New to air-gunning, need advice

[SammyK]

Hello all,

Lifelong powder-burner shooter here. I live in a suburban community on a edge of a long undeveloped, overgrown city property with great backstops and lines of sight out to 200 yards. I can't shoot my "real" guns here, but I could shoot an air rifle as long as it's "backyard friendly." I have shot what I am seeing described as youth airguns and even have a co2 pistol in .22, but would like to expand into longer range shooting at targets with an occasional squirrel or even up to a raccoon. For a bit I was just looking online and reading forums but from my forum reading I started to get aware that I could over buy or, more likely, underbuy from the beginning and then just end up spending more money later: maybe a lot more. So here are the things I would like:

It must:

Be able to take down a possum from up to 20 yards, a raccoon from 40 yards would be better, etc, etc,..., but at least a possum from 20 with a clean kill if I do my part.

It HAS to be reliable with little to no maintenance. I want something ready to go at a moments notice and something that will not be a project gun or need lots of fiddling with.

It HAS to be backyard friendly.

It HAS to be capable of making somewhat decent groups at 100 yards...more is better, but 100 would be a fun distance to shoot at. 

I would like it to be:

Something I can shoot from bench and prone and standing and stalking comfortably

Something with pic rails, I have an AR and have all the extra accessories and it would be nice to just switch unused ones over to my air rifle. Note, I will be putting bipod on it for sure, hopefully with built in pic mounts.

Something multishot would be nice

Something not too expensive...but I would pay over $1000 for sure, if need be. 

It would be nice to be able to use a pump and not kill myself, I am in decent shape and weight 230 at 6'4" though (so I have some mass too).

Something not too long and heavy would be nice.

What I have been looking at:

-Marauder (including the field and target)

-FX Dreamline tactical

-Armada (for AR compatibility)

and some of the Hastan bullpups too

and I've certainly considered a really good spring/gas ram gun

The gun that really seems to call to me form a somewhat fantasy point of view is the FX Impact...it hits just about everything I just mentioned, but maybe I won't shoot it that much and it's just so very very expensive



Thanks for any help I get!

Sam 







. 

 

[L.Leon]

Check out the Brocock Concept Lite... you can use AR accessories on it... and checks off most of your requirements, give it a look.

 

[Franklink]

Check out the JSAR Raptor Mini. It has alot of the features you're talking about, similar look to the Impact but with quality heavy lothar barrel and quite a bit cheaper (bout $1250). It'll take all your AR accessories and has the built-in pic rail for a bipod. If you decide to go this route, be prepared to wait though cuz it's a custom gun. They're saying 8 wks from order date but that's probably 6ish weeks more optimistic than reality. Unless they've caught up with orders. 

 

[Michigander]

With the long distance and larger prey animal requirements, I would look at the Dreamline Tactical in .25 with a Donny FL moderator. I don't think you will be pumping it up for long though. I see a compressor or 4500 psi tank in your future.

 

[Digger25]

I use a concept lite very similar surroundings

 

[biohazardman]

Any of the guns you mention would fulfill your needs. But if you live in the US then the Marauder, Armada and the JSAR Rapter mini should be of special interest to you as they are Made in the USA. Most of my guns are modified Crosman's although I do have an Impact and it is a wonderful gun that I am constantly tuning as I am always changing the ammo I shoot or the gun itself. Loads of fun and nirvana accurate even at 200 yards with slugs. I will probly be purchasing a Mini in the months to come.

 

[CampFussell]

Same, you can't go wrong with the ones you mentioned. I would add the LW barrel if you choose the Marauder and the Marauder is an excellent choice. Tried and true. I shot a friend's .22 Armada years back and it was a laser.

I can't speak for the Dreamline, but I have 3 FX rifles and love them.

With all of that, I'm highly interested in JSAR' Raptor. Hoping it proves to be a winner.

 

[Makoda]

My advice would be the dream tac. It would do everything for the best price and is still a very adjustable gun my second choice would be the jsar gun. And only because you said you’re hand pumping.

As for caliber a 22 would be adequate for your hunting needs and cheaper to target shoot plus better for hand pumping with higher shot counts.

 

[JFS737]

Agree with all, but if you want 100 yards with decent groups, the higher calibers tend to be better. Plus, that'll cover the 40 yard Raccon as well. 22 would be minimum, but I'd look at 25 as well. You list of guns is good, but you may need to factor in a hand pump (favors Armada due to lower fill pressures?) and a good scope due to your long range requirements. If you get a good gun, you'll probably shoot it MORE than you think! It's addicting.


Enjoy,



John

 

[elh0102]

Under buy? Yeah, very possible. Over buy? Impossible! Realize from the start, your budget means nothing, bring lots of money! Joking, but not totally. 

As I look at your requirements, I can only suggest you stick to the simpler rifles, which may rule out FX, unless you look at the Royale platform, which is dated, but excellent. Unlike cartridge rifles, PCP air rifles are unlikely to be permanently maintenance free. Even the simplest ones contain parts that are simply not very robust when compared to firearm standards. One that I have only recent experience with, but might suit your needs, is the Taipan Veteran, if you are open to a bullpup. It is a simple design, robust barrel mounting (which should minimize POI changes, a bane to air rifles), and has an excellent trigger, which is hard to find in a bullpup. It's heavy, but short. Good luck. 

 

[Willie14228]

I would go with the Armada .25, for a number of reasons 

First they are a tuners dream, You can look at just about any forum and find information on how to improve / upgrade the Armada both it and the marauder are the same package with the exception of the tactical furniture. 

2nd they are a great starter gun and everyday hunting plinking gun They can be powered tuned to take coon sized animals and even yotes , I have even taken small pigs and shoot slugs fairly well, Vise Versa they can be tuned down to give you a good shot count and still keep a good group. 

3rd Parts availability and solid platform with all the bugs worked out our at least known, These guys have been bouncing around for a good long time and while its very true things change on them from time to time ( like barrel sources ETC) they are fairly easy to find parts for both OEM and after-market 

I would venture to say that there are a quite a few PCP shooters who has had a Benjamin Marauder or Armada in there arsenal at one point or another 

 

[T3PRanch]

One minor drawback to the Armada over the Marauder is the need to remove it's furniture in order to tune the gun!

 

[Willie14228]

One minor drawback to the Armada over the Marauder is the need to remove it's furniture in order to tune the gun!

Yep, sorry forgot about that but not a huge task 

 

[Gerry52]

FX Royale series. EXTREMELY accurate, low maintenance, quiet, dependable, repeatable, SIMPLE! Not much in the way of "bells & whistles", just a time proven platform. Hatsans do a great job but they are heavy & I'm not very fond of fill-probe systems vs quick connect fosters. You just can't go wrong with the mentioned FX guns. You mentioned the Impact. Great accuracy but, from what I've read, require more attention (tinkering) & personally I'm not a tinkering gun kinda guy. That's why I love my Royale & Boss. 

 

[HeyU]

That's just a bit ambitious. MOA at 100 yards, +/- $1000. My 2cents? Get a pcp in the $500 range.Get a sense of it's capabilities and the accessories and they're cost that can be had for them. I think only the larger calibers ( 30cal) and specialty ammo and high end pcp would cover most of the conditions you have set. On the other hand, take a look at the Evanix Blizzard II on the KRALE site. Oh wow,just saw the Dreamline Classic laminate there for $1047 in 30 cal.That's pretty good. I have the Dreamline classic in 22 cal. It can shoot moa at 50 yards on a calm day and the shooters up to it but not out to 100 yards.

 

[elh0102]

I took a couple of squirrels today with the Taipan Veteran. It is extremely accurate, very simple, and mouse fart quiet with a suppressor (pretty darn quiet with only the factory shroud/moderator). My FX Royale 400 'is arguably the most impressive air rifle I have ever owned. It is not quite as accurate as my RAW or Red Wolf, but it doesn't cost $2,500 either. It's simple, light, solid Smooth Twist barrel, not the sleeve/liner system of the ST X. Either it or the Veteran are worthy of your consideration. 

 

[tsp3355]

Another vote here for the Taipan (either Veteran or Mutant standard). I traded my Mutant plus some cash for an Impact, but I wish I would have kept the Mutant and just bought an Impact. Other than having a arguably ugly stock, there isn't much to not like about the Taipans. Great trigger, built like tanks, efficient air use, workable with a hand pump, and very back yard friendly, oh and damn accurate too. Best off hand PCP I've owned by far. Pick up a used one here on the classifieds in 25 cal and you won't regret it. I've also owned the FX 400 and as ELH says its a very solid choice as well if you prefer a traditional rifle over a bull pup but only available in up to 22 cal. You would be better off with the FX Boss in 25 or 30 cal for 100 yard shooting.