New Need Help Choosing Rifle

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JimD said:
You can have an accurate and adequately powerful PCP with a way to keep it full of air for under $600. One option is a Stoeger Bullshark. I recommend a 22 but a 177 or 25 would work. They are less than $500 and can be filled with a hand pump available on Amazon for less than $100. Amazon has bullsharks too but I only saw a 177. If you prefer longer rifles a Stoeger Scout is available at Airgun Revisions for $320. That would allow you to get a little GX CS2 compressor for about $250 and still stay under $600. These guns will be more accurate than any gas piston air rifle I am familar with and a lot easier to shoot accurately. The 22 will make about 30 fpe, plenty for squirrels. The 177 will make 18 or 19. The 25 upper 30s to maybe 40 fpe. I have three P35s which are almost the same as the bullshark. I shot a 194 on the 30 yard challenge today with the 22 (goal is 200). I've shot a couple 198s this year with that gun.

But I did not include a scope. The best least cost scope in my opinion is the Hawke Vantage line. I have a 2-7 on my Prod but a 3-9 would be a more all around choice. Not really enough for serious target shooting but good for squirrels and plinking. The 3-9 would cost about $150 but you could still get the Scout, scope and hand pump under $600.

I have 6 pcps so far, 5 regulated and one unregulated. I usually store them at the pressure level from the last time I shot them but sometimes I fill them up before storing them. I've shot 72 squirrels in my back yard so far. The PCPs are mostly in my coffee tables and I pull them out, load pellets, and then bag the squirrel. An advantage of the 177 for this is they don't carry as far and are a little quieter. My P35-177 has taken 24 so far. The 22 and 25 drop them a little faster, though. I bought my first PCP in 2000 after retiring. I've never even replaced a O-ring in it. The way I use it doesn't seem to be hurting it.
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JimD,

Thanks for the reply and all of the information. You got me really considering a PCP. I have looked up the models you suggested and researching other models in my budget.

I definitely want an accurate model. Question, a regulator will help with consistent pressure and help with accuracy, correct?
 
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TimeRabbit said:
I have a compressor 1100$ and a budget air tank for travel 350$ so no problem keeping air in my rifles but this is where PCP gets deep into those pockets and this is just the beginning. I shoot a lot so I find pcps are best for me if I was cocking a Springer during one of my shooting sessions I'd be completely worn out and probably unable to shoot as much as I'd like to. If I had any self control at all and I was just shooting the occasional pest and plinking a springer would be ideal and much more budget friendly.

So for a good Springer that is a trouble-free joy to shoot and does what you want it to do every time I would consider increasing the budget a touch If necessary , buy once cry once is a popular phrase around here for good reason.

Half the fun as in the chase.
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I will always remember, buy once cry once. Thanks! :)
 
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CharlieF said:
Unless you want to spend in the neighborhood of 3 to 4 K on all the stuff you wil need for a PCP, go with the Weihrauch underlever. For what you are describing as your use, it is more than adequate. In this hobby, overkill means an empty wallet.
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Thanks for your reply. I am seeing that the PCP route can be costly. Several posters have mentioned going with a manual pump to save money. But, I know from inflating beds and tubes for pulling my kids behind my boat, that manual pumping can be some work. I wonder how much work is it to manually pressurize a PCP?

I am still reading these posts and other material trying to learn all I can.
 
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maxtrouble said:
@2ChainzPain - Welcome to Airgun Nation. This a great resource and there are a lot of very smart people that post here.

One thing to consider when purchasing an air rifle. The cost is all up front and the ammo literally costs pennies to shoot. They are the exact opposite of powder burners or archery.

To stay in your budget I suggest the Umarex Notos, Benjamin Marauder or Benjamin Prod. These rifles ticks all the boxes and are very easy to fill with a hand pump. For your budget you can easily purchase the rifle, optics, hand pump and pellets.

Youtube is your friend. There are quite a few videos on the rifles , preferred ammo and optics.

Pyramyd Air is a recommended vendor due to their excellent customer service and return policy.

www.pyramydair.com

Umarex Notos | PCP Carbine Air Rifle | Pyramyd AIR

The Umarex Notos is a lightweight pcp carbine air rifle that gets 700 fps/13 fpe and can be used for small game hunting.
www.pyramydair.com

www.pyramydair.com

Benjamin Marauder | Synthetic PCP Air Rifle | Pyramyd AIR

The synthetic stock Benjamin Marauder with adjustable comb will give you more shots per fill and reversible bolt for right- or left-handed shooters.
www.pyramydair.com

www.pyramydair.com

Benjamin Marauder | Multi-Shot Shrouded Air Pistol | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on the Benjamin Marauder Air Pistol. Get a great price and expert advice at Pyramyd for your next outdoor adventure!
www.pyramydair.com

Have fun!
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Maxtrouble,

Thanks for the welcome and your reply. I joined the forum expecting knowledgeable responses. And I have not been let down. :)

When I get the time, I will research those models you mentioned and consider your input.
 
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I hand pumped initially. My first PCP was a Prod and it wasn't hard to pump up. About 1 pump stroke per shot. But then I got an Avenger which needs hundreds of strokes. A Notos should be similar to my Prod.

I don't think regulated guns are more accurate other than the effect of tighter velocity control. My Prod is tuned for higher power rather than flat velocity but it will vary about 40 fps over 30 shots. That means I have to hold a little higher at the start and end of a 30 yard challenge target. There are unregulated guns that would cut this about in half. But often my regulated guns will be closer to 10 fps making it a non factor at 30 yards. I still have shot over 190 with the Prod. Regulated guns give you more shots at flatter velocity distribution. Both are acceptable to me.
 
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LongshotFan said:
I went through a similar journey. I had squirrels that I wanted to live with but they wanted to dig tunnels under my pavers so they had to go. I started with getting a springer, Gamo, and thought it was the coolest. I shot and missed a lot. There's a good learning curve with springers because of the recoil. Eventually I broke down and bought a used pcp, FX Bobcat, but it was still expensive enough that I didn't buy a compressor and got a pump to run it. Suffice it to say, after that, no more squirrel issue.
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LongshotFan,

Thanks for the reply. I definitely want to deal with the squirrels but, I think I will enjoy plinking some of the different target outside of paper targets.

Recoil does concern me and that is why I was considering a model with some kind of management system. Another concern is if I do like plinking, loading an underlever can be taxing but, I would think using a manual pump to pressurize a PCP might be taxing too?

If I go the PCP route, I will add an electric pump. I am still undecided and learning. :)
 
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Hello from OldVet , and welcome have you seen many airgun videos.? I seen a video for the Barra 1100 Z by Airgun Detectives this is a $250 PCP , I have 2 of them they are great. I bought a little metal box compressor called a Vevor it was no good. I then bought a twin cylinder Tuxing compressor from Walmart with a 3 year allstate protection plan around $500 total then used Seco lube 500 oil in it. This compressor will fill a SCBA 6.8 Liter tank , and any airgun easily. You don't have to spend , that much 3 to 4 K no I have a friend in New Mexico he owns an Air Venturi Avenger , and a metal box compressor, and has been shooting prairie dogs for years. There is a Forum called Tanks , Pumps , and Compressors to learn from. So if you were to buy the Tuxing twin Compressor model TXED012 for say $600 total with oil ect. , and a Avenger for $350 plus shipping You could be shooting for years for around a $1,000 then ammo cost. My 6 x 24 x 50 scope was $60 new from Amazon.
It's a lot of fun.
 
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2ChainzPain said:
Thanks for the reply. The HW30 is a break barrel. From my limited knowledge a break barrels tend to be the least accurate of the 3 (including the Underlever & PCP) correct? And they tend to wear at the break open point, correct?
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An HW30 is a 8 fpe break barrel that is extremely easy to cock and will outlast you as a heirloom air rifle.

They are very accurate and can kill pests up to rabbits out to 35 yards with deadly accuracy.

Do a search on HW30, and you will see many on here own at least one in .177 and love them.

A good quality Weihrauch rifle doesn't wear out.

A Hw97 is a great underlever, but also weighs 9 pounds before you even put a scope on it. They weigh so much to counteract the motion (force) of the piston and spring moving forward and springing backwards.

The HW30, being less power, is a very smooth movement and less hold sensitive.

I own a lot of Weihrauch springers, including a HW97 and 2 HW30.

If you are still worried about it being a break barrel then look at an HW50. It has a locking block and is 2 lbs less weight than a HW97. It is another rifle many on here love.

I'm not trying to move you away from a lever rifle but it is not the best wood walking, quick pesting off the back porch air rifle in MHO.
 
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Welcome!

If you're debating PCP's now, after doing some research, I would say just go PCP now. If not you more than likely will later. If you're trying to stay under $600 for initial setup that's doable. I got my compressor and Notos for right around $400, leaving $200 extra for optics and pellets and such. Cheap Amazon compressor and hasn't had an issue with lots of fills. Not expecting it to last forever, but for now it does the job.

Notos is light and compact, super easy offhand shots. If optics price is not factored into the $600 budget and you want something with a little more power, I'd get a Zelos - paid $430 new for mine. I own both in .22 cal. Not as light and compact as the Notos, but packs a bigger punch. Add a cheap Amazon compressor and you'll be around that $600 mark.

Hopefully this info helps
 
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Welcome to your pending bankruptc….i mean airguns. I was amazed to see how much this world had expanded since I was a kid. After getting my old Crosmans restored I got a Benjamin Maximus, a budget pcp that shoots well. It’s been downhill ever since. You need to decide on a couple of things I didn’t see mentioned. You said you wanted a grab and go rifle. If you’re pesting how many rounds do you want to shoot before refilling? It’s inevitable with a pcp. My Maximus gives about 20 rounds per fill and i use a hand pump. It’s a .22 by the way. I have two Umarex Gauntlets in .25 that get about 40-50 shots between fills but it’s a lot more work to fill them. All three of these stay aired up all the time. I had to spend a few dollars on one of the Gauntlets to straighten up a few small factory shortcomings but I am less than $1k total for all three with scopes or red dots and support equipment. I also have two Benjamin break barrels, total cost under $800. Slower to shoot multiple rounds than the PCP’s but every one of these is accurate to at least 50 yards. Either the Maximus or a break barrel stay in my car but if it’s high volume shooting the Gauntlet or Gauntlet 2 in .25 is my choice.

Rick H.
 
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Hatsan Air max at
Natchez Shooters Supply $455
120 shots , but your on your own if you buy this. No returns, and it's under airgun accessories not airguns. I want one , but just jumped into the rabbit hole buying a new .22 cal ZELOS.
PCP airguns are like tattoo's you get one the another, and another it's a love an addiction, an obsession, a hobby whatever you all it to get another one. Lol .
 
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2ChainzPain said:
Coastal Drifter,

If I was financially wealthy, I would follow your suggestion. :giggle: I don't even know anyone that has an air rifle for me to try. And I live in a remote area and there aren't any stores that carry them so, no options to try beforehand.
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just kidding, its an addiction lol. I didn't read the entire thread, but I do love the FX Wildcat. Mine is the MK3 tube version. Its lights out accurate, smooth as a baby's but action, great trigger, came tuned to perfection right out of the box. I get 54+ shots on reg with a 225 bar fill. Short, light and hard hitting. Mine is .22, cheap to shoot. You could even hand pump it if you couldn't afford a compressor.

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coastal drifter said:
just kidding, its an addiction lol. I didn't read the entire thread, but I do love the FX Wildcat. Mine is the MK3 tube version. Its lights out accurate, smooth as a baby's but action, great trigger, came tuned to perfection right out of the box. I get 54+ shots on reg with a 225 bar fill. Short, light and hard hitting. Mine is .22, cheap to shoot. You could even hand pump it if you couldn't afford a compressor.

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Very nice! What app are you using? Is it connected to a chrono?
 
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