Hello everyone. I am looking at getting into a couple of PCP air rifles. My wife and I enjoy shooting and the last couple of weeks have been shooting air rifles (saving ammo and reloading supplies) for fun. I only had 1 air rifle from back in the day a Marksman 0035 .177 so I picked up a Crosman Shockwave .22 from the local Tractor Supply. Just something to start shooting with her and having some fun. Well unfortunately after a few hundred rounds the old marksman took a dump. No problem we will take turns with the shockwave. Not so good for me, she struggles with the barrel break. So I run back to Tractor Supply to pick up a .177 for her to shoot but they're out of stock so down to Wal Mart and only thing they have is Winchester 1100s. So I purchase it on a whim and we are back to shooting- almost. Rifle is heavy and hard to break barrel. We are really enjoying the air rifle shooting so here is where I am at. I am looking at a couple of entry level PCP rifles. I have access to HPA 120v compressor ( my kids are into paintball). The two I am looking at are the Benjamin Fortitude and or the Seneca Aspen. I have been searching and watching reviews. Both seem to have their +/- and are in my price range for what we need. Sorry for such a long intro but want some info from shooters with experience on recommendations. Trigger pull seems to be an issue the the Fortitude but like that it is regulated and style of the stock. I like the side cock of the Aspen plus can be pumped ,but seems to have some quality issues. Please only give me feedback on these. I realize there are tons of better more expensive air rifles out there but its not what we need. This is for fun target shooting and plinking here at the house. 50yds is all the max distance we have. We already both shoot ELD powder guns and have a small fortune in this field. Thank you for you time.
Entry Level PCP for newbie
- Thread starter k-harr26
- Start date
I would suggest the gen2 Fortitude and if you can live with its trigger you got the best warranty in the business if anything goes wrong. I would get the 177. I prefer my 177 over my 22 flatter trajectory when shooting at 50 yards. Both of mine are gen1s. If you wanted the Aspen due to its side lever but not the onboard pump you would probably like the ATI Nova Vista Liberty which is from the same manufacturer in China thats strictly a regulated entry level magazine fed PCP which has a better trigger than the Fortitude with a 1 year warranty instead. YO!
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Go big uragan, Vulcan or fx , daystate.. all good choice and a lot of options with used guns on forms! I have Benjamin discovery as my first gun and wish I'd have saved the money and invested in nicer gun
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Hi Kharr26,
Oh my. PCP. This stuff can be addictive. Past the entry level: Buy the Daystate Regal in the AGN classifieds. (Not mine but I've always wanted one as they handle nicely and shoot great.) Completely awesome rifle. Ok. Back to what you want to do with the airgun.
Shooting prone, benchrest, or supported weight will not bother you much. Look at the weight on many of the airguns. With glass they are getting over 10 lbs or close to that number. For a basic rifle a good Ben. Marauder Gen 2 Field & Target might fit the bill. Even a non-regulated can be quite good. I picked up a F&T from another member and it shoots well and didn't break the bank. It is regulated and huge in size. Since your shooting will be in the 50 yard or less range, you can tune it down to about 12 fpe and shoot all day on one fill of air. If you already do the long range thing, the loopy trajectory of 585 fps for a 22 airgun can be fun even @ 50 yards. The bolt can go to RH or LH also which may be helpful to you.
FWIW, I started with airguns that looked like rifles. (AAS510, Marauder, FX Dreamline Classic) I found with time I prefer compact bull-pups for my around the yard shooting. (Lelya 2, Matador, Taipan Veteran Compact). Just grab it and walk out the door. Since the guns are set to low power, 100 shots/fill is typical. The little guns I've purchased have a picatinny rail long enough that I can put MBUS sights on the gun and keep the weight (and cost of sights) low. About 1/2 the guns have optics, the other half have irons.
Read the PCP forms for a few days. Find out if your candidates have point-of-impact shifts with handling (if that matters to you). You can find the work horses and the Ferrari by reading the posts.
Welcome to the club,
Nugria
Oh my. PCP. This stuff can be addictive. Past the entry level: Buy the Daystate Regal in the AGN classifieds. (Not mine but I've always wanted one as they handle nicely and shoot great.) Completely awesome rifle. Ok. Back to what you want to do with the airgun.
Shooting prone, benchrest, or supported weight will not bother you much. Look at the weight on many of the airguns. With glass they are getting over 10 lbs or close to that number. For a basic rifle a good Ben. Marauder Gen 2 Field & Target might fit the bill. Even a non-regulated can be quite good. I picked up a F&T from another member and it shoots well and didn't break the bank. It is regulated and huge in size. Since your shooting will be in the 50 yard or less range, you can tune it down to about 12 fpe and shoot all day on one fill of air. If you already do the long range thing, the loopy trajectory of 585 fps for a 22 airgun can be fun even @ 50 yards. The bolt can go to RH or LH also which may be helpful to you.
FWIW, I started with airguns that looked like rifles. (AAS510, Marauder, FX Dreamline Classic) I found with time I prefer compact bull-pups for my around the yard shooting. (Lelya 2, Matador, Taipan Veteran Compact). Just grab it and walk out the door. Since the guns are set to low power, 100 shots/fill is typical. The little guns I've purchased have a picatinny rail long enough that I can put MBUS sights on the gun and keep the weight (and cost of sights) low. About 1/2 the guns have optics, the other half have irons.
Read the PCP forms for a few days. Find out if your candidates have point-of-impact shifts with handling (if that matters to you). You can find the work horses and the Ferrari by reading the posts.
Welcome to the club,
Nugria
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Thank you for the info and appreciate not trying to convince me on higher end guns. . I have been leaning towards the Fortitude. I like the warranty and I'm sure the wife can deal with the cocking effort over the barrel break.
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If you were willing to shell out $400 for a new Aspen then if you find a used $450-$500 FWB 300s I think you would be really pleased. You can cock it with one finger, very quiet to shoot and recoilless. It's a proven Olympic winning true match grade rifle that won lots of gold medals back in yesteryear. Put a scope on it and go shooting from 10 to 55 yards. These guns are absolute tack drivers and built like a Swiss watch. Shoot it in your house too if you like. Best news is that they are extremely pellet friendly. You can buy cheap Wal-Mart Crosman Premier hollowpoints and 7.4gr Crosman pointed and still get good groups out to 50 yards and many other brands as well. They are on the heavy side but very well balanced for off hand shooting. Get the mini version If you come across one. If you can get to try and shoot one with a scope locally you will see what I mean. It's German made too. It's like shopping for a brand new 2020 Toyota Corolla vs an older well cared for 2012 Lexus LS price wise. YO!
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Given your two choices, would select Fortitude Gen 2 in 177. The Aspen with the built in pump, may be great for long days in the field away from an air source, but the extra weight will be the sacrifice. The Fortitude is light weight and balanced. Its power is limited, but as good as any springer, and easier to shoot accuratly. As you mentioned, the trigger is not great but there are numerous fixes/improvements, from the low cost 3-screw/spring change, to using the Challenger trigger assy. It needs a little help for cheek weld with scope, but another easy fix. It is quiet enough for backyard shooting.
Use the AGNATION code on crosman's site for a 25% off. Order on Friday for free shipping.
Use the AGNATION code on crosman's site for a 25% off. Order on Friday for free shipping.
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Easy to fill,large shot count...going to use a hand pump? you are on the right track thinking Fortitude....or something of the like....remember you have to fill it,what kind of shape are you in,...fun to study this stuff...make sure it is quiet..etc.....then comes what caliber,big hand fat finger me has easier time loading .22....
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There is a FX Wildcat with scope for $1100 in the classifieds. Just go all out from the get go.
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So I am looking at 2 identical air rifles, My wife and myself compete against each other in fun but we are competitive. We have a few hobbies already that consume most of our fun money. So to answer the question on budget is $800-1000 is what we are looking at for the rifles. We live in southwest AZ and slow down in the heat of summer with powder burning shooting and racing. So I set up a shaded shooting range here 50yd max at the house. I am not going to spend a couple of grand on rifles for fun-plinking-target shooting to start. I appreciate the info but at this point recommending us to just bite the bullet and go big is useless at this point. I wouldn't Recommend a rookie driver to just go for it and start in pro-class. There is a lot to be said with coming up through the ranks, learning and gaining experience. Cost isn't the issue its spending money wisely. Please don't think i am not appreciative of the experienced info.
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I think you'll be happy with the fortitude once you do the trigger mods. Its more suited for 177 IMO. More shots and flatter trajectory. As with powder burners, ammo makes a difference. Stick with a quality pellets such as jsb or h&n. Oh, and clean the barrels good before your first match with the Mrs.
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