cheap old spring-air gun. I’ve got an assortment of pellets coming to experiment with.

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The first 5-shot groups at 50 feet.

I think this is going to be fun...... :)

[rd62]

What scope did you go with? I need a good air rifle scope.

[peterb]

What scope did you go with? I need a good air rifle scope.

The Hawke 4x. I was trying for simple, light, bright and relatively inexpensive.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Hawke_Sport_Optics_4X32_AO_Sport_HD_Rifle_Scope_Mi l_Dot_Reticle_1_4_MOA_1_Tube/5165

[littlejerry]

I always wanted one of those.

I have a .22 cal Benjamin gas spring rifle. Does a good job of killing squirrels eating from our bird feeder. Trigger kinda sucks and it does like to throw fliers. The scope that came with it wouldn't hold zero, but the cheap UTG 4x I bought to replace it has surprisingly held up well.

[SD]

How is the adjustable Rekord trigger? Those are some very nice air rifles they make and with the ammo shortage maybe it is time for me to circle back for another look. Happy shooting looking forward to you reporting on different pellets.

[APS-PF]

I always liked the dimensions on those R7s. If springers didn't give me a headache I would certainly have one in the collection.

[peterb]

How is the adjustable Rekord trigger? Those are some very nice air rifles they make and with the ammo shortage maybe it is time for me to circle back for another look. Happy shooting looking forward to you reporting on different pellets.

I'll try to focus on it next time and come up with a a more articulate answer than "nice". ;-) General impression is smooth and light.

[gato naranja]

Good choice!

My first "adult" air rifle was a Beeman R7- an early one with the soda-straw barrel, no safety, and the stamped cap at the rear of the receiver. I foolishly traded it away for a powder burner, but it was eerily accurate within its effective envelope. After about 25 years without a good airgun, I decided to try and recapture the past. The "old" Beeman outfit was no more, so I got a nominal equivalent... an HW30S Deluxe.

The old R7 may have been a tad more carefully made, but this 30 is still light, easy to cock, and quiet. Accuracy is good as long as I don't bobble my springer technique... it can be kind of unforgiving despite not having much of a "twang". I equipped it with a Leupold VXII 3-9 x 33 AO scope in a Sportsmatch one-piece "droop" mount/rings, as like many springers from Weihrauch, it has some barrel droop.

Unlike some more powerful air rifles, I actually ENJOY using this thing, and it is about as easy to care for and live with as one could ask for.

[marty.eaves]

I’ve got an R7 that has not been shot for years. It needs gaskets and servicing. Anyone know where to get parts?


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[banzaijohn]

I’ve got an R7 that has not been shot for years. It needs gaskets and servicing. Anyone know where to get parts?


I haven't used one in years, but James Maccari made the best tune kits going: https://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/page/page/251488.htm

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[gato naranja]

I’ve got an R7 that has not been shot for years. It needs gaskets and servicing. Anyone know where to get parts?


Air Rifle Headquarters has already been mentioned, but you can also try Pyramid Air. Some of the harder-to-get OEM Weihrauch OEM parts can be had from TW Chambers in the UK, but it is best to buy a bunch of things from them at one time due to the red tape and shipping.

I have had good luck with Airguns of Arizona for supplies and accessories, but unless things have changed in the last couple of years, they are not really a parts source.


Gratuitous slide: some of the airgun magazines from the UK might be helpful for people just getting into (or back into) airguns. It's a whole different world, but they take their airguns seriously.

[MolonLabe416]

Which UK air gun magazines do you recommend?

[awp_101]

peterb, I'm looking at the R7 and R9. Was the lower cocking effort your reason for going with the R7?

[peterb]

peterb, I'm looking at the R7 and R9. Was the lower cocking effort your reason for going with the R7?

I wanted a rifle that was smaller, lighter and with easier cocking effort than the R9. I'm not a large person and I thought the R7 would be a better fit. Power was not a priority.

[peterb]

First quick pellet test: I did a quick search online for pellets that owners said worked well in the R7, and ordered a few to try.

Disclaimers:
1) I have a lot to learn about shooting a rifle. Watching the crosshairs bounce in time with my pulse was a Clue. :-)

2) For a rest I'm using the "random stuff you find in the basement" technique, which at the moment is a blanket on a suitcase on a card table.

3) A barrel-cocking gun does require that you lift it off the rest between each shot. I'm probably not consistent enough.

All round-nose field pellets, 5-shot groups at 50 feet:
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So no clear winner yet. Have to shoot more. Darn. ;-)

It did go 3-for-3 on .38 special cases at that range.
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One goal is to start working on my offhand technique. It's really nice being able to shoot without leaving the house.

[awp_101]

Thanks! Given my proclivities for plinking, the 7 would probably fit my needs just fine. I do know from my first go ‘round with “grown up” air guns 10 years ago or so, hold is everything and then some. IIRC the usual advice was to start with an “artillery hold” which is just loosely cupping it in your off hand instead of gripping it like a rifle. I don’t remember though if that was just for off hand shooting or bench shooting as well.

[peterb]

Another quick pellet test:
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Felt like I was shooting better except the one pulled left on the upper target.

Not sure what’s up with the wandering groups. Probably me.