new to air rifles....need some advice on buying a better entry level (to mid)

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If u decide to give pcp s a try I would highly suggest the Benjamin Maximus hunter in .22. 

U get a lot of gun for not a lot of money and it comes with a very usable mil dot scope and descent rings 

these guns are very accurate and very lightweight. They are a bit loud in stock form but the hunter model is threaded for an ldc so u can just add that on without any mods to the rifle 

another nice thing about the Maximus is there are upgrades out there for it so u can upgrade it to your liking as u get better at shooting it 

and it's an easy gun to work on very user friendly

Yes it will require a hand pump or tank to fill it but it's an easy gun to fill only holding 2000 psi Very doable with a hand pump 

we use ours for cottontail and squirrel hunting and 40 yd kills are no problem It's a great entry level pcp for the budget minded hunter 

we really dig ours

pcpfan37
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If you were to get the Benjamin Maximus which as mentions only requires 2000 psi you might consider instead of an hand pump getting an LE or ( Life Extended) 4500 psi tank CF tank. I see Pyramid Air sells a variety of sizes. They have a 45 cu ft size with 10 years life left on it and it comes with the fill assembly for $354.99 . For the Maximus it would give your rifle about 77 fills before the CF tanks need refilling. That would save your back from hand pumping, get you a rifle that weighs 5 lbs instead of 7 to 9 lbs. for a spring gun. This pcp rifle would be much easier to shoot accurately and more fun with not having to break the barrel to cock and load. Bill 
 
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Thanks Eddie_E.



Okay, let's say that I'm open to buying a PCP for the accuracy aspect. What recommendations might you suggest?



Thanks,

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I really like my BSA Buccaneer .22. It has been super accurate, even though it doesn't have a regulator. It's also not pellet fussy at all. Even the CPHP pellets shoot close to hole in hole at 30 yards. Actually I should say it's not regulated yet as the mailman just handed me a box with a Huma regulator and stainless fill probe. Based on the shared parts with my gun I'll say the Gamo Urban is also near the top of my list. The Urban might even have an edge when shooting off-hand because the barrel is nearly a pound lighter. The Nova Vista Liberty nearly got my money and I'm still not sure I am not missing out on a great regulated gun with a titanium air tube. Technical support was a little thin on the Liberty when I bought the Buccaneer. Forum members like Banker4 and others in the review threads for it have solved all the mysteries with the Liberty now, so I would recommend one as long as you don't plan to do insane high power mods to it. It's also the cheapest path to an accurate regulated PCP.
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Thank you for taking the time to make these suggestions. Despite my age, I'm starting to feel like a kid again--with my money burning a hole in my pocket to get spent!! 

Did you start and stay with a foot pump?
 
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@ Airgun Bill



Thanks for the suggestion about keeping wear and tear off my back. Until I retire, I've got to keep my back well for work, one of the reason I dropped out of golf. And, living in Louisiana, I've got great access to local scuba/dive shops, so going with a PCP may not be as difficult as I first anticipated. Honestly, though, I've enjoyed the exercise of the break barrel cocking, along with shooting about 100 pellets a session (my poor neighbors; one must think I'm a maniac though I'm using a series of 2x4s jointed and glued for the back board as my pellet trap. At this point I'm so new to air guns that I just uncertain. Again, thanks for this valuable input.




 
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I did start with a Chinese hand pump and I stayed with it for a while. There isn't a week that goes by where I don't research other options for filling my PCP. I'll eventually buy either a compressor or a large SCBA tank. Hand pumping is no different on a gun than pumping up a bicycle tire with a bicycle pump. For the previous decade I only shot break barrel springers.
 
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Thanks to all you who have shared your wisdom and experience....

At the moment,

Well, I'm learning more toward an under lever--either the HW97 or a Diana. I got to shoot a HW97 with a friend and it was fantastically accurate. I was amazed at how well it shot (and also how heavy it is). The Diana I'm looking at is a few pounds lighter. However, I'm not going to make my final decision just yet. There's too many good guns that I'm discovering. To sum up: I enjoy the simplicity of a break barrel. I desire the accuracy I found in the HW97, but it is more fiddly to load; and it is heavier, though as I pay more attention so are some break barrels. I love the concept of a repeater magazine PCP, that's light, ACCURATE, and regulated. Since I have yet to use one, I fear the additional costs or hidden downsides. E.g., I shot about 60 pellets this afternoon in trying out the HW97. For some PCPs that could require 2 or 3 fills. My worst problem was dropping pellets in the breach and fishing them out. I'm fearful of the fill process (along with overfilling, forgetting pressure releases, water left in-line, rust, leaks (bad seals), etc. OTOH, as a hobby woodworker, this is bound to be like learning how to maintain the tools as well as using them well to accomplish particular objectives. Oh, and if I've got this right, both PCPs and Under levers typically are more capable of remaining accurate than break barrels.

Thanks, and don't stop teaching me!

Arch_E
 
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Don't over look the used or refurb guns. You have not said a budget, this can make a big difference on choices. I have seen full setups in PCP for the $1000 range that were quality scope gun tank pellets et all. That is hard to beat and would give a tin or more shots before heading for a tank refill. As to fear remember most posts are problem questions, there are 1000's out there with none. Price will buy accuracy.
 
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About $500 but that’s way more than what I want to invest. After looking at all the choices, I lean toward quality with accuracy. Also, educating myself on the mfg has really forced me to pony up more. Like an earlier poster quipped, a quality good will provide outstanding service.

The weight concern troubles me now. Also, buying American made would be a plus. However, it’s not a deal breaker.
 
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Can't really suggest an American made gun that checks all the boxes you've mentioned but for about 400.00 you could get yourself a Beeman R7 elite combo (gun, scope, rings ) from Pyramyd Air and you would have a gun that will satisfy for along time to come. Accurate, light, great trigger, easy to shoot all day, will do your pesting out to 20/25 yards with precision enough to ashore a one shot kill. If at some point you no longer want the gun (this really doesn't happen very often) the resale on these guns is very good. Nothing else besides some good pellets needed. And as far as how long a break barrels will remain accurate ( you said this was a concern for you)

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This is one of my Beeman R7 elite combo guns that I use for "Short distance Silhouette " It has been shot 4 - 5 times a week for 3 years....over 7K pellets....never cleaned the barrel (just shoot 3or4 cleaning pellets through it every tin of pellets ) and it hasn't lost any accuracy. Accurate enough that I have a target knob on the elevation turret set for each distance I shoot. Every airgun shooter should own one of these amazing guns. And as far as them being a "youth gun" the length of pull is a full 14"
 
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Here is my 2 cents but a springer over a pcp there is nothing easier than cock and shoot not to mention the vast price difference and all the added hassle and expense with buying scuba tanks a air compressor or a hand pump that will leave you quite tired and or broke before you can even shoot a single pellet they are a bit more accurate but at the distances you mentioned it's just not worth it especially for someone just starting out I prefer a Springer over a nitro piston but that just a personal choice they are both about the same although I will say there is a reason why all the really high end riffles like diana are spring power as for what specifically to buy i recommend a hatsan model 95 in .22 cal you can go to Hatsan usa.com and buy a refurbished one in spring for $99 dollars plus the $5 for shipping witch is probably cheaper than the Gamo you bought but don't be put off by the great price a normal quiet edition model 95 can go to almost $300 and it is a great quality accurate gun that will leave you buying nothing but hatsans from now on they are made with German steel barrels Turkish walnut stocks and are the only manufacturer to advertise their FPS with real lead pellets they don't bolster their numbers like others do and that alone should tell you a little about what kind of company they are hatsan is exactly what you are looking for a mid level gun far beyond the Gamo you already have their refurbished rifles are very well priced and as good as new they are something special that will take you between entry level and top end with room to spare.
 
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Here is my 2 cents but a springer over a pcp there is nothing easier than cock and shoot not to mention the vast price difference and all the added hassle and expense with buying scuba tanks a air compressor or a hand pump that will leave you quite tired and or broke before you can even shoot a single pellet they are a bit more accurate but at the distances you mentioned it's just not worth it especially for someone just starting out I prefer a Springer over a nitro piston but that just a personal choice they are both about the same although I will say there is a reason why all the really high end riffles like diana are spring power as for what specifically to buy i recommend a hatsan model 95 in .22 cal you can go to Hatsan usa.com and buy a refurbished one in spring for $99 dollars plus the $5 for shipping witch is probably cheaper than the Gamo you bought but don't be put off by the great price a normal quiet edition model 95 can go to almost $300 and it is a great quality accurate gun that will leave you buying nothing but hatsans from now on they are made with German steel barrels Turkish walnut stocks Quattro adjustable triggers shock absorbing mechanism and are the only manufacturer to advertise their FPS with real lead pellets they don't bolster their numbers like others do and that alone should tell you a little about what kind of company they are hatsan is exactly what you are looking for a mid level gun far beyond the Gamo you already have their refurbished rifles are very well priced and as good as new they are something special that will take you between entry level and top end with room to spare. P.s refurbished rifles don't come with a scope.
 
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get the 34,or a R-7 or something similar ;can shoot those rifles when you get old.....a R-9 is a better choice for more power....do not get a under lever...or spend more than $400.

Read and read some more about pellet rifles and you will see there are plenty of choices,butt most people will agree which are the better one....gas pistons are not better...oh the new Sig with the gas piston might be a good choice......you stated you have a bad back.....some of those rifles mentioned can be harder to chock.....R-7 easy and W 30 German airgun..sorry I can not spell Weichich.
 
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get the 34,or a R-7 or something similar ;can shoot those rifles when you get old.....a R-9 is a better choice for more power....do not get a under lever...or spend more than $400.

Read and read some more about pellet rifles and you will see there are plenty of choices,butt most people will agree which are the better one....gas pistons are not better...oh the new Sig with the gas piston might be a good choice......you stated you have a bad back.....some of those rifles mentioned can be harder to chock.....R-7 easy and W 30 German airgun..sorry I can not spell Weichich.
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So am I to understand that even the HW30 (R7) will be adequate for killing off those pesky varmints that are eating into my porch? I was under the impression that I needed around 900 fps to accomplish this humanely (roughly the R9 or HW95 or equivalent)? Will the HW50 do the job just as well out to about 140 ft?

Don't hesitate to correct me, please. I'm still reading and learning. AND, I'm not just able to sit at table and shoot; I'm having to aim in various directions (all the while making safety my first concern). 

I'm well convinced that a Weihrauch or Walther are excellently made guns; I'm not as certain about more recently produced Beemans. Please, convince me. And, I would love to spend under $400. In fact, I started out thinking that I would just buy the Walther Terrus since it was so cheap; however, too many in other threads have suggested that the HW30 or 50 would genuinely be much more superior (quality parts, craftsmanship, and durability). These same traits apply to the HW97 or the LGV, just they are heavy guns--nearly 10-11 lbs with scopes (as would be the HW80, 90 and 98). My reason for leaning toward the HW97 lies in the fixed barrel concept, which I assumed would outlast any break barrel. In additional, several others have stated or suggested that break barrels tend to be less accurate than fixed barrels, particularly when shooting PCPs (which I've not ruled out). Again, I'm having fun and success even with my Gamo. After shooting the HW97 last week, I'm REALLY motivated to get a better gun. Like most things, it's a matter of preference and MONEY!. 

One local store has a Stoeger .177; it's marked as made in Maryland and has quite a number of good reviews. Likewise, I see that Sig has new production .177 sl oon to be out. I like the sounds of both (American) made guns, I'm just not seeing the posted testimonials about the Stoegers and the Sig's two reviews (that I've found from major vendors) don't give the same feedback.

So, at this moment, I'm holding tight and still gathering valuable insights. I would love to attend the Bayou Cajun Classic this spring, but I'm already booked for a work trip. Perhaps I'll get a chance before then to make contact with some the club members. 

Thanks for all the help! Your kindness to nudge, point, or push me in various directions continues to be wonderful,



Arch_E 


 
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First Beeman is the same as Weihrauch. All made by Weihrauch. Think GMC/ Chevrolet .Slight variations in stocks sometimes, and barrel length but for the most part same same. If you have an interest in competition then you should still consider the HW97 that you already mentioned you like. You can't go wrong there. If you are set on staying under 400.oo (for the gun) but want alittle more power than the HW30'S will supply, the HW 50 is a great choice. In the same mid power range as the 50 but alot nicer gun is the HW 35 e. Coming in at just under 500.oo it's a break barrels with the accuracy of a fixed barrel due to the barrel lock up system Weihrauch uses. These guns come with walnut stocks and there's even a stainless steel look version. Weihrauch has been making that model for 60+ years and it's accuracy is legendary. 
 
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First Beeman is the same as Weihrauch. All made by Weihrauch. Think GMC/ Chevrolet .Slight variations in stocks sometimes, and barrel length but for the most part same same. If you have an interest in competition then you should still consider the HW97 that you already mentioned you like. You can't go wrong there. If you are set on staying under 400.oo (for the gun) but want alittle more power than the HW30'S will supply, the HW 50 is a great choice. In the same mid power range as the 50 but alot nicer gun is the HW 35 e. Coming in at just under 500.oo it's a break barrels with the accuracy of a fixed barrel due to the barrel lock up system Weihrauch uses. These guns come with walnut stocks and there's even a stainless steel look version. Weihrauch has been making that model for 60+ years and it's accuracy is legendary.
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Adding another Weihrauch model--35E--to my wish list. THANKS.

Ok, i checked out a new 35E at Krale; it looks like the fps is much too low for pest control. Is that correct?
 
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IMHO the 34 is a very good rifle for the money. I have one in .177 with a Vortek spring kit, it not hard to cock and shoots five shots inside a dime at 25 yards. Shooting H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr pellets it has almost 11 foot pounds of energy at 20 yards. More than enough to kill squirrels. One of these days I'll break down and buy one in .22.
 
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IMHO the 34 is a very good rifle for the money. I have one in .177 with a Vortek spring kit, it not hard to cock and shoots five shots inside a dime at 25 yards. Shooting H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr pellets it has almost 11 foot pounds of energy at 20 yards. More than enough to kill squirrels. One of these days I'll break down and buy one in .22.
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Wait, the Diana 34 or the HW35E?
 
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Taking squirrels cleanly is definitely more about precision than energy. Pellets go completely through beyond certain levels of power without doing more damage. I hunted rabbits at one time with my Diana 10 and FWB 80 and got many with 1 shot, no twitch, but never took a shot longer than 20 yards and only if I could get a clear view to the eye. These were only around 3 ft/lb but very accurate. Shot many squirrels and rabbits at less than 40 yards with less than 12 ft/lb and was careful enough that I don't remember ever having one run off. 

Anyway, long story but the point is.... don't get caught up in power numbers. Accuracy trumps power every time. From what I see, the HW 50 or HW 95 would be a good fit that you would enjoy forever. I also agree that the break barrels are much nicer to handle than underlevers and any accuracy difference is minimal with equal quality. I have several of both and breakbarrels are just more fun, overall.

On a side note, years ago all my airguns were stolen and the first 2 I purchased were an RWS 34 and an HW 80. My wife loved the 34 and we would go camping and shoot for hours. She eventually started naming them as I acquired more and hers was "Nevermiss". It was a great rifle that we put thousands of rounds through and never a problem. Eventually we got into FT and sold it because scopes didn't fare well on it.

Another note... not all Beeman's are HW's. Only the R-series. 

Good luck and have fun!

Bob


 
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