Really looking to get this in .20 cal for rabbits, used to hunt with an old, original Birmingham BSA springer but it has given up the ghost.

Thoughts on this, I know its heavier than one might want for hunting, but man is it nice to look at and I really do NOT want a chinese air rifle, nor do I want plastic bits all over it.

Thoughts?

Great gun for thumping bunnies. The HW77 will knock the snot out of just about anything within
70 yards, easily. No Chinese crap here, Good ol' German engineering at it's best.
I have a HW97k in .22 that is dead on accurate out to 70 yards without even trying. 4 dots down, breathe, squeeze trigger, slam target. Simple.

The gun averages 695 fps @ 14 ftlbs with H&N FTT 14.66 gr pellets.

This is 10 shots @ 70 yards.
The 77 is in the same league as my 97k. It's a very good choice, just mount a sling, a GOOD scope, and you're good to go.

+2 on the HW77. I have owned one for 15 years in .17 caliber and it does the job. I think the .20 would be awesome for your use. It is heavy but the suggestion of adding a sling will take care of that. Be careful of scope length so you don't cover the loading port. I didn't and cuss every time I fiddle a pellet into the chamber.

My scope cover the port, no problems loading.
I load by feel, you should be able too if you had the gun that long.