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sevnofspades

Member
Jul 17, 2018
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Connecticut
Hey everyone,

New to the forum, avid hunter that just started to get into air rifles to keep my skills and boredom in check. Anyhow, I purchased a gamo swarm, and like most, I'm wanting to go balls out already. Ive been researching and video watching regarding pcp guns. I was hoping there were some local competitions were I live, but so far no luck. 

Anyhow, just wanted to say Hi, and if anyone can recommend a good starter pcp, gauntlet, or if I should just go all out for a crown or impact. Let me know what you guys think. I want to stay in the .25. 

Thanks again! 
 
Welcome aboard!

Once you dip your toe into the PCP world, there's no turning back. Only advice I can provide is buy whatever you can afford. That's factoring in the rifle, decent glass,and some kind of air source. Think about how you will be using the rifle and buy accordingly.

As for the Crown or Impact question, I have always lived by the "Buy Once, Cry Once" philosophy. If you can afford to buy all of the equipment up front, I say go for it. You can't go wrong with an FX air rifle.

No matter what you choose to purchase, get out there and shoot the hell out of it. Your rifle will appreciate it!

Happy shooting!
 
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There is more to consider when looking at PCP rifles than just which gun to buy. You'll also need an air source. Hand pumps are the cheapest way to go but they can wear you pretty quick. Many people use an air tank, but you'll need a convenient source for refilling (scuba shop, etc.). Another choice is a compressor and the options there are also dependent upon your budget.

The real question is, what is your budget??
 
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Since you asked about the Crown and Impact, I'll assume you can afford either, and suggest that you not bother with the low priced guns like many of us did. I wish I had all the money I spent before I went high end.

I ha've both the Crown, and Impact. I use both off the bench, but use primarily the Impact for hunting.

Whatever gun you choose you'll still need a way to fill it, and a hand pump isn t the way to go with 250 bar capacity guns.

Also, perhaps the thing you shouldn't try to save money on is the scope. I did that too and was very disapointed. Best to get a very good scope right away.


 
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Welcome! Lots to learn here, and lots of insentives on how to spend your money. 

For the money, I don’t think there is a better type of gun than a Springer to hone in your shooting skills (imo) Any springer, but, I, like many before me have learned the hard way, might as well get a good quality one. 

As for PCPs. There are many other expenses involved, other than just the gun. So, do your homework. How are you going to fill it? Compressor? Tanks? Etc. 

Are there dealers near you? Can you fix the gun yourself? Maybe a used Edgun will suit you. I hear they are easy to work on and should be great hunting rigs. Crowns and Impacts are great guns, but are not for everyone. They tend to have lots of points of potential failure from what I have read. Be ready to be shipping them for service if you don’t know what you are doing. 

Sorry for rambling on. Hope some of this helps. Use the search function, This has been asked many other times, including myself. 
 
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Hello Sevnofspades and welcome. You asked for recommendations, well if you decide to go "all out" I would HIGHLY recommend the FXWildcat .25, suggest you read the posts "FX wildcat fan" and How the wildcat became my pet" and "How long does it take" the latter is about hand pumps, these posts are on PCP page one currently, I always like to hear owner reviews the good and bad. Take your time and enjoy the hunt!!!
 
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Welcome to the AG madness.

All the above suggestions I will second including the FX line of superb guns.

If hunting is your primary thing then by all means go with a 25 cal. Yes 22's will do the job in many situations

but the 25 cal's deliver more energy to the target & will, in my experience, produce a kill in the event shot placement is not perfect.

As others have noted, don't discount the "accessories" you'll need or want down the road - it can really add up.

Again, welcome...

ATB,

~MM~




 
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Thanks for all the welcomes and input!

This is for target shooting only. I only hunt deer .Nothing else. And like most of us im sure, we want tje best of the best .

In my 20's I played pro xball .So I am very familiar with having to fill tanks, and the cost associated with it all .Im just going to get a tank, compressor and outfit myself with a high end air gun .

Budget, ahh 4k or so .I could go higher if necessary, but my research seems to land me around that area with the setup I'm looking to get into .Either a crown, S510 XTRA Ultimate Sporter fac, impact, m2r carbine and a couple more to review .

Scope, well I'm still up for suggestions on that .So many to choose from . I know what I like on my hunting shotgun and rifles, but this is a different element I'm learning .

Thanks again everyone for the responses!


 
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Welcome to the forum. I am going to take this a slightly different direction. You mention wanting to do some competitions, and keep honed in the off season. While there aren't many precision air rifle discussions on this forum, there is a whole different world of PCP called 10 meter Air Rifle. It is shot with 0.177, and indoors. Velocities there are only in the range of 650 ft/s, but the rifles they use are just as expensive as the FX, and super accurate. I am sure there are a few of those competitions in your area. If this seems to peak you interest, you may take a quick look at TargetTalk forum. It is more suited for that sport, both rifle and pistol

Now if you are a hunter and more interested in the outdoor shooting, then you may want to look at Field Target. I am pretty sure there are a few of those competitions in your neck of the woods. But for that sport they limit to 20 fpe, so 22 or 177 is preferred. 

Now if you are on Airgun Nation, like so many of us are, you are seeing the EBR, and PA competitions. For those, yes the 25 is probably a good way to go. Or if you can find some other airgunners in your area, take the initiative and organize your own competitions. To borrow a quote: "If you build it, they will come"

If you are limited on funds, figure a Gauntlet or Marauder to get you going. But even with those, by the time you get a good scope, and air source you are talking $800-$1,000 just to get started. I have been wishing for a long time and trying to save, but no matter how I figure it, that is the initial cash outlay just to play. 

The main thing is to really decide what your final goal will be, Competition, plinking, hunting, or whatever. Then you can tailor your money and purchase into that goal. 

Welcome to the club...
 
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I know a guy that is looking to sell his FX streamline in favor of his Umarex Gauntlet, he said the trigger and bolt obviously are not as smooth, but he's tuning those and the Gauntlet is just as accurate out to 100yd as his streamline. He shoots it way more because he's not as tender with the less pricey gun, worth considering. There is what you Want, what you Can buy, and what you will actually Shoot/Carry. 



I would second (or third or tenth, whatever it is at now) the Impact. But also Utah Airguns has just come out (or just about to) with the FX Warcat. To my knowledge it is a collaborative build between FX, Ted (of Teds Holdover, may he shoot far and prosper) and Utah Airguns. Well worth looking into. Ted is going to be a video of it by this weekend, get hooked into Teds stuff on Youtube or facebook. Could well be the gun you want.

sounds like you've got a handle on caliber, .25 seems to be the best of all worlds in calibers from those with experience, best shot count, power, foot pounds of energy, noise levels etc. (I speak mostly on second knowledge through Teds words, may he always hit his mark) The only reason to go bigger is if you want to hunt big game.



I personally go .22 because it is quiet, and higher shot counts and I am currently all about my Ataman AP16 compact, but that's a pistol and that's why I have it (because its what I can get and what I will carry and shoot). I love the idea of having a Wildcat, or the Warcat in .25, but I think what would swing me into laying down the $ for an FX bullpup will be if they ever make the Over Under Impact concept I have (upper barrel an arrow barrel and lower is FX's quick change barrel system. OR both barrels are the quick change, any two calibers or arrow barrel of your choosing) but that's dream more than likely.


Welcome to the form and the world, have fun!
 
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I do not recommend buying used unless you get all the information and are buying from a reputable seller or someone with a good bit of history. Highly recommend Utah airguns if buying new. Go all out but if you have money focus it on good gass(scope), cf tank, and even a compressor if you don't have a dive shop. When you first get your gun get it set up and make sure it shoots well. Try all kinds of pellets because sometimes your gun doesn't like what another same type of gun likes. 
 
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Well that didn't last long . Bought a puncher breaker mkii with sumo silencer, Hawke scope and hi mount rings in mint condition. Can't wait to get my hands on it. 

Place near me fills tanks for 8 bucks, but I'm thinking of going with the yong compressor .They seem to work well .

Pics coming soon!
 
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