Other New to PCP rifles need help :)

The ghost

Epic 2
Taipan vet 2
BRK Ghost
RTI mora
RTI prophet 3
Air Maks Krait
Daystate
FX
AAA Evol or Mini
RAW

Hi Ray, I'm new to the PCP world as well and looks like we have similar interests as far as hunting game in the backyard. I started a similar thread last week. Folks here are super helpful. I ended up purchasing a used FX M3. I called the folks at Utah Airguns and talked with them at length about what I was looking for. They were very helpful as well and I think I got a pretty good deal. It arrives today, so we'll see for sure soon. It may be worth a call to them for an opinion. I did not feel pushed into anything and the guy was very knowledgeable about the sport. I was on a budget and ended up coming in several hundred dollars under.

Raytastic said:

Hi everyone, Very new to PCP rifles. Getting tired of struggling to find lead free ammo to hunt with so I want to go with a different path. As I’m doing a bunch of research the impact m4 is a top runner. I do small game hunting and pests in the backyard. Don’t really have a budget as long as it’s worth it; buy once cry once type of guy. Looking to get a .25 so any advice or recommendations help. Thank you!

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Hmmm if you provide a bit more info as to what you like etc you’ll probably get better advice

What are the distances you plan to shot?
Pellets or slugs (slugs being their own rabbit hole and source for frustration, so probably not ideal to start your PCP journey with…)?
Prefer traditional rifle or bullpup?
Set and forget gun or do you like to play around and adjust a lot (and don’t mind the downsides of adjusting back and forth)?
Length of the gun a factor (like, are you going to carry it through the brush or will you shoot stationary)?
Last but not least, are you a tinkerer and don’t mind having to get into the gun to get the last 5-10% out of it vs looking for something that you don’t have to mess with (at the price of less customization)?

Raytastic said:

Hi everyone, Very new to PCP rifles. Getting tired of struggling to find lead free ammo to hunt with so I want to go with a different path. As I’m doing a bunch of research the impact m4 is a top runner. I do small game hunting and pests in the backyard. Don’t really have a budget as long as it’s worth it; buy once cry once type of guy. Looking to get a .25 so any advice or recommendations help. Thank you!

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My first good gun was an impact. Don't do it. It's tinker intense and expensive. Take a look at the dreamline tactical compact carbon bottle version for what you want to do. I got one in 25 cal and it's tuned to 43 fpe stock, it gets used daily whereas my slug shooting impact got tuned up too hot to use in the neighborhood.

I don't have any problems with my impact, but it's not the most enjoyable gun to use Thanks to weight, length, power and visibility.

Ray, welcome to AGN and to the world of PCP's. I recently got into PCP's and I had done a ton of research before I purchased a Maverick in .25 cal set up by UA because I didn't want to go through the frustration of tuning (not know how) and having a bad experience. With that said since I bought my first PCP in Dec 24, I now have a M3 and getting ready to purchase a M4. I really like the looks of the FX line of bullpups and all of the things that can be added and done to them. My advice is figure out what type of platform you want to shoot and then find a reputable dealer that will tune it to what your needs are. If your needs are under 100 yards pellets are the way to go, slugs are just another rabbit hole!

For what you are describing as targets, A .22 in any of the rifles recommended will more than get the job done. If you are set at .25, remember ammo is more expensive vs. .22. For small game a JSB .22 in 18 gr will take down anything from a field mouse to a groundhog. JMHO. You buy what you like.

"I am very new to airguns" and "the Impact M4 is the front runner" do not belong in the same book. The Impact M4 is an advanced tuner focused gun with so many adjustments you can get yourself in trouble in quick order.

The recommendation of the BRK Ghost is an excellent one for your use. But, I think you should consider something before you purchase. Are you a traditional rifle or a bullpup kinda person? It does make a difference - I really like bullpups though I clearly shoot a traditional stocked rifle better.

Saw an FX Royale 500 (.25) on classifieds yesterday. Can't ask for a simpler, trouble free, low maintenance & ACCURATE pellet rifle. Most new guys don't even know they exist. FANTASTIC guns! You'll NEVER hear owners complain about them not being accurate or too complicated.

Raytastic said:

Hi everyone, Very new to PCP rifles. Getting tired of struggling to find lead free ammo to hunt with so I want to go with a different path.

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JFYI, most pellets are lead. There are some non-lead pellets but they typically are not the best for accuracy or longer range or hunting.

If you actually intend to hunt or pest and use pellets vs slugs (which are also lead) then do not let the .22 guys sway you. A .25 hits much harder and makes a much bigger hole, the difference is visual and auditory and the animals getting smacked is afforded a more humane passing.

Thanks for this post I am also a newbie and confused by all the choices.

Are you wanting to use lead-free ammo? If so, even I would have to do some research, as that's a whole nother can of worms.

Now, if you're going with an Impact with lead, then that's highly doable. As mentioned, the Impact is not a good first pcp, but that's not to say it's out of the realm of possibility. If you research, ask questions and go methodically, you can do it. I would recommend you shoot it as is, no matter what the state of tune is when you get it. Then start slowly and make changes, keep notes, and you can get er done. Write down your original tune, so you can always get back to square one. Not understanding how regulated pcp's work is the first thing you may need to tackle. It's not rocket surgery, but it's necessary to know.

If it were me, and I thought I liked the Impact, I'd jump right in. Just remember that "some" Impacts have been known to stump seasoned veterans, BUT that is no reason to abandon the idea.

If you think you might want to start a little less "top shelf", I can tell you that the Dreamline rifles are fantastic, as are many others.

I wish you luck and there's a ton of help here for the asking.

Raytastic said:

Hi everyone, Very new to PCP rifles. Getting tired of struggling to find lead free ammo to hunt with so I want to go with a different path. As I’m doing a bunch of research the impact m4 is a top runner. I do small game hunting and pests in the backyard. Don’t really have a budget as long as it’s worth it; buy once cry once type of guy. Looking to get a .25 so any advice or recommendations help. Thank you!

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They are a good rifle, you need to purchase extra parts, and wrench on them to switch back and forth from pellets to slugs. There are tons of other brands too. Lots of great choices in .25cal. Depends on what distance you will be shooting from. Watch a bunch of "airgun channel" videos on YouTube. He tests the power and accuracy of all the guns.

Well, if y'all aren't confused now you will be by the time this thread finishes. There is a fan for every airgun out there and they are all happy to tell you why they are a fan.
Best thing to do is give as much info on your intended use and budget. Also consider how you plan to fill the gun.
As the caliber increases so does the price per unit. There is also the availability of the ammo of choice.
Whether or not the gun is pellet/slug friendly would be one of the things on my criterial list. That gives you options on what and where to buy.