I am new to the sport. I am 41 and haven't shot anything for about 25 years. I plan to target shoot and perhaps squirrel hunt. Will also eventually teach my daughter (10 years old) to shoot if I can ever get her interested.
I do not have much money to invest in the sport. Would say my budget is about $300. But I am in a unique position in that I will make an initial purchase and will attempt to NOT spend much more after that (issue with wife). So my number 1 priority is to get quality stuff for a sensible price and hopefully have it last 5 to 10 years! My 2nd priority is to have a gun that shoots smooth, accurate, and feels like a quality item.
I was going to buy a Gamo Wildcat Whisper .22 for $150 or a Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 .22 for $290. Was leaning towards the latter for the variable zoom scope. But after lots of internet lurking, I was thinking about the following setup...
$300 - Umarex Gauntlet PCP Air Rifle
$120 - Leapers UTG 4-16x50 AO, EZ-TAP, Illuminated Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube
$50 - ebay - 3 Stage PCP Air Gun Rifle Filling Stirrup Pump Hand Pump 4500PSI
Total - $470
This certainly blows my budget and I will pay for it with some nagging down the road from the significant other. My questions are ...
Is this a sensible setup for under $500?
Will that cheap hand pump work/hold up?
Is this option significantly better than a spring gun with cheap scope for $250?
Would you recommend any changes in the scope or gun?
I do not have much money to invest in the sport. Would say my budget is about $300. But I am in a unique position in that I will make an initial purchase and will attempt to NOT spend much more after that (issue with wife). So my number 1 priority is to get quality stuff for a sensible price and hopefully have it last 5 to 10 years! My 2nd priority is to have a gun that shoots smooth, accurate, and feels like a quality item.
I was going to buy a Gamo Wildcat Whisper .22 for $150 or a Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 .22 for $290. Was leaning towards the latter for the variable zoom scope. But after lots of internet lurking, I was thinking about the following setup...
$300 - Umarex Gauntlet PCP Air Rifle
$120 - Leapers UTG 4-16x50 AO, EZ-TAP, Illuminated Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube
$50 - ebay - 3 Stage PCP Air Gun Rifle Filling Stirrup Pump Hand Pump 4500PSI
Total - $470
This certainly blows my budget and I will pay for it with some nagging down the road from the significant other. My questions are ...
Is this a sensible setup for under $500?
Will that cheap hand pump work/hold up?
Is this option significantly better than a spring gun with cheap scope for $250?
Would you recommend any changes in the scope or gun?