advice, pros/cons, alternate suggestions: AEA Challenger Pro

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HDMurex

HDMurex

Member
Apr 10, 2023
25
19
TRUSSVILLE, AL
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some input on an air rifle I am considering purchasing. I'm considering the AEA Challenger Pro .25, donnyfl adapter, barrel band, and a saber tactical bottle clamp from the pellet shop.

My intent/goal/purpose is competing in my local guntry club's air rifle bench match as well as having some fun with long-distance plinking. I do not care about noise as I'll only be shooting at a range, plus I also plan to use a donnyfl fatboy 2.0 for funsies.

Given the total price of $943.97 ... what are some other air rifles in the almost at or not too much over $1000 range ... or is the AEA Challenger Pro my best choice?

Thank you for any and all your responses!

--HDMurex
 
First I will say I have never owned an AEA gun. Some big reasons are the horrible reputation about their magazines. The second is their inability to realize in the midst of putting guns out every 5 days that when you have a regulator that people are going to go in and change that being able to adjust the pre load on the hammer spring is an utter must. I mean virtually every other maker on the planet has figured this out ?? Honestly the challenger pros to me seem over sprung even with the provided soft spring in vids I have seen.
 
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Trucker3573 said:
First I will say I have never owned an AEA gun. Some big reasons are the horrible reputation about their magazines. The second is their inability to realize in the midst of putting guns out every 5 days that when you have a regulator that people are going to go in and change that being able to adjust the pre load on the hammer spring is an utter must. I mean virtually every other maker on the planet has figured this out ?? Honestly the challenger pros to me seem over sprung even with the provided soft spring in vids I have seen.
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So if you had $1000 to blow on a .25 rifle/accessories for benchrest shooting/competition ... what would you pick?
 
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There is a challenger pro .25 for sale in the classifieds. I have had a .30 and a .35. Both of them shot lights out. Moa is not a problem. Both had the trigger polished up though, it made a huge difference. Best bang for the buck, but be willing to get in an tinker a bit. I cannot see a better option for the price.
 
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HDMurex said:
I saw that one ... but since I have a brand new account ... I can't PM the guy about it. :(
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HDMurex said:
I saw that one ... but since I have a brand new account ... I can't PM the guy about it. :(
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+12295892550 text this guy. He is on this forum and jchevy in airgun warriors. Good guy to deal with.
 
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HDMurex said:
So if you had $1000 to blow on a .25 rifle/accessories for benchrest shooting/competition ... what would you pick?
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I saved up 200 more and bought a slightly used FX Maverick compact in 25 caliber. Shoots utterly lights out and is 905-909 fps pellet after pellet. Stupid consistent and fully adjustable everything.
 
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Trucker3573 said:
I saved up 200 more and bought a slightly used FX Maverick compact in 25 caliber. Shoots utterly lights out and is 905-909 fps pellet after pellet. Stupid consistent and fully adjustable everything.
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Let us know how the Maverick works for you.
I really like that gun and almost bought one last year but decided on something else. I may still get one though.
 
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my opinion, and yes I own 3 AEA's is go to your club and see what or who you will be competing against. always best to know your competition.
that said, I have not gone with the challenger pro but rather the reg. challenger because for 420$ I can get a high powered regulated rifle that I don't mind tinkering with. the guns are decently accurate and the mags suck but work usually lol. if you don't tinker then save a little more. I can't tell you which gun because I don't have any high end pieces yet, though I've been looking at the urgan or vulcan.
 
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stanginthe11s said:
my opinion, and yes I own 3 AEA's is go to your club and see what or who you will be competing against. always best to know your competition.
that said, I have not gone with the challenger pro but rather the reg. challenger because for 420$ I can get a high powered regulated rifle that I don't mind tinkering with. the guns are decently accurate and the mags suck but work usually lol. if you don't tinker then save a little more. I can't tell you which gun because I don't have any high end pieces yet, though I've been looking at the urgan or vulcan.
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I'm competing against gear I'll never be able to afford ... I've seen people with FX, Daystate, and RAW. I was competing with a Kral puncher knight ... but I broke it, so I'm window-shopping for something more high-end. Honestly, I just want to score better than I did last time ... I'm competing with myself.
 
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HDMurex said:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some input on an air rifle I am considering purchasing. I'm considering the AEA Challenger Pro .25, donnyfl adapter, barrel band, and a saber tactical bottle clamp from the pellet shop.

My intent/goal/purpose is competing in my local guntry club's air rifle bench match as well as having some fun with long-distance plinking. I do not care about noise as I'll only be shooting at a range, plus I also plan to use a donnyfl fatboy 2.0 for funsies.

Given the total price of $943.97 ... what are some other air rifles in the almost at or not too much over $1000 range ... or is the AEA Challenger Pro my best choice?

Thank you for any and all your responses!

--HDMurex
Click to expand...
I think with 200 more you won’t be disappointed on in the new Hatsan factor sniper long. Might be a little heavier then most but I can’t see you be disappointed with that one.
 
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Trucker3573 said:
I saved up 200 more and bought a slightly used FX Maverick compact in 25 caliber. Shoots utterly lights out and is 905-909 fps pellet after pellet. Stupid consistent and fully adjustable everything.
Click to expand...
I have both in there completely different shooting experiences the challenger pro when you put accessories on it is an awesome interest the FX not as much, but also an absolutely fantastic gun. The FX Maverick VP is $500 more just for the gun but it’s modular so you can build on it. Change barrel length change calibers add stuff take stuff off bigger bottles, smaller bottles. When I go to the range, I take both.
Challenger pro is also an awesome 100 yard shooter and has an incredible amount of power doesn’t care whether you should slugs or pellets. The FX is a little more finicky.
 
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Emjay4248 said:
I have both in there completely different shooting experiences the challenger pro when you put accessories on it is an awesome interest the FX not as much, but also an absolutely fantastic gun. The FX Maverick VP is $500 more just for the gun but it’s modular so you can build on it. Change barrel length change calibers add stuff take stuff off bigger bottles, smaller bottles. When I go to the range, I take both.
Challenger pro is also an awesome 100 yard shooter and has an incredible amount of power doesn’t care whether you should slugs or pellets. The FX is a little more finicky.
Click to expand...
 
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For the money I would rather buy something like a gently used Taipan Veteran Gen 1 Long in either 22 or 25 Cal, or a Maverick or Impact MK2. I own two AEA Challengers and while they are very impressive for the money, the mags are a joke and replacement parts are non existent. I think the best AEA option is the regular Challenger Bullpup in 22 or 25 Cal if you can get a good deal on a used one and make your own single shot sled. I would save up a bit more and get a better pcp and skip the Pro all together. The Taipan Vets are stupid accurate for a pcp and the FX options are also very accurate. Another option for a new rifle would be the FX DRS.
 
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