I guess that you skimmed right over the link I posted early on of Bob Sterne's Millineum pumper...Do a search on Bob Sterne's Discovery based pumper?
I hunted for years with a 17.5 fpe Vortek kitted Diana Panther 34 in .22, To5 trigger. I never felt under gunned, but I almost always kept my shots under 40 yards. If chicken of the tree was further out than my comfort zone, I did my best to close the gap. Since hunting with pcp the last few seasons, I've had to remind myself that I have the tool to stretch that comfort zone.
One thing that changed with pumpers vs pcp's is scopes. With the power of some pcp's, scopes and longer ranges have become the norm. I hunted quite a bit with pumpers and springers and peeps. They are perfect for each other but bump the power, a scope becomes more appropriate. Adding a scope requires a bit more robust breech attachment and also a side pump to clear your hand to the scope. Soooo... high powered pumpers are almost certainly going to be quite heavy. Take a pcp like the Disco and add pump apparatus and suddenly, it's not light. Add a scope and it bumps again. Not ideal for a handy little hunter and pumping is not ideal for bench, so what do you have?
LD actually built a prototype based on a USFT... not sure what it weighed but quite a beast. I think his design intent was a single stroke, 20 ft lb rifle for FT, so heavy would be ok there.
I really enjoy plinking with mine and almost all wear peeps. I've done in a pile of flies and wasps with pumpers and springers... mostly 15 yds and less but quite fun ... The wife and I never used scopes till we started FT and centerfire hunting. We might be spoiled now... especially with age, but I still really enjoy plinking with peeps.
Just a few more thoughts...
Bob
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