Cheap PCP vs mid end springer?

[TYLERHASKINS2]

im looking to buy another new airgun (makes 5 this year I think...) im not looking to spend a ton of money on this one, Im thinking about $350 is going to be my limit. on the PCP side of things, the avenger is looking dang good, but what springer would anyone recommend at this price point? I have a couple gamos and a couple crosman break barrels and yea im not super impressed, not disappointed, just not impressed. would the Beeman r7 be a good option? I should probably add that the main use for this new gun would be small game hunting and pest control at moderate distances. are any of the Diannas any good?

 

[Sawney Bean]

Have to agree, I own a HPA compressor and two SCBAs and still hand pump my Atomics… My bottle gun? No way that gets fed from aforementioned SCBAs.

+1. If the rifle produces 30 fpe or less then it'll be pretty easy to fill with a hand pump. I wouldn't want to try and fill my Sidewinder with one though.

 

[BackStop]

There isn't a spring gun I can think of that I wouldn't consider backyard friendly with or without a can. PCPs on the other hand are often noisier than powder burners if they're unmoderated. My Hatsan Jet is as noisy as a .22lr IMO. I've never fired a springer that even approached it in terms of noise unless they were detonating.

As I said, I won't argue with you because your supposition is preposterous. The noise coming from the muzzle is relative to the velocity, caliber and tune of the gun. So, the noise level will be the same out of the muzzle given equal FPS and tune, whether springer or PCP. Springers are inherently louder simply because of the action that takes place to propel the pellet. Prove me wrong.

So once again, I call BS on you. I have to because of physics.

Kerry

 

[RickH]

I have to admit I’ve picked up several air rifles the last couple of years for different reasons, some because I thought it would do the job and some just because it looked good. To answer your question, I have a Benjamin Maximus that I can and do fill with a hand pump. Fun to shoot, I wish it had a bigger air tank but oh well, I like it. I also have a pair of Benjamin Trails. Very accurate, I’ve split cards with both. They’re all in your price range, shoot well and don’t require a lot of support gear. There are many more choices but these are good starting points.

Rick H.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

I have an Avenger in 25 caliber that I bought when they were still $300. The stock is not very nice but I've modified it to fit me and it is functional and pretty accurate. It is easy to tune with an external regulator although you have to degass to go down. I shoot it at a little over 40 fpe but it wouldn't be hard to get it up a bit over 50 fpe. I do not care for the plastic support for the shroud but the reason I shoot it the least is it is so LONG. I really like bullpups. My favorites are Snowpeak (SPA) P35s. Much less plastic in the construction than my Avenger. Under 30 inches long and 5 lbs before you add a scope. They are almost $100 over your price target, however. Stoeger has a long air rifle made by SPA, I think, that should meet your price target. It would be worth a look. Airgun, Archery, Fun is worth visiting, Wes has several airguns that are probably in your budget and he is good to work with. He's in Canada but ships to the U. S.

I think I was looking at that site earlier, I like bullpups, I have a Benjamin akela but the darn thing is so heavy, its way hard for me to off hand and mounting a bipod is not ideal on that gun specfically.

 

[BackStop]

I think I was looking at that site earlier, I like bullpups, I have a Benjamin akela but the darn thing is so heavy, its way hard for me to off hand and mounting a bipod is not ideal on that gun specfically.

Having a .177 Akela, I understand completely. It is heavy for what it is. BULLpup is a misnomer for the Akela.

However, that is why mine lives on the BOG tripod. I actually fill it without taking it off of the BOG.

Having said that, it is good for accuracy precision from 20-96 yards using FX 10.3 pellets.

All my best!

Kerry

 

[Bam86]

so the state game area I hunt in the shots I get are 25 and in for the most part, so not big problem there, and then for the pest animals in my yard, mainly chipmunks getting into my gardens, I got a TalonP 25 cal pistol pushing 45 foot pounds of energy and a Benjamin akela for longer range shots, I really really want a hw97k, but that would be for sure out of the price point. I could afford it, but it would be hard to justify with all the PCPs in the price point being arguably more versatile than the 97k

Not sure of your final goal for getting another air gun. You mention that you really want a 97k . They are great guns but out of your price range. But if you really want a 97k, just take the money you are thinking about spending now, and put it away until you have that much again. Then you will be close to getting it. In my way of thinking why waste $350 just to add quantity when you can hold back and get quality. You really won’t be disappointed in the 97k. They are really nice and fun to shoot well.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

Not sure of your final goal for getting another air gun. You mention that you really want a 97k . They are great guns but out of your price range. But if you really want a 97k, just take the money you are thinking about spending now, and put it away until you have that much again. Then you will be close to getting it. In my way of thinking why waste $350 just to add quantity when you can hold back and get quality. You really won’t be disappointed in the 97k. They are really nice and fun to shoot well.

you make a good point there

 

[orangeokie]

im looking to buy another new airgun (makes 5 this year I think...) im not looking to spend a ton of money on this one, Im thinking about $350 is going to be my limit. on the PCP side of things, the avenger is looking dang good, but what springer would anyone recommend at this price point? I have a couple gamos and a couple crosman break barrels and yea im not super impressed, not disappointed, just not impressed. would the Beeman r7 be a good option? I should probably add that the main use for this new gun would be small game hunting and pest control at moderate distances. are any of the Diannas any good?

For around 350 you can pick up one of the Anniversary Edition Crosman 362. I bought one from Pyramid a few eeks ago for $350 and it is a very nice and accurate pumper. Walnut and steel

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-362-100-year-anniversary-edition

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

Having a .177 Akela, I understand completely. It is heavy for what it is. BULLpup is a misnomer for the Akela.

However, that is why mine lives on the BOG tripod. I actually fill it without taking it off of the BOG.

Having said that, it is good for accuracy precision from 20-96 yards using FX 10.3 pellets.

All my best!

Kerry

are you noticing any weird vibrations after shooting yours? mine has seemed to develop a vibration that happens right after shooting, I can literally feel it vibrating in my had and I can see it in the scope as well. a bit strange considering it wasn't doing that before. to add to that, I have it tuned pretty low on power as well, maybe 800 fps with the 10.3gr. I just got a buck rail barrel band in the mail today so im going to see if that helps out. but yeah its got to be the least bullpup of all bullpups. If someone made a lightweight stock for that gun I would love them forever.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

For around 350 you can pick up one of the Anniversary Edition Crosman 362. I bought one from Pyramid a few eeks ago for $350 and it is a very nice and accurate pumper. Walnut and steel

View attachment 430569

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-362-100-year-anniversary-edition

I have the normal version of this gun that I put a steel breach on and the LPA rear sight, its a decent gun considering what it is and for the price point. when I first got it I was absolutely in love with it, but started to notice its short comings pretty early on and its just sat in the corner ever since.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

+1. If the rifle produces 30 fpe or less then it'll be pretty easy to fill with a hand pump. I wouldn't want to try and fill my Sidewinder with one though.

I have a TalonP that's set up for 42 fpe right now. its a small tank so hand pumping isn't an issue...until you need to fill it 2 or 3 times a day..lol

 

[orangeokie]

are you noticing any weird vibrations after shooting yours? mine has seemed to develop a vibration that happens right after shooting, I can literally feel it vibrating in my had and I can see it in the scope as well. a bit strange considering it wasn't doing that before. to add to that, I have it tuned pretty low on power as well, maybe 800 fps with the 10.3gr. I just got a buck rail barrel band in the mail today so im going to see if that helps out. but yeah its got to be the least bullpup of all bullpups. If someone made a lightweight stock for that gun I would love them forever.

I have the buck rail barrel band on mine. I like it. I also have the picatinny scope rail support from buck rail. A must have IMO

 

[orangeokie]

I have the normal version of this gun that I put a steel breach on and the LPA rear sight, its a decent gun considering what it is and for the price point. when I first got it I was absolutely in love with it, but started to notice its short comings pretty early on and its just sat in the corner ever since.

I bought mine for my grandson.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

I bought mine for my grandson.

good choice, I think that's the perfect gun for a grandkid, especially if they're a newer shooter. I mean, im 22 years old and like I said I was really enjoying that little gun.

 

[BackStop]

are you noticing any weird vibrations after shooting yours? mine has seemed to develop a vibration that happens right after shooting, I can literally feel it vibrating in my had and I can see it in the scope as well. a bit strange considering it wasn't doing that before. to add to that, I have it tuned pretty low on power as well, maybe 800 fps with the 10.3gr. I just got a buck rail barrel band in the mail today so im going to see if that helps out. but yeah its got to be the least bullpup of all bullpups. If someone made a lightweight stock for that gun I would love them forever.

I haven't noticed any weird vibrations, but then again I haven't been looking for them either.

Does it seem to have a negative effect on your accuracy?

The only thing I can say with my .177 Akela (FX 10.3 pellets) is that as it approaches 870fps and I am shooting out to ~96 yards, I start to see spiraling. If I keep the speed around 850-860fps I never see the spiraling. Haven't pushed past 870fps to see where it might get better as I like the lower noise level at ~850fps.

The spiraling seems to only happen past about 75-80 yards, so even at up to ~50 yards I don't see the spiraling and the accuracy/precision is good. Ususally sub-MOA.

In any case, I will try to keep an eye out for that vibration. You peaked my interest. (smile)

All my best!

Kerry

 

[L.Leon]

My first, the Gamo Urban, was so superior to my springers, an R7, RWS34 and HWK77 in field use, that I never looked back. Yes I made many kills with the springers. But they proved impractical for how I use airguns I still have the R7 and HWK77 so who knows?

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

I haven't noticed any weird vibrations, but then again I haven't been looking for them either.

Does it seem to have a negative effect on your accuracy?

The only thing I can say with my .177 Akela (FX 10.3 pellets) is that as it approaches 870fps and I am shooting out to ~96 yards, I start to see spiraling. If I keep the speed around 850-860fps I never see the spiraling. Haven't pushed past 870fps to see where it might get better as I like the lower noise level at ~850fps.

The spiraling seems to only happen past about 75-80 yards, so even at up to ~50 yards I don't see the spiraling and the accuracy/precision is good. Ususally sub-MOA.

In any case, I will try to keep an eye out for that vibration. You peaked my interest. (smile)

All my best!

Kerry

yeah there is absolutely no impact on accuracy at all. I really only shoot this gun for groups out to about 35 yards or so (working on extending my range for some "bigger" toys) but since im only shooting at 35 yards I haven't seen any instability issues yet. but yeah okay so here's an experiment that im willing to try out, im taking note of the velocities you mentioned and im going to test them in my gun as well, in the past I had my gun slinging those 10.3s at 910 fps and the groups only got smaller at 35 yards. I will find a way to shoot out to at least 75 yards, I'll test at 850 for stability and then at 870-890 for stability issues as well. then ill switch out to the h&n barracudas at 10.65 and maybe lighter and heavier pellets at the same 870-880 fps range. basically im wondering if its a pellet issue or a barrel issue. im leaning towards the pellets being the culprit due to their interesting shape, but we shall find out this summer when I can do some range renovations. just out of curiosity, what are your groups looking like at 96 yards and are you just shooting paper or is it more of a long range pest work situation?

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

My first, the Gamo Urban, was so superior to my springers, an R7, RWS34 and HWK77 in field use, that I never looked back. Yes I made many kills with the springers. But they proved impractical for how I use airguns I still have the R7 and HWK77 so who knows?

how is the trigger on the Gamo urban? ive been wanting to check one out but I cannot stand the Gamo break barrel triggers so ive kinda been avoiding the Urban.

 

[L.Leon]

how is the trigger on the Gamo urban? ive been wanting to check one out but I cannot stand the Gamo break barrel triggers so ive kinda been avoiding the Urban.

Cannot remember, but I made kills out to 80 yards with mine. 40 to 50 yard kills on small pests were the norm, the BSA barrels speak for themselves. Should’ve kept mine…

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

Cannot remember, but I made kills out to 80 yards with mine. 40 to 50 yard kills on small pests were the norm, the BSA barrels speak for themselves. Should’ve kept mine…

trigger couldn't have been to horrible if you were making shots out to 80 with it ...perhaps ill look into that, the price isn't too horrible either if memory serves me well.