Is it even worth putting a reg in this?

I set my hammer spring adjuster to max preload and shot this string:



I never expected to see such such a flat power curve, so I foolishly bought a regulator before I bought the chrony. Now I'm wondering if it's even worth installing it. This rifle is a hunter, and I would consider myself lucky to shoot a whole magazine in the field, let alone several. Considering my intended use, I don't know of any compelling reason to install the reg.

The ES of the shots below ~190 bar is 902 to 915 FPS. Chairgun says my POI at 70 yards would vary by about 1/4 inch. Does that seem right?
 
Your Cyclone has two problems, sadly.

1) It was set to MAX POWER (dialled to 11 / foor on the floor etc etc).

2) The owner has a slight case of Chronoitis

You have stated that you rarely use more than 1 mag in the field but you could acheive even more consistent shots by backing off the hammer to arrive at @880FPE. That could have a slight 'smoothing' effect or reduce the ES.

The data you've shown is purely Power output (kind of stuff). Although Chairgun says 1/4" at 70 yards etc, I'm sure you'll find better accuracy by lowering the overall FPE.

I (personally :) ) would also suggest not taking live animal shots beyond 60 yards - with an airgun. Dont take this personally, but if one cant get within 50 yards (1 hundred and fifty feet) of your target then it's unreasonable to expect the the Rifle/Scope combo to 'do the rest' (in my experience its the smaller critters that are the most wary). Which points to Bushcraft or Hunting Skills (or just clever thinking!). I tend more towards Ambush Tactics; study the 'foe's' behaviour then set yourself up in a good position (at @ 35-45 yards).

Those ways gain you Precision (which equals a justified sense of satisfaction in completing your task cleanly and quickly).
 
You won't really know until you put the reg in to try it so you have some results to compare it to.

I find a number of benefits with my regulated guns in addition to consistent power output. These include greater air efficiency (more shots per fill) and lower noise. 

I am also a hunter so I don't use many shots in the field. With a reg, I need to fill less often, which is great, because I don't enjoy filling my air guns (and I use a tank). I will happily grab a gun with 1700 psi left and go hunting without worrying about a shift in poi for the 3 shots I'll take. I love getting 60 shots per fill with my Cricket. I have to fill my unregulated guns before every trip.

Hunters also need to practice. I would say they have a responsibility to practice if they are going to shoot live animals. It doesn't take long for your skill to fade away without regular shooting. More consistent shots at the range is always better. 

Since when did we only buy things that were absolutely necessary anyway? People don't buy a Porsche 911 Turbo because they need to drive at 150mph. They like knowing that they could and would send it back if it struggled to hit 90mph. FX air guns are in that luxury goods bracket. If we only cared about the minimum needed to hunt, you could manage with a much cheaper gun. There would certainly be no need for all that time spent on the chrony.

I think you'll have an easier time selling a regulated gun too, even if the benefit is minimal. It's kinda become the minimum standard expected from expensive air guns. I, for one, have passed up otherwise good deals when I found out there was no reg. people are always complaining about the lack of a reg in Daystate guns and they are way more consistent than most unregulated guns.
 
That looks regulated to me as well already with such a tight ES.

I for one don't agree with only hunting up to 50yds. I normally hunt birds from 25-100yds and dead is dead. Of course you need a very accurate gun that will hit where you aim and plenty of practice before doing long range shots. But have found a .177 with 17fpe at muzzle with 10.34gr pellets to do just fine taking birds at 75yds. There as dead as they'd be at 15yds.
 
"Dairyboy"That looks regulated to me as well already with such a tight ES.

I for one don't agree with only hunting up to 50yds. I normally hunt birds from 25-100yds and dead is dead. Of course you need a very accurate gun that will hit where you aim and plenty of practice before doing long range shots. But have found a .177 with 17fpe at muzzle with 10.34gr pellets to do just fine taking birds at 75yds. There as dead as they'd be at 15yds.
I agree if you are only hunting birds. They seem to be a lot more delicate than squirrels. I accidentally took 3 birds with one pellet a few weeks ago. Pellet went through the first ones head, then through the second ones neck and then down through the belly of the third (tearing off both it's legs as it exited). Birds always die instantly for me, even with body shots at longer ranges. 

For tougher animals like squirrels, I wouldn't use a .177 at all. Nobody gets a perfect head shot every time on such small fast-moving critters. That's just me though. I know it can be done. It all comes down to the distance you can be accurate at with your chosen gun.
 
"zebra"I will happily grab a gun with 1700 psi left and go hunting without worrying about a shift in poi for the 3 shots I'll take.

Hunters also need to practice.
Good points, thanks. Plus, I sometimes take a few shots at a cardboard box when I arrive in the field to make sure my scope didn't get knocked out of alignment on the way. If I did need to re-zero, I'd be grateful to not have to refill afterward.