FT rifle for juniors - reccomendations

[SqrlHntr]

Looking for suggestions for a FT pcp rifle for my son. Hes 10 and has been shooting a c02 pistol and a break barrel for 2 yrs and now wants try FT. Gotta love it. He likes my shooting a marauders, but he wants his own, hard earned rifle, and I totally get that. An Mrod is out of his price range right now. He’s been working hard at his chores and has saved about 300 to put towards a pcp. I told him I would give him a scope and pellets. We’re looking at a Benjamin Fortitude as its regulated or a Stormrider but would like suggestions or comments on other budget minded FT options. I have not shot either one to have any real world input. If something more expensive would simply be a better choice all around for him, I’ll up his chore $ and he’d be fine with another month or so for a better rifle. Thanks for the input.

 

[Motorhead]

Air Arms T200 or the CZ 200 if you can still find / purchase them ? ( same basic gun, tho stock may differ ) Absolutely stellar youth / small adult target guns !!

 

[SqrlHntr]

Air Arms T200 or the CZ 200 if you can still find / purchase them ? ( same basic gun, tho stock may differ ) Absolutely stellar youth / small adult target guns !!

Thank you sir. Looking for one now. 

 

[qball]

AirArms S200 or CZ200. Also BSA ultra SE, CLX or even Jr are also very good, SE and CLX grip and LOP might but a tad big but he can grow into it. 


Edit: forgot the T200 is the 10 meter version of the S200.

 

[Kerndtc]

I have a custom fortitude I've considered selling. Tuned and bottled, the fortitude from factory isn't ideal imo. 

The S200 PCP is excellent, but limited to 15fpe without pushing the gun very hard. 

I have two s200/ t200s and I love them, but never will bring them past 12fpe.

I also have a bottled Benjamin discovery that shoots excellent, being a wood stock makes it easier to chop to get a proper length of pull. 

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

At that price point for a youth shooter a QB79 would be ideal. 

John

 

[SteveV]

Excellent suggestions, but another consideration might be a modified Crosman 1720? Pretty easy to get them to 12 fpe, and not impossible to get the power close to 18 fpe.

Her's a pic of a bottled 1720 I'm planning on competing with this coming season, could give you some ideas, if you like to tinker and mod.

How sweet it must be for your son to have interests in his father's hobby. Very Cool!

 

[qball]

1720T is definitely excellent with an AR stock which could make it fit kid well. It’s light and super accurate too, great recommendation! 

 

[SqrlHntr]

Great recommendations, thanks all!!

Now you got me thinking.. did not even consider a 1720. I have a spare 1701 and all the parts too for a bottle build. This might just end up being a highly supervised 5th grade science/engineering homeschool project. 

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

Great recommendations, thanks all!!

Now you got me thinking.. did not even consider a 1720. I have a spare 1701 and all the parts too for a bottle build. This might just end up being a highly supervised 5th grade science/engineering homeschool project. 

Do this! Sounds like an excellent time with family start to finish and SO many lessons taught/learned and the personal satisfaction not to mention should be an excellent rig to use.



John

 

[SteveV]

Great recommendations, thanks all!!

Now you got me thinking.. did not even consider a 1720. I have a spare 1701 and all the parts too for a bottle build. This might just end up being a highly supervised 5th grade science/engineering homeschool project. 

If you do go down that path and want to achieve more than 12 fpe,, I would highly suggest you acquire a Benjamin Maximus internal valve spring and use it to replace the stock 1720 valve spring. It will allow a lower reg point and make it much easier to up the power.

ALSO - the 1720 has a LW barrel, but if you desire more barrel length, 22XX and Discovery barrels are drop in compatible.

Best of luck and let us know how things turn out.





PeaceOut

 

[Nico5999]

Air Arms S200. Also the MPR series would be worth looking into depending on your budget and his size.

I would second the 1720 + AR stock for smaller statured shooters. A really superb platform.

The BSA's, while compact, will have an adult sized length of pull which might be troublesome.

 

[SqrlHntr]

Great recommendations, thanks all!!

Now you got me thinking.. did not even consider a 1720. I have a spare 1701 and all the parts too for a bottle build. This might just end up being a highly supervised 5th grade science/engineering homeschool project. 

Do this! Sounds like an excellent time with family start to finish and SO many lessons taught/learned and the personal satisfaction not to mention should be an excellent rig to use.



John

Trajectory is confirmed. So the Boss (wife) approved the project, provided I supply all the lesson plans, homework and guidelines for the final project report. I happen to have 3 stocks to choose from that fit a 1701. Magnum Air bottle adapter, a 13cui 3k alum bottle w inline reg, Hill parts and springs and a barrel adapter for an ldc. Going to disassemble completely and start the project from there, documenting and measuring parts, volumes, weight, etc. Study plans on materials used, thread types and pitch, physics, and of course safety. Only thing needed is a longer barrel, not a big deal. Only preliminary work is a short course on airgun history, which happens to tie into Lewis and Clark, a current topic in his History class. I expect this to be a semester project, about 6-8 weeks for completion. The final test will be his first FT match sometime this year. I have no say on the decoration or looks, however and will not grade based on looks. Knowing my kid, there could be some Minecraft stickers on it or a Green Lantern decal on the stock. 


Thank you all for the fantastic suggestions. This started as a purchase recommendation and is now part of homeschool and family bonding. Who knew airguns could do so much?