Other Need help with new gun decision. Analysis Paralysis

Depending on what kind of pest control you're doing, a field target legal gun is not going to have the power or be easily adjusted to shoot both pest control and field target well. But a Hatsan 95 runs just barely above field target power limits so if that power level was good for you, you could do both.

I enjoy field target very much. .177 will shoot higher scores since you'll get flatter trajectories and more shots will squeeze through the kill zone for a hit. Great pest control / small game hunters do well at Field target, but mostly they end up being separate guns. I have shot field target with a magazine-fed rifle as well as a single shot. My preference is always single shot but for a do-it-all gun, magazines work great and you can always install a single-shot adapter when you don't want the hassle of the magazine.

For field target having a good rifle is important but having a suitable scope that is properly ranged is far more important. Just go to a match and you'll see quickly how it needs to work.

An FX crown is a good choice. It won't convert easily between the perfect high power and perfect 20fpe (Field target legal) tune, but you can always get it set up for field target / general plinking power and then work out a higher power tune based on hammer and port settings. I would only buy a Walther or FWB match grade rifle if I had a very specific purpose for it that I can optimize the system and leave it alone.

** If the local field target club has extreme (high power / long range) field target events, then you really can build a ferocious pest control rifle in .22 and compete with it. I assume that's not the field target you had in mind, but it's a possibility.

mmcaleer said:

New member. I started out with a Hatsan 95 thinking I just wanted it for pest control (squirrels and rabbits). I hate it. But I caught the bug and now I am thinking I want something PCP and accurate (same hole) for target shooting as well. And there is a field target group near me in Dallas which I would like to try. I was thinking .22 caliber. I would like to find something used to get the most value. I would like to stay around $1k. I have thought about a new FX Crown basic (around $800) then get a chassis. I have also thought about Feinwerkbau's, Walther's, etc. Are there any recommendations for guns I should consider? I am just learning about guns in this price category. I could always bump my $$ if it is worth it. Buy once, cry once. Thanks.

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You'll likely want .177 to compete in FT. They are more than adequate for pests and can be just as accurate.

Watch for a used revere or i did see an unregulated gun at oaoa for like $900 in 177 you wont get more power but if you keep shooting ft you wont regret it

mmcaleer said:

New member. I started out with a Hatsan 95 thinking I just wanted it for pest control (squirrels and rabbits). I hate it. But I caught the bug and now I am thinking I want something PCP and accurate (same hole) for target shooting as well. And there is a field target group near me in Dallas which I would like to try. I was thinking .22 caliber. I would like to find something used to get the most value. I would like to stay around $1k. I have thought about a new FX Crown basic (around $800) then get a chassis. I have also thought about Feinwerkbau's, Walther's, etc. Are there any recommendations for guns I should consider? I am just learning about guns in this price category. I could always bump my $$ if it is worth it. Buy once, cry once. Thanks.

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FX DRS 600 mm with super powerful plenum.....

You won't regret.

mmcaleer said:

New member. I started out with a Hatsan 95 thinking I just wanted it for pest control (squirrels and rabbits). I hate it. But I caught the bug and now I am thinking I want something PCP and accurate (same hole) for target shooting as well. And there is a field target group near me in Dallas which I would like to try. I was thinking .22 caliber. I would like to find something used to get the most value. I would like to stay around $1k. I have thought about a new FX Crown basic (around $800) then get a chassis. I have also thought about Feinwerkbau's, Walther's, etc. Are there any recommendations for guns I should consider? I am just learning about guns in this price category. I could always bump my $$ if it is worth it. Buy once, cry once. Thanks.

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First of all Welcome to the best AGN ! I would strongly advise going to a FT match or practice ,see and talk , Warning you will see a lot of high end stuff .
Your future Crown can work admirably for both pest and FT if racoons are the largest size pest . Take your time b4 you buy .
Stan in KY .

mmcaleer said:

New member. I started out with a Hatsan 95 thinking I just wanted it for pest control (squirrels and rabbits). I hate it. But I caught the bug and now I am thinking I want something PCP and accurate (same hole) for target shooting as well. And there is a field target group near me in Dallas which I would like to try. I was thinking .22 caliber. I would like to find something used to get the most value. I would like to stay around $1k. I have thought about a new FX Crown basic (around $800) then get a chassis. I have also thought about Feinwerkbau's, Walther's, etc. Are there any recommendations for guns I should consider? I am just learning about guns in this price category. I could always bump my $$ if it is worth it. Buy once, cry once. Thanks.

Click to expand...

In my opinion an FX Crown MK2 in .177 would serve you well as a dual purpose rifle. It won’t be the perfect rifle for for either pesting or Field Target; but it will straddle that line well. I have two Crown MK2 rifles. One in .22 for hunting/ pesting and another in .177 that I use for silhouette shooting. I think that my .177 Crown would do very well at hunting/pesting the smaller animals that you mentioned. I also believe that you could easily find one tune that would be great for both Field Target and hunting with either a 10.34 grain pellet or a lighter 8 grain pellet. Or if you like to tinker then you could have one tune for pellets and Field Target and another tune for slugs and hunting. Both of my Crown MK2 also wear the Saber Tactical chassis. It is really nice. Please let me know if you have any other questions about my rifles.
Kenny

Some friends have done well, even winning AZ state in FT, with the older Daystate Regal's in 17 cal. I wouldn't suggest any gun that uses a liner system for FT because POI shifts are a PITA in this sport.

BTW 22 cal isn't the best choice for FT either and a 19-ish fpe 17 cal with 13.4's has plenty of killing power for small game inside normal airgun distances.

My #1 suggestion for FT at a mid price would be a unregulated MAC 1 USFT carbine because I doubt a more solid air rifle was ever built. RAW, Daystate Airwolf, Steyr LG100 and 110, are some better choices as well. Thomas being the top choice but even used are expensive.

Welcome to the AGN rabbit hole, where everyone likes to help, and help spend your money too

I for one would stick to .177 for the purposes you’ve listed. I like simple set and forget rifles with little to no external adjustments, because of my chronic tinkering problem. If I was spending my money on what you were looking for. A used RAW HM1000 non X model in a chassis with a single shot tray and magazines. At the 20 ft/lbs FT limit that puts a 10.34 grain pellet over 900 fps. JSB has two great shooting pellets in that weight, the standard match 10.3 and the hades 10.3. That makes very little change in POI . The conversation about what scope to use is a whole other story.