Other Arrow slinger - help me decide

Now that I have the main gun, tank, compressor, hand pump etc lol I’ve decided I might as well get something that shoots arrows and one of the members here recommended getting one of the big bores so it’s at least dual purpose…which makes sense.

I’m leaning towards a 45 or 50cal but I’m open to persuasion on a 357 as well.

Here are my top choices in order but if I’m missing something by all means let me know!

1. Western bush pig
2. Air Force texan
3. Umarex hammer
4. Airbow M600 (not dual purpose)
5. Western rattler 457 (rather not spend $3k)


Thanks for any input!
 
How often do you intend to shoot arrows? Air bolts that must have their fletching twisted to go in the barrel will eventually need to be re-fletched. That's my understanding anyway. Dedicated arrow launchers, like my pioneer airbow, can in theory can be shot an infinite amount of times.

I don't believe the rattler would work due to how it's magazine cycles and how air bolts are pushed in from the muzzle. But of the ones you listed it's the one I'd want due to semi auto. My current big bore is an aea challenger. Aea doesn't have the best reputation especially on their semi autos, and i had to have a sear made for my challenger out of hardened tool steel because the one it comes with was made of poor material and broke. I seem to recall seeing that newer ones solved that problem. I like it because it has a 6 shot magazine. Might be worth adding as a consideration to research. Hammers had issues when they first came out as well, not sure how reliable they are these days. I never had a western bush pig but used to have a bushbuck. They're ok although I was unlucky with mine and had a power issue that AOA was unable to fix. I can not recall ever seeing anyone with a serious issue with a Texan, though I've never owned one, only because I'm not the biggest fan of their looks and ergonomics or single shot operation. Possibly consider a Seneca or for lotsa dollars, an AAA slayer. Benjamin bulldogs have a pretty good reputation too.

One more thing, it personally think the new m600 airbow was an unnecessary "upgrade" from the original. It uses more air pressure, yet gets fewer shots, and is unregulated unlike the original. ( the original fills to 3000 psi and delivers 8 regulated shots, all at 450 fps, the new one fills to 3600, yet only the first 3 shots are up to 600 fps, and while you can shoot it after that, velocity will start to drop which means the same for your point of impact.) What do you get for this trade off? More powerful arrows when the original already rivaled the world's most powerful crossbows. The originals arrows went 450 FPS which is 168FPE. They will shatter if you miss and hit anything hard, like the ground, 19 times out of 20. I bought a special crossbow velocity rated target to stop the arrows, normal archery targets are insufficient. Its already difficult to pull the original airbow arrows out of my target without a rubber arrow puller and still kinda tough even then, I have to sit on the ground and put my feet against the target to hold it back while i pull the arrow straight out. The newer one will penetrate even deeper and may even require an even more resiliant target i suspect. So me personally, I'd rather try to get an original pioneer airbow than the new more powerful one. I just checked Benjamin's, site, they still sell the original, they just call in the 450, and it's 300 bucks cheaper
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jpiperson2002
How often do you intend to shoot arrows? Air bolts that must have their fletching twisted to go in the barrel will eventually need to be re-fletched. That's my understanding anyway. Dedicated arrow launchers, like my pioneer airbow, can in theory can be shot an infinite amount of times.

I don't believe the rattler would work due to how it's magazine cycles and how air bolts are pushed in from the muzzle. But of the ones you listed it's the one I'd want due to semi auto. My current big bore is an aea challenger. Aea doesn't have the best reputation especially on their semi autos, and i had to have a sear made for my challenger out of hardened tool steel because the one it comes with was made of poor material and broke. I seem to recall seeing that newer ones solved that problem. I like it because it has a 6 shot magazine. Might be worth adding as a consideration to research. Hammers had issues when they first came out as well, not sure how reliable they are these days. I never had a western bush pig but used to have a bushbuck. They're ok although I was unlucky with mine and had a power issue that AOA was unable to fix. I can not recall ever seeing anyone with a serious issue with a Texan, though I've never owned one, only because I'm not the biggest fan of their looks and ergonomics or single shot operation. Possibly consider a Seneca or for lotsa dollars, an AAA slayer. Benjamin bulldogs have a pretty good reputation too.

One more thing, it personally think the new m600 airbow was an unnecessary "upgrade" from the original. It uses more air pressure, yet gets fewer shots, and is unregulated unlike the original. ( the original fills to 3000 psi and delivers 8 regulated shots, all at 450 fps, the new one fills to 3600, yet only the first 3 shots are up to 600 fps, and while you can shoot it after that, velocity will start to drop which means the same for your point of impact.) What do you get for this trade off? More powerful arrows when the original already rivaled the world's most powerful crossbows. The originals arrows went 450 FPS which is 168FPE. They will shatter if you miss and hit anything hard, like the ground, 19 times out of 20. I bought a special crossbow velocity rated target to stop the arrows, normal archery targets are insufficient. Its already difficult to pull the original airbow arrows out of my target without a rubber arrow puller and still kinda tough even then, I have to sit on the ground and put my feet against the target to hold it back while i pull the arrow straight out. The newer one will penetrate even deeper and may even require an even more resiliant target i suspect. So me personally, I'd rather try to get an original pioneer airbow than the new more powerful one. I just checked Benjamin's, site, they still sell the original, they just call in the 450, and it's 300 bucks cheaper
It will probably be used a couple times per year… MAYBE 50 arrow shots per year if that. I’m also planning on buying 2 dozen of the air Venturi arrows so I am stocked up for a while.

I have the Brocock ghost hp for anything else I might need an Airgun for. I don’t really care about single/vs semi auto. I have 50 other semi auto regular guns if I need that. I just want it to be accurate and shoot a blazing fast arrow which I’ve heard the bush pig does pretty well.

Also to note, I’ve fletched my own bow arrows for over 10 years and have all the equipment still so that wouldn’t be a big deal
 
Dragon claw II. Under a grand with bolts and an optic plus will shots the airbolts at near 600fpe and will still get a complete pass through on a deer at 80 yards with slugs. The bolts are made for the .498"ish barrel of the dragon claw so a little loose in the .510 true 50csl guns plus those barrels are typically 28"+ if you go the 45/50 route. Lots of dead space between the TP and bolt seal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JaceSpace1369
Now that I have the main gun, tank, compressor, hand pump etc lol I’ve decided I might as well get something that shoots arrows and one of the members here recommended getting one of the big bores so it’s at least dual purpose…which makes sense.

I’m leaning towards a 45 or 50cal but I’m open to persuasion on a 357 as well.

Here are my top choices in order but if I’m missing something by all means let me know!

1. Western bush pig
2. Air Force texan
3. Umarex hammer
4. Airbow M600 (not dual purpose)
5. Western rattler 457 (rather not spend $3k)


Thanks for any input!
@SakoSierra I thought you or someone else had a similar post asking this question elsewhere on AGN recently. Anyhow, in the above quoted post you’re missing the Benjamin Bulldog platform. I have yet to see a Western Rattler shoot airbolts. I don’t think I’ve seen or read of an Umarex Hammer shooting bolts either.

edit: it was this thread. https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/m600-feedback.1328919/
Different question, but dual purpose airguns came up in the suggestions
 
  • Like
Reactions: SakoSierra
@SakoSierra I thought you or someone else had a similar post asking this question elsewhere on AGN recently. Anyhow, in the above quoted post you’re missing the Benjamin Bulldog platform. I have yet to see a Western Rattler shoot airbolts. I don’t think I’ve seen or read of an Umarex Hammer shooting bolts either.

edit: it was this thread. https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/m600-feedback.1328919/
Different question, but dual purpose airguns came up in the suggestions
That’s the one where they got me thinking dual purpose! I just figured if the barrel was the proper length and the caliber was appropriate you could shoot those air Venturi bolts out of any of them?! Is this not the case?
 
Some of those arrow-shooters are pretty awesome. I'd be interested in trying one - just for giggles though.

Call me "old fasioned", I like to shoot arrows from bows I make from trees cut on the property. 🙂

Cheers!
I love my bows but I injured my shoulder bad about a year and a half ago so I can’t even shoot them at the moment. I just enjoy target shooting with archery. I enjoy that far more than any of my
Guns but it’s looking like that’s not in my future at the moment.
 
That’s the one where they got me thinking dual purpose! I just figured if the barrel was the proper length and the caliber was appropriate you could shoot those air Venturi bolts out of any of them?! Is this not the case?
@SakoSierra I don’t think it’s so simple. You must consider the shroud and internal baffles (where applicable, as well as how much space there may be from the nock to the valve. Then there’s the aspect of how the gun is designed utilize the flow of high pressure air. On repeaters, your idea seems more feasible to me using a naked/exposed barrel. With semi-autos I’m not so sure. Let’s see what other have to say about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SakoSierra
@SakoSierra I don’t think it’s so simple. You must consider the shroud and internal baffles (where applicable, as well as how much space there may be from the nock to the valve. Then there’s the aspect of how the gun is designed utilize the flow of high pressure air. On repeaters, your idea seems more feasible to me using a naked/exposed barrel. With semi-autos I’m not so sure. Let’s see what other have to say about it.
Yeah that why I was just thinking of going the easy route with the western pig. Is there anything bad about that gun in particular or the manufacturer? AoA has a decent sale right now on them so for an extra $600 over the arrow only guns it seems like a decent deal and would fit the bill nicely
 
It will probably be used a couple times per year… MAYBE 50 arrow shots per year if that. I’m also planning on buying 2 dozen of the air Venturi arrows so I am stocked up for a while.

I have the Brocock ghost hp for anything else I might need an Airgun for. I don’t really care about single/vs semi auto. I have 50 other semi auto regular guns if I need that. I just want it to be accurate and shoot a blazing fast arrow which I’ve heard the bush pig does pretty well.

Also to note, I’ve fletched my own bow arrows for over 10 years and have all the equipment still so that wouldn’t be a big deal
For a Arrow Shooter look no farther than the regular Umarex Airsaber...With Easton 2219 XX75 22inch Aluminum Arrows 405 fps at 3400 psi 3inch groups at 120 yards good conditions...Can use regular crossbow targets for a stop..Airsaber are dirt cheap I bought mine cleanance new $230.00... Buy a Airsaber for shooting arrows..If you want a big bore id buy Used Texan or Western BushBuck .45 or .510...One once slugs not too much for deer and hog size game...
 
  • Like
Reactions: thammer and swNCsw
Yeah that why I was just thinking of going the easy route with the western pig. Is there anything bad about that gun in particular or the manufacturer? AoA has a decent sale right now on them so for an extra $600 over the arrow only guns it seems like a decent deal and would fit the bill nicely
@SakoSierra I haven’t shot any bolts from a Western Bushpig, so I don’t know. I've shared the best information I can think to share. I suggest that you read threads on Western Airguns products if you’re curious as to what other members think of their airguns.
 
For a Arrow Shooter look no farther than the regular Umarex Airsaber...With Easton 2219 XX75 22inch Aluminum Arrows 405 fps at 3400 psi 3inch groups at 120 yards good conditions...Can use regular crossbow targets for a stop..Airsaber are dirt cheap I bought mine cleanance new $230.00... Buy a Airsaber for shooting arrows..If you want a big bore id buy Used Texan or Western BushBuck .
I agree with with RM.510 on this for deer or hogs . The lil airsaber is dirt cheap and almost to the point I would condider it disposable haha ( joking of course ) . Seriously it does the job well and does not require specialty arrows that add up fast in cost . I have those as well lol .

No more than you will be shooting per year I wouldn't waste the money on the arrows or arrow launcher but would just purchase another higher end pcp that I could enjoy all year long with the savings . I feel like it is the best bang for the buck deal as well as he does .

Either way that you decide I hope you are pleased with your choice as that is what matters more than anything regardless of the cost . ;):coffee:
 
The only difference I believe I have with some of the hunter/pesters' on here Is the larger the prey the closer I want to be to it . I do not hunt far distances with any bigbore or with arrows . I want it close, the closer the better for me . ;) I am fine with to each their own it is just my personal preference .

If you have never hunted bigger game with arrows ( and maybe you have I dunno lol ) Test it out with the lil airsaber and see if it is somthing you can get into before jumping in the deep end . It is Up too you of course either way .
 
The only difference I believe I have with some of the hunter/pesters' on here Is the larger the prey the closer I want to be to it . I do not hunt far distances with any bigbore or with arrows . I want it close, the closer the better for me . ;) I am fine with to each their own it is just my personal preference .

If you have never hunted bigger game with arrows ( and maybe you have I dunno lol ) Test it out with the lil airsaber and see if it is somthing you can get into before jumping in the deep end . It is Up too you of course either way .
My other thought though is the increased fps with the bush pig means on a 60 yard shot the arrow would take .25seconds to get to the target vs .45 seconds with the airsaber. This is assuming the pig gets to around 700fps and the saber is around 400… that’s significantly less time for the animal to react to the shot. A deer, for example, typically has a reaction time to a shot around .2 or 200ms which means it wouldn’t really have time to react by the time the arrow arrived…. That extra 200-300 fps makes a big difference outside of 40 yards and I already have a high end crossbow that shoots around 450fps. Just thoughts swirling around in my head. I just want to make sure the arrow slinger is useful and doesn’t offer the same thing that one of my other tools already has in spades. It does seem like an awesome deal though for $370. I can’t find any cheaper at the moment
 
  • Like
Reactions: swNCsw and thammer
My other thought though is the increased fps with the bush pig means on a 60 yard shot the arrow would take .25seconds to get to the target vs .45 seconds with the airsaber. This is assuming the pig gets to around 700fps and the saber is around 400… that’s significantly less time for the animal to react to the shot. A deer, for example, typically has a reaction time to a shot around .2 or 200ms which means it wouldn’t really have time to react by the time the arrow arrived…. That extra 200-300 fps makes a big difference outside of 40 yards and I already have a high end crossbow that shoots around 450fps. Just thoughts swirling around in my head. I just want to make sure the arrow slinger is useful and doesn’t offer the same thing that one of my other tools already has in spades. It does seem like an awesome deal though for $370. I can’t find any cheaper at the moment
Stopping Arrows over 500 fps is the challange...The regular airsaber shoots 475-490 fps with there crappy carbon fiber arrows..The Eastons aluminum arrows are heavier at 474 grains with 100 field point.. Make sure it is accurate first and then able to stop arrow second..Third thing is how loud they are...There is currently no sound moderation system for any of them..The Airsaber does not hurt my ears but is lound..My .510 Texan without moderator hurts my ears loud..My point a 600 fps Airbow is real loud..Im going to try a moderator on my airsaber ..and see how it works.. The heavier arrow higher FOC thing applies to Airbows too...Ill take the 474 grain Easton arrow out to past 100 yards much more consistently than the umarex arrows at 374 grain 476- to 490 fps..It is the BC of Arrows..
 
My other thought though is the increased fps with the bush pig means on a 60 yard shot the arrow would take .25seconds to get to the target vs .45 seconds with the airsaber. This is assuming the pig gets to around 700fps and the saber is around 400… that’s significantly less time for the animal to react to the shot. A deer, for example, typically has a reaction time to a shot around .2 or 200ms which means it wouldn’t really have time to react by the time the arrow arrived…. That extra 200-300 fps makes a big difference outside of 40 yards and I already have a high end crossbow that shoots around 450fps. Just thoughts swirling around in my head. I just want to make sure the arrow slinger is useful and doesn’t offer the same thing that one of my other tools already has in spades. It does seem like an awesome deal though for $370. I can’t find any cheaper at the moment


It is very refreshing to hear someone that takes the time to do the math and the research ahead of time nowadays LOL .

I understand as well what you are saying above and I am sure you will be fine what ever you decide to go forward with in your decision . I wish you very successful/safe adventures and hunts in the future . (y)

Your above statement is the very reason I insist on getting in CLOSE for my own personal hunts . Well that and a massively increased likely hood for a complete and clean pass through . ;):coffee:

Oh by the way They are on sale at utah currently for the single barrel and pyramid has close to a hundred dollars of of the double at the moment .
 
double meeh lol.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: SakoSierra
It is very refreshing to hear someone that takes the time to do the math and the research ahead of time nowadays LOL .

I understand as well what you are saying above and I am sure you will be fine what ever you decide to go forward with in your decision . I wish you very successful/safe adventures and hunts in the future . (y)

Your above statement is the very reason I insist on getting in CLOSE for my own personal hunts . Well that and a massively increased likely hood for a complete and clean pass through . ;):coffee:

Oh by the way They are on sale at utah currently for the single barrel and pyramid has close to a hundred dollars of of the double at the moment .
I am guilty of over-researching but I also know what I don’t know and try to pull in as much knowledge as I can from experienced humans. I spent most of my childhood ignoring my parents only to find out they were right about 80% of it.

From the sounds of it, the air saber it is for the arrow shooter. But now if I go that route I’ve saved myself a ton of money that I need to spend on a big bore to round out the Airgun collection! Yes I have a problem…..I’m fully aware