P shooter, I was in your shoes just several months ago. There are so many choices, which one do you choose. I, like you (and many other), am obscessed with the bull pups. Talking to many of the dealers themselves,however, they suggested that I first choose a standard rifle to get used to rifle shooting first. I also was purchasing for my son as well. So I was looking at 2 guns, 2 scopes, a tank, and possibly a compressor. I didn't even know if I would like shooting! So if you are new to the shooting sports, I might suggest to start out small before you jump in. We first purchased a packaged .22 marauder/ Hawke scope deal from Airgun depot. It is a very accurate gun/scope for an entry levlel price, and if I didn't like the sport I was only out $600. I choose the .22 caliber because the increased number of shots (and Ted wasn't hoarding crossman dome pellets) and the availability of crossman pellets. I could get them at Walmart or Sportsman's Wherehouse. You could purchase a used rifle for less. Once we got the maurader I soon bought the .22 Cricket Carbine w/ an Aeon scope. I am a lefty and didn't like the side-lever digging into me with the bull pup. Due to cost and excellent reviews, I chose the Aeon scope. I figured my next gun would be a Bullpup in .25 ( now that the lever is forward) and the Hawke Sidewinder scope for hunting once I felt confident in my shooting ability. I have never been a collector of guns………… until now. I am interested in the AA 510 carbine, the Wildcat, Verminator Extreme, The Vulcan, Sumatra, Daystate- choose one, and the Brococks! If I buy 2 guns a year for the next 10 years well then………………..
FYI- many of the FX guns require a lot of "add-on" to make it "perfect" and that is why many are excited about the Wildcat, it needs none. This is why many have chose to buy the Cricket bull pup over the Bobcat in the past several years, again, no additional purchases. If you check the results of the last AOA benchrest you will see a wide range of guns that did well, even a Marauder. Fx guns are still the most predominant in the top ten for all categories.
Hope this helps
"Doc" Harper
aka NM Shooter