Big Bore Dilemma what would you get?

Airforce has a blem .45 cal Texan on sale right now for 25% off. Just saying!

Are you going to cast your own slugs? Big bores become very expensive and inconsistent unless you are casting.

Even a .30 or powerful .25 pellet shooter will be possible for coyotes, although the .30 would provide greater assurance compared to most .25. I love shooting the .308; nice balance of power, range, accuracy, bullets per pound casting, and shooting experience (noise, recoil, etc). Air consumption in a .308 shooting 120gr still far exceeds .30 pellet shooting. Reactive targets are fun with larger cal/more power, but punching paper sub 100yd doesnt seem much different, unless you are just into collecting data etc. I really enjoy shooting .457 (more so since casting and even more since being able to fill my own tanks), Ive had 4 of them, 1 at the moment but .308 has been my favorite for overall shooting of big bores.

I also have a .30 Evanix RSII which shoots awesome, can "tune" 60fpe to 100fpe with turing of hammer spring and changing out hammer spring; 5 minutes. At the 100fpe its shooting newly designed slugs for pellet shooting guns, around 62gr. So you get a little of both worlds, and even a pretty darn good BC with those slugs. 

Carl (rifle50) is stretching his .457 Texan out to over 1000yd at some point, same guy who shot .257 over 1100yd. Ive had two Texans and really enjoyed shooting them, easy to work on, great ammo available and fairly easy to tune/tinker. They do use a lot of lead Unless you are going for precision, which actually could be a challenge in shooting to 100yd, .357 does not have quite as many choices, but epp-ug slugs are pretty darn good to 100yd. Ive even had good outcomes with round ball in most calibers to 70yd. 

To 100yd, ypu probably want enough power to be consistent and accurate, but the greater power allows for flatter shooting of larger slugs for improved BC, which could translate into better accuracy. Even a Sam Yang 909 (.45) with a power tune will shoot good size rounds. My PBBA .308 is interchangeable with a .357, in about 3 minutes and the .457 is interchangeable with .50. Barrels are threaded, tune port behind the chamber. XP airguns can be purchased similarly, with dual caliber set up, and certainly many of these can be done similary with modding. 

I just wonder how many air gunners own a big bore, and really never use it for what it was intended for? I have a 9 mm, and I have fired it 5 times at game, and nailed the game 3 times (all feral pigs). During the same time period (≈18 months), I've fed nearly 10,000 rounds through my .25 Marauder, mostly at pigeons and Eurasian Doves. Should I still own the 9 mm? I'm beginning to wonder.

Alan, no doubt, and precisely why many have small bore and pellet shooters I assume. Going big bore may be in the opposite direction for the reason most entered airgunning??? For others, may be specific focus, eg cast shooters. Big bore is much more opportunistic, need similar space to some firearms, including noise radius. Ive gone through similar dilemmas, even with pellet shooters and firearms. I know avid large game hunters who fire their weapons for sight in, then maybe only a handful of times. Im much more of a shooter than a hunter with airguns, given NH state laws and was only just able to go for large(er) game in Maine last season. I can and do pest, but also just thoroughly enjoy pulling the the trigger of different calibers.

45 is usually most states minimum on big game.. Just something to think about...

Rainstorm II .30 has been a great rifle for me, its a lot of airgun for the price, IMO. 

I think the Sam Yang in .45 is the best of the bunch to maximize power with velocity and bullet weight. Can be quite accurate, again great with epp-ug. Its quite good out of the box, and with a Will Piatt tune or DIY from AAO, even better. Ive not had the Dragon Claw, but you being into shooting archery and crossbow, the bolts for .50 seem quite intersting. I no longer have my Sam .45 (I have a PBBA .457) but also considering getting a Dragon Claw, I like their size and shoulder real well for me. Of course the price is right too  

I prefer the single tube for more power, especially in larger calibers where the only time you will be taking a lot of shots might be on some predator hunter, but that is also where a smaller caliber/more efficiency can come into play. I tether big bores when I shoot for sessions from the bench. I will say as far as filling, I did like the double tube or tank of a Texan. 

So many things to consider. Cost, shot count, weight, loudness.
I own a 9MM Corsair, .495 Quackenbush, .45 Gargoyl, and a .58 Pistol. I love them all.
The bigger and more powerful they get, the bigger my smile.
Personally, I feel a big bore starts at .45 caliber. That is when shooting things really get interesting. Shooting water filled pumpkins, tin cans, mud, and just long range targets is so fun. I also like to feel little recoil and hear a big noise when I shoot.
My favorite gun right now is my .58 Caliber pistol. Shot count of one, really loud and really kicks, and really shoots straight. I bring a small paintball bottle in the woods to refill and I get 7 fills.
My recommendation for the best gun to buy if cost isn't an option is the extreme .45. probably the most power too.
The Texan wins the vote for commercially available best all around gun, I just don't like the "line of sight/line of fire" distance.
The Evanix Rex is by far the lightest but not super powerful. (New models might come out soon)
Texan SS might be the quiet choice I haven't seen one yet.
Umarex Hammer isn't available yet but might be a very cool gun to consider.
What ever choice you make, be prepared to go through lots of air and lots of lead. Plan on casting your own. You can still get 50 pounds of lead delivered to your door for cheap on e-bay.
Have fun with your choice, and let us know what you decide. John

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