I have an Avenger, first generation, and I think it's a good rifle for the price as long as you do not mind it's nearly 4 foot length. It is LONG. But also powerful and decently accurate. I have a 25 caliber tuned to about 50 fpe and it could go higher. I leaked when I got it but was fixed under warranty and has given me no more problems. But it does not get shot much because of the length. It was my second PCP (my first was a Prod which I still have and like but it is not an all around gun in my view (but for similar reasons I would say the same thing about a NOTOs (too limited in power and shot count but loads of fun)).
My third, fourth, and fifth PCPs were Snowpeak (SPA) P35s. Stoeger Bullsharks are very similar. I really prefer short light bullpups. Under $500. The 177 makes about 18 or 19 fpe, the 22s will make 25-30+ depending on what pellet they like, and the 25s are good for low to mid 40s. I have been struggling for literally years to get a reliable 50 fpe out of a couple and my recommendation is to not try. If you really need 50 fpe or more I recommend a different gun. But a 25 tuned to 32 fpe was my first and only bullpup for a squirrel season and it took 18 for me. Very effective. But the 22 can make this much power and I have also found them very effective. A 25 tuned to low 40s would be capable of a bit more but for squirrels I don't think I need that power. I've shot at least a 197 now with all 3 of my P35s and my one Bullshark on the 30 yard challenge. They are literally as accurate as my $1400 Caiman X with it's CZ barrel. They will not make as much power as the Caiman nor is their shot count as high but they are lighter and loads of fun to shoot.
If you prefer longer non-bullpups the Stoeger Scout and Ranger are similar, I think, to the P35s and probably make similar power. Plenty for squirrel/rabbit sized game and target shooting.
The absolute least expensive way to get into this, I think, is a Notos and a handpump. I started with a Prod with a handpump, there was no Notos then. I think the Prod may be better in some ways but it costs about twice as much now and has less power and no regulator so it also has disadvantages. The big advantage from a cost standpoint is these guns store little air so in my opinion a hand pump is a very viable option. I did it for months with my Prod and did not get a compressor until I purchased the Avenger. Three times as much air at 1.5 times the pressure was just too much for me hand pumping. But the little Prod only needs a pump or two per shot and it isn't hard to pump to 3000 psi. You will only get 20-25 shots before needing to refill but that would be a good day hunting for me and is a decent plinking session. They are also very shot light guns and I find my Prod to be loads of fun. It's also taken 18 squirrels for me but I found the stock tune to be too low for this. The Notos should be fine stock.
There are lots of compressors. I have a Yong Heng I use to refill a 45 minute Scott air pack. It's a nice way to fill guns but it is not an inexpensive option. The YH is inexpensive for a bottle compressor but it needs modification to add cooling IMHO (but just putting a lot of ice in the cooling water apparently works too) and a bottle and fill set are not cheap. Much less expensive is a GX CS2 which I also have and like. About $250 delivered by GX. A refill of my SPA guns is about 5 minutes using the extra cost GX filter which may not be necessary. A CS3 is mechanically mainly the same as a CS2 but it is in a metal box and adds auto shutoff. The CS4 is water cooled and capable of filling at least small bottles. There is also a CS5 which is recommended by GX for bottles.
As I often do I let this get long so I will also give you a much shorter version. Get a Stoeger Scout or Bullshark in 22 and a GX CS2 or 3. You will easily stay under $1000 and you will have a lot of fun with them. You will not need to do a lot of maintenance but should expect to do a little tuning to the rifle, replace O-rings every few years, and add a little grease periodically to the compressor.
saber tactical arca bottle clamp. There is currently no aftermarket full length arca rail that i know of. Mounting my tripod directly to the bottle is much better than the m lock shield
Dayam that's gorgeous...