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?

 

[BackStop]

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?

At 96 yards, it is all pesting.

I am very limited for those shots out to 96 yards and I can't put out targets so I can't claim any groupings. Also, it is very hard to read the wind as my window is so small and given the buildings (swirling) near that narrow window, I can take a shot and be two inches to the left and the next shot will be two inches to the right. Yeah, I know... I am puling out every excuse in the book! (chuckle)

When the wind has been light or nil, I have been able to shoot a leaf at 91 yards and put several holes in it the size of a dime. But, that is VERY RARE!

Actually, my accuracy/precision at ~96 yards is a work in progress, but I am happy that have taken a few chipmunks and tree rats at that distance.

I won't lie and say that I or the Akela am/is/are always accurate/precise at those distances, but it is capable of that precision if I can only read the wind! (smile)

All my best!

Kerry

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

For just over 300 bucks I think the Airacuda Standard is a great choice.

 

[RIshooter]

I'd get a notos and a cheap compressor if I were you.
Around $650-700 for the gun, scope, and compressor, and possibly an aftermarket mag.
In my opinion, it's probably the best starter pcp rifle out there for the price, and is better than a lot of more expensive options.

 

[HeyU]

Hi Tyler. I'd be happy to help you spend your money lol as wisely as possible. At your stated budget, range and use I recommend the springer HW50S in .177. It's a traditional stock,light,solid, less arc than a 22cal,accurate as he!! break barrel springer. I'm talking pinky nail 5 shot groups, at 25yds. Pick one up at Krales for $322 plus shipping. After that You will be hooked and start saving for the HW97K. 1 hole 5 shot groups at 25yds. And after you get that you'll be seriously thinking about the AA TX200. At your age you have plenty of time. At my age not so much and flat broke for now but I still plan on getting a TX200 in .177. good luck

 

[c_m_shooter]

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?

An R7 or HW30 is always a good option. Everyone needs one for a fun, easy to shoot plinker. I may recomend an HW50 or HW95 if hunting were the primary consideration.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

At 96 yards, it is all pesting.

I am very limited for those shots out to 96 yards and I can't put out targets so I can't claim any groupings. Also, it is very hard to read the wind as my window is so small and given the buildings (swirling) near that narrow window, I can take a shot and be two inches to the left and the next shot will be two inches to the right. Yeah, I know... I am puling out every excuse in the book! (chuckle)

When the wind has been light or nil, I have been able to shoot a leaf at 91 yards and put several holes in it the size of a dime. But, that is VERY RARE!

Actually, my accuracy/precision at ~96 yards is a work in progress, but I am happy that have taken a few chipmunks and tree rats at that distance.

I won't lie and say that I or the Akela am/is/are always accurate/precise at those distances, but it is capable of that precision if I can only read the wind! (smile)

All my best!

Kerry

I totally get it. shooting in the wind, swirling or steady, with a .177 is a whole different animal. even with high BC for caliber pellets it's still quite the task. did you do the classic cut down hammer spring tune?

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

Hi Tyler. I'd be happy to help you spend your money lol as wisely as possible. At your stated budget, range and use I recommend the springer HW0S in .177. It's a traditional stock,light,solid, less arc than a 22cal,accurate as he!! break barrel springer. I'm talking pinky nail 5 shot groups, at 25yds. Pick one up at Krales for $322 plus shipping. After that You will be hooked and start saving for the HW97K. 1 hole 5 shot groups at 25yds. And after you get that you'll be seriously thinking about the AA TX200. At your age you have plenty of time. At my age not so much and flat broke for now but I still plan on getting a TX200 in .177. good luck

$322 isn't bad, but do you think it would be more worth it to just save now for the 97K? not saying the hw30S isn't worth the money cuz I know it is, but do you think the 97K is more worth the money?

 

[c_m_shooter]

$322 isn't bad, but do you think it would be more worth it to just save now for the 97K? not saying the hw30S isn't worth the money cuz I know it is, but do you think the 97K is more worth the money?

An HW97 from Krale is the best value in airguning. Get a basic tuning kit from Tinbum (just a spring guide and top hat), a couple spare breech seals and enjoy just about forever.

 

[Bam86]

$322 isn't bad, but do you think it would be more worth it to just save now for the 97K? not saying the hw30S isn't worth the money cuz I know it is, but do you think the 97K is more worth the money?

When I bought my 97k got it in .20 for squirrel hunting. Beautiful rifle and did the job well. Just decided it was a bit heavier to carry through the woods and upgraded to a Revere. I did put a Vortek kit in it, although it shot great before. Now it has become my first choice for when I have 15-20 minutes after work to take a few shots. Although that usually turns into an hour. It’s just too easy to load another and take “one more shot”. It groups good for me out to 50 yards , my yard limit. Can’t remember the 50 yd group size, but at 30 yd it can easily do a nickel group or better. I’ve considered using it for field target.

Unless you just HAVE to get another gun, I really feel like it is worth the wait. It sounds like you already have guns to do what you need, and are just wanting to scratch that itch for new. The 97k is really nice, and from what I’ve seen the .20 cal is the sweet spot, both on my gun, and for my buddy who loves his in 20.

Good luck on the decision. Just be sure to have fun.

 

[jarmstrong]

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.

I put this Charlie Da Tuna trigger in my Gamo Urban, it makes it a single stage trigger with a nice clean release,,, removes the creepy release, I find myself shooting it more with that trigger . I have 6 other pcp and the Urban is the lowest cost one,,, except my Notos which I loan to a neighbor and do not plan on asking for it back

GRT-4G Trigger - Airgun Triggers

www.charliedatuna.com

 

[JimD]

Well as I said earlier my favorite airgun is not $350, it's about $475 from Krale including shipping to the U. S.. It is a regulated bullpup and weighs 5 lbs. The Stoeger bullshark is very similar and similar in price but weighs about 6 lbs. But if you like bullpups and want a light one these guns may be something to save up a little more and get. They tend to be quite accurate. I've shot one 200 on the 30 yard challenge with my P35-22 and well over 190 with the other two.

An advantage they have if you plan to shoot where noise could be an issue is you can make them quiet for very little money. To make my Avenger equally quiet I need a DonnyFL adapter and a Tanto so about another $150. With a P35 you can put a couple hair curlers from the dollar store in between 2 or 3 of the baffles it comes with and be at about the same sound level. Or get a printed moderator for a few dollars from another member here and put that in the shroud (that's what I do). So you save over $100.

 

[HeyU]

$322 isn't bad, but do you think it would be more worth it to just save now for the 97K? not saying the hw30S isn't worth the money cuz I know it is, but do you think the 97K is more worth the money?

No I don't think the HW97K does makes up in cost vs performance for your stated use. The HW97K is a 8.82Lb rifle,not including a scope. That's heavy and the stock has more girth. It's a hefty rifle. The HW50S weighs 6.8 Lbs minus scope and is way more suited to hunting / no rest shooting and is nice and slim. Oh, and one of the best things about the Weihrauch rifles are their Rekord 2 stage triggers. That makes a huge difference.

 

[Sawney Bean]

No I don't think the HW97K does makes up in cost vs performance for your stated use. The HW97K is a 8.82Lb rifle,not including a scope. That's heavy and the stock has more girth. It's a hefty rifle. The HW50S weighs 6.8 Lbs minus scope and is way more suited to hunting / no rest shooting and is nice and slim. Oh, and one of the best things about the Weihrauch rifles are their Rekord 2 stage triggers. That makes a huge difference.

I'd classify the HW97 as a target rifle that also happens to be pretty good for hunting and the HW50 or HW95 as hunting rifles that happen to be pretty good for target shooting.

 

[silvershooter589]

A Benjamin Maurader that is 10 years old is still better than any springer / gas ram rifle on the market today.

You already have a PCP compressor?

You already know the answer. The PCP is your serious tool. The springer / gas break-barrel, if you choose to buy one for some reason in the future, will be a novelty "for the fun of shooting" item only because you are satisfied with the PCPs you have to do the serious work already.

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

A Benjamin Maurader that is 10 years old is still better than any springer / gas ram rifle on the market today.

You already have a PCP compressor?

You already know the answer. The PCP is your serious tool. The springer / gas break-barrel, if you choose to buy one for some reason in the future, will be a novelty "for the fun of shooting" item only because you are satisfied with the PCPs you have to do the serious work already.

Agree 1000 %

To compare springers to PCPs as hunters isn't even fair,....talking about different galaxies.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

When I bought my 97k got it in .20 for squirrel hunting. Beautiful rifle and did the job well. Just decided it was a bit heavier to carry through the woods and upgraded to a Revere. I did put a Vortek kit in it, although it shot great before. Now it has become my first choice for when I have 15-20 minutes after work to take a few shots. Although that usually turns into an hour. It’s just too easy to load another and take “one more shot”. It groups good for me out to 50 yards , my yard limit. Can’t remember the 50 yd group size, but at 30 yd it can easily do a nickel group or better. I’ve considered using it for field target.

Unless you just HAVE to get another gun, I really feel like it is worth the wait. It sounds like you already have guns to do what you need, and are just wanting to scratch that itch for new. The 97k is really nice, and from what I’ve seen the .20 cal is the sweet spot, both on my gun, and for my buddy who loves his in 20.

Good luck on the decision. Just be sure to have fun.

are 20 cal pellets still being made? I don't think I have every come across any...

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

I put this Charlie Da Tuna trigger in my Gamo Urban, it makes it a single stage trigger with a nice clean release,,, removes the creepy release, I find myself shooting it more with that trigger . I have 6 other pcp and the Urban is the lowest cost one,,, except my Notos which I loan to a neighbor and do not plan on asking for it back

GRT-4G Trigger - Airgun Triggers

www.charliedatuna.com

I will have to look into that

 

[Bam86]

are 20 cal pellets still being made? I don't think I have every come across any...

Yes, they are still made. Not a lot of selection, but they are available. Just need to order them. They won’t be in stores. H&N and JSB both make a couple different weights. I found the ones my gun likes and stocked up on them.

There are quite a few threads on this forum about the 20 cal.

 

[TYLERHASKINS2]

Yes, they are still made. Not a lot of selection, but they are available. Just need to order them. They won’t be in stores. H&N and JSB both make a couple different weights. I found the ones my gun likes and stocked up on them.

There are quite a few threads on this forum about the 20 cal.

we need to start a movement to bring the 20 cal back!

 

[SteveP-52]

are 20 cal pellets still being made? I don't think I have every come across any...

H&N still makes the FTT and Baracuda and JSB still makes Exact 13.73 and their sort of new Heavy 15.89. While no PCP's yet in the caliber, I've got 9 springers and a pumper in .20 (plus rifles in .177, .22 and .25) and at least 3 of those 4 shoot very well in all 10, so don't let the limited ammo choices stop you from buying a rifle in .20 cal if you want to try one.
There are a few others but they're just rebranded H&N or JSB's and I have those too...lol.