Noob looking for advice with a $2,000 budget

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Enz0

Member
Mar 23, 2021
2
0
Missouri, United States
Hello,

Never shot PCP, but looking to get started. I'm trying to narrow down my best options with a $2000 budget to include rifle, compressor, pellets, optics, etc. I know it's a lot of personal preference when it comes to 'best' and I'm not looking for a debate, just informed opinions based on real world experience since I have none.

For compressor, was thinking a Yong Heng compressor for just shy of $300, but saw amazon has another option branded "fasttobuy" for $340. Feel free to weigh in on either one or another option I should consider.



For the rifle, was thinking FX Dreamline Lite with carbon fiber bottle and DonnyFL Moderator $1,500ish.
Selling points, super high shot count per fill, 2 stage trigger, supposed to be quieter than average and plenty accurate out to 50 yards.

Leaves me about $200 for optics, pellets, plus any other add-ons of which I'm open to any and all suggestions.



I'm also open to other rifle suggestions. Dreamline just seemed like it has a lot going for it, but having never shot one, or any PCP I'm open to public opinion.


My general use would be punching paper. If I can make one jagged hole at 50 yards in my backyard I'll call it a win and I love plinking with 22lr. Something satisfying about the sound of the bullet hitting the target. I'm not opposed to solid 100 yard accuracy, I just don't shoot that far, that often.

Thanks in advance.



Yong Heng: https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-Pressure-Inflator-Portable-Compressors/dp/B07JNL9FJR/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQiuHLlcVdPnl3d-Nix3LvRipXo__3LKPhTvlEJXAiMyicdTys0_veIMaAl9gEALw_wcB&hvadid=256515275402&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1020414&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10521686517740957342&hvtargid=kwd-368668484070&hydadcr=23754_9904171&keywords=yong+heng+compressor&qid=1616552826&sr=8-4

FasttoBuy Compressor: https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-Pressure-Auto-stop-Inflation-Pneumatic/dp/B07VL824DG/ref=sr_1_25?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQiuHLlcVdPnl3d-Nix3LvRipXo__3LKPhTvlEJXAiMyicdTys0_veIMaAl9gEALw_wcB&hvadid=256515275402&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1020414&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10521686517740957342&hvtargid=kwd-368668484070&hydadcr=23754_9904171&keywords=yong+heng+compressor&qid=1616552826&sr=8-25

FX Dreamline Lite: https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/FX_Dreamline_DreamLite_Bottle_w_Moderator/4934#9949
 
I was going to buy a dreamline but was told that they could be another two months or more before they’re in stock again. So I canceled my order and bought a Daystate Huntsman revere instead.But it doesn’t have the tactical look which I didn’t care about anyway. I actually wanted the dreamline classic.And as far as scopes I used to buy UTG scopes but bought a Hawk 3 to 9 and like it more for $110.Some people like the centerpoint scopes in that price range also.You Want to get a mill dots scope also not in less you wanna adjust the clicks for further yardage.I don’t like personally doing that. I like using the holdover method with the Milldots.And as far as pellets go, a good starting point would be to use JSB medium weight in the 14 or 15 grain range. That’s if you’re going with a 22 caliber.Most guns shoot them good. But as far as the gun goes, there are going to be different choices that people are going to tell you and also with the scopes. But I’m just giving you examples for the price range you’re talking about. Daystate rifles are just a little more money than FX rifles. But you will have to check around to see what you can find in stock not unless you don’t mind waiting for them to come back in stock again. It’s really hard to tell when most places are going to have them. But after talking to two different vendors and FX themselves , It came down to at least a couple more months. But who knows for sure.And as far as a Compressor goes, a lot of people like the yong heng But I also have to get myself a compressor and I am trying to decide myself exactly what I want to get.
 
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I the yong heng is good but I consider it a little over kill just to fill a gun that's more of a bottle filler requires water bucket to cool I would probably go with https://www.amazon.com/GX-Portable-Compressor-Oil-Free-Paintball/dp/B07XYRS15R/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=pcp+air+compressor&qid=1616555868&sprefix=pcp&sr=8-5 like this less maintenance.

As far as guns for 50 yards you have options I would look at the member classified some good deals there.

But if you want new I like the Airmaks Katran , or zbroia would probably be good bang for your buck.

Zbroia can be had under a 1000 and have a good reputation




 
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@Enz0 I don’t know which CenterPoint scope has won people’s confidence, but I just sent one to the warranty department because it didn’t hold zero well. It was a 6-20x50mm AO TAG CenterPoint. I also have a budget Hawke Vantage 3-9x50mm scope that ran me about $100-$120. I like it a lot for target shooting within 50 yards. I’ve also taken a few small animals using it within 30 yards. It can handle farther distances I just haven’t taken it beyond 50 yards more than once. I would say that I choose my Hawk over the CenterPoint any day, but they were mounted on different rifles that I use for different applications. If you have an extra $100 to spend you can catch an Aim Sports Alpha 6 scope on sale for around $200. They’re 4.5-27x50mm with a 30mm tube. Good looking glass, wide magnification range. I’ve used my Hawke and CenterPoint the more than other scopes until I got tired of re-zeroing the CenterPoint between shooting sessions. 


If you’re only looking for a compressor to fill the bottle on your gun look for a deal on a travel compressor that runs on a/c wall outlets and d/c car battery power. I caught a used one for around $350. It takes some time to refill a rifle, but beats a hand pump for medium to large rifle reservoirs. Benjamin Marauders have great reputations for PCP starter rifles. You can get new ones for $500 - $800. Hope this helps some. 
 
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Daystate Huntsman Regal. $1200

Huggett Snipe. $160

Yong Heng. $300

Eagle Vision 30mm adjustable rings. $70

Alpha 6 4.5-27x50. $210

JSB Pellets. $60

$2000 RIGHT THERE...

OR buy THIS instead and save $400 right there for use towards an additional 4500psi SCBA tank from EBay (Doesn't necessarily need to be DOT since you have your own compressor to fill it).

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/usedguns.html/daystate-regal-xl-.177-%E2%80%93-used/


 
Upvote 0
Daystate Huntsman Regal. $1200

Huggett Snipe. $160

Yong Heng. $300

Eagle Vision 30mm adjustable rings. $70

Alpha 6 4.5-27x50. $210

JSB Pellets. $60

$2000 RIGHT THERE...

OR buy THIS instead and save $400 right there for use towards an additional 4500psi SCBA tank from EBay (Doesn't necessarily need to be DOT since you have your own compressor to fill it).

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/usedguns.html/daystate-regal-xl-.177-%E2%80%93-used/

Click to expand...

I like the shortcut to something nice.

The 2K goes away quickly.
 
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Enzo, I would suggest that you consider both the Daystate Revere and the Weihrauch HW100. Both are simple, solid rifles that rarely give problems. They are made to shoot, not tinker with. The only FX rifle I would recommend to a new owner is the Royale 400, another simple, robust rifle. You probably will not find one at a dealer, but they can get it through FX USA in NC.
 
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any pcp will do a jagged hole at 50 ... but sure get a yong sing and a bottle .. gun depends on you and what you like .. me im the kinda person that has more fun with a 200$ .22lr rather than a 2 grand super nice hunting rifle .. sure i want both, but id enjoy a couple of cheaper play guns more than a high end kickas rifle hanging on the wall im afraid to scratch lol ... unless im impressing somebody .. taking pictures to say 'look at me' on facebook .. nah a decent 'beater' gun imo is best .. that said hows about a hatsan blitz ... NOW your talking a fun gun, that yes, will put them all in a quarter at 50 ... but backing up yeah, spending 15 on a gun by the time your setup will look more like 35 trust me ...
 
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Daystate Huntsman Regal. $1200

Huggett Snipe. $160

Yong Heng. $300

Eagle Vision 30mm adjustable rings. $70

Alpha 6 4.5-27x50. $210

JSB Pellets. $60

$2000 RIGHT THERE...

OR buy THIS instead and save $400 right there for use towards an additional 4500psi SCBA tank from EBay (Doesn't necessarily need to be DOT since you have your own compressor to fill it).

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/usedguns.html/daystate-regal-xl-.177-%E2%80%93-used/
Click to expand...

Probably the winner right here. 👆👆👆👆

A couple of my personal opinions though:

1) I definitely prefer a side cocking lever over the cocking bolt of the Huntsman;

2) While the 'stock' of the DreamLite was functional, I didn't like it much. So you might want to prepare yourself to purchase the DreamTac conversion kit (if available) and some standard AR stock parts pretty soon.

3) Currently in the $1,100 - $1,200 range at AOA, the HW100's as recommended above are fantastic rifles, albeit with a smaller air cylinder/fewer shots per fill.

4) The recommended Aim Sports Alpha 6 4.5-27x50 is a wonderful scope for the price, and one which will meet your shooting needs for a long time.

5) Act now as prices will do nothing but increase and availability will likely do nothing but decrease in 2021, and maybe beyond.

6) Think about purchasing something on the AGN used market or other safe (retail) venues. Although there can be problems purchasing a used gun, the vast majority of transactions seem to be very positive. Used gun purchases from the big shops which do mail order are a little safer (generally easier to return a gun which doesn't quite meet its advertised performance). Probably best bang for the buck buying used, but both private and retail used gun prices are currently creeping up, and we are starting to see less availability on the used market as well.
 
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This PCP gets addictive really fast. My prediction is that $2000 is just the start. There are lots of really nice air rifles out there. I think a huntsman is a great place to start especially for a new shooter. It handles and looks like a high quality 22. My experience on cheap scopes and even NOT cheap compressors has not been good but others seem to do well with them. If you can find a used huntsman on the classified forum jump on it you will not loose money . I’ve had several and the revere is nice but not a deal breaker. Nor is the unregulated gun. You might find a non regulated gun for under $1000. They are not powerful guns but inside 75 yards hard to beat and great guns to walk hunt with. One of daystates best 
 
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For the budget, I would definitely consider a Benjamin Marauder (even though I don't have one) and a Yong Heng (which I do have). I've researched the Marauder a bit and it seems to have one of the best histories amongst airguns you can find. Lots of options for later tuning. The Yong Heng can work extremely well for a long time, or not. Mine has been very good and the water is not a problem.
 
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Daystate Huntsman Regal. $1200

Huggett Snipe. $160

Yong Heng. $300

Eagle Vision 30mm adjustable rings. $70

Alpha 6 4.5-27x50. $210

JSB Pellets. $60

$2000 RIGHT THERE...

OR buy THIS instead and save $400 right there for use towards an additional 4500psi SCBA tank from EBay (Doesn't necessarily need to be DOT since you have your own compressor to fill it).

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/usedguns.html/daystate-regal-xl-.177-%E2%80%93-used/

Click to expand...

If you are looking at a $2000 budget ☝️ This is a great suggestion right here. Great bang for the buck. Everything is plug and play; fill-shoot-smile-repeat... 

Enjoy the search to the Rabbit Hole of your dreams.

Patrick
 
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