Time to spend money: Best all around backyard target/hunting reliable PCP
- Thread starter SammyK
- Start date
AN ALL-ROUND GUN? 
I have always been looking to buy all-round guns...!
And like you, I started with a powerful springer, and realized what I'm looking for could only be found on The Dark Side (the PCPs).
I won't recommend a certain gun — there are too many features to consider — and gun beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so you need to surf the web yourself....
Some comments on your requirements:
(1) Quite enough for backyard shooting:
Any PCP .25 and under can be made backyard quiet with a silencer ($100-$200). I have a Silencer Specs Table to compare over 50 models, if you're interested.
(2) Reliable and easy to work on (when/if needed):
For reliable you might want to stay away from Chinese products. Though, they can be easy to work on. YouTube and the forums are your friend.
Having a set of o-rings for your gun on hand is always a good idea — they are bound to need replacing eventually.
Some brands that are said to be extra tough: Taipan, AGT, Ataman, and especially EDgun (the owner drove his truck over one and then shot a target at 50y).
(3) Something I can hunt with some (probably in .25?) (from Crows up to perhaps a raccoon at closer range):
Raccoon are pretty big and tough, but at "closer range" of say 15yards, they can be taken with smaller calibers. You want to do the same at 40 yards, well, then .25 sounds better (at least with the gun's power as set by the factory), or use a slug which delivers much more power at longer ranges, or dial the power up....
➔ Caliber: The power potential of recent PCP's has risen steeply, so that you can deliver a lot of power even with smaller calibers, like .22cal.
Some guns can be adjusted externally (mainy of the FX models; adjustment of the regulator allows a wider range of power adjustments, the hammer spring tensioner is often accessible from the outside but only allows adjustments within a limited power range). All guns can be adjusted — just watch some YouTube videos and ask on the forums.
The .22cal seems to be a good all-round caliber, with way more pellets and slugs available than in .25cal — but delivering much more power than .177cal, and easier to handle bec. they not so tiny.
(4) Target shooting comfortably behind a bipod (up to and beyond 80 yards to stretch it out):
Any gun can be mounted on a bipod and aimed at a target.....
(well, the EDgun Lelya 2.0 and the Ataman BP-17 maybe not).
So, are you hoping to compete? Then you'll probably want a dedicated gun for that duty.... Otherwise, most PCP's will get you 2" groups at 80y, many will get you 1", and some even less than that (provided the shooter does their part, of course
).
(5) Not too heavy (see hunting):
Well, in comparison to springers PCPs are much much lighter. And going with a synthetic stock and a bullpup format even lighter.
(6) Doesn’t have to be babied when carrying around (see hunting again):
Cf. point (2), "reliable."
Some guns have "freefloating barrels" — I take that to mean that the barrel is only attached on one point — the action. The rest is free — and therefore when getting bumped or when leaned against a tree the gun could loose zero, or at least the point of impact could shift for a time until the barrel returns to its original position.
Of course, the longer the barrel is the larger the negative effect of such a bump or leaning.
For that reason, I personally will not buy (for example) an FX Dreamline bullpup, but I would buy the FX Wildcat (where the barrel is also attached to the scope mounting).
(7) Doesn’t cost much over $1500 (hopefully less):
That's easy to do. How nice you have that kind of money available.
Have you considered the following features?
(8 ) Large magazine capacity (20 and more shots; FX offers that) vs. normal capacity (around 10)?
(9) Bullpup vs. traditional rifle?
(10) Action — with a lever vs. with a bolt?
(11) Lever position on a bullpup: close to the trigger, or close to the action?
(12) Air bottle (large capacity of shots) vs. air tube?
(13) Maximum fill pressure? 300bar is pretty high (hard on your compressor, or if using a CF airtank, you won't be able to fill it up all the way after a while as the pressure in the airtank will go down). 250bar or less is more manageable (I have handpumped up to that pressure for a couple of years). But 300bar allows more shots from a comparably small airtube.
(14) For an all-round gun it could be interesting to be able to swap calibers, swap barrels (longer barrels for more power; or slug barrels more suitable for heavy slugs, for example). FX is the brand that usually offers this advantage.
Have fun gun shopping!
Matthias
I have always been looking to buy all-round guns...!
And like you, I started with a powerful springer, and realized what I'm looking for could only be found on The Dark Side (the PCPs).
I won't recommend a certain gun — there are too many features to consider — and gun beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so you need to surf the web yourself....
Some comments on your requirements:
(1) Quite enough for backyard shooting:
Any PCP .25 and under can be made backyard quiet with a silencer ($100-$200). I have a Silencer Specs Table to compare over 50 models, if you're interested.
(2) Reliable and easy to work on (when/if needed):
For reliable you might want to stay away from Chinese products. Though, they can be easy to work on. YouTube and the forums are your friend.
Having a set of o-rings for your gun on hand is always a good idea — they are bound to need replacing eventually.
Some brands that are said to be extra tough: Taipan, AGT, Ataman, and especially EDgun (the owner drove his truck over one and then shot a target at 50y).
(3) Something I can hunt with some (probably in .25?) (from Crows up to perhaps a raccoon at closer range):
Raccoon are pretty big and tough, but at "closer range" of say 15yards, they can be taken with smaller calibers. You want to do the same at 40 yards, well, then .25 sounds better (at least with the gun's power as set by the factory), or use a slug which delivers much more power at longer ranges, or dial the power up....
➔ Caliber: The power potential of recent PCP's has risen steeply, so that you can deliver a lot of power even with smaller calibers, like .22cal.
Some guns can be adjusted externally (mainy of the FX models; adjustment of the regulator allows a wider range of power adjustments, the hammer spring tensioner is often accessible from the outside but only allows adjustments within a limited power range). All guns can be adjusted — just watch some YouTube videos and ask on the forums.
The .22cal seems to be a good all-round caliber, with way more pellets and slugs available than in .25cal — but delivering much more power than .177cal, and easier to handle bec. they not so tiny.
(4) Target shooting comfortably behind a bipod (up to and beyond 80 yards to stretch it out):
Any gun can be mounted on a bipod and aimed at a target.....
(well, the EDgun Lelya 2.0 and the Ataman BP-17 maybe not).So, are you hoping to compete? Then you'll probably want a dedicated gun for that duty.... Otherwise, most PCP's will get you 2" groups at 80y, many will get you 1", and some even less than that (provided the shooter does their part, of course
).(5) Not too heavy (see hunting):
Well, in comparison to springers PCPs are much much lighter. And going with a synthetic stock and a bullpup format even lighter.
(6) Doesn’t have to be babied when carrying around (see hunting again):
Cf. point (2), "reliable."
Some guns have "freefloating barrels" — I take that to mean that the barrel is only attached on one point — the action. The rest is free — and therefore when getting bumped or when leaned against a tree the gun could loose zero, or at least the point of impact could shift for a time until the barrel returns to its original position.
Of course, the longer the barrel is the larger the negative effect of such a bump or leaning.
For that reason, I personally will not buy (for example) an FX Dreamline bullpup, but I would buy the FX Wildcat (where the barrel is also attached to the scope mounting).
(7) Doesn’t cost much over $1500 (hopefully less):
That's easy to do. How nice you have that kind of money available.
Have you considered the following features? (8 ) Large magazine capacity (20 and more shots; FX offers that) vs. normal capacity (around 10)?
(9) Bullpup vs. traditional rifle?
(10) Action — with a lever vs. with a bolt?
(11) Lever position on a bullpup: close to the trigger, or close to the action?
(12) Air bottle (large capacity of shots) vs. air tube?
(13) Maximum fill pressure? 300bar is pretty high (hard on your compressor, or if using a CF airtank, you won't be able to fill it up all the way after a while as the pressure in the airtank will go down). 250bar or less is more manageable (I have handpumped up to that pressure for a couple of years). But 300bar allows more shots from a comparably small airtube.
(14) For an all-round gun it could be interesting to be able to swap calibers, swap barrels (longer barrels for more power; or slug barrels more suitable for heavy slugs, for example). FX is the brand that usually offers this advantage.
Have fun gun shopping!
Matthias
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I own or have owned just about every brand of high quality airguns, from springers to PCP's, Theoben, Daystate, Air Arms, FX and others, I still have several of them and others have been sold off. The one gun I still ave after all these years is a Daystate Huntsman Regal in .22, never had a leak or issue, goof looking, dead accurate, good shot count and power (30 Ft Lb) Have made some of the longest shots on Starlings and nutters with this gun. I paid $1200 new from Jim @ Precision Airguns. If you can find a used FX Crown I really like this gun as well, I have three Crown's, two Impact's but still love that Huntsman Regal in .22.. I also have a EdGun Lelya 2.0 .25 and a FX WC MK2 Compact in .25 and would sell both before the Huntsman. When I am old and feeble i'll still have the Huntsman to hang on the wall someday.
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I agree, hard to go wrong with a Huntsman, or the Revere (side lever version, same rifle). I have a Revere, and I also have a Weihrauch HW100, which I consider of fully equal quality. The HW100 is considerably heavier, which could be an issue with a walking woods rifle. Otherwise, it's classic English asthetics vs. German precision. The only functional preference I have, is the Weihrauch magazine system, which I consider maybe the best in the market. Metal, no springs involved, a simple cylinder. If you want to decock on a loaded chamber (Mr squirrel runs away), just disengage the mag advance slide, pull back the lever, hold the trigger back and lower the lever. Next time you pull the lever to cock, the mag will not advance, so no double load. In fact, you can leave the mag advance disengaged, and simply rotate the mag manually, easy to do, fool proof anti double load, but obviously not advertised as such.
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I should stop reading threads like this. I don't have any sage advice but always walk away with a new shopping list.. 
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If I a $1500 budget and was going to do what you say, I'd probably go for a Benjamin Marauder Field & Target in .22 with the Walther barrel. ($730) They're well-made and easy to work on. Their built-in barrel shroud keeps things backyard-friendly. They can be tuned or serviced by the owner, once you get some shots under your belt.
Link: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-marauder-field-and-target-air-rifle?m=4316#9236
Then, add a quality scope, but nothing SUPER-fancy. I like the Hawke Vantage 4-12x50 AO. AO means Adjustable Objective, so you can focus it down to 10 yards for plinking in your basement. The 50 mm objective lens is kind of big and does make it heavier, but since you mentioned possibly shooting the odd 'coon, you'll want something bright. It also has a lit reticle, so you can actually see where your crosshairs are when it's dim outside. the 12X magnification on the long end of the zoom will let you get good accuracy out of it for target shooting. $210.
Link: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/hawke-sport-optics-vantage-4-12x50-ao-rifle-scope-ill-mil-dot-etched?a=5048
To go with the scope, you'll need a set of high Picatinny rings. Simple and cheap are fine, like these.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/utg-1-max-strength-quick-lock-rings-high-weaver-picatinny-4-hex-screws?a=3852
Otherwise, you can find some rings closer to $55 that are a lot lighter and US-made.
Air compressor for $370 that's rated pretty well to fill the gun:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B096Z3LTB5/?coliid=I2TAD6X4D6B008&colid=28I78N2NAL6TG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Total is $1270 so far.
Buy four extra magazines for the Marauder for a total of 5. This way, you can just load them up and when the mags are all empty, you're ready to fill the rifle.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-marauder-rifle-mag-22-cal-10rds?a=2761
Total is $1342
Pellets. It will almost certainly shoot these well: $8/200
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/h-n-baracuda-18-22-cal-18-13-grains-round-nose-200ct?p=1624
...and a tin of these, for the critters: $10/200
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/h-n-baracuda-hunter-22-cal-18-21-grains-hollowpoint-200ct?p=980
Lastly a tin of blasting ammo. These shoot well in almost everything. $11.50/500
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-premier-22-cal-14-3-grains-domed-500ct?p=769
That's about $1362 total. Add tax and you'll be close to your limit and be well set-up.
Link: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-marauder-field-and-target-air-rifle?m=4316#9236
Then, add a quality scope, but nothing SUPER-fancy. I like the Hawke Vantage 4-12x50 AO. AO means Adjustable Objective, so you can focus it down to 10 yards for plinking in your basement. The 50 mm objective lens is kind of big and does make it heavier, but since you mentioned possibly shooting the odd 'coon, you'll want something bright. It also has a lit reticle, so you can actually see where your crosshairs are when it's dim outside. the 12X magnification on the long end of the zoom will let you get good accuracy out of it for target shooting. $210.
Link: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/hawke-sport-optics-vantage-4-12x50-ao-rifle-scope-ill-mil-dot-etched?a=5048
To go with the scope, you'll need a set of high Picatinny rings. Simple and cheap are fine, like these.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/utg-1-max-strength-quick-lock-rings-high-weaver-picatinny-4-hex-screws?a=3852
Otherwise, you can find some rings closer to $55 that are a lot lighter and US-made.
Air compressor for $370 that's rated pretty well to fill the gun:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B096Z3LTB5/?coliid=I2TAD6X4D6B008&colid=28I78N2NAL6TG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Total is $1270 so far.
Buy four extra magazines for the Marauder for a total of 5. This way, you can just load them up and when the mags are all empty, you're ready to fill the rifle.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-marauder-rifle-mag-22-cal-10rds?a=2761
Total is $1342
Pellets. It will almost certainly shoot these well: $8/200
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/h-n-baracuda-18-22-cal-18-13-grains-round-nose-200ct?p=1624
...and a tin of these, for the critters: $10/200
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/h-n-baracuda-hunter-22-cal-18-21-grains-hollowpoint-200ct?p=980
Lastly a tin of blasting ammo. These shoot well in almost everything. $11.50/500
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-premier-22-cal-14-3-grains-domed-500ct?p=769
That's about $1362 total. Add tax and you'll be close to your limit and be well set-up.
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Well, I am going to suggest that you consider two guns. One well suited for target shooting in your yard. An the other well suited to hunting. I recently bought a .177 Marauder F &T that I have been enjoying for target shooting. I don't hunt, but if were to start, I would just get a second gun that was lighter and had was in a bigger caliber. Personally, I enjoy shooting different styles of guns, so it would not take much to convince be to buy another one
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I applaud you, Smaug, for the detail in helping someone on budget make a solid choice. You laid everything out the way I’d like to see it if I were the OP. Good job!
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I don’t know why I started reading this topic, I’ve seen 1,000 of them. But as I was reading the replies I started trying to think of a good recommendation. When I hit Smaug’s reply, and he completely nailed it, I realized something. When guys ask this question and give their magic budget number, most of us immediately try to max it out with the most expensive gun we can tuck in just below or slightly over it. Think back to when we all dove into PCP’s. Would you rather be shooting and refilling like a madman with a Marauder or just sitting there staring at a bald Taipan. For the average Joe that hasn’t gone off his nut over PCP’s, the Marauder is a dream backyard hunter plinker. Thanks Smaug for snapping me back to reality. And good job with the shopping list. I have spent stupid money for what’s on or in my airguns and I would buy everything on that shopping list that you provided for the Mrod. I think if the OP wants to step the gun quality up a notch then the Huntsman/Revere will still leave some room for accessories.
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I have a Taipan Veteran .22 compact, and it's probably the most favorite PCP I've owned. With a DonnyFL Tanto on it, it's crazy quiet and extremely accurate. I've shot from 10-100 yds with 0 issues. Built like a tank. Buy once, cry once.
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