I have bought some land and will have opportunities for hog and deer and I am looking for help in selecting my next air gun. I currently have a vulcan 2 and a leishy 2 which I love and have been great around the house. I am looking for something with more punch for longer distances and something that will be legal for deer here in Texas. I am looking for something that can be quiet. I really like a nice stock and I don't want a rifle that is soo big you can't walk around with it. I have been looking at the Airforce Texan carbine and SS, the Extreme 457, and the XP Ranger 45. If I were to get an Airforce I think I would have to get a nice mad dog stock (he has some really nice looking walnut ones on the facebook page). Airforce Texan seems to be a really super popular choice. The extreme 457 isn't much more money and has a nice stock but has to be cocked basically twice. I can't find many reviews other some Mr Hollow Point videos on youtube (Which are great but I would like more opinions). What are peoples opinions of these guns? They are made in Texas which I like but I am wondering why they aren't more popular. The other compelling option in my mind is a XP Ranger 45. I can't find anything bad about these guns and I like the 3 power levels but I can't find many post about them either. When you compare that to the Texan there is a ton of information on. I really do like my guns quiet and would want some form of suppression/moderation. I think that the LSS is likely just too long for me as I want to be able to walk around with the gun as well as sit in the blind. That leaves my Texan options to the carbine or the SS. I am wondering what the real world sound difference would be between an emperor on the carbine and the SS. Really would like to hear peoples opinions of these options. I am thinking I will go with a 45 cal gun as it seems to be a good balance of power and wide verity of ammo. Also if there is a gun that I should be looking at but overlooked feel free to post that below as well.
Air Force vs Extreme vs XP for first real big bore.
- Thread starter scap
- Start date
Hello Scap,
Just wanted to say, congratulations on your land purchase, I hope you have many years of good times and make many memories.
I have an Extreme big bore in .457 and .50 caliber. I am waiting on a .357 build now, love the rifles! Shoot very well at 100 yards maybe less then 2 inch groups of 2 before needed to recharge air tank. Very high power rifles made to produce big energy. Do not really have to cock 2x as you load the bullet in chamber with one rod and then cock with other. No suppression on any of them, probably could have barrel threaded for one, would make them extra long and they are loud,ear protection loud! My .457 sprung a leak from the valve and is back at Extreme for repairs. I will admit to shooting the .457 the most as I like the power! The best customer service I have run across so far. The newer Extreme rifles do come with a pressure gauge for the air reservoir. Good to have so you will know if the tank leaks over time or how much pressure is left in tank at anytime.
Also have PBBA .308 caliber which also uses the two step system of loading bullet with one rod and cocking with another. Excellent build quality, little shorter and easier to handle then the Extreme. The PBBA so far has been the most reliable. Very obscure company, hope not to need anything I can’t do myself. Picked up from Air Hog, was one of the last .308 he had, think he has one more.
Have an XP .357 pistol, not very accurate after 30 yards but a hoot to shoot! Good luck with XP, I have been on the waiting list for 2 different builds for over 7months now. They seem to have a loyal followers. They answer their emails in timely manner but must be very busy doing other things.
My Rapid Air .357 uses a 7 round magazine and is probably the most easiest to get 7 shots off. You are limited to what size bullet you can fit in the magazine or you can hand load longer bullets. Doesn’t have the power of the Extreme. Does have a built in moderator but still is loud. You can shoot it without ear protection. But super long and cumbersome. I am looking to get a shorter barrel as I don’t care about sound.
Not the easiest company to deal with and long wait times. One of the only big bore rifles with a tank pressure gauge as to let you know what is left in tank.
Also have a Western Big bore .457 Bushbuck. Just received it, nice quality, long and loud. Has 2 power levels that I have not had a chance to experience yet. Arizona Airguns sells them so may have good support if needed.
Just wanted to say, congratulations on your land purchase, I hope you have many years of good times and make many memories.
I have an Extreme big bore in .457 and .50 caliber. I am waiting on a .357 build now, love the rifles! Shoot very well at 100 yards maybe less then 2 inch groups of 2 before needed to recharge air tank. Very high power rifles made to produce big energy. Do not really have to cock 2x as you load the bullet in chamber with one rod and then cock with other. No suppression on any of them, probably could have barrel threaded for one, would make them extra long and they are loud,ear protection loud! My .457 sprung a leak from the valve and is back at Extreme for repairs. I will admit to shooting the .457 the most as I like the power! The best customer service I have run across so far. The newer Extreme rifles do come with a pressure gauge for the air reservoir. Good to have so you will know if the tank leaks over time or how much pressure is left in tank at anytime.
Also have PBBA .308 caliber which also uses the two step system of loading bullet with one rod and cocking with another. Excellent build quality, little shorter and easier to handle then the Extreme. The PBBA so far has been the most reliable. Very obscure company, hope not to need anything I can’t do myself. Picked up from Air Hog, was one of the last .308 he had, think he has one more.
Have an XP .357 pistol, not very accurate after 30 yards but a hoot to shoot! Good luck with XP, I have been on the waiting list for 2 different builds for over 7months now. They seem to have a loyal followers. They answer their emails in timely manner but must be very busy doing other things.
My Rapid Air .357 uses a 7 round magazine and is probably the most easiest to get 7 shots off. You are limited to what size bullet you can fit in the magazine or you can hand load longer bullets. Doesn’t have the power of the Extreme. Does have a built in moderator but still is loud. You can shoot it without ear protection. But super long and cumbersome. I am looking to get a shorter barrel as I don’t care about sound.
Not the easiest company to deal with and long wait times. One of the only big bore rifles with a tank pressure gauge as to let you know what is left in tank.
Also have a Western Big bore .457 Bushbuck. Just received it, nice quality, long and loud. Has 2 power levels that I have not had a chance to experience yet. Arizona Airguns sells them so may have good support if needed.
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Those premium handmade rifles look freaking amazing. That said there's nothing better than the Air Force line when it comes to adaptability easy repair and so on.
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Wow that is a nice collection. Sounds like your a big fan of the extreme guns. That western big bore looks interesting as well. You will have to tell us how it shoots out of the box!
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When it comes to Big Bore, short and quiet are not part of the same rifle. Power comes with barrel length, quiet comes with suppressor volume, which also equals length.
The Texans make power at lower fill pressures which is also something to keep in mind. A fill pressure of 4300-4500 creates some limits on being able to fill completely from a 4500 SCBA tank.
A Texan can be beautified.
The Texans make power at lower fill pressures which is also something to keep in mind. A fill pressure of 4300-4500 creates some limits on being able to fill completely from a 4500 SCBA tank.
A Texan can be beautified.
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When it comes to Big Bore, short and quiet are not part of the same rifle. Power comes with barrel length, quiet comes with suppressor volume, which also equals length.
The Texans make power at lower fill pressures which is also something to keep in mind. A fill pressure of 4300-4500 creates some limits on being able to fill completely from a 4500 SCBA tank.
A Texan can be beautified.
Hello Loren,
Great looking rifle
And yes, You are very correct on fill pressure, I would suggest having a compressor for home and a couple buddy tanks and a booster pump for on the go fills. I also tether when I am at the range. I think many don’t get into big bore for many reasons like cost, amount of equipment needed, limited ammo resources and lack of places to shoot. But what a literal BLAST.
Dean
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Loren,
First off how do I get a forest green laminate Texan with that leather stitch. That is amazing! I have a Omega Turbocharger so air isn't really a problem. Should I read what your trying to tell me is that I should be looking at the LSS/full size Texan and ignore the SS and carbine? I am not after ultimate power but something good enough and legal to do an ethical job while not being a total pain to lug around.
First off how do I get a forest green laminate Texan with that leather stitch. That is amazing! I have a Omega Turbocharger so air isn't really a problem. Should I read what your trying to tell me is that I should be looking at the LSS/full size Texan and ignore the SS and carbine? I am not after ultimate power but something good enough and legal to do an ethical job while not being a total pain to lug around.
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I made the stock, and the leather cover for the tank.
Personally I do not necessary chase or focus on "power" but look at the velocity I would like to be able to shoot the bullet I want to shoot. I personally want to be in the 900+ range or higher for FPS. Just trying to get as flat a trajectory as possible with these subsonic rifles.
Personally I do not necessary chase or focus on "power" but look at the velocity I would like to be able to shoot the bullet I want to shoot. I personally want to be in the 900+ range or higher for FPS. Just trying to get as flat a trajectory as possible with these subsonic rifles.
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Wow beautiful stocks on those Air Force rifles. What cal. are they and what gr. bullet are you shooting ?
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Rob, Thanks!
The forest green laminate is a .257 and shooting bullets from 60gr up to 92gr. The walnut is a .457 and shooting bullets in the 300 - 400 grain range.
The forest green laminate is a .257 and shooting bullets from 60gr up to 92gr. The walnut is a .457 and shooting bullets in the 300 - 400 grain range.
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Loren
Thank you for the info. I am thinking real hard on getting the .457 Texan
Did you do any other mods to them?
Thank you for the info. I am thinking real hard on getting the .457 Texan
Did you do any other mods to them?
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Texan is the way. I would go. I have or have had Texans in .257, .457, .457 SS, .457 LSS, and .457 Carbine. I still have the .257 and the Carbine .457. The .457 I run a .50cal Roin with the extension on it. It’s my main pig gun. I run 260-290grain NSA’s thru it. It’s quiet enough to shoot without ear protection.
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