Umarex Leaning towards a Zelos as a first PCP

KS_Paperpuncher · 2024-09-27T05:21:43-0500

I am in North East Kansas and I have a significant pest problem with squirrels, skunks, rats, raccoons. Sort of feels like I am losing a game of Jumanji.

My Gamo spring gun has become somewhat worn out, and bench testing of favorite projectiles has revealed a problem I don't want to chase. I prefer accuracy over energy, but accuracy without energy is also useless. I'm thinking .25 caliber is likely the sweet spot for me.

I know very little about PCP rifles. I suspect that my OCDness would prefer a regulated rifle. I want something that I can hunt with. As mentioned, accuracy is critical... this must hold minute-of-squirrel at 50 yards. I'm also a little bit of a trigger princess. I'm a competitive shooter in a few disciplines and crunchy triggers gives me the heaves.

So.. with that in mind, I'm also trying to keep this rig for the rifle and scope under $1k. The Umarex Zelos has caught my eye, but I'm noting that some members indicate that they have had some quality issues.

Thoughts?

Also... is there an on-shore distributor that is better to work with? I'd prefer to purchase from a small shop that knows the sport well and provides good service should I get a leaky / loose / whatever issue. Thanks in advance.

Frank

Chief Ten-Beers · 2024-09-27T05:47:45-0500

Another thing you need to consider is a way to charge the Gun. I doubt that you would want to Use a hand pump? So then you need to throw a Compressor into the cost or maybe a SCBA Tank that you can get filled somewhere? At $599 or so for the rifle, and $200 or more for an inexpensive Compressor, it does not leave much for a scope? Just things to think about. Consider Amazon for the compressor, But I would get the extra Warranty. Good Luck!

KS_Paperpuncher · 2024-09-27T06:45:57-0500

Thanks, yes... the budget is only for the air rifle and the scope. I'll probably get both a compressor and a hand pump, although I hear getting above 3kpsi with a hand pump can be a workout.

Chief Ten-Beers · 2024-09-27T06:58:08-0500

Plenty of videos of people using hand pumps! lol The Wife said, "Just get the Compressor".

markhooper · 2024-09-27T07:15:47-0500

you might consider the snow peak M60b from Wes at air gun archery fun in Canada.. I have a notos and while it's a decent gun I am disturbed by the lack of support..as in parts. just simple o rings are not standard sae or metric sizes..I had the barrel off my notos not too long after I got it and it has two o rings.. one was only partially there and was crumbles when it came out, just like it was way too old..new gun.. fortunately firewalker ordered a batch in and I was able to get some..
that said Wes has parts and the M60b is a zelos with a bottle for less money or you can get the m60 in tube form just like the zelos and well it's from the same factory..
just something to consider.
I got some pp700 parts from him

for my notos.. the pp750 is a left hand notos

the pp700 is a single shot but I was after the shorter air tube.
I've done business with Wes and you can't ask for a nicer person to do business with.. he does exactly what he says and goes out of his way to help you.
Mark

Chief Ten-Beers · 2024-09-27T07:22:41-0500

As the OP asked, "and I have the same thoughts" Who do you send it to for repairs? Umarex seems Hit and Miss, where do you send a Snowpeak?

Firewalker · 2024-09-27T07:47:27-0500

I second the M60B, I have two of them, .22 & .25. They have decent triggers but it ain't no Geissele.

Wes is FANTASTIC, ask him to go through the gun before he ships it. It may cost you a few bucks for his time but it's worth every penny.

I also own several Notos, I've smithed hundreds of them and have a few parts on hand. I do not consider them bench guns, they are light weight (#4 stock) and nimble.

They will drop a tree-rat at 50y if you do your job well. They are handpump friendly but "ain't nobody got time for that!", so get a compressor.

I have space so I run a Yong Heng on a rolling cart with a large cooler full of water/antifreeze for cooling. Still kicking years later.

Dr. Kralenstein · 2024-09-27T08:33:09-0500

I third the M60B. I have a 30 cal and it does everything I ask it too. Haven't adjusted the trigger yet, but it's decent already. Enough so that I can stack pellets at 40 yards no problem. This fall it will get out to 75 at my dad's for the yearly Pre Christmas squirrel cleansing.

Going on 3 years on my Yong heng, fill multiple bottle guns and tanks
Some guns during testing have been refilled 100s of times. Only ever had a burst disk pop. Keep them cool and fill bottles in intervals, it'll last a long time.

KS_Paperpuncher · 2024-09-27T09:04:25-0500

OK... taking a hard look at the M60B. Yeah, I don't need the hand pump exercise, but it would be nice to have as a means to make pressure should I be in a bind without electricity somewhere. Thank you for the perspectives. I will likely check with Wes and see if I can make introductions.

Chief Ten-Beers · 2024-09-27T09:08:59-0500

You can always go with the Compressors that you can hook to your Car battery as well as 110 volt.

coastal drifter · 2024-09-27T09:23:57-0500

IDK, I like this a lot for a few dollars more. lots of parts and assistance if you need it. plenty of good dealers and easily adjustable for deferent shooting scenarios Im shooting it with a vortec red dot at the moment and its plenty accurate out to 50 yards (minute of squirrel)

Chief Ten-Beers · 2024-09-27T09:25:56-0500

The M60B is what? $599 or so? How much is the "Few Dollars More"?

coastal drifter · 2024-09-27T09:27:35-0500

1400 buy once cry once is my motto.

coastal drifter · 2024-09-27T09:32:20-0500

Chief Ten-Beers said:
The M60B is what? $599 or so? How much is the "Few Dollars More"?

Your right it is a lot more. I say buy the best you can afford. Just a gun I like a lot.

Firewalker · 2024-09-27T09:33:21-0500

Chief Ten-Beers said:
You can always go with the Compressors that you can hook to your Car battery as well as 110 volt.

They just didn't last for me, trashed 2 of them in as many months, gun fills only and they still failed.

Yong Heng is the only affordable compressor for me. I'm running it right now, testing a customer's trigger.

KS_Paperpuncher · 2024-09-27T09:48:56-0500

coastal drifter said:
1400 buy once cry once is my motto.

My chief financial officer has a means of extending the pain of my hobby purchases

I might cry once, but it could be for a duration of years.

Chief Ten-Beers · 2024-09-27T09:53:14-0500

Firewalker said:
They just didn't last for me, trashed 2 of them in as many months, gun fills only and they still failed.

Yong Heng is the only affordable compressor for me. I'm running it right now, testing a customer's trigger.

Oh, I believe you. I remember what happened to me Last time! lol
I am sure I will be using my Warranty on it soon!

coastal drifter · 2024-09-27T10:04:30-0500

KS_Paperpuncher said:
My chief financial officer has a means of extending the pain of my hobby purchases I might cry once, but it could be for a duration of years.

I understand

Dr. Kralenstein · 2024-09-27T10:04:59-0500

I've been half tempted to sell my revere and get another m60b, but I'd want the shroud and longer barrel from the zelos.

I know, crazy talk lol.

maxtrouble · 2024-09-27T10:13:26-0500

I suggest checking out the synthetic Marauder .25 rifle. The rifle has been around forever and no surprises. Very accurate with a 3k fill. Two magazines on a fill is a lot of pests.

Benjamin Marauder .25 synthetic (refurb) - Airgun Revisions

These guns are AR Certified Refurbished and are in like new condition. Guns are fully inspected for any mechanical defects. Leak down test, accuracy test, and factory tuning have also been done. One new mag and manual included. AR will not modify these guns and are sold as is with…

www.airgunrevisions.com

Umarex Leaning towards a Zelos as a first PCP

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