New member and airgun noob

jonas74 · 2025-02-27T07:28:36-0600

Hi all, I'm Jonas from Texas. I'm just getting into the airgun scene. I grew up shooting on the ranch, but got away from it for years. Now I have a little land I can shoot on, so I thought I'd look into a BB gun to pop mice with. Yes, 3 weeks ago I was about to drop $60 on a Daisy 880. Then the Internet serves up this forum. Mind blown.

Now I want all the PCP bullpups. I know I have to start with one (and a pump of some sort). I'm loving the big bores I'm seeing. I'm not real interested in killing deer, but we do have wild hogs, and I wouldn't mind thinning that little herd out some.

I also like the PCP bullpup small cals. I don't want to hunt small game, but I would like to be able to take care of a nuisance coon or a coyote if I had to. Heck, a smaller big bore would probably be better.

Anyway, I'm deep in the rabbit hole and learning everything I can. I don't want to jump in cheap and waste money while getting a bad taste for the sport. But, I support a whole family on a teacher salary, too, so...I don't want to go wild when I'm not sure how much I'll really get to shoot. Thanks for reading!

bfloyd1095 · 2025-02-27T07:37:59-0600

Welcome Jonas..
Where about on the Great state of Texas are you?

Here is a gun that should fit the bill for what you listed all around,.you may want to check into

Benjamin M257 Bulldog

More Information Powerplant PCP Lead Pellet Velocity Up to 1160 fps Action Bolt Action Length 35.88 in Product Weight 7.70 lbs Barrel Material Steel Barrel Type Rifled Buttpad Removable Foot Pounds of Energy (FPE) 140 ft-lbs Front Sight None Rear Sight None Material Metal Magazine Magazine...

www.airgunrevisions.com

SteveV · 2025-02-27T07:38:03-0600

Welcome to the AGN! You are about to get lots of great suggestions gun wise from our passionate Airgun loving forum members.

scubajeeper · 2025-02-27T07:38:19-0600

Welcome to the forum, I’ve been in the PCP scene for 10 years, my advice is to you is keep on doing what you’re doing. Read on this forum and take your time. I said when I first got into this that I would never pay $1000 for a pellet gun, I have had several that cost way more than that! It’s a slippery slope so be careful. You stated that you like bullpups, you will find that the Eastern European ones are the most reliable and well built. Any way, welcome!

MOhunter · 2025-02-27T07:38:56-0600

Well brother you're about to fall down the rabbit hole lol. Although I got to say you're on the right track and I'm glad you're started this way. Personally if you're on a budget I would recommend a stoeger XM one scout (or ranger) in 25 cal. Plenty big enough to pop hogs although you can get something bigger if you want in a different manufacturer. You're going to eventually want a compressor although you can pump this one up very easily. Look up this guy's number on his website and give him a call. He'd be one of the best persons to help you out from the start. And always remember whatever you hunt posted here so we can all cheer you on LOL

XM1 Scout .25

Hunting airgun, Airgun, Carbine, Short, powerfull, lightweight, airgun, Warranty

www.airgunrevisions.com

beerthief · 2025-02-27T07:39:50-0600

Welcome to the best AGN !
just reading your intro ,seems to me i would go with a .22 or a .25 . .22 heavy pellet can take a small boar , .25 would do the trick
.30 to expensive to plink around with .

jonas74 · 2025-02-27T08:28:37-0600

Thanks for the welcome! I'm near Corsicana. I'm drinking it all in. Anyone have any advice on the Benjamin Akela or the AEA challenger? I'm researching all these models y'all are mentioning as we speak.

Jim B · 2025-02-27T08:30:58-0600

Welcome to AGN! I just recently got into the PCP thing and the rabbit hole is DEEP. I started with a .25 cal because it seemed like the most versatile in size of animal and cost effectiveness. I bought a Maverick VP from UA all set up so I could shoot right out of the box for a great experience from the get-go. That was in November, today I am picking up a used FX M3 from the classifieds. My advice is, purchase the best you can afford and get it from a dealer that has a good reputation that will go through it to make sure you are getting an air rifle with no problems. Good luck and shoot straight!!

jonas74 · 2025-02-27T08:31:26-0600

MOhunter said:
Well brother you're about to fall down the rabbit hole lol. Although I got to say you're on the right track and I'm glad you're started this way. Personally if you're on a budget I would recommend a stoeger XM one scout (or ranger) in 25 cal. Plenty big enough to pop hogs although you can get something bigger if you want in a different manufacturer. You're going to eventually want a compressor although you can pump this one up very easily. Look up this guy's number on his website and give him a call. He'd be one of the best persons to help you out from the start. And always remember whatever you hunt posted here so we can all cheer you on LOL

XM1 Scout .25

Hunting airgun, Airgun, Carbine, Short, powerfull, lightweight, airgun, Warranty

www.airgunrevisions.com

Yeah I chanced onto his site yesterday for the first time. Those stoegers sure are nice, the Benjamin bullpup too. Do you have any insight on the Akela's? Everything I've read said he's a great guy to buy from.

jonas74 · 2025-02-27T08:33:27-0600

bfloyd1095 said:
Welcome Jonas..
Where about on the Great state of Texas are you?

Here is a gun that should fit the bill for what you listed all around,.you may want to check into

Benjamin M257 Bulldog

More Information Powerplant PCP Lead Pellet Velocity Up to 1160 fps Action Bolt Action Length 35.88 in Product Weight 7.70 lbs Barrel Material Steel Barrel Type Rifled Buttpad Removable Foot Pounds of Energy (FPE) 140 ft-lbs Front Sight None Rear Sight None Material Metal Magazine Magazine...

www.airgunrevisions.com

That is sweet. I'm near Corsicana. Do you have any opinion on the Akela's he has listed on his site?

Gerry52 · 2025-02-27T08:56:32-0600

Welcome aboard! Glad you've already got a feel for the depth of the "rabbit hole". The less expensive options available today are light years ahead of what was available when I got into this about 8 years ago. Guns like the Air Venturi Avenger/AvengeX, Macavity M2 & others at lower prices have made it possible for people to get a feel for this sport & the crazy accuracy that mainly only the upper tier guns would give before. This forum has great people & information to help along the way. Enjoy the ride!

Revoman · 2025-02-27T09:17:07-0600

Welcome Jonas!
As you are already aware, this site has TONS of information and mostly friendly people. AGN is the best site, air related or not, on the web!
I might suggest that when asking questions (I assume that you will), be specific in nature if at all possible. Don't go the route of "What's the best xxxx?", it doesn't produce much in the way of information that you are really after.
Enjoy the stay, it's a cool place here!

mike

maxtrouble · 2025-02-27T10:30:46-0600

@jonas74 - Hello and welcome to AGN. I suggest .22 for your PCP. More pellet choices and more pellets per tin versus .25.

Budget a compressor into your plans. You are going to need one and soon. A good one costs less than my first hand pump.

jonas74 · 2025-02-27T10:41:05-0600

maxtrouble said:
@jonas74 - Hello and welcome to AGN. I suggest .22 for your PCP. More pellet choices and more pellets per tin versus .25.

Budget a compressor into your plans. You are going to need one and soon. A good one costs less than my first hand pump.

Do you have any suggestions on compressor? I haven't even begun researching those yet. I know I want one rather than a hand pump though! (I know I'll end up with a herd of PCPs, lol.)

maxtrouble · 2025-02-27T10:50:48-0600

These guys have a good reputation. A lot of people say buy through Amazon for the warranty. Which ever model you choose, make sure it has auto shut off. Get one that will fill your rifle directly. This one is pretty badass.

GX PUMP CS1-I with Built-in Power Apdater,Auto Stop, PCP Compressor Pu

Only Available in USA now ✔【Built-in Power Transformer】GX-E-CS1-I pcp air compressor can be powered by 12V car battery, easy to carry when you go out. Also you can use 110v and 220v wall sockets to power the compressor at home. The power adapter is built into the air compressor for easy...

gxpumpofficial.com

Max115 · 2025-02-27T11:17:29-0600

@jonas74. Welcome to AGN. Be prepare to learn and take in as much information about PCP before making your first purchase. My suggestion is to wait and learn more about any particular gun that fancy you before jumping in and buy too quickly. You will ended up with more than one gun soon or later.

I know the excitement is too great but don't make the mistake of buying the wrong gun. Buy once; Cry once.

I started shooting break barrel air guns and then dove deep into the rabbit hole with PCP. I have more PCP now than I have time to shoot with, but luckily I have done enough research on them before buying them. They are all great PCP and serve my purpose at the farms where I do pest control work at.

Anyway, read on and good luck with your airgun adventure.

jonas74 · 2025-02-27T13:55:58-0600

scubajeeper said:
Welcome to the forum, I’ve been in the PCP scene for 10 years, my advice is to you is keep on doing what you’re doing. Read on this forum and take your time. I said when I first got into this that I would never pay $1000 for a pellet gun, I have had several that cost way more than that! It’s a slippery slope so be careful. You stated that you like bullpups, you will find that the Eastern European ones are the most reliable and well built. Any way, welcome!

My wife is Czech. It would bring me great joy to find another Eastern European beauty.

Gerry52 · 2025-02-27T15:13:29-0600

In regards to compressors, the majority of the people here seem to be owners of the GX CS series (1-4) or AUTHENTIC Yong Heng compressors. YH has been around longer than the GX's but there are lots of "clones" out there to be aware of. Check past posts on here with feedback on both. Some people have shelled out big bucks on compressors but I'm on my 2nd Yong Heng. Got 3.5 years of great service from my 1st one with a full refund when it died (extended warranty) & my newer one seems even more robust. They're not portable like the GX but I stuck with what's worked for me. I use mine for topping off tanks, not my guns. Member "Biohazardman" has some great posts regarding do's & don'ts, care & maintenance, repairs, etc. for Yong Hengs. Lots of GX stuff too by members.
If you're into eastern European guns there's an Edgun R3 on classifieds. I have the same one on loan to me right now set up for scope clicking with slugs. Amazing, built like a tank, laser accurate. They're single load (no magazine) & rear bolt action but it's performance is unreal. Just a heads up.

TimeRabbit · 2025-02-27T15:31:25-0600

Welcome jonas74 I promise the members on this forum will not waste a dime of your money but we're going to help you spend a lot of it it.

You can't go wrong with a Taipan veteran ll in .22 for the small stuff and they are Czech.
https://www.taipan-airguns.com/contact.

And it's tru you will end up with more than one pcp , have fun on your adventure take it slow , ask questions and read.

genericAGuser · 2025-02-27T15:41:30-0600

jonas74 said:
Thanks for the welcome! I'm near Corsicana. I'm drinking it all in. Anyone have any advice on the Benjamin Akela or the AEA challenger? I'm researching all these models y'all are mentioning as we speak.

My best friend from HS is buried in Corsicana. I used to live in Dallas, Fort Worth, Garland and Arlington, welcome aboard.

Since it's just mice, I would recommend a quality break barrel in .177 or .22. With a spring you won't need a compressor or special knowledge to replace the orings and chase down leaks of a constantly under high pressure PCP. Plus with those 2 calibers ammo is readily available at wally world. Good hunting