Where do I go from here? Recommendation?

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Dirte

Dirte

Member
May 21, 2016
1,027
42
Washington, United States


A little history about me first. I bought my first decent springer last year, a AA TX200. I recently bought my first PCP (AA510 FAC Extra). I am in love with airguns now! I can shoot in my backyard every day if I like...... Something I can't do with my powder rifles. Shooting from my patio to 75 yards is great. My son (11) asks me everyday if we can shoot. Anything that gets him off his ipad is a good thing I might add. I have no one else to bounce ideas off about airguns though. Most guys I know just chuckle when I mention how much I enjoy this hobby. I kinda of chuckle also and give them crap when they shoot their AR every two months for 15 minutes and burn a $100 in ammo and still cant hit a small target. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all firearms. Like I said I shoot almost everyday now.
Now back to the my topic. I have went all the way with the PCP thing. I purchased a Shoebox F10 and a 4500 bottle. What rifle would you guys recommend next? I shoot almost exclusively targets/paper. I like the traditional wood rifles. I love the look and quality of the AA rifles. I'm a little intrigued by the Daystate Wolverine type C even though it is a little different. Not crazy about all the flashy print and brand advertising in the wood and metal. Seems to be an airgun thing. One thing that does bother me is the curve and POI of the AA. I am thinking about doing the tether thing from the bench with an external regulator such as the Ninja high pressure fill station. If anyone has an opinion on that also, it would be much appreciated. I really enjoy the airgun's smaller community feel also. Like I said I have no one to talk to, or hold/look at any rifle before I purchase it. Buying a gun has always had to feel right to me (looks and function). Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
I got a thought in that it is great you are involving your son in shooting. Maybe buy him a Benjamin Discovery PCP. Then he can have his own rifle that is smaller in scale and weight set-up for him in relationship to scope eye relief and ergonomics. Then maybe build another bench where you can have shooting competitions or just plinking which kids really enjoy. Also do you have any swinger targets or self setting style field targets to shoot. Just some ideas for fun for you and your son and developing good lessons of life and character that the shooting sports can do for kids. Bill
 
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"AirgunBill"I got a thought in that it is great you are involving your son in shooting. Maybe buy him a Benjamin Discovery PCP. Then he can have his own rifle that is smaller in scale and weight set-up for him in relationship to scope eye relief and ergonomics. Then maybe build another bench where you can have shooting competitions or just plinking which kids really enjoy. Also do you have any swinger targets or self setting style field targets to shoot. Just some ideas for fun for you and your son and developing good lessons of life and character that the shooting sports can do for kids. Bill
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Funny you recommend the Discovery. The other day we were quizzing him in math and I said I would buy him a new gun if he could give me pi 3.14 to the tenth decimal in jest..... Well he did it to the fifteenth. He loves math! I just didn't realize how much. Well I thought about getting the Discovery until I realized just how good a shot he was. Really surprising me to be honest. Please don't take this wrong but..... I hate to move him down so to speak. Even though I would have been super happy with anything as a child. I know he would ask to shoot mine and his would gather dust. Maybe I'm wrong on that. He agreed to pitch in his money for a nicer one even if he had to save a year. Maybe showing some maturity. Also something he could save for life, like my most prized possessions from my Grandfather and father. This is why I wanted to get another equal of better gun than the AA S510.
 
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"Dirte"
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Please don't take this wrong but..... I hate to move him down so to speak. Even though I would have been super happy with anything as a child. I know he would ask to shoot mine and his would gather dust. Maybe I'm wrong on that. He agreed to pitch in his money for a nicer one even if he had to save a year. Maybe showing some maturity. Also something he could save for life, like my most prized possessions from my Grandfather and father. This is why I wanted to get another equal of better gun than the AA S510.
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I don't take it wrong at all, I just thought it would be an inexpensve way to get him his own rifle. In fact growing up we did not have a lot of money. I saved up and bought almost all my toys so to speak. Like my bicycle, row boat, first shotgun and so on. That was an excellent lesson to learn about working for what you want and setting a goal. Bill
 
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"AZBOBCAT"Targets..... set up some fun and challenging field targets, spinners, knockdown etc. I like regs on all my guns, I don't enjoy paper targets as much help as steel or hunting. I like a challenge anyone can stack pellets off a bench and rest now try standing kneeling sitting like in field target and it opens a whole new world of challenge.
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We have a few metal targets. My Son defiantly prefers them over paper. I am having fun with just playing with pellets, windage, drop and using apps such as Strelok Pro for the moment.
 
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Dirte, You rock man! What a great story and intro. 
At his point, I'd say another rifle is the way to go. Having two rifles to shoot will open up a lot of new fun. Now it can be a competition. I recall my father always beating me in billiards. I practiced and practiced until I finally got better than him. It was fun, challenging, and made me a better player overall. It's tough to fit a pool table into my life these days but, I still have that desire. 
Since you have most of the accessories you need, you might consider looking into (after the rifle purchase) a shooting tree, silhouette targets, animal crackers ;) , and other competitive accessories that will make you and your son better shooters together.
I'm not going to suggest specific rifles/brands to buy because everyone has their own favorites for various reasons and experiences. 
Happy shooting!
Tom 
 
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I would look into a regulator for your gun, there is not one gun that wouldn't benefit from a reg, even a daystate. ......my boy is 8 and he really enjoys being competitive with me when shooting, you can really see the focus and determination. My 5 year old daughter is going to be really good to. My son always tries to gain a little extra spending money on some betting LOL
 
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I don't recall their nicks but there are a few shooters here in washington. If you post in the general argun section that you atre looking for other shooter in your area they will start to pop up in no time. Though it may not be in eastern washington Ashland Airgun range holds monthly matches so google it and maybe make the trip this year to shoot with and shoot the s^&%t with other airgunners.

I would also second AZBOB on the regulator. I put a HUMA in my S500 Extra this winter and now get over 150 shots per charge. Of course it's .177 and i have it set to shoot at 11.5fpe. At near 20fpe with 10.3gn pellets you could expect 80 or so shots. This does involve hammer and spring mods as well but worth it if you have the patience, a drill, file and scale.
 
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Since you're asking to buy another rifle, I'd recommend the BSA R10 MK 2 in either 0.177 or 0.22 caliber since you shoot paper mostly. The gun is heirloom quality like the Air Arms, stock made by Minelli, regulated, and mine outshoots my Air Arms for a less expensive price and less expensive magazines. You can find them on Amazon on sale sometimes in the $700's. 
 
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I need to make a correction, Ashland is in Oregon not washington. But there is a benchrest club that escapes my memory in washington.
As for the hammer and spring mods I'm sure there are videos but I just went for it on my own after reading many different forum topics on it. You can search the GTA forum for AA S5XX mods, the Yellow forum for the same.
As for parts you can get them from here: https://www.gunspares.co.uk/ as well as here: http://www.airgunspares.com/store/
There should be a complete list of parts numbers with exploded diagrams that came with your rifle for you to reference.
As I was looking for a certain tune with my rifle I went through a few month process of trying different hammer weights and spring combo's at small increments until I was satisfied. Likely more so than most folks would be willing to. There are many ways to tune a pcp though they all seem to end with similar results depending on what you are looking to get from it. Don't be discouraged though. Just take your time and make small, incremental changes until you are satisfied with the results.
 
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Sounds like you're off to an excellent start and kudos for involving your son! I got my son a Daisy to get him away from gaming (worked so-so, lol!) and he's now away at a trade school studying to be a gunsmith. For a really fun and challenging target try paintballs on a golf tee, they explode with a very satisfying 'pop' when hit! The Brocock compact guns have a good rep and are very light.
John
 
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New rig, grab a RAW , HM1000 or any other.
AA is already fairly good and you ( and yopur son ) don't want to go backwards - a discovery is a good utility but not what you'd save for heirloom-.
Eastern WA? We plan plan being there in about a week ( perhaps 2, Loon Lake to Chewelah ) and have a few rifle you could shoot if you like. Sen me a PM if you'd like to get together.
Every Field Target club is listed on aafta . org
Spokane USED to be a bit of an airgun meca esp. back when Mr. Price was still alive, but not so these days from what I can tell.

John

 
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You guys have been most helpful and welcoming for that fact. Really appreciate the responses. Some of these guns you have recommended are what I was pondering. I guess the consensus is to have a regulated gun. Since I was kid I took everything apart to see how it worked. playing with a regulator may be in my future. I did score a used Ninja adjustable high pressure regulator on ebay last night for $85.00. Not bad for the regular price of $370.00. Something to play with if I tether. Like I said my son loves math and lights up when I start to talk about ranging. We also love to camp. I know airguns have a bit more acceptance in some more I guess I would say populated areas. These PCP guns are very quiet.
 
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