I'm getting the itch again. I hate heavy guns with bolts. First PCP was a Bt-65 in .25 and it's a brick and difficult to cock. I was thinking about an Impact (to many vids of the SA guys pesting at 100yds plus), but I think they are over 8#'s bare. Then I thought maybe a Maverick, less tuning and slightly lighter. I also did some research on the Reximex throne, but it's gone up in price and not available in the US. I saw the Airmax ad at the top of the forum and looked at the Krait X (long model), seems they aren't available in the US either. I want to be able to shoot pellets or slugs probably in .22 (I've got two .22's, two .25's, and a .30). So that means pushing heavier slugs at close to 1000FPS. I want something that can reach out to 75-100yds or maybe farther accurately. Thanks in advance. CC
Which platforms should I be looking at?
- Thread starter customcutter
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I don’t know jack but have you considered a RTI? Little lighter and hear they make good power for slugs.
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If I was to buy one rifle to start my collection knowing what I know now and what my needs are which is plain old hunting and just having fun at long distances.
It will be the FX Wildcat 3 bottle compact in 22cal. The second will be a Kalibrgun Cricket 2 tactical 45 ( short ) in 22
But since I have my Impact and a Raw both in 25s I just can’t justify buying another rifle.
Don’t get me wrong the Impact is an amazing rifle but it’s more for the bench shooting and not hardcore hunting. I was working in my property and had the Impact strapped on the soft cushion side of my side x side and just the hard driving through the POI.
If I had two Rifles they will be The Wildcat 3 BT compact for walking and hunting and the Kalibrgun cricket 2 tactical 45 in 22 for my truck/ SXS gun.
It will be the FX Wildcat 3 bottle compact in 22cal. The second will be a Kalibrgun Cricket 2 tactical 45 ( short ) in 22
But since I have my Impact and a Raw both in 25s I just can’t justify buying another rifle.
Don’t get me wrong the Impact is an amazing rifle but it’s more for the bench shooting and not hardcore hunting. I was working in my property and had the Impact strapped on the soft cushion side of my side x side and just the hard driving through the POI.
If I had two Rifles they will be The Wildcat 3 BT compact for walking and hunting and the Kalibrgun cricket 2 tactical 45 in 22 for my truck/ SXS gun.
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customcutter
Not sure what your use case is and unfortunately I only own 2 on the opposite ends of the spectrum. I have a Benjamin Trail NP and a Leshiy 2. I cannot recommend the Benjamin even though I did the recommended mods. The trigger was atrocious and it wasn't as accurate as I would like.
I then went nuts and bought a Leshiy 2. I was really impressed by the fit and finish as well as the semi-auto function and the multi-caliber options (barrel and rotary magazines. There are a lot of options and I appreciate the modularity (calibers, barrel lengths, hand guards, etc). It is crazy accurate and is so much fun. You will go through pellets like a kid empties a Pez dispenser on Halloween while hopped up on two of the jumbo 2 foot long pixie sticks - fast and with a jittery smile.
I am still fairly new to the airgun world so I don't have a ton of experience, but I can say it was a chunk of change (I prefer to think of it as an investment in happiness). Take care!
-PJ
Not sure what your use case is and unfortunately I only own 2 on the opposite ends of the spectrum. I have a Benjamin Trail NP and a Leshiy 2. I cannot recommend the Benjamin even though I did the recommended mods. The trigger was atrocious and it wasn't as accurate as I would like.
I then went nuts and bought a Leshiy 2. I was really impressed by the fit and finish as well as the semi-auto function and the multi-caliber options (barrel and rotary magazines. There are a lot of options and I appreciate the modularity (calibers, barrel lengths, hand guards, etc). It is crazy accurate and is so much fun. You will go through pellets like a kid empties a Pez dispenser on Halloween while hopped up on two of the jumbo 2 foot long pixie sticks - fast and with a jittery smile.
I am still fairly new to the airgun world so I don't have a ton of experience, but I can say it was a chunk of change (I prefer to think of it as an investment in happiness). Take care!
-PJ
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Thanks, I have 5 PCP's already (since 2015). One is an FX Wildcat MK1 in .22 that I just got used a few months ago. Yeah I'm not really a benchrest target shooting guy, unless I'm setting up a scope or testing pellets/slugs for accuracy. I have a bad back so lighter is better and bullpups even better as it gets the center of gravity closer to the shoulder. If bouncing the Impact around in your SXS changed the POI, I know the Impact is not for me. I don't mistreat my guns, but they don't get babied either.
Retired and it's hard to justify new guns, especially top tier one's, so probably be looking at a used one.Upvote 0
Funny you state that, I am here because a web search took me to this site because of the airgun classifieds. I wanted to try some different models than what I currently own.Thanks, I have 5 PCP's already (since 2015). One is an FX Wildcat MK1 in .22 that I just got used a few months ago. Yeah I'm not really a benchrest target shooting guy, unless I'm setting up a scope or testing pellets/slugs for accuracy. I have a bad back so lighter is better and bullpups even better as it gets the center of gravity closer to the shoulder. If bouncing the Impact around in your SXS changed the POI, I know the Impact is not for me. I don't mistreat my guns, but they don't get babied either.
There are several items that I want to purchase but I cannot seem to trigger the mechanism that activates PMs so that I can purchase anything. I'm sure it will happen soon. Good luck on your search.
-PJ
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Thanks PJ. Yes, all of my guns were mid tier guns. The BT-65 was/is horrible. I'm working on making a bull-pup with forward cocking lever out of it. My put a grin on your face fun gun is an AEA HP Carbine. I drove down to south Florida and bought it and got to go on an iguana hunt. Tons of fun.
I'd go broke down there shooting iguanas with pellets.Upvote 0
Surprised your Wildcat isn't somewhat "hitting the mark" with your requirements of "weight towards the shoulder", "under 8#", "accurate out to 75-100yds". Being an (past) owner of a Wildcat MK3 in .177,.22,.25 and .30 along with Impacts in MK2 and 3, in the same calibers, my experience has been that the Wildcat is hands down the one that checks off all the boxes. Slugs at 1000fps consistently, and reliably, requires a bit more than your average <8# airgun and will offer tradeoffs. I would venture to say that unless you disprove of the overall feel of your Wildcat you will be having a good time searching for the "One". Keep us posted!Thanks, I have 5 PCP's already (since 2015). One is an FX Wildcat MK1 in .22 that I just got used a few months ago. Yeah I'm not really a benchrest target shooting guy, unless I'm setting up a scope or testing pellets/slugs for accuracy. I have a bad back so lighter is better and bullpups even better as it gets the center of gravity closer to the shoulder. If bouncing the Impact around in your SXS changed the POI, I know the Impact is not for me. I don't mistreat my guns, but they don't get babied either.
Patrick
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I do like the Wildcat. It's a MK1, I haven't played with trying to tune it as it's shooting CPHP's at 920-930fps and pellet on pellet. Is it capable of shooting .22 slugs at 900+fps? I will say it is heavier than my other bullpup and definitely heavier than my AEA HP Carbine.
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Check out the Taipan Veteran. Very solid, bullet proof rifle. Three different sizes. 30 inches long, 30 shots shooting JSB MKII's @900 fps. Very accurate.
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If you don't want the fanciest thing on Earth and don't mind saving a few bucks, the AEA Varmint in .25 is pretty powerful, can come equipped with a big 700cc bottle, and lighter than most air rifles. (1.5 lbs lighter than a Challenger Pro, for example).
I haven't touched one myself but reviews and comments look very positive on that model.
I haven't touched one myself but reviews and comments look very positive on that model.
Yes, I have an AEA HP Carbine with .5L CF bottle and DonnyFL. I've thought several times of ordering the Varmint Kit, but don't see it worth half the cost of a rifle. However, I just found out that there is a Huma regulator available for the bottle guns for $135, so it may be back in the picture. I think I've read that the Challenger Pro is over 10#'s without a scope definitely a benchrest gun.
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I've seen Challenger Pro listed at 8 pounds and 8.5 pounds. Seems about right. I'd be really surprised if it was 10 pounds. It's heavy but not unusually heavy. I don't have an accurate enough scale to weight mine right now, plus it's scoped and has a couple accessories on it.
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That's what I ended up buying myself, did the trigger work and will be working on an SSG to lower the hammer pull and looks like Huma has a bottle regulator for a hundo shipped.
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Still to heavy for me with 3 herniated disc in my lower back. That's why bullpups are better for me.
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I saw that the bottle regulator was available from Huma in the other thread. That got me thinking that I might just do a DIY build . I think I could machine a AEA HP receiver, and either make it a side cocking lever or do like SB327 did an make a balanced valve for it. Wouldn't take much from there to even make it a bullpup. I don't know if an SSG would lower the cocking force much. It would conserve air for sure. I think the Varmints are plenty accurate and should be capable of driving slugs as they make huge power. I would like to make a .22, 177, or maybe even a 172, if I make a set of swages for making slugs.
Right now waiting on Ian to clear out this morning's forecast showed it coming over within 10-20 miles as a Cat3.Upvote 0
