Big Bore Airguns ( bang for the buck)

[Richard3589]

So, i'm thinking about getting into a .45 or .457 Air Rifle, but im not on a big budget. Looking for the best bang for a poor boy budget that makes good power. At least 400 foot pounds of energy, only because of Arkansas having a limit on foot pounds and caliber for airgun hunting. Thanks to whoever interacts in this thread.

God Bless and Happy Easter

 

[efem09]

Hatsan Piledriver costs 900 dollars and generates about 800 FPE.

Option for .457 or .510

Here is Jim hunting a hog with it.

 

[PBuffa]

I have an Airforce Texan SS .457. Can hunt anything but grizzly or whale with it. I shoot 290 and 340 grainers. Still new to me so I need more trigger time to optimize accuracy. Good luck with your decision …

 

[MLE]

AEA is going to be your best friend here.

The AEA Challenger in .45 will produce 450 ft lbs out of the box and runs $600 new. I have a bullpup version in .50 and it’s an absolute monster. One of my favorite guns.

Check out AEA’s HP series too.

 

[Richard3589]

AEA is going to be your best friend here.

The AEA Challenger in .45 will produce 450 ft lbs out of the box and runs $600 new. I have a bullpup version in .50 and it’s an absolute monster. One of my favorite guns.

Check out AEA’s HP series too.

What size/grain slug was making 450 ft lbs out of the box? Thank you for the reply

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Richard3589 An AEA seems like a good suggestion. I’ve never shot one, but read enough about them and seen several videos on them enough to think they’re worth the coin at the price point. I suggest checking out some of @Cheplicki ’s videos. He’s provided useful information concerning hunting with big-bore PCPs for a while now. I trust his assessment of these gun’s. He’s taken several deer with various AEA models.

 

[MongooseV8]

The AEA Challenger series is what I would look at. Stay away from the semis, they have more issues. I have 2 smallbore Challengers and I like how simple and robust the design is. They make some great power, and accuracy is pretty good but not as good as the top dollar pcps.

My second choice would be an AirForce. They are going to be better quality but are almost twice the price.