What an unbelievably helpful and active forum! I just posted this an hour ago... I've learned years ago that if you want to be exceptional in a field or at a task, just find a quality forum to go to for research. I have been disappointed the last few years as people seem to have migrated to Facebook groups for questions and discussions, and it's just not the same... so I'm thrilled to see there are still some active forums like this. Such a happy surprise!
So just a question since it's brought up, what makes PCP's more accurate? Is it the higher FPS or is it that the barrels are one piece and don't move? I would be shooting at 50 feet or less, would most guns (of any type) be super accurate in that range?
Generally for the average shooter a PCP is more accurate simply due to the fact it is easy to shoot. You do not have to worry about how you hold it, or placing the front stock on a rest the same exact place each time and so on.
However trigger control is the key to accuracy in any rifle and to get a decent trigger on a PCP you will spend some bucks, a crisp clean one pound trigger on a PCP is not cheap and you have now entered the 1500 dollar range. On top of that you need air, so now you have other choices to make, tanks to go get filled, a compressor, a nitrogen set up, etc, etc. So that PCP requires a lot of support equipment.
For your situation I would recommend an HW95 paired with a Hawke Airmax 6by24 30mm tube COMPACT MODEL. The 95 will take you about a week to master. It is laser accurate, light enough to enjoy and carry around, reliable and very beginner friendly. I have shot so many of them I can even go out on a limb and recommend the GTO Predator 11.75 and or the Air Arms 16 grain Diablo pellet. Yes each rifle likes its own pellet, but over the years I find that most, most not all 95 rifles like one of these. The 95 also has the REKORD trigger and it is wonderful . My target 95 is set at 11 ounces and is too light for most, I would suggest a 2 pound trigger to start with. It is easy to adjust and has only one exposed adjustment screw. A good clean trigger break is the key to accuracy on any rifle.
Yes it is a springer, and debatably the best in the world. (all 97 fans will say, but, but....lol. Yea I got two of those too and they are super accurate, however they are bench rifles only, I would not want to carry one around in the woods) Between the rifle and scope you are looking at a 1000 bucks. However you are now done and do not need 2000 bucks worth of support equipment and a wheel barrow and extra truck to carry it around with.
Now having said this, and if you are serious about the MOST ACCURATE. My FX CROWN is a fantastic rifle. One inch groups all day long at 100 yards. However I have shot it thousands of times, rebuilt it twice and tuned and tweaked it to perfection. It is a joy to shoot, however if you go this route, be ready to drop some bucks.
Overall I like a springer better. I am or was a competitive shooter and a springer improves my marksmanship and I get lazy with a PCP.
Cheers
Kit