N/A Marauder vs HM 1000x First PCP

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Clee57

Clee57

Member
Apr 5, 2025
7
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Manhattan, IL
Hello to all,

I am new to the PCP world and have already acquired a compressor. For the last three months I have been shooting a GAMO swarm viper out to about 50 yards. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this sport! I can shoot PB on my property but being able to sit inside next to my wife and talk to her while shooting has been a top notch 10/10 experience. Not to mention shooting an air rifle is much cleaner than a PB! Also, worth mentioning how much quieter it is.

That being said my GAMO break barrel is starting to diesel... I think... I typically will have a fairly long shooting session on the weekends. about 150-400 pellets in one sitting. However, lately if I'm shooting my GAMO a lot it starts to..diesel? smokes.. smells.. I set it down for a while and let it "cool off" and it'll shoot fine again for another 10-15 shots. That being said I've come to the conclusion that I want more accuracy out of my rifle. Which has led me to the PCP rabbit hole.

I typically bench rest shoot and would like something capable of shooting 100 yards fairly consistently. I THINK I want to be able to shoot slugs too. Reason being is that I live in Illinois out in the corn fields and the wind here is relentless. Shooting out of my GAMO I'm shooting 11.75 gr predator GTO pellets and the wind tosses them around a lot. It doesn't stop me from shooting though but between the springer being hold sensitive and the wind it can be frustrating.

SO I am in a bit of a dilemma.. I currently have $800 saved for a PCP air rifle. I would like to stay local as far as branding for fear of not being able to receive parts should I need them (USA)

OPTION 1: Benjamin Marauder
I really like this because of the price point and legacy. My buddy who got me into this sport has two P-rods he has built with CF bottles and completely transformed it into a work of art.
However, I like the traditional wood stock rifle look.

Pros:
good parts service/aftermarket availability
price
nice wood stock
accuracy
Quiet!
good trigger (better than my GAMO)
adjustable cheek riser

Cons:
I think this is the biggest for me. SHOT COUNT seems TERRIBLE and I can't find the parts for a bottle conversion...
a 20-30 shot count is a killer for me. the field and target model seems great with 80-90 shot per fill but I'm worried that you're trading shot count for power... so would the field and target just be a pea shooter? How would that affect it at say 100 yards...would the field and target be capable of shooting slugs? Or does it lack the power...
not regulated (unless field and target or I regulate it myself)


OPTION 2: RAW hm 1000x
This seems to just check all my boxes and is just a beautiful looking rifle. Not to mention USA made as well.

Pros:
nice wood/laminate stock
seems to be more accurate on reviews than m rod
more FPE
more fps
Good trigger
I believe it's slug capable?
local and from my understanding RAW is a great company to get in contact with.
Regulated
higher shot count 50-60

Cons:
Price. Is it too much air rifle for my needs? maybe a little pesting but nothing my current GAMO couldn't handle. mostly shooting paper, spinners, etc.

no cheek riser unless you go for the tactical chassis

I've heard it's relatively loud. which would mean the Mrs. would kick me outside with it lol. I have seen you can attach a donny fl silencer to it. I do prefer the look of the non shrouded version but have seen the pressed on threads come off on a review while shooting it and that has REALLY made me question whether or not it's worth it. But if it has to be shrouded so be it. still a nice rifle.



BONUS Daystate Wolverine R HP in either .177 or .22
I know it's across the pond but the price is just right. great shot count and power. I would love to shoot .177 seems you can get so much more ammo per dollar but I have a feeling the winds out here would really break my heart :( how is it dealing with parts and service from daystate? they seem to have reasonable reputation.


I know I could get more of a mid range like the avenger x but I try to stay clear of Chinese products with my hobbies. I am also a huge knife nut and only buy American made knives. I just don't get the same satisfaction buying Chinese goods. (I'm not saying they can't make a great product)


I'm open to any suggestions and advice anyone could give on the matter or any other rifles that I could be overlooking. Thank you!
 
Clee57 said:
Hello to all,

I am new to the PCP world and have already acquired a compressor. For the last three months I have been shooting a GAMO swarm viper out to about 50 yards. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this sport! I can shoot PB on my property but being able to sit inside next to my wife and talk to her while shooting has been a top notch 10/10 experience. Not to mention shooting an air rifle is much cleaner than a PB! Also, worth mentioning how much quieter it is.

That being said my GAMO break barrel is starting to diesel... I think... I typically will have a fairly long shooting session on the weekends. about 150-400 pellets in one sitting. However, lately if I'm shooting my GAMO a lot it starts to..diesel? smokes.. smells.. I set it down for a while and let it "cool off" and it'll shoot fine again for another 10-15 shots. That being said I've come to the conclusion that I want more accuracy out of my rifle. Which has led me to the PCP rabbit hole.

I typically bench rest shoot and would like something capable of shooting 100 yards fairly consistently. I THINK I want to be able to shoot slugs too. Reason being is that I live in Illinois out in the corn fields and the wind here is relentless. Shooting out of my GAMO I'm shooting 11.75 gr predator GTO pellets and the wind tosses them around a lot. It doesn't stop me from shooting though but between the springer being hold sensitive and the wind it can be frustrating.

SO I am in a bit of a dilemma.. I currently have $800 saved for a PCP air rifle. I would like to stay local as far as branding for fear of not being able to receive parts should I need them (USA)

OPTION 1: Benjamin Marauder
I really like this because of the price point and legacy. My buddy who got me into this sport has two P-rods he has built with CF bottles and completely transformed it into a work of art.
However, I like the traditional wood stock rifle look.

Pros:
good parts service/aftermarket availability
price
nice wood stock
accuracy
Quiet!
good trigger (better than my GAMO)
adjustable cheek riser

Cons:
I think this is the biggest for me. SHOT COUNT seems TERRIBLE and I can't find the parts for a bottle conversion...
a 20-30 shot count is a killer for me. the field and target model seems great with 80-90 shot per fill but I'm worried that you're trading shot count for power... so would the field and target just be a pea shooter? How would that affect it at say 100 yards...would the field and target be capable of shooting slugs? Or does it lack the power...
not regulated (unless field and target or I regulate it myself)


OPTION 2: RAW hm 1000x
This seems to just check all my boxes and is just a beautiful looking rifle. Not to mention USA made as well.

Pros:
nice wood/laminate stock
seems to be more accurate on reviews than m rod
more FPE
more fps
Good trigger
I believe it's slug capable?
local and from my understanding RAW is a great company to get in contact with.
Regulated
higher shot count 50-60

Cons:
Price. Is it too much air rifle for my needs? maybe a little pesting but nothing my current GAMO couldn't handle. mostly shooting paper, spinners, etc.

no cheek riser unless you go for the tactical chassis

I've heard it's relatively loud. which would mean the Mrs. would kick me outside with it lol. I have seen you can attach a donny fl silencer to it. I do prefer the look of the non shrouded version but have seen the pressed on threads come off on a review while shooting it and that has REALLY made me question whether or not it's worth it. But if it has to be shrouded so be it. still a nice rifle.



BONUS Daystate Wolverine R HP in either .177 or .22
I know it's across the pond but the price is just right. great shot count and power. I would love to shoot .177 seems you can get so much more ammo per dollar but I have a feeling the winds out here would really break my heart :( how is it dealing with parts and service from daystate? they seem to have reasonable reputation.


I know I could get more of a mid range like the avenger x but I try to stay clear of Chinese products with my hobbies. I am also a huge knife nut and only buy American made knives. I just don't get the same satisfaction buying Chinese goods. (I'm not saying they can't make a great product)


I'm open to any suggestions and advice anyone could give on the matter or any other rifles that I could be overlooking. Thank you!
Click to expand...
My buddy has an hm 1000, I own a marauder 25. Go with the raw. The marauder is kind of an intermediate step imo. The regulated side lever pre tuned nature of the raw is outstanding imo. The build quality is at least 2x better if not more too.
 
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I have had or have all three. The Mrod was my first PCP 14 years ago. Nice gun, shot with decent accuracy. A bit clunky but a good entry level gun. RAW HM1000x-I had mine built in .177 cal by Martin Rutterford, the original creator of this. It shoots slugs at 1010 fps for 100 yd BR shooting. Kind of a one purpose gun. Great gun, bulletproof design, long, accurate, a little noisy. You can't get .177 cal from Air Force, the current owner of the RAW designs.

I recently found that AOA had Daystate Wolverine Rs on sale for $1379. I had to have one because I like walnut stocks, and laminates are also available. I did not want the HP model because I wanted this for FT shooting which is limited to 20 fpe and it's not easy to de-tune down to that level. I want to tell you that I'm so pleased with this rifle I can't say enough about them. Mine shoots 10.3 gr pellets at 930 fps and 13.4 at 815 fps. It gets 150-160 shots per fill. Yesterday, I shot 100 shots with a max deviation of plus or minus 5 fps and standard deviation of 2 fps. This is extraordinary. Accuracy is tops as well. I highly recommend this instead of your other choices.
 
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Clee57 said:
Hello to all,

I am new to the PCP world and have already acquired a compressor. For the last three months I have been shooting a GAMO swarm viper out to about 50 yards. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this sport! I can shoot PB on my property but being able to sit inside next to my wife and talk to her while shooting has been a top notch 10/10 experience. Not to mention shooting an air rifle is much cleaner than a PB! Also, worth mentioning how much quieter it is.

That being said my GAMO break barrel is starting to diesel... I think... I typically will have a fairly long shooting session on the weekends. about 150-400 pellets in one sitting. However, lately if I'm shooting my GAMO a lot it starts to..diesel? smokes.. smells.. I set it down for a while and let it "cool off" and it'll shoot fine again for another 10-15 shots. That being said I've come to the conclusion that I want more accuracy out of my rifle. Which has led me to the PCP rabbit hole.

I typically bench rest shoot and would like something capable of shooting 100 yards fairly consistently. I THINK I want to be able to shoot slugs too. Reason being is that I live in Illinois out in the corn fields and the wind here is relentless. Shooting out of my GAMO I'm shooting 11.75 gr predator GTO pellets and the wind tosses them around a lot. It doesn't stop me from shooting though but between the springer being hold sensitive and the wind it can be frustrating.

SO I am in a bit of a dilemma.. I currently have $800 saved for a PCP air rifle. I would like to stay local as far as branding for fear of not being able to receive parts should I need them (USA)

OPTION 1: Benjamin Marauder
I really like this because of the price point and legacy. My buddy who got me into this sport has two P-rods he has built with CF bottles and completely transformed it into a work of art.
However, I like the traditional wood stock rifle look.

Pros:
good parts service/aftermarket availability
price
nice wood stock
accuracy
Quiet!
good trigger (better than my GAMO)
adjustable cheek riser

Cons:
I think this is the biggest for me. SHOT COUNT seems TERRIBLE and I can't find the parts for a bottle conversion...
a 20-30 shot count is a killer for me. the field and target model seems great with 80-90 shot per fill but I'm worried that you're trading shot count for power... so would the field and target just be a pea shooter? How would that affect it at say 100 yards...would the field and target be capable of shooting slugs? Or does it lack the power...
not regulated (unless field and target or I regulate it myself)


OPTION 2: RAW hm 1000x
This seems to just check all my boxes and is just a beautiful looking rifle. Not to mention USA made as well.

Pros:
nice wood/laminate stock
seems to be more accurate on reviews than m rod
more FPE
more fps
Good trigger
I believe it's slug capable?
local and from my understanding RAW is a great company to get in contact with.
Regulated
higher shot count 50-60

Cons:
Price. Is it too much air rifle for my needs? maybe a little pesting but nothing my current GAMO couldn't handle. mostly shooting paper, spinners, etc.

no cheek riser unless you go for the tactical chassis

I've heard it's relatively loud. which would mean the Mrs. would kick me outside with it lol. I have seen you can attach a donny fl silencer to it. I do prefer the look of the non shrouded version but have seen the pressed on threads come off on a review while shooting it and that has REALLY made me question whether or not it's worth it. But if it has to be shrouded so be it. still a nice rifle.



BONUS Daystate Wolverine R HP in either .177 or .22
I know it's across the pond but the price is just right. great shot count and power. I would love to shoot .177 seems you can get so much more ammo per dollar but I have a feeling the winds out here would really break my heart :( how is it dealing with parts and service from daystate? they seem to have reasonable reputation.


I know I could get more of a mid range like the avenger x but I try to stay clear of Chinese products with my hobbies. I am also a huge knife nut and only buy American made knives. I just don't get the same satisfaction buying Chinese goods. (I'm not saying they can't make a great product)


I'm open to any suggestions and advice anyone could give on the matter or any other rifles that I could be overlooking. Thank you!
Click to expand...
PCP's are louder or more of a pop sound , have you thought about a Quality Springer ?HW 97 or TX 200 will be very accurate . No compressor needed tin of pellets and a target or two .
DSCN0840.JPG
 
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Paper and yard targets/pests .... The .25 cal is a bit much and would state a .22 cal is a LOT more flexible IMO.

Owned Marauders, still own 2. owned RAW's & Theobens, still have 3, Owned 3 Daystates, still have 1 and so it goes for most of us.

Now if you can find an AG club or AG activity local to you it helps a bunch to see and shoot some guns that differ greatly by handling them !!! Seeking what you should purchase on the WEB will get you answers so wide spreading in opinion you'll be just as confused post asking the question.
 
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jps2486 said:
I have had or have all three. The Mrod was my first PCP 14 years ago. Nice gun, shot with decent accuracy. A bit clunky but a good entry level gun. RAW HM1000x-I had mine built in .177 cal by Martin Rutterford, the original creator of this. It shoots slugs at 1010 fps for 100 yd BR shooting. Kind of a one purpose gun. Great gun, bulletproof design, long, accurate, a little noisy. You can't get .177 cal from Air Force, the current owner of the RAW designs.

I recently found that AOA had Daystate Wolverine Rs on sale for $1379. I had to have one because I like walnut stocks, and laminates are also available. I did not want the HP model because I wanted this for FT shooting which is limited to 20 fpe and it's not easy to de-tune down to that level. I want to tell you that I'm so pleased with this rifle I can't say enough about them. Mine shoots 10.3 gr pellets at 930 fps and 13.4 at 815 fps. It gets 150-160 shots per fill. Yesterday, I shot 100 shots with a max deviation of plus or minus 5 fps and standard deviation of 2 fps. This is extraordinary. Accuracy is tops as well. I highly recommend this instead of your other choices.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the feedback. I'll. have to look into the Daystates some more. 150 shots per fill sounds like a really nice choice.
 
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beerthief said:
PCP's are louder or more of a pop sound , have you thought about a Quality Springer ?HW 97 or TX 200 will be very accurate . No compressor needed tin of pellets and a target or two .View attachment 553176
Click to expand...
Very nice Shots! As far as springers go Both are beautiful rifles but the hangup on a springer for me is single shot loading.. if I could find a quality springer with a magazine system I would be sold!
 
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Motorhead said:
Paper and yard targets/pests .... The .25 cal is a bit much and would state a .22 cal is a LOT more flexible IMO.

Owned Marauders, still own 2. owned RAW's & Theobens, still have 3, Owned 3 Daystates, still have 1 and so it goes for most of us.

Now if you can find an AG club or AG activity local to you it helps a bunch to see and shoot some guns that differ greatly by handling them !!! Seeking what you should purchase on the WEB will get you answers so wide spreading in opinion you'll be just as confused post asking the question.
Click to expand...
lol you're probably right. Unfortunately air guns don't seem to be popular where I live. and they're outright banned in the Chicago area. Illinois sucks. because the whole state seems to be dictated by what happens in Chicago. Granted I am allowed to own an airgun and fire it on my Own property as long as I have a valid foid card.
 
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Clee57 said:
Hello to all,

I am new to the PCP world and have already acquired a compressor. For the last three months I have been shooting a GAMO swarm viper out to about 50 yards. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this sport! I can shoot PB on my property but being able to sit inside next to my wife and talk to her while shooting has been a top notch 10/10 experience. Not to mention shooting an air rifle is much cleaner than a PB! Also, worth mentioning how much quieter it is.

That being said my GAMO break barrel is starting to diesel... I think... I typically will have a fairly long shooting session on the weekends. about 150-400 pellets in one sitting. However, lately if I'm shooting my GAMO a lot it starts to..diesel? smokes.. smells.. I set it down for a while and let it "cool off" and it'll shoot fine again for another 10-15 shots. That being said I've come to the conclusion that I want more accuracy out of my rifle. Which has led me to the PCP rabbit hole.

I typically bench rest shoot and would like something capable of shooting 100 yards fairly consistently. I THINK I want to be able to shoot slugs too. Reason being is that I live in Illinois out in the corn fields and the wind here is relentless. Shooting out of my GAMO I'm shooting 11.75 gr predator GTO pellets and the wind tosses them around a lot. It doesn't stop me from shooting though but between the springer being hold sensitive and the wind it can be frustrating.

SO I am in a bit of a dilemma.. I currently have $800 saved for a PCP air rifle. I would like to stay local as far as branding for fear of not being able to receive parts should I need them (USA)

OPTION 1: Benjamin Marauder
I really like this because of the price point and legacy. My buddy who got me into this sport has two P-rods he has built with CF bottles and completely transformed it into a work of art.
However, I like the traditional wood stock rifle look.

Pros:
good parts service/aftermarket availability
price
nice wood stock
accuracy
Quiet!
good trigger (better than my GAMO)
adjustable cheek riser

Cons:
I think this is the biggest for me. SHOT COUNT seems TERRIBLE and I can't find the parts for a bottle conversion...
a 20-30 shot count is a killer for me. the field and target model seems great with 80-90 shot per fill but I'm worried that you're trading shot count for power... so would the field and target just be a pea shooter? How would that affect it at say 100 yards...would the field and target be capable of shooting slugs? Or does it lack the power...
not regulated (unless field and target or I regulate it myself)


OPTION 2: RAW hm 1000x
This seems to just check all my boxes and is just a beautiful looking rifle. Not to mention USA made as well.

Pros:
nice wood/laminate stock
seems to be more accurate on reviews than m rod
more FPE
more fps
Good trigger
I believe it's slug capable?
local and from my understanding RAW is a great company to get in contact with.
Regulated
higher shot count 50-60

Cons:
Price. Is it too much air rifle for my needs? maybe a little pesting but nothing my current GAMO couldn't handle. mostly shooting paper, spinners, etc.

no cheek riser unless you go for the tactical chassis

I've heard it's relatively loud. which would mean the Mrs. would kick me outside with it lol. I have seen you can attach a donny fl silencer to it. I do prefer the look of the non shrouded version but have seen the pressed on threads come off on a review while shooting it and that has REALLY made me question whether or not it's worth it. But if it has to be shrouded so be it. still a nice rifle.



BONUS Daystate Wolverine R HP in either .177 or .22
I know it's across the pond but the price is just right. great shot count and power. I would love to shoot .177 seems you can get so much more ammo per dollar but I have a feeling the winds out here would really break my heart :( how is it dealing with parts and service from daystate? they seem to have reasonable reputation.


I know I could get more of a mid range like the avenger x but I try to stay clear of Chinese products with my hobbies. I am also a huge knife nut and only buy American made knives. I just don't get the same satisfaction buying Chinese goods. (I'm not saying they can't make a great product)


I'm open to any suggestions and advice anyone could give on the matter or any other rifles that I could be overlooking. Thank you!
Click to expand...
The RAW is the best choice especially with a moderator - check classifieds for used
 
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