1st post. Just saying Hi

I know, sorry. I make decent money at my job and I'm debt free. I use an AR 15 at work and this will help me keep my skills sharp.....at least that's what I tell myself to justify it.....that and my job can be stressful and shooting has always taken a bite out of the stress.

The more I thought about it, the more I didn't want to mess around.
I like your style!
 
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@Tifford Wow! You really just took the plunge. Haven’t shot one, but read many great things about RAW rifles. Have you determined how you are going to handle your air supply?

Wow! You’re going to be so impressed with the rifle! What caliber did you pick?
Welcome aboard!
I'm looking at either the 22 or 25. I'm interested in accuracy and I suppose I'm splitting hairs here but the distance of a width of a hair can sometimes mean winning a match or not.

22.....faster, flatter trajectory
25....more energy, slower, better against the wind.
Then there is pellet selection of which I know nothing about.
I figure either will dispatch a Grey squirrel.
Which of these calibers wins more matches?
 
Based on everything you’ve told us about yourself- firearms experience, property access and distance, financials in place, and firearm use at your type of work, you've got all the ingredients already in place to just dive into this hobby head first. I can tell that you’ll learn fast, and be a seasoned vet in no time. I’d also say a year from now you’ll probably own up to 6 PCP’s, especially once you discover the sheer pleasure of shooting a fine piece of workmanship, typically more accurate than the powder burners you already own.
Yes, for sure try the cheaper Ammo and see if it works, but when seeking top tier Ammo look at FX, JSB, H&N, AA, and many more.
Trenier Outdoors is a great place to buy Ammo, and the big 4 are great places to source parts and pieces- Airguns of Arizona, Pyramid Air, utah Airguns, Airgun Depot.

Start hanging out in the compressor and tank section as compressed air is the lifeblood of a pcp, and to learn the ins and outs of being air independent is an apprenticeship all its own. Safety is key with high pressure air

Welcome aboard. The folks that chimed in before me on your welcome are great “go to” folks with a lot of knowledge
 
Welcome Tifford, congrats on your choice of air guns. (They are like eating potato chips.) One is never enough. There are many quality rifles out there that are similar to AR configurations. I have a 25 cal carbine that is semi auto in 25 cal. Accuracy is good enough to shoot shotgun shells at 50yds.

Choses on caliber are personal preference. I have 5 different calibers from 177 - 30. They all serve a purpose but the utitlity calibers would be for me 22 and 25.
 
Based on everything you’ve told us about yourself- firearms experience, property access and distance, financials in place, and firearm use at your type of work, you've got all the ingredients already in place to just dive into this hobby head first. I can tell that you’ll learn fast, and be a seasoned vet in no time. I’d also say a year from now you’ll probably own up to 6 PCP’s, especially once you discover the sheer pleasure of shooting a fine piece of workmanship, typically more accurate than the powder burners you already own.
Yes, for sure try the cheaper Ammo and see if it works, but when seeking top tier Ammo look at FX, JSB, H&N, AA, and many more.
Trenier Outdoors is a great place to buy Ammo, and the big 4 are great places to source parts and pieces- Airguns of Arizona, Pyramid Air, utah Airguns, Airgun Depot.

Start hanging out in the compressor and tank section as compressed air is the lifeblood of a pcp, and to learn the ins and outs of being air independent is an apprenticeship all its own. Safety is key with high pressure air

Welcome aboard. The folks that chimed in before me on your welcome are great “go to” folks with a lot of knowledge
Thank you for your knowledge
 
Still in the air between the 22 and 25.

My thoughts are the 25 should be more accurate. Maybe I'm wrong but the 25 should be slower which gets the pellet away from the sound barrier a bit more. I've read somewhere that the sound barrier or getting close to it imparts a wobble on the projectile or something similar to a wobble.

I've been reading up on bench rest matches and it seems at least in one match where I was able to see the winning calibers that the 25 had an edge when it came to the top 10 shooters.

Then there's the 22. Faster but faster isn't necessarily better. Especially as it gets close to the sound barrier. Maybe I'm putting to much emphasis on that barrier and what it does to affect the flight of a projectile.
However, from what I've been reading, there are a vast number of 22 pellets to choose from. One article stated that there are 100 22s built for every 1 25 caliber. Seems like there should be more 22s at the bench/range than the 25.
Then there is the wind to consider. On a nice sunny no wind day, the guys who shoot 22s should be smiling whereas a slight wind at 100 yards should make the 25 caliber shooters grin from ear to ear.
More reading needs to be done. I will report back.
 
I think I've finally decided on a rifle.
RAW HM1000X with shroud, red wooden stock in 25 caliber and a right handed model.

The wooden stock goes against what I previously said about being similar to the rifle at my place of work. I figure to shoot well I need to be comfortable and the wood will do that for me.

My only concern is that a review I read said the company was recently sold and the quality has gone down. Any word on the quality control?
 
54 years old
Started out at around 5 years old with red rider bb gun.
Graduated to a power line 880 that could shoot pellets or bb s. That was a huge upgrade for me and I loved the accuracy of that old 10 pump powering. Although I think the quality of the newer 880s has gone down hill big time.

When I was 16 in Northern NY I went onto 22s and 12guages. Hunted on my Uncles 350 acre farm and was in heaven. Hunted rabbits, partridge, squirrels and white tails with a 308 savage lever action..... sorry I ever sold that 308.
Moved to NH, MA and then down to NC where I got my concealed carry for down there. Got a few deer with the 30-06 that my Dad gave me before he passed away. I also have 25-06 and 270 that I use on deer.
Then it was to SC where I became a guy you could go to, to get your concealed carry. I believe strongly in the 2nd amendment so I didn't charge for the class.
Now a days I'm back in NY....Central NY. I'm more interested in tight groups on paper than anything. Although a squirrel or two isn't out of the question.

I've had about 6 12guages, rifles from 22s to 22-250 all the way up to 375 H & H mag. Most of my rifles have leaupold (spelling?) Vari X 3s with the occasional Nikon. I have handguns of sorts with semi autos being favored in my youth to wheel guns as I got older.
I have a break barrel pellet but don't recall the name right now. It is fairly accurate.

I'd like advice on the following:
Is there a 17 or 20 caliber pump that is quality, strong and accurate? I like the smoothness of an air rifle that uses compressed air. I like the idea of a pump without having to deal with tanks or compressors......I have compressors but they are for air tools.

Suggestions?
Tifford, do you see that large black hole in the ground? Well you have a choice, back away or jump in. That Rabbit Hole has no bottom and many off shoots, every one of them will reduce your bank balance. Welcome
 
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Still in the air between the 22 and 25.

My thoughts are the 25 should be more accurate. Maybe I'm wrong but the 25 should be slower which gets the pellet away from the sound barrier a bit more. I've read somewhere that the sound barrier or getting close to it imparts a wobble on the projectile or something similar to a wobble.

I've been reading up on bench rest matches and it seems at least in one match where I was able to see the winning calibers that the 25 had an edge when it came to the top 10 shooters.

Then there's the 22. Faster but faster isn't necessarily better. Especially as it gets close to the sound barrier. Maybe I'm putting to much emphasis on that barrier and what it does to affect the flight of a projectile.
However, from what I've been reading, there are a vast number of 22 pellets to choose from. One article stated that there are 100 22s built for every 1 25 caliber. Seems like there should be more 22s at the bench/range than the 25.
Then there is the wind to consider. On a nice sunny no wind day, the guys who shoot 22s should be smiling whereas a slight wind at 100 yards should make the 25 caliber shooters grin from ear to ear.
More reading needs to be done. I will report back.
Seeing as you will eventually wind up with both...... .22 for serious skill building and .25 for reaching out. .22 ammo is way less expenswive. You will be spending hard time getting things set up and finding the magic pellet. Every gun has a pellet it absolutely loves. Then you start thinking about slugs.....oh oh.
 
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Trenier Outdoors is a great place to buy Ammo, and the big 4 are great places to source parts and pieces- Airguns of Arizona, Pyramid Air, utah Airguns, Airgun Depot.
Being you’re in upstate NY don’t forget about The pellet shop and Northeast airguns. Much closer to your location, maybe even worth a drive if you want to get hands on a few guns before purchasing.
 
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Hi Tiff, If your going to compete you'll find the most popular caliber is 177. You may need a compressor and bottle for that. From my back door all I need is the Yong Heng compressor.
I own a FX Dream,22 cal walnut stock ( that was a good day,I won that rifle here on AGN,check out the review by AEAC))) and a 22 cal Hatsan Flashup bullpup.(same reviewer) ( Steve is the best reviewer out there ) . Both are accurate beyond belief. The Flash out to a solid 50 yds and the FX to the edge of my property ( 67 yds from my shooting position ). My guess is you will get bored with the PCP,s and start collecting Weirach and Air Arms spring air rifles. That's where you'll scratch that itch.
 
I haven’t dealt with northeast but they are certainly close enough to be a decent option.
I have dealt with the pellet shop. Most recently bought a RAW chassis gun from them. If you text their number, at reasonable hours, you most likely will get a text back. The owners name is Bin. He’ll call you if your conversation warrants it.

Good luck in your journey. It’s only money, you can make more...
 
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