Good all around under $800

[Ceby78]

Hi, new to air guns, not to shooting (USMC vet), and I'm looking to put my foot in the water. What I want is to find a good all around rifle that can be for target/plinking (so a decent shot count, and good accuracy to say about 100 yds), but also perform well for pesting and possibly smaller coyotes (live in the desert, and have animals, so they are not uncommon). I have been eyeing the Hatsan Air Max in .25 (really like the bull pup platform). How well wold that rifle fit the bill? I have seen just about every video review, and it seems ideal from the target/ pleasure shooting side, but haven't seen anyone talk about its performance for things like pest control. Hatsan website shows a pellet energy of 49 FPE, which I would think is plenty for my needs, but how accurate is their claim? Any long term users, how dependable/reliable has it been? Any benefit of modding it with a regulator, or is the shot curve low enough that it truly doesn't need one? 



Not stuck on the Air Max either, if their are similar priced rifles (preferably in bull pup) that someone thinks would be a better fit, by all means post it.

Thanks for reading.

 

[JimNM]

Thank you for your Service, you are in good company here in AGN.

Airgun success is not guaranteed by powder gun experience. There are many parallels, but enough difference to make a notable impact. These guys have 1000's of years of cumulative knowledge and will be happy to offer advice. Personal preference is tough to extrapolate from a text based forum. I suggest that you explore local contacts to get some hands on experience before you drop money on the hobby.

I find the bull pup platform preferred for my shooting. From a truck window, while mounted on an ATV or just walking the brush, the BP is handy.

Again, thanks for joining us, and shoot'em good!

 

[Yo]

A 25 Air Force Condos SS may just fit your bill. YO!

 

[dreamweaver]

Semper Fi! I was at the point you are about 2 years ago. Lots of powder burner experience, but my only air gun experience was with cheap multi pumps. Got a cheap springer from Walmart and enjoyed it enough that I got a hatsan 135 springer, shortly followed by a hatsan bullboss and then a Benjamin Marauder. I had a lot of problems with the Hatsans and would never buy another. That said, many people on this forum have them and love them. Just not for me.

The Marauder was great for the money and I would highly recommend it as a first pcp for so many reasons. You can get it in .25 and there’s tons of info on power tuning it. You can also get one from crosmans website using the 25% off code and free shipping on fridays for around $400. Shoot it for a while and if you’re bit by the bug like me, sell it for almost what you paid for it and move up to other guns.

 

[DanielL]

I may ruffle some feathers but I've not had good experience with Hatsan. In fact, its been years since I've seen such poor quality machining on a product as my Hatsan. In my experience, Umarex is only a tiny bit better. The Benjamin's I've had are decently made. I've got both a Marauder and Bulldog and am happy with both.

A better option for you might be to look at the classified forums. You can find some older generation guns with much better quality that will yield excellent accuracy. Quality PCP's don't wear out, other than seals which eventually need to get replaced on all PCP's. Someone else's need to have the latest is your opportunity to get a quality piece of hardware. Furthermore, you often find package deals with extras, spare magazines, often a moderator and sometimes a nice scope. 

 

[L.Leon]

If you’re not in a hurry good deals can be had in the classifieds. Just do your due diligence... ask a lot of questions. Lots of people sell their PCPs after very brief ownership.

 

[MBG]

Perhaps these might fit your needs:

USED FX STREAMLINE IN .25

USED DAYSTATE REGAL IN .22

ZBROIA KOZAK FC 550 - .22 adjustable reg and hammer spring Roughly your price point - new & laser accurate...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk-Ou0sxYuU

You get what you pay for with Airguns, FX, Taipan, Kailbrgun, Edgun, AGT, Daystate is where you want to be for a level of machining and accuracy...

 

[Ceby78]

The rifle I line the most is the FX Impact X MKII, with the new power plenum, and the ability to change barrel lines based upon round type....but even used they are just too expensive 

 

[Ceby78]

Does that Kozak have a choked barrel? I like the idea of slugs, but have read that slugs don't like choked barrels in general.

 

[Vetmx]

Most slug makers are designing their slugs for choked barrels because that’s what most guys have. If you can’t find someone who is already shooting slugs out of the same gun that you have, it can get quite expensive finding a slug that works. And sometimes none at all.

 

[Ceby78]

I'm also not dead set on slugs, I just like the ballistic behavior of them. I definitely plan on trying some out, but I'll end up using whatever round the rifle I end up with likes the best

 

[bandg]

I have an Air Force Condor that would be an excellent rifle for the needs you list. Another rifle I have that I would recommend is a Hatsan Gladius. I disagree with the above poster on overall Hatsan quality but I'll admit they aren't finished at the same quality of more expensive brands. They can be very good guns.

 

[Ceby78]

I like the Air Force big bore models, and may someday look at one, but for my first I definitely want something with a higher shot count

 

[Ceby78]

Hey, look at that..... only 4 more posts till I can respond to classifieds

 

[Fatmike]

I really like my hatsan guns. They are not as refined as some more expensive guns but I have had a great time shooting them. In your situation I'd suggest a bt65 in .25. It's a powerhouse and they can be purchased for under 500$. They're a little heavy but not too bad. There are better guns but they cost a good chunk more.

 

[Ceby78]

I'm glad you have had decent experience with the Hatsans.... not a lot of response in this thread on the specific model in question . 

I do intend to go with a bull pup for my first, and specifically one that can be used for pesting around my horse barn (LOTS of squirrels causing havok), so ultimately if I dont find I enjoy it as a hobby (not likely) I will still have it as a serviceable tool in keeping the rodents at bay.

 

[MBG]

Yes it does, i shoot slugs just fine out of my choked barrel....LW

 

[MBG]

I'm glad you have had decent experience with the Hatsans.... not a lot of response in this thread on the specific model in question . 

I do intend to go with a bull pup for my first, and specifically one that can be used for pesting around my horse barn (LOTS of squirrels causing havok), so ultimately if I dont find I enjoy it as a hobby (not likely) I will still have it as a serviceable tool in keeping the rodents at bay.

The Airmax is a heavy gun and the BT 65 is a long heavy gun, not good for BARN work, the Kozak is a laser and perfect for you budget and needs, used a lot in the UK for Barn work, ratting, squirels etc...

 

[Ceby78]

The kozak looks like a good option, specially if I can find one used....just wish it came in a .25

 

[Ceby78]

How does the Kral Puncher Breaker Silent compare in power and performance?