I am extremely new to the airgun scene however I have a squirrel chipmunk problem in my yard, I enjoyed shooting all types of guns but I'm a avid bow hunter. I'm looking to buy a really good air rifle with a scope already mounted what would be a good rifle to purchase I like to keep my price between five and 700 dollars. Any suggestions
what to get
- Thread starter tlforrest
- Start date
Is noise a consideration......? I am a bow hunter also and I have going with Benjamin Marauder pistol..... you can remove the carbine stock and make it a true backpack gun for those noise squirrels and with right moderator it is super quiet not to spook deer.. I shoot squirrels in the backyard at 30ish yard and the discharge does not even cause the birds to fly away from the feeders.....Now it is a PCP so you will need a hand pump or tank to fill it.... come in .22 . check out https://www.pyramydair.com/s/pre_packaged_deals/Benjamin_Marauder_PCP_Air_Pistol/4738 for the current bundles and figure another $150 if you go with a DonnyFL moderator....Here is my set up right now with the carbine stock., Donny Shogun moderator, and the ATN 4k 5x20. It is made some chipmunks and squirrels think twice.....
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Hmmm for a scoped gun @$700.... Yeah, I think a marauder pistol would be hard to beat in that price range. Plenty of power and accuracy for shots within 50yards (or further depending on your proficiency)
Easy to charge with a hand pump.
And the trigger in them is seriously top tier.
I'd recommend an fx streamline, but you'd be a bit over budget. Don't skimp on your optics. Budget for $2-300 for an excellent scope. I'm fond of primary arms 4-14x44 ffp for being budget friendly and really damn good quality. There's plenty of great scopes, but for the money, out of about 20 scopes I have quality to cost ratio is the best on that one
Also, if you don't want a pcp, take a good look at the Hw50 and hw95. The spring piston guns are a good bit front heavy compared to a lot of pcps, so keep that in mind. Also, you'll need a solid scope mount solution to prevent scope creep. And a scope rated for spring airguns
Easy to charge with a hand pump.
And the trigger in them is seriously top tier.
I'd recommend an fx streamline, but you'd be a bit over budget. Don't skimp on your optics. Budget for $2-300 for an excellent scope. I'm fond of primary arms 4-14x44 ffp for being budget friendly and really damn good quality. There's plenty of great scopes, but for the money, out of about 20 scopes I have quality to cost ratio is the best on that one
Also, if you don't want a pcp, take a good look at the Hw50 and hw95. The spring piston guns are a good bit front heavy compared to a lot of pcps, so keep that in mind. Also, you'll need a solid scope mount solution to prevent scope creep. And a scope rated for spring airguns
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The spring guns are great but can have a steep learning curve for some to be able to shoot them well. Many give up on them because of the hold sensitivity, harsh recoil and the difficulty in shooting them accurately. Although I can get some 1 inch groups out of my 10lb beast Diana 54 at 50 yards. That is off of a bench with sandbags and years of practice. Still they are simple, durable and dependable guns.
The Marauder pistol and Fortitude rifle are made in the USA and easy to shoot well from the start without the hold sensitivity or the recoil of the spring guns. The Gauntlet is another decent PCP rifle in your price range. Rather than spend $200 on a hand pump you could by a Chinese unit for $50 - $70+ and have plenty left over for a decent scope. You will also need a filter for the pump to keep moisture out of your gun. Here are links for the guns, pump, filter and for scope reviews that will help as well. The gold filter is a bit large for the hand pump the medium sized black ones would be better.
Benjamin Fortitude
https://www.crosman.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=fortitude
Marauder pistol
https://www.crosman.com/airguns/benjamin-airguns?powerplant=19&product_type=1512
Gauntlet rifle
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Umarex_Gauntlet_PCP_Air_Rifle_Synthetic_Stock/4311#8328
Marauder rifle
https://www.crosman.com/airguns/benjamin-airguns?powerplant=19&product_type=1511%2C1512
Hand pump and filter
https://www.aliexpress.com/popular/pcp-air-filter.html
scope reviews
https://www.airgun101.com/index.php/video-channels/cyclops-videos
The Marauder pistol and Fortitude rifle are made in the USA and easy to shoot well from the start without the hold sensitivity or the recoil of the spring guns. The Gauntlet is another decent PCP rifle in your price range. Rather than spend $200 on a hand pump you could by a Chinese unit for $50 - $70+ and have plenty left over for a decent scope. You will also need a filter for the pump to keep moisture out of your gun. Here are links for the guns, pump, filter and for scope reviews that will help as well. The gold filter is a bit large for the hand pump the medium sized black ones would be better.
Benjamin Fortitude
https://www.crosman.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=fortitude
Marauder pistol
https://www.crosman.com/airguns/benjamin-airguns?powerplant=19&product_type=1512
Gauntlet rifle
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Umarex_Gauntlet_PCP_Air_Rifle_Synthetic_Stock/4311#8328
Marauder rifle
https://www.crosman.com/airguns/benjamin-airguns?powerplant=19&product_type=1511%2C1512
Hand pump and filter
https://www.aliexpress.com/popular/pcp-air-filter.html
scope reviews
https://www.airgun101.com/index.php/video-channels/cyclops-videos
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Why spend a bunch if you just need a pesting rifle that sits in the corner for occasional use $49. https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/edge-spring-gun-only-no-scope/
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Avoid hand pumps if you go PCP route. I agree with the first post and the HW95. HW95 is the Gold standard of quality and bang for buck.
Back to handpumps, if you use them they can compromise your rifle and bring moisture and create crud in your air Cylinder. Watch out! Total waste of money because they most often ruin your rifle. Even in SoCal there is a ton of moisture in the air,’let alone the rest of the country. Most rifle manufacturers will not warrant your rifle if you use a hand pump. Go with a Great White tank at Expert HPA and don’t waste your time or money.
Alternatively go for a HW95.
Back to handpumps, if you use them they can compromise your rifle and bring moisture and create crud in your air Cylinder. Watch out! Total waste of money because they most often ruin your rifle. Even in SoCal there is a ton of moisture in the air,’let alone the rest of the country. Most rifle manufacturers will not warrant your rifle if you use a hand pump. Go with a Great White tank at Expert HPA and don’t waste your time or money.
Alternatively go for a HW95.
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I've been using a filtered hand pump for years without a problem; if I'd had to mess with tanks I wouldn't have gotten into pcps, since I'm mainly using s510 for pesting only.
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I have it in .25 It's a great little rifle. I shot it for you at 30 yard with open sights to show you. Could tighten them up if it was scoped. But I can't shoot a scoped rifle. Decide for yourself if its decent. Can't go wrong for $49
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Break barrel rifles are not easy to shoot. But once you figure out how then refine your technique you can shoot most of them with constant accuracy. I think that many shooters give up on them to quickly wanting instant gratification. So then they buy a PCP missing out on a whole group of weapons. Springer's I believe help me refine how well I shoot PB'S because of the extra practice I get with them on my home range.
I have a couple friends with PCP guns. They are for sure very easy to use and shoot accurate no recoil, like my Blue Streak And I can see why guys that bought Springer's become flustered. Myself will never go to the darkside lol.
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Septicdeath, why can't you use scopes?
I see peoples point with learning to shoot springers accurately but I've personally seen a few friends and acquaintances new to springers have their excitement about their new gun totally deflate after a few days of shooting them, and I'm referring to cheap springers bought in box stores.
One of these guys bought a PCP and was the exact opposite, almost every time he shoots his PCP, which he doesn't do but once in a great while(shooting isn't his passion), he calls me up to give me a report and is thrilled he bought it because it's wonderful to shoot and is very accurate! It's hole -n- hole at 30Y, (that was for you Mike, lol.) No but it's often a 5 shot group touching at 30Y.
I don't like pumping a multi pump airgun to get more power personally. Nor pumping up a PCP for that matter. Ha, I'd rather shoot a springer than do that. I suppose I'd go for the multi pump for hunting on occasion rather than use a springer but for plinking I'd opt for the springer and suffer it's oddities - IF PCP's and an easy way to fill them didn't exist.
PCP solves many dislikes I used to have using airguns!
I see peoples point with learning to shoot springers accurately but I've personally seen a few friends and acquaintances new to springers have their excitement about their new gun totally deflate after a few days of shooting them, and I'm referring to cheap springers bought in box stores.
One of these guys bought a PCP and was the exact opposite, almost every time he shoots his PCP, which he doesn't do but once in a great while(shooting isn't his passion), he calls me up to give me a report and is thrilled he bought it because it's wonderful to shoot and is very accurate! It's hole -n- hole at 30Y, (that was for you Mike, lol.) No but it's often a 5 shot group touching at 30Y.
I don't like pumping a multi pump airgun to get more power personally. Nor pumping up a PCP for that matter. Ha, I'd rather shoot a springer than do that. I suppose I'd go for the multi pump for hunting on occasion rather than use a springer but for plinking I'd opt for the springer and suffer it's oddities - IF PCP's and an easy way to fill them didn't exist.
PCP solves many dislikes I used to have using airguns!
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I can't get quick acquisition of a target with a scope. My problem. Put a red dot, SeeAll or open sights I'm good. Where I live if I'm hunting my shots are never more than 30 yards.
Springer's are simple a rifle and a tin of pellets. A cup of coffee and I'm out into the feild to hunt or target practice. They are easy to work on.
I shoot probably 200+ days of the year and its simpler to just grab a rifle a tin of pellets or box of ammo.. I know guy's that bought Springer's and where turned off by them. They both have PCP and the equipment $$$ I'm glad they found something they can shoot with ease. I'll continue to hone my skills with my multitude of break barrels. We are lucky to have all the choices between them wasn't like that when I first started shooting airguns.
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I started my PCP journey with a P-rod bundle from Pyramyd Air during their anniversary sale.
I don't regret the P-rod but with hindsight wish I had spent more on the scope & less on the hand pump.
I think you can do well with your budget. In less than a year I have spent over $400 on inexpensive scopes for it & am starting to wish I had just spent that on a single scope.
The screw on carbine stock was a horrible fit for me & I felt made the P-rod too front heavy. I looked into modifications but ultimately decided I wanted a bit more heft & started a wood stock project.
The stock it comes with is long & has a very low cheek weld position. It also has some wobble but is an easy fix.
If you think that will be a problem I would research all of the creative ways people have modified the stock or look into the aftermarket options. But they get expensive & at that point I think other PCPs need a look. Something like a BSA Ultra SE perhaps.
The good news. I seem to have done well on the so called barrel lottery & it shoots very consistent in the 2200 down to 1800 psi range. It has taken a lot of squirrel it its short time with me.
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I have owned about 15 pcp's and the Gamo Urban is the most overachieving product I've ever seen. Lightweight reliable, crazy accurate 4 less than three hundred bucks you can't beat it. I got mine from Walmart two Christmases ago for $214.
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