I\'m considering 30 cal pcp ag

Need more info, please tell us do you have a fill source? Do you have a bottle filled at the shop or do you have a compressor or are you hand pumping? Is this gun used for hunting or plinking? If your hunting then what are you hunting and finnaly are you looking for lazer 1st tier accuracy lik 3/4 moa at 100 yards or will 1 to 1.5 moa be acceptable to you. Thanks man I have some experience with this topic but I need to know what your pou or philosophy of use will be for this rifle. 

I think there is not enough difference to justify say an 80 fpe 30 cal compared to a 60 fpe 25 cal. I've got the range, and the targets to justify larger calibers, just have not found a need. (basically shooting a 44 gr 30 compared to a34 gr. 25) I have not had a 30 bullpup, or smaller lighter gun. My experience was with the Hatsun, It's long, heavy, scoped with an Athalon 6-24x50 ffp scope this was a strictly bench or supported shooting platform. Maybe a raptor or power tuned impact would sway my decision, but there are many times I'll blast a couple of hundred pellets the added cost, plus the air usage is a consideration.

I have a 30 FX Boss That shoots lights out 50yards and beyond. It has a 500cc bottle gives 45 regulated shots around 860-870 fps (44grs). I would recommend it for hunting game up to hog size but for plinking I would use a smaller cal. more economical on air and pellet costs. In comparison I have a .25 bobcat that gives me 75-80 regulated shots with the 25gr kings at 900 fps and 50 more pellets per tin then the .30's 

If you, by any means have funds, go for somethig better than Hatsan or Umarex. I was trying to save and ended up wasting more money on Hatsan Evanix Hammerli than l would spend if I would buy higher end guns. Finally I bought couple of Daystate Pulsar, Brocock Bantam and never looked back. 

I had Vulcan 2 in .30 - very powerful and accurate. You can get used one for around 1000-1200. Hard to beat quality/price on Vulcan. I love my Pulsar in .30 but it’s different price range

You're CONSIDERING a .30 ...the "dirty 30" is a heck of a thumper and a great caliber if you need the power and the range. But it is costly (pellets and air wise) to shoot. If you really need a .30 then by all means go for it! Otherwise you might want to consider how much gun that you need.

That being said, I recommend buying the best you can afford. If you are a serious airgunner, I have found that it is usually more cost effective (in a long run) to get a high end gun that you will be happy with rather than trading-up to get where you will want to be.

The internet is a great place to check out what is available on the market but it's best to visit a range where you can talk to people and maybe handle and try a couple of guns. The next best place is a gun shop (leave your wallet in the car LOL) that caters to airguns for some "touchy-feely" to see if the guns you are interested in fit you well. What ever advise your are given (including mine) be sure that you consider it relative to YOUR requirements. What is good for me may not be anywhere where close to what you need.

Cheers and good luck!

I have a .30 rainstorm that I really love. Made the hammer free flight with a short stiff spring, improved both the power and shot count. I have it set right now at 94 ish ft lb for 14 shots. Can go from 75 and lots of shots with pellets to 120 ft lbs with 66 grain bbt. It is bored to .204? For the money very hard to beat. I have an ace .25 that is a 90-100 ft lb gun, but the 30 does make a bigger hole. Nielsen and Varmint knockers shoot very well out of it and their expansion makes for a great hunting round. The gun is smooth cocking and very manageable in the woods. 

I think there is not enough difference to justify say an 80 fpe 30 cal compared to a 60 fpe 25 cal. I've got the range, and the targets to justify larger calibers, just have not found a need. (basically shooting a 44 gr 30 compared to a34 gr. 25) I have not had a 30 bullpup, or smaller lighter gun. My experience was with the Hatsun, It's long, heavy, scoped with an Athalon 6-24x50 ffp scope this was a strictly bench or supported shooting platform. Maybe a raptor or power tuned impact would sway my decision, but there are many times I'll blast a couple of hundred pellets the added cost, plus the air usage is a consideration.

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In the next week or so 130 fpe .30 cal Impacts should be common (I can't say anymore). They're fun to shoot and you can still make the gun quiet but the sound of the slug hitting an animal is loud.

If your budget is locked up to a Hatsan or any in that price range, and if you plan on hunting and shooting off of the bench, and (lastly) don’t mind a 12-14 lb rifle(the scope and moderator choice are the weight add ons) May I suggest the Hercules Bully by Hatsan. In a 30 cal, it comes from the factory at 10 lbs and some change weight wise, and as far as power, 1075 FPS(115 ft lbs) shooting the 44.75 grainers for 16 shots. It is a thumper, and at best, a 5/8”-3/4” group gun at 50-60 yards. It can be detuned easily to 875 fps(76 ft lbs) for 22 -24 shots. 

Being a bottle gun, it is not meant for hand pumping, but rather filling from an air tank or compressor. Definitely an important factor to consider with any bottle gun, really.

Not a popular gun in the airgun world as far as discussions, but the few that own it know it’s capabilities. Since it’s debut from hatsan almost two years ago, I have yet to see a 30 cal for sale in the classifieds. I’ve only seen only two for sale, not too long ago, but it was in a 35 and a 45 cal. 

What I've recently found out that’s sweet is the 10 round magazine is wide enough to use the predator polymags, and it shoots them as accurately if not better than the Vortex 44.75 grainers. Another plus I like that I wish FX would’ve incorporated in their rotary style mag guns, is a locking pin that keeps the mag locked from ever popping out, and and in true alignment with pellet probe, to pellet, and onto the breech opening. It comes with 3 magazines, a complete reseal kit, fill probe, and sling. What more could you ask for, lol.

Others will chime in with what they feel are other good choices in a 30 cal.

Hercules Bully was the last straw after which I decided, I would never look at Hatsan or any other Turkish airgun or anything in that price range

I was looking for something in .35 cal., Hatsan Bully looks good on paper - powerful, multishot with carbon tank...

First of all, it's huge and heavy, it feels and looks like some Turkish factory decided to stop building tanks and switched to airguns, but only tools they had - sledgehammer, chisel and 50 ton press.

Out of the box fill probe door was not opening completely and cutting fill probe o-ring with sharp edge

lever which rotates magazine had sharp edge and was cutting a deep groove into magazine

To say it was loud - it's an understatement, it was like a cannon...

Fortunately, I had a chance to return that back

I have no doubts you can disassemble that gun, file all sharp edges, polish internals, change springs - I have no time for that

to pay gun-smith it would cost a few hundred $$, and suddenly it's not cheap anymore 

It's already in Vulcan or FX Dreamline territory but any Vulcan or FX would blow Hatsan out of the water any day or night

It's just my 2c

I was trying to save some money and was buying "cheap" guns - ended up paying way more 

It doesn't matter how much you'll spend tuning Hatsan - it will never be same as Daystate or FX

I’m waiting for them to release a 30 LCS SK-19

As far as cost of ammo, I kinda did away with that after a small investment. I now cast both pellets and slugs, and reclaim the lead on my range. Now shooing is virtually free. LOL,

Some are finding that a slug barreled pcp in .222 or .223 out shoots the .30, gets far more shots, and with properly designed hp bullets, deadlier. The South Africa have pretty well established it.

Knife

Here are a few pic's from the .222 Raptor Mini I am currently testing. Barrels-of different cal's coming. 50 yard target left hole is sighting mark. Two fliers are strictly me. Trigger very light and shooting weak hand set it off twice. LOL

Don't sleep on the urugan- great form factor, good pointing rifle, with a sweet trigger.

The .30 is a commitment, including all of the points above, plus the dangers and responsibility of launching very lethal pellets that pass through coyotes at 100 yards.

I killed a turkey with mine ( plus my daughter and boyfriend gathered theirs with it as well) this year, but I also swacked a big hen with a crown ..177. DRT with the .177 10.3 pellet, one and done. So quiet, I could have shot it in a library and not been admonished. 

Displacement is no replacement for shot location.

I love the .30 now, but it's more expensive, slightly louder and definitely more dangerous when compared to conventional calibers.

Yes, I can't live without it now..

I think there is not enough difference to justify say an 80 fpe 30 cal compared to a 60 fpe 25 cal. I've got the range, and the targets to justify larger calibers, just have not found a need. (basically shooting a 44 gr 30 compared to a34 gr. 25) I have not had a 30 bullpup, or smaller lighter gun. My experience was with the Hatsun, It's long, heavy, scoped with an Athalon 6-24x50 ffp scope this was a strictly bench or supported shooting platform. Maybe a raptor or power tuned impact would sway my decision, but there are many times I'll blast a couple of hundred pellets the added cost, plus the air usage is a consideration.

Click to expand...

In the next week or so 130 fpe .30 cal Impacts should be common (I can't say anymore). They're fun to shoot and you can still make the gun quiet but the sound of the slug hitting an animal is loud.

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Factory 130 FPE or tuned 130 FPE? +1 on the .30 Impact, lots of available parts, slug barrel, dual bottles. Slugs hitting are loud, still have not gotten use to it.

I went from .25 caliber at 45ft lbs stright over .30 caliber and to .357 with a benjamin Bulldog.

I think .30 caliber would have been a more responsible choice for pellets.

Saying that because in my yard it's way too powerful.

156 ft lbs with 81 grain pellets is alot.15 powerful shots,accurate.I do have a compressor and a scba tank.You can really go through alot of air quickly.i believe a 60ft lb-90ft lb .25 caliber or a 100ft lb .30 caliber would better suit my use.

However I love the hard hitting smack the .357 makes at 180 ft lbs with the 127 grain slugs.

Big bore......big air consumption.......big power

Factory 130 FPE or tuned 130 FPE? +1 on the .30 Impact, lots of available parts, slug barrel, dual bottles. Slugs hitting are loud, still have not gotten use to it.

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Out of the box.

Factory 130 FPE or tuned 130 FPE? +1 on the .30 Impact, lots of available parts, slug barrel, dual bottles. Slugs hitting are loud, still have not gotten use to it.

Click to expand...

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Out of the box.

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@ heavy-impact

Is this an Impact MKIII??? Will this new configuration only available in .30??? The .30 caliber doesn't attract me but I hope that power will be available in a .22 Impact - it would be very nice to be able to shoot 36-40 gr slugs at 950-980 fps without needing to add aftermarket mods.

Factory 130 FPE or tuned 130 FPE? +1 on the .30 Impact, lots of available parts, slug barrel, dual bottles. Slugs hitting are loud, still have not gotten use to it.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Out of the box.

Click to expand...

@ heavy-impact

Is this an Impact MKIII??? Will this new configuration only available in .30??? The .30 caliber doesn't attract me but I hope that power will be available in a .22 Impact - it would be very nice to be able to shoot 36-40 gr slugs at 950-980 fps without needing to add aftermarket mods.

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You may hit the low side of those numbers.

OPs first question really should be "what do I intend to shoot with a 30?"

Let that determine which direction. Honestly, if just knocking down steel in the back yard, a ..30 springer  Which is another part of the OP's questions: "Where will it be used?" Backyard pesting, open field, hogs in the woods, or bragging rights? Each of these can legitimately require a different power level, so if the shooter is not doing any tuning, both quarry and approximate average shooting distance should be the primary factors.



Just my 2 ¢

I have mixed feelings on the subject of 30 cal. 

150 pellets in a tin makes me not want to shoot it as much, also with that extra air consumption at 80fpe. 

That being said it sure hits hard on small game, just takes the life out of em! 

I'm assuming that you have a 25 cal since that's in your handle?? If plinking more and hunting less I'd stick with it. There isn't a huge difference between the two calibers, mainly energy on target, but 30 cal with pellets isn't enough for medium sized game except for closer in and head shots, or I should say that I'd personally rather use much more energy for those animals.