I am looking to buy a pcp to add to my collection of springers and pumpers. I am completely a noob when it comes to PCP's so for now I am just looking at entry level guns. Will be used for small game hunting.
First pcp
- Thread starter Tradarcher
- Start date
I am a noob also, but I would venture you to bet that you are going to get a wide variety of opinions from the guys on this site. But I guess the first question would be what is your idea of "entry level"? Are you looking to spend $150-300, $300-500, $500-700 etc..... A lot of people consider anything less than $1000 an entry level gun. Some people consider anything less than $500 and entry level gun.
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Is your $150-300 budget the cost for just the gun? You also need to factor in the cost of a tank, hose, and gauge. You could just start with a pump for now but you will realize you will eventually be buying the tank, hose, and gauge which could double your $300 budget. If you go the tank route, you need figure out how to fill up the tank which could cost additional $300 or much much more depending on what you choose.
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I would actually prefer a hand pump at least for the time being. I tend to spend a couple days camping and squirrel hunting on national forest so I would need to be able to carry and air source .
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Krale.shop has the basic single shot Artemis P12 on sale for 299. Or if you wanted to spend a little more you could get the Walther Rotex RM8 Varmint from Krale for 414. The walther is going to give you a good "bang for the buck". It has a Lothar Walther barrel and a fairly high shot count.
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AT Nova Freedom/ Seneca Aspen would have all that for a little over $300. Or like you said the $300 can go easily in support of the gun.
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On the Crosman front there is also the less expensive Maximus single shot with starter kit including the pump in the low to mid $300 range. The Discovery is another inexpensive single shot Crosman PCP. Multi-shots include the Maximus for around $300 and the more expensive Marauder. Hard to beat the Chinese for price point in these things though and I believe all the rest of the above are.
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I killed many squirrels as a young man with a .177 springer. A good accurate .177 PCP is enough for that use. I have a SPA Varmint .177 (same as Diana Stormrider) that is powerful, accurate, light, and easy to fill with a hand pump. I no longer hunt but it would be one of the first things I reached for to take a squirrel. Wish I'd had something like that 50 years ago.
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The China made Stormrider fits your desires for a entry level PCP. You will still need a pump or tank to fill it.
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Diana_Stormrider_Multi_shot_PCP_Air_Rifle/4449
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Diana_Stormrider_Multi_shot_PCP_Air_Rifle/4449
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How is the accuracy for one like the stormrider? I'm sure there is some trade off with it being cheaper. I like to do some longer range plinking 50-100yds. I do it with my Sheridan C9A and a peep sight all the time. Are these lower end PCP's capable of that?
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The .22 Looks like it's shooting 1.5-2inch groups at 100 yards with some wind with Crosman hollowpoints so likely will do better with another pellet of it's choice.
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"I'm sure there is some trade off with it being cheaper".
Another very accurate gun for most purchasers is the Beeman P17. Widely regarded as very accurate, also very cheap. It's all relative. Inside 50 yards the Stormrider platform is powerful, accurate, and more than capable of taking squirrel/rabbit size game in .177 cal. If you want to shoot at longer ranges then you might want to consider something beyond an "entry level" gun and possibly consider shooting slugs. It's not always possible to have everything you want but I hope you find it.
Another very accurate gun for most purchasers is the Beeman P17. Widely regarded as very accurate, also very cheap. It's all relative. Inside 50 yards the Stormrider platform is powerful, accurate, and more than capable of taking squirrel/rabbit size game in .177 cal. If you want to shoot at longer ranges then you might want to consider something beyond an "entry level" gun and possibly consider shooting slugs. It's not always possible to have everything you want but I hope you find it.
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Don't forget the cost of your scope as well. A Marauder pistol in 22 caliber is a good short range hunter that is light and compact when you attach the shoulder stock, which comes with it. Because it has a smaller air reservoir, hand pumping is less of a chore. Of course you get fewer shots per fill but every choice is a compromise. These generally shoot the jsb 18 grain pellets quite well and are quiet.
Adapters for moderators from DonnyFL are readily available and after adding the Tatsu, for instance, all you hear is the thunk of the action and impact of the pellet. I think this would make an ideal first entry PCP air rifle for discreet backyard shooting and travel for use while camping. I built an elementary adjustable cheek rest from a portion of PVC pipe, some neoprene pipe insulation, and a couple of 10 - 24 screws and nuts. I attached a Crosman pellet pouch over the skeletonized stock and it makes a balanced handy rifle that is magazine-fed for quick follow-up shots. In this picture I believe the moderator is a Donny FL Ronin, but I have since discovered that the small Tatsu does just as well.
As equipped here, especially including the hand pump and scope, you will will exceed your $300 budget as stated. It takes a certain amount of gear to get started. Try not to cheap out.
Adapters for moderators from DonnyFL are readily available and after adding the Tatsu, for instance, all you hear is the thunk of the action and impact of the pellet. I think this would make an ideal first entry PCP air rifle for discreet backyard shooting and travel for use while camping. I built an elementary adjustable cheek rest from a portion of PVC pipe, some neoprene pipe insulation, and a couple of 10 - 24 screws and nuts. I attached a Crosman pellet pouch over the skeletonized stock and it makes a balanced handy rifle that is magazine-fed for quick follow-up shots. In this picture I believe the moderator is a Donny FL Ronin, but I have since discovered that the small Tatsu does just as well.
As equipped here, especially including the hand pump and scope, you will will exceed your $300 budget as stated. It takes a certain amount of gear to get started. Try not to cheap out.
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I have several scopes I could use. I used to have them on deer rifles and some of my springers but I started using the iron sights and peep sights more. I'm currently renting a cabin on some of my family's 200 acre property so im not to concerned about sound levels but the option would be nice.
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