Lost Newbie

Here's an article on airgun powerplants-http://www.straightshooters.com/basic-airgun-types.html
If you just want to plink an HW30s or HW50s would be all you'd want in a single shot break barrel. They're not cheap, but they're worth the extra $$. PCPs are awesome but require a fill set up and that is costly as well, cheapest being a hand pump or used scuba tank. 

I agree with the above, although it's considerably above your price range. I would recommend the RWS model 34, which can be had for $270 at Pyramyd, and for less refurbished at PA or Airgun Depot when available. The 34 is one of the most poular airguns ever made, and something you can keep forever.

If you want to stay in your suggested range, the guns you mention would be great to "test the waters". I have never had a Hatsan, but the 95 is well liked and very reasonably priced. You could probably go to a local store and handle a Gamo Big Cat, or a Crosman. I have had a Big Cat, and a Trail NP. The Gamo was accurate and very lightweight with a crappy trigger. The Crosman was almost as accurate, but larger and heavier, and with a little better trigger, but still not good. The NP2 trigger is improved, but I have never shot one.

+1 on the RWS model 34. I have had 2 of them. If you keep an eye on the for sales. You can pick one up reasonable. No body has a mag fed springer yet. Gamo is coming out with one this spring. Another good option is the Co2 guns. Or some of the multi pumps. Look around for one of the CMP Daisy 853 air rifle's. One of the best backyard plinkers ever. And you can find them for around $100. They have LW barrels, will stack pellets at 10 meters all day long.
Lots of choices, and no matter what you get, if you like it you will get more.

Jimmy

I started with stringers and they are a lot of fun without all the support equipment that PCPS require. Crossman makes some very affordable gas ram guns. Step it up with an RWS or an AA. Remember, you will need a scope that can withstand them. I have a rws 34 that I leave with open sights. 

Actually on the PCP side and just starting out you might think about the Maximus $219 or $300 for a complete starter kit that has the gun, pump, and targets it's a good start that will not break the bank and since it's a 2000 psi fill not that bad to fill with a pump. 30 shots per fill
Has both 177 and 22 caliber.

RWS34, or gaunlet and pump, shop for best price on both and you might keep it under $350.00 for the pcp-scope.
The 34 with the TO-6 trigger is an outstanding rifle and with slight practice will shoot very very well out to 50 yards.

John

"jimmymc2900"No body has a mag fed springer yet. Gamo is coming out with one this spring. 

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The Gamo Swarm with 10 round magazine has been available for months. It's a gas ram. Are you saying Gamo is coming out with a SPRING piston version?

Nobody wants to spend a lot of money BUT you get what you pay for. If you buy cheap you will get cheap. Buy the best you can afford. Power does NOT equal fun and power does not mean more accurate. If you are not trying to kill something power is not so important and is over rated. Guns that are accurate are more fun. I personally don't care for repeaters but that is a personal choice. If you are going with a springer first try to stay with quality like RWS, Diana, HW, Air Arms, Walther. If you don't have the money but like to tinker then a cheaper gun will be a learning experience.
Good luck with your choice.
Rick

There is a good deal on an HW30 Urban Pro on AoA. It’s almost $400, but has a silencer, and includes the scope and rings. If you buy a very inexpensive model, it will cost you twice as much almost right away as you will have to replace the scope. Usually they come bundled with one, and looks like a great deal, until the gun’s recoil tears it up.

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/pre-owned/weihrauch-hw30-urban-pro-.177-used/

If you want to go PCP, just count on spending quite a bit more. The very cheap ones “will do” but will probably be loud. Plan on at least a $300 gun (Gaunlet etc) and a good pump. You will do ok if you buy these used. 

I also recommend to wait a couple days and see what Shot Show brings. I think the low end/cost PCPs will have more competition. They have already announced several. 

Good Luck

Welcome aboard SaltySteve. Good choice on the Gauntlet. I would look into the Gamo Urban as well! Those two would be my top choice for entry level PCP right now. However, that being said, the Marauder still holds it's own pretty good.
The springers I like seem to be way over what you want to spend. The TX200 or the HW97 would be my choice in a springer.

Were I to do it all over today, knowing what I know now, and wanting an inexpensive setup. I would definitely go PCP.
​1. Decide the air source. If you have the $350 for a tank and regulator setup, and a paintball shop for filling, go with a tank. Opens up the world of convenient shooting. If you can't do a tank, and want to pump, look at guns with smaller reservoirs or lower pressure like the Maximus. Pumping to 3000 PSI isn't fun. 2000 is OK.
​2. Decide what it's for. If it's plinking, or pesting, look seriously at the Gauntlet, or the new Crosman Fortitude. Same features as a Gauntlet, but, Crosman has been seriously improving components and designs over the past 5 years.

​If it's for bench rest / target, get the wallet out. Plan on at least $1000 for a really accurate 75-100 yard gun plus air tanks and optics on top of that.

​An advantage of PCP over springer is scope choice. Springers tend to destroy scopes not designed for springers (so make sure the scope is Air Gun Rated for a Springer), where a PCP can use any scope.

​So many choices on the lower end now, including the Maximus, Fortitude, Gauntlet, Storm Rider, Discovery Wildfire, QB Chief, Urban and others. and if you decide to buy a Crosman product, the AGNATION Code is working again for a 25% discount and in the past, if you order on Fridays, it was free shipping. Not sure if free shipping is still going, but you could try.

​Can't go wrong on anything listed here, including the Gauntlet. So far, it gets good reviews and shoots well!

​If you want the Gauntlet, get your money out, and BUY IT. No sense on waiting if you already know what you want, because the Gauntlet is a good choice.

I most always recommend buying something you can grow into, not grow out of. Consider an entry level with a hand pump. They can be had for the price of a good springer and in either case you will need to buy a scope. 

Oh, and I forgot to mention one thing on hand pumps. There's a new model on eBay that's cheap ($60 is really cheap for one of these). I've only seen one review and it was good. Personally, I'd recommend a Hill or something like that if you go the pump direction, but the cheesy pump on eBay is an option.

I had a Gammo Whisper that was the worst springer I have ever had at 30 yards I would have better luck throwing a rock at the target I have a maurder with a hand pump my 1st one I didn't want to break the bank its not a bad gun at about a 3/4 to 1" group at 30 yards but it did need a moderator to quiet it down. I just bought a wildcat was not backyard friendly until the ( DONNYFL SUMO ) holy crap that thing is awsome haven't been able to test the accuracy figured I would put a few hundred rounds threw it before I start checking accuracy. If you are a welder are good with your hands I built a machine that pumps my gun up with an air cylinder and the Benjamin air pump I am going to take some pictures of it tomorrow and post it on airgun nation.

Another vote for a 34, Midway USA runs them on sale several times a year. I bought a blem .177 from them last year for less than $220, with the money I saved a Vortek kit was bought and installed. It shoots lights out, very pleased with it. IMO it's way more fun than the Diana 48 I have.