New to PCP - have lots of questions

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V31GN

V31GN

Member
Apr 29, 2020
3
0
TEXAS, United States
Ok fair warning... Im a green according to true colors... All these shinny things & decisions related to PCP is making it impossible for me to choose my first PCP. I live on 40 acres, and looking for an airgun to plink and wreck havoc on a few nuisance birds.

Accuracy is important to me. I enjoy the puzzle of reloading for accuracy in powder burners, and want an airgun that I can tinker with and tune for different situations.

I am leaning towards an Impact, but pretty open to other suggestions. I would like to spend under 3k for the airgun and scope - well unless there is a big step for a little more :)

Ok, so here are some things I am struggling with:
1) I shoot LEFT handed
2) Airgun development seems to be advancing really fast now. Is something really cool coming out that I should hold out a little longer on?
3) Accuracy wise, how do semi-autos compare to bolt action types? Any chance that a full auto such as the SK19 can be accurate?
4) I would like to pick a couple calibers to start off with, but man am I struggling!
--177: being the smallest it does fascinate me a bit. How does BC play with pellets or slugs? Can you get long and skinny pellets/slugs for a good BC? I do not want to be ruled by the wind, but at the same time not afraid of it adding a little/reasonable amount to the challenge. What are slugs like in this caliber? Should I leave this caliber for a decent springer in the future?
--20: Not a fan of the pellet selection. I have shot quite a few larger birds with my streak (thud, and feather poof out), but the bird still manages to fly off. If I am going to kill something, I want to at least feed the barn cats.
--22 & 25: I know I want one of these for sure. Is there a big enough difference between the two to justify getting both?
Any suggestions on a caliber combo and slug/pellet liner: 177 & 25 || 22 & 30 || 22 & 25
5) Being quite is important to me. I have a target setup outside my office window at the house. I'll raise up the window and sneak a few shots during slow times at work. Is there a moderator that is superior? My wife does not mind me shooting my suppressed RWS from the desk, but pops a cork when I pull the streak out.
6) Barrel length. The OAL being on the shorter side is nice when packing around / shooting from an ATV. Is a 700mm barrel really worth it?

I am a newb, but here are a few guns that have my attention right now:
The semi-auto Edgun Leishy 2 (packing that thing around in the Ranger would be awesome)
FX Impact - they just seem to be super accurate
LCS SK19 - it is full auto, suppressed, and just awesome.

Even a short comment would be really helpful. Example:
FX Impact
.177 pellet 300mm
.25 pellet 500mm
.25 slug 700mm
Vortex Viper Scope
DonnyFL Shroud?

Good bang for the buck compressor?

Is hand pumping really that bad? save $200 and just skip it?
Must have pellets that you need to try?
Any tips/regrets that you learned from your first buy?
Do you have something you want to sell that would be perfect for me?
 
All very legit questions and there will come a deluge of comments lol. One gun I would recommend you being left handed is the rti prophet. It has a smooth left handed side lever, is easy to adjust, comes in 177, 22, 25, and 30 caliber. I am waiting for the prophet on a personal level as I owned the priest 2 and was super satisfied with how it operated. Now you will hear from the Fx peeps. 
 
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I sure wish I had your acreage. The sheer thrill of shooting my LCS SK19 is like nothing I have ever experienced in an airgun... EVER so I would highly recommend it along with a non temperamental compressor and cases upon cases upon cases of pellets. It's a HIGH feeling sensation that you don't ever want it to go away. This one will be very hard to beat when it comes to the utmost in sheer fun factor IMHO... YO
 
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V31GN,

Sounds like you’re in the “buy once, cry once” boat. You can probably hand pump most tube guns without too much straining, but forget it if you buy a bottle gun. Just too much work imho. There are plenty of quality high end offerings, it depends on what you want it to do, aesthetics, weight, etc. If you are like most of us once you fall down the rabbit hole one gun or caliber will not be enough. The one thing I cannot stress enough is the importance of a good air source, can’t shoot without it. A good air source is going to be a major cost to factor in. A good air source is as important as the rifle, optics, etc. A dive shop is a good place to fill DOT SCBA tanks, A tank is probably what you would want for a bottle gun. Some folks fill their own SCBA tanks but you will need a compressor for that. A hand pump may get you by for years if you shoot a tube gun, it depends on your health and stamina. I personally hate hand pumping and fill my own SCBA tanks. I enjoy shooting, not pumping.
 
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1- they don't make the Impact in a left handed version. It does not look like shooting the Impact left handed is a problem. https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/fx-for-leftys/ Just by looking I would say the SK-19 would be better left handed.

2- The Leshiy semi auto will be out soon.

3- My Impact is more accurate than my SK-19. Just barely at 50 yards but significantly at 75+ yards

4- I struggled with the caliber choices as well. Ended up purchasing the gun in .25 and buying .177 and .30 barrels. I really want a.22 barrel though as pellets cost less and with the new slugs it is almost as good as the .25. I plink spray paint cans at 200 yards with my .25 though so I am happy with it.

5- The stock FX moderators are pretty good. The Donny moderators are a bit better if your gun is stock. When the power goes up, like 80fpe, the big Donny is a bit heavy so I went with the Gladius from Silent Thunder Ordinance it's less than half the weight.

6- I have a 700 slug barrel and love it. It's a little better at extreme ranges and higher powers than the others but just a little is all.

Good bang for the buck compressor?

I bought a Yong Heng compressor and am very satisfied with it after two years of owning it. Bought a second, for a back up, and it died within a few hours of run time. Had to replace the second stage piston, $12 part cuz the factory did not assemble it correctly. It is good now though.

Is hand pumping really that bad? save $200 and just skip it?

Hand pumping to 2k-2.5K psi is OK but I find it difficult for 3k and above that it is ridicules.


Must have pellets that you need to try?

Try the JSB heavy MKll in .25 they are excellent in the STX and slug barrels.


Any tips/regrets that you learned from your first buy?

Take your time don't rush your decision.


Do you have something you want to sell that would be perfect for me?

Not at the moment.


 
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New to PCP.... where to start. I can't comment on the guns much , i started with a red ryder, then multipumps, then break barrels, then a pcp disco, then mrod pistol, then armada finally an fximpact. 

If i could do it all over again i would save a little money just skipping to the end. Up to the armada i had a life time total of maybe $2000 in airguns accessories and scopes.

Then came the $1300 compressor, $600 tank, $2000 impact, $550 scope, and other accessories. 

So best advice is to secure your air source be it a hand pump or fill station then get a gun that fits that. Mrod and handpump is a good start, after that you need a good supply of air.
 
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Ok fair warning... Im a green according to true colors... All these shinny things & decisions related to PCP is making it impossible for me to choose my first PCP. I live on 40 acres, and looking for an airgun to plink and wreck havoc on a few nuisance birds.

Accuracy is important to me. I enjoy the puzzle of reloading for accuracy in powder burners, and want an airgun that I can tinker with and tune for different situations.

I am leaning towards an Impact!!!, but pretty open to other suggestions. I would like to under 3k for the spend airgun and scope!!! - well unless there is a big step for a little more :)

Ok, so here are some things I am struggling with:
1) I shoot LEFT handed
2) Airgun development seems to be advancing really fast now. Is something really cool coming out that I should hold out a little longer on?
3) Accuracy wise, how do semi-autos compare to bolt action types? Any chance that a full auto such as the SK19 can be accurate?
4)  I would like to pick a couple calibers to start off with, but man am I struggling!
--177: being the smallest it does fascinate me a bit. How does BC play with pellets or slugs? Can you get long and skinny pellets/slugs for a good BC? I do not want to be ruled by the wind, but at the same time not afraid of it adding a little/reasonable amount to the challenge. What are slugs like in this caliber? Should I leave this caliber for a decent springer in the future?
--20: Not a fan of the pellet selection. I have shot quite a few larger birds with my streak (thud, and feather poof out), but the bird still manages to fly off. If I am going to kill something, I want to at least feed the barn cats.
--22 & 25: I know I want one of these for sure. Is there a big enough difference between the two to justify getting both?
Any suggestions on a caliber combo and slug/pellet liner: 177 & 25 || 22 & 30 || 22 & 25!!! (.22)
5) Being quite is important to me.(FX) I have a target setup outside my office window at the house. I'll raise up the window and sneak a few shots during slow times at work. Is there a moderator that is superior? My wife does not mind me shooting my suppressed RWS from the desk, but pops a cork when I pull the streak out.
6) Barrel length. The OAL being on the shorter side is nice when packing around / shooting from an ATV. Is a 700mm barrel really worth it?  No

I am a newb, but here are a few guns that have my attention right now:
The semi-auto Edgun Leishy 2 (packing that thing around in the Ranger would be awesome)!!! Why, Yes it would
FX Impact - they just seem to be super accurate!!! No brainier with great support.
LCS SK19 - it is full auto, suppressed, and just awesome.

Even a short comment would be really helpful. Example:
FX Impact!!! Yes
.177 pellet 300mm Choose .22 
.25 pellet 500mm Choose 600mm or short for packing.
.25 slug 700mm
Vortex Viper Scope
DonnyFL Shroud?Good bang for the buck compressor? Compressor isWhatever you can afford

Is hand pumping really that bad? save $200 and just skip it?

Must have pellets that you need to try?
Any tips/regrets that you learned from your first buy?
Do you have something you want to sell that would be perfect for me?
Click to expand...

You have the right questions mixed with your observations . This is a distillation possibility I see.

biohazardman has you covered with great advice.
 
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Hi @V31GN, I'm going to agree with what others have said regarding the value of investing in a tank (and air source) early on in the game. 

If you have $3k to spend there are a number of ways you can slice it up. My suggestion is to put a decent amount of money into a tank and if possible a compressor. Trust me, you won't regret it. There are LOTS compressor options to choose from now! Me? I purchased a new air tank from Joe B (airtanksforsale.com) and a used Shoebox f10 (after driving to get it filled became a drag...). Together these were about $850 to $900 if I remember correctly. 

Another important choice is your scope. Like the tank and compressor it is an investment that can transition between different gun platforms you may own throughout the years. The last scope I purchased is a SWFA SS 16X. It is simple, reasonably sized, fairly light, has a great reticle and priced right. That was $300.

Regarding the actual PCP platform, I tend to be attracted to "tried and true" vs. "latest and greatest". To this end, I would not hesitate buying used. There are some pretty good (actually great) options for around for $1000 to $1500. Being honest with myself, I would probably go through 2 or 3 rifles before I find the "right' one that really clicks. If you make wise choices you can probably test a few guns and not loose much $$$ at all.
 
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You're going to the pinnacle of PCP air gunning with the FX Impact (if you can actually get one or on the waiting list.) It doesn't get any better than that.

I was torn between getting an FX Impact or an FX Wildcat. I settled on a .22 Wildcat for two reasons. First, 99% of all my shooting will be at 25 yards in my suburban backyard. Second, I was very fortunate and stumbled into an available Wildcat through the fine folks at Utah Airguns. The .25 Impact would have been too much gun for my yard.

I can't respond to all your questions but here are my thoughts on some of them.

  1. The Impact is a tinkerer's delight. There is no PCP more adjustable and fun to experiment with. You won't get bored with it.
  2. The Impact is designed to easily change calibers. I'd start with the .25 and later get a .30 considering your 40 acres
  3. I guess you would classify the Impact as a bolt or lever action repeater. A true semi-auto would have to waste air to cycle the action which, in my opinion, is not desirable and I suspect would degrade accuracy due to pellet skirt damage.
  4. The advantage to a 700 mm barrel would be higher shot count for a given velocity.
  5. I have two DonnyFL shrouds and love them. The Tastu is on the Wildcat most of the time and the Ronan goes on when neighbors are in their yard.
  6. Get an Atlas bipod. They are quick to deploy, rock solid and of a quality befitting an FX.
  7. I fill my FX Wildcat to 3,300 psi with a Hill hand pump. I am nearing 70 years old and have no problem doing this. It takes about 140 strokes and if in a hurry about 5 minutes. It gets my heart rate going but there is no fatigue or discomfort.
  8. I'd recommend getting a scope with a side-wheel parallax adjustment. Reaching out to the objective lens to do this is a pain. 
  9. .
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