Rifle's for hunting and target practice

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timelinex

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Jul 24, 2018
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AZ
I am a long time rifle shooter, but recently acquired a property that I can use an air rifle to hunt on and target practice on with absolutely no issues. I know nothing about air rifles though. My needs are simply that it should be accurate, have multishot capability, good for hunting, and not too much of a hassle to use for target practice.

I figure based on these requirements, I might be better off with 2 rifles. I'm not too constrained on budget, so as long as it's reasonable, I can do 2 'nice' ones.

1. For hunting it seems like a Marauder .25 is easily the go to air rifle for a casual shooter. I was also considering the Armada .25 which I think is the exact same rifle but with a different stock/rails. The reason for the Armada over the Marauder is simply the scope rail. Dovetails suck and I have a bunch of good rings/scopes from rifles that I can use. Any comments on the accuracy of these two or comments just in general?

2. For target practice I suspect the smaller the caliber the better (more shots on the same air & cheaper). Are the marauder/armada .17 rifles accurate? Is there an option that is just as accurate but less hassle to recharge? (Since PCP requires a million pumps or a constantly refilled scuba tank).

Thanks for the advice guys
 
If you are considering an Armada, please consider an FX Streamline. Around the same price range, and since the Armada is a Marauder in fancy dress, it's in a completely different class of gun from the FX guns. I own both a Marauder and an Impact.

Trigger Armada - good Streamline - Fantastic

Regulator - Armada None - Streamline Regulated (yes, that's important) - After shooting a regulated gun, it's hard to go back to unregulated as the consistency and accuracy is just that much better.

Accuracy at 100 yards - Armada from what I'm told, good, Streamline, better

Fit and finish - Armada good, Streamline better.

For small stuff and target practice, you don't need a .30, and there's a better variety of .25 accessories available. Pellets are cheaper and use less air to send downrange.

Do make sure you have an air source identified. Nothing more frustrating than a nice PCP with no air.

Welcome to the addiction and good luck!






 
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There are lots of great rifles/brands that will meet your requirements. Generally speaking, larger calibers will be more effective on prey, but accuracy is King. You may need to consider other factors. How are you going to fill your gun? How many shots per fill do you want to have? If you do a lot of shooting, a hand pump will probably get old FAST. 

Quality dovetails are just fine, that is, don’t suck. 

Everyone has their favorite brands, and will/may want to sway you toward it. I absolutely love Kalibrgun Crickets, so I generally like to tell folk about how great they are. But I have shot other guns, like FX and they shoot very well. So, take the advice, but do your own research. 
 
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I have a streamline 22 in walnut i like it and it has been good on birds out to 106yrds( my furthest). I’m wanting a 25 bullpup for hunting, I’m considering an edgun r5m, cricket or Vulcan 2. After having quite a few powder burners my streamline seems much more fragile then I like. The shroud is rattly and the barrel seems very thin, but it is very accurate with a great trigger. 
 
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Here are my thoughts.

If You purchase a .25 Marauder, You will have an effective,accurate and almost infinitely upgradable platform (Including power upgrades,regulators ect.)with a Very nice trigger. You can find great deals on them and with the money You save,You can apply the savings toward decent glass,which You Will appreciate regardless of whether it's used for hunting,targets or even casual plinking. Perhaps even one of Pyramyd Air's "Extended Life" CF air tanks. (Comes with tank pressure gage and correct fill adapter.) You will also have a workhorse type of rifle (synthetic stock) that won't break Your heart when it gets nicked up from use in the woods.(And it eventually Will get dinged up!)

I wouldn't go with the Armada. Its essentially the identical rifle in "tactical clothing" You can always upgrade the Marauder if it suits Ya.

My Other idea is to,in addition, purchase a (GASP!) Springer in .177 or whatever cal. floats Your boat. Maybe a Diana 34,Walther Terrus (149.95 at AOA) which are Both great rifles. No fiddling with pumps or tanks. Just grab a tin of pellets and practice to Your hearts content. The technique/discipline of shooting a springer well will only Improve the results You get from all Your other guns.

Whatever You choose,just have FUN and ENJOY! Thats what it all boils down to. Hope this helps Ya!

Mike.
 
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Timelinex,

If you are planning on enjoying this hobby to the fullest, you will need $4,000 to $5,000. If you already have scopes maybe $3,500.



1.) PCP is no good without steady supply of air,therefore you need to plan on a compressor and a tank.

2.) place to keep guns, cabinet , cases etc.

3.) Bullpup for hunting........small, light weight, compactness easy to carry over terrain or through woods: Taipan Veteran or Mutant, Kaliburgun Cricket, FX wildcat, Daystate...all good choices.

4.) Target shooting a bench rest gun..FX Royal, Crown, RAW....FX Impact could serve both purposes.

Beach-gunner
 
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Some form of marauder would be an excellent choice.

Check out the "Crosman Custom Shop"

build your marauder your way, grab a picatinny breech, another $100 gets the LW barrel upgrade. Or just a regular ole marauder out of the box. Marauder has a match trigger, you just need to remove an extra torsion spring, you'll like it. Best warranty and support , that can really make a difference esp. for new folks and gifts. ( you'll need to get the family/misses an airgun one day).

Do NOT over look used .

#1 good idea, get with other experienced airgunners. Well worth a good drive, honest.

Gauntlet is an outstanding value folks like to discount. Rapidairweapons leads in quality control, and again this can matter esp. to new folks enjoying themselves.



If your anywhere near 99109 stop by.



John


 
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Larry Wesson, 

What part of Arizona are you in? If you are Tucson area or further South, send me a private message (PM) via the forum. The forum may require you have a few more posts before you can send a PM, I don't recall the specific number. We can go to the range and you can try out my .25 caliber Marauder and get a feel for it. I find that actually trying an airgun will tell you a lot about your likes and dislikes. The Marauder makes a good benchmark to see if it meets your needs, or if you crave one of the more expensive boutique airguns.

Addertooth

Update: I have PM'ed you my E-Mail address.



1532525123_18061531265b587a438cd8f6.17486727_Marauder with level left side.jpg

 
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Addertooth's way is best, shoot it and make your own decision.

If you watch for deals, a .25 Marauder can be had new for +/- $350, and they have always been known to be accurate and easy to work on guns with tons of information, parts and upgrades easily available. If you love to take stuff apart, mod and tune it, they are a great bang for the buck.

If you just want to buy it and shoot it without messing with it at all, you are probably going to be most satisfied with guns at or over $1200. At that point you can start buying things that you only have to play with if you want to.

If you are new to PCP, there will be an added expense of how you get high pressure air for the gun, but that is a discussion in itself.

I would advise against purchasing a rifle based only on what type of scope baa it has. You will cut out a lot of great guns for no reason, and smallbore PCPs are "virtually" recoilless.



For .177 I prefer my BSA Scorpion SE over the Marauder for a little more money. But lots of guys have done great with Marauders, and lots of other guys will recommend a dozen or so different rifles.



What kind of budget do you have set for this venture? That might help us give more targeted advice.




 
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Wow, thanks for the great responses guys. You have given me alot to think about. I thought this was gonna be easy! Armada is out of the picture. But I'm still torn on whether I need 2 rifles or 1. I can get 2 Marauders: 17 (target) & 25 (hunting). But if I was to get a FX Streamline, I would only get 1. 

So now I now have a new set of questions.

1. So is it widely accepted that the FX rifles are more accurate & reliable than the Marauder? What kind of accuracy differences can I expect at 50 yards with the Marauder vs FX?

2. What about just .17 vs .25 in general? The smaller caliber has much cheaper pellets and more shots per charge. But are they known to be less accurate? (not including the wind factor)

3. I've got a .17 springer that was like $250 a decade or so ago. It's fun to use, but I never use it because after the first shot, the POI starts drifting to where I am just chasing it the entire time. I finally figured out it was because of the dovetail. The scope slides back in it. Which seems like the natural thing for it to do. Seems like a ridiculously dumb design to have a dovetail. I guess maybe it doesn't matter if there is almost no recoil like in a PCP?

4. What's the used market like. As a noob, is it recommended I stay away from the used market?

5. Slightly new topic. Dealing with a scuba tank has always ben the thorn in the side, when it comes to getting a PCP for target practice. I thought compressors were 3k+ but it looks like there are AV compressors for much cheaper. A full size one for 1200 and a small one for 500. Any comments on these? For casual shooting, do they work well? Are they relatively low maintenance?

Thanks again guys
 
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Currently the marauder seems to win hands down if comparing reliability. Anyone honest will admit that reliability is not the #1 thing is is known for ( old school FX were, naturally totally reliable) and not why they sell these days. 

Accuracy, if your up to polishing and such at 50 yards I'd say it's a toss up. Ad the extra $100 for the crosman LW barrel and things would likely be pretty close - as in better than most average shooters-. . And if comparing regulated, ad a reg for $69.00.

As your in the budget range only compare the custom shop ( or ad a LW barrel). ALL air rifles with good barrels shoot better than most of us can. Even when spending BIG dollars a "golden" true 1 hole BR winning match grade barrel is a crap shoot.

They all shoot pretty well.

Look for a used .177 marauder someone successfully used for FT. And or any other used rifle. That is really the only way to know how one groups if looking for a proven shooter.



John




 
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I have never owned an FX, so I won't make comparisons. I will say that the Marauder is quite reliable and quite easy to work on, and I'm not super-airgun-talented.

2. If you think you're going to shoot in Field Target competitions, you will want to go with the .177 because your rifle must be under 20fpe. If just informal plinking, buy whatever the heck you want to shoot! Even .25 pellets aren't that expensive if you make a big order when they go on sale. The bigger holes are easier to see, the bigger pellets are easier to handle, and shooting a .25 is kind of addictive. If you like to shoot novelty targets like spinners and such, you will want some rated for rimfire. A .25 will be hard on airgun specific targets.

3. Most springers have a little hole toward the rear of the dovetail mount, on top. If you get the right scope rings or one piece mount, you can put a set screw down into this hole and the scope won't slide anymore. Problem solved!

4. Nearly all of my airguns were purchased used. it pays to watch the forums, and buy from guys who are the respected "regulars". Quite often the rifle you buy will be pre-loved and will be much better than buying the same gun new. Let's face it, airguns are mostly air and seals, not too darn many things to actually wear out.

5. I don't have a compressor so other folks will have to answer. Since I don't get to shoot a whole bunch, it's still more cost effective for me to go to the local dive shop every 2-3 months and get my 4500psi fill of nice, dry breathing air...for $5. Even with my slew of PCPs including a couple of .25s, it takes a while to shoot it down. Everyone's situation is different as to local availability and quality of high pressure fills.
 
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I would have to second Mobilemail. Just bought my first PCP 2 weeks ago. Got a used Marauder in .177 from a Field Target shooter that had upgraded to Air Arms. It was in immaculate condition. He even had the original shipping boxes from his purchase. It was all set up and ready to go. My range was only 40 yards, but I was getting dime sized groups using JSB light pellets. He said it preferred the AA heavies, but PA has them on backorder. Still can't wait to try them out.

Pumping isn't too bad. I bought it wait a Benjamin pump. Takes about 80 pumps to go from 2000 to 3000 psi, and with 177 that gets me 60-70 shots. I keep forgetting to count shots as I get distracted from shooting little things in the yard. Sticks, shotgun shells, dandelions, etc. at varying ranges.

From what I hear, for small game, Squirrels, rabbits, even the 177 is a good choice at reasonable distances. Not sure, as I will keep my PBs for that. I know it really whacks my Gamo knockdown steel target at 40 yards. So would probably be plenty for a squirrel head at that distance. 

Before I found this one, I almost bought a Umarex Gauntlet, but the store didn't answer the phone when I called to make my order. I am wanting to get into Field Target, so that is why I went with .177, otherwise I was going to get a .22 for the best of both worlds between plinking (shot count), and hunting.

Good luck on your decision. But figure stay with any of the guns mentioned above, and you will be happy for a while, until the bug hits and you need another one....








 
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@timeline I would take the Marauder over the Armada for hunting/pesting. You can go to the Crosman website and order from the custom shop and get a MRod with a weaver rail. The .177 is very accurate, and extreamly quiet. For what it would cost you to get set up with 1 FX you could set up two MRods...If you go with double MRods, Finding the hold between the two would be easy, as opposed to having two completly different riffles. The MRods are easy to work on and tune. There is an aftermarket already. They are made in USA

The MRod 177 will take pigeons with eas. Ive taken a couple farrel cats out to 50-60yrds 10.5gr seem to be the weight for that gun.

Those cats where in poor health, not pets, and they put alot of presure on the quail,grouse, chuckar, and ive seen one take out a phesant
 
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