Name a decent entry level airgun in the $250- $400 airgun price range. 25 to .30 caliber

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Josh1973

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Oct 25, 2024
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Well. The title of this post pretty much says it all. I have bought a cheap Amazon Hatsan Zada which will be here tomorrow. And merely a disposable break barrel and possibly a project air rifle to learn rebuilding/repairing on.

Anyways, I want to hear some thoughts on a decent air rifle in the $250 to $400 range.
All opinions considered and appreciated. I will be buying one of the members air rifle suggestion.
Feel free to post links and photos.
 
Josh1973 said:
Well. The title of this post pretty much says it all. I have bought a cheap Amazon Hatsan Zada which will be here tomorrow. And merely a disposable break barrel and possibly a project air rifle to learn rebuilding/repairing on.

Anyways, I want to hear some thoughts on a decent air rifle in the $250 to $400 range.
All opinions considered and appreciated. I will be buying one of the members air rifle suggestion.
Feel free to post links and photos.
Click to expand...
I just picked up the Stoeger XM1 Scout in that price range. The XM1 ranger is the long barrel option. Has a nice trigger, available in 25, easy to tune, and has been very impressive so far. I have a slightly more expensive Avenge-X in 25 and it hangs with it just fine.

7846AFBE-F7AE-4570-8AC3-D01EB6BD8A54.jpeg
 
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Evolve 3D said:
I just picked up the Stoeger XM1 Scout in that price range. The XM1 ranger is the long barrel option. Has a nice trigger, available in 25, easy to tune, and has been very impressive so far. I have a slightly more expensive Avenge-X in 25 and it hangs with it just fine.

View attachment 507850
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That is sweeter than molassas. Thanks for sharing.
 
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Josh1973 said:
Well. The title of this post pretty much says it all. I have bought a cheap Amazon Hatsan Zada which will be here tomorrow. And merely a disposable break barrel and possibly a project air rifle to learn rebuilding/repairing on.

Anyways, I want to hear some thoughts on a decent air rifle in the $250 to $400 range.
All opinions considered and appreciated. I will be buying one of the members air rifle suggestion.
Feel free to post links and photos.
Click to expand...
At that price point you should be sticking to break barrels as pcp Airguns require a lot more accessories to play
 
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A simple entry point and where I started is a gamo urban. It’s built very well, is very accurate with a number of pellets, has a small air cylinder so pump friendly and is easy to work on. 300 dollars or so for the gun and 50-80 for a pump on Amazon. Down fall is you will be refilling every 20 shots but if memory serves me correctly it was only like 50-60 pumps for a top off.

 
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Evolve 3D said:
I just picked up the Stoeger XM1 Scout in that price range. The XM1 ranger is the long barrel option. Has a nice trigger, available in 25, easy to tune, and has been very impressive so far. I have a slightly more expensive Avenge-X in 25 and it hangs with it just fine.

View attachment 507850
Click to expand...
I strongly second the Stoeger. I just put mine back together this morning. I gave the stock a paint job & checked zero in the Man Cave. I 've said before that this is a gun you pick up and shoot , not fiddle w/ tuning. And, Airgun Revisions is a great dealer.
 
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Bernie7 said:
I can’t personally speak to the JTS Airacuda but I was talking to a brick and mortar shop owner and he was saying it’s his go to for entry level units.
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I have both the .22 and .25 but I'd steer clear of them due to known defects.

The bullshark and scout are solid pcp's but I'd look into a mid priced break barrel if you don't have the compressor etc.
 
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Firewalker said:
I have both the .22 and .25 but I'd steer clear of them due to known defects.

The bullshark and scout are solid pcp's but I'd look into a mid priced break barrel if you don't have the compressor etc.
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Thank you @Firewalker , I was hoping an owner would chime in. Seems you’re well qualified considering you own two units. Any particular reason you bought both?
 
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Airgun Revisions has some great deals on the refurb Akela, Kratos, and Caydens. A 22 akela and hand pump would be under $300 to your door.

Otherwise, I'd say the stoeger Scout. I don't own one, but it has great reviews in vids and on the forum. Only thing holding me back from one is the length when a moderator is added which it will definitely need if you're shooting in the backyard.
 
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Bernie7 said:
Thank you @Firewalker , I was hoping an owner would chime in. Seems you’re well qualified considering you own two units. Any particular reason you bought both?
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I'm a big fan of both .22 and .25, I usually will buy both of any gun I really like due to the uses of both calibers.

I'm also the person that brought all of the defects to Travis' attention as they hit the market.

If you were to buy the Airacuda, I would go with the Standard, not because I like it better but because it's simpler. I LOVE the ergonomics of the MAX but it takes some work to get past the defects.
 
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Firewalker and contendr are correct. Got my hands on a stoeger ranger today. Incredibly impressed. I've already got one coming from Amazon. For 300 unbeatable, if you're fixated and sure on a .25 or 30. Otherwise I'd say get a notos or stoeger(in .22).

The wide range and economics of .22 are far greater than .25.. I know, I shoot .25.
For the same money you get greater quantity by a decent margin. For 20 you're getting 300-350 pellets in .25. In .22 you're getting 500. And if you're intent on using slugs. .22 has a massive spectrum compared to .25
 
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Dr. Kralenstein said:
Airgun Revisions has some great deals on the refurb Akela, Kratos, and Caydens. A 22 akela and hand pump would be under $300 to your door.

Otherwise, I'd say the stoeger Scout. I don't own one, but it has great reviews in vids and on the forum. Only thing holding me back from one is the length when a moderator is added which it will definitely need if you're shooting in the backyard.
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This…I was slightly hesitant when they first posted these as I believe they are discontinued but for 200 and some dollars I don’t think the risk is that great. Orings can always be found and that is the most likely culprit you find behind pcp problems.
 
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Trucker3573 said:
This…I was slightly hesitant when they first posted these as I believe they are discontinued but for 200 and some dollars I don’t think the risk is that great. Orings can always be found and that is the most likely culprit you find behind pcp problems.
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Not being one that likes to tear apart Rifles, I opted for the Stoeger Ranger in .22 cal. I already have lot's of .22 stuff, and it's almost Winter. So, I plan on shooting this new one from time to time until warmer weather and then see what is on the Market at that time. Maybe into another Caliber. The Ranger is supposed to be here tomorrow.
 
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