New member looking for guidance

[Beersngars]

Hi all! Been lurking and reading for about a month and have more questions than ever. I'm wanting a PCP in .25 cal for use at my cabin to target shoot and thin out pests up to raccoon sized critters. Sure I have lots of tools to get it done (.17 HMR's, .22's and a 204) but just want to try a nice air rifle. Budget for the rifle alone is up to about $600 plus a scope and hand pump. The main reason for the meager allowance is that I plan on keeping it at the cabin and all though we've never had a problem, want to keep valuables to a minimum.

So far, the .25 cal is my choice and am looking at the Maurader and the Kratos. The thing I like about is Kratos is the larger tank size thus more shots between refills. Also, I have heard good things about the Benjamins and their warrany. I am open to other brands. I like the fact the Kratos has a piccatiny rail so I could slap my Thermal on if I wanted.

Any input before I jump?

 

[Lewis]

First, WELCOME to the group!

You have picked 2 great first gun choices.
My vote would be for the Kratos. As you have pointed out, it has a larger bottle. The larger bottle not only provides more shots but also gives a smoother bell curve during your shot string. Another benefit in having the bottle is easily adding a regulator between the bottle and gun in the future or even going all the way up to a 700cc bottle if you get into the hobby a little more and get a compressor and or tank. Basically it has more flexibility for future growth.

 

[tcarlson777]

Welcome to the forum. My two cents is that the Kratos fits your needs really well.

 

[starlingassn]

of those 2 id go with the kratos for shot count.

but for a first time pcp shooter a regulated gun would give less tuning frustration headaches.

BUT

if you are going to be hand pumping,
then id say marauder,
simply for the fact that it holds less air.

hand pumps become "not fun anymore" very fast,
you are not going to be a happy camper trying to fill that big 480cc bottle on the kratos with a hand pump.

check out your local fire stations,
they sometimes have tanks they will sell for smallish donations,
and they can fill them for you too.

with an scba tank all you would need is a cga347 fill system (ebay,$50 ish)

but careful,once you own one.......
............
.......................
....youll own more hahahahahahaha shhhhh lol

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

Today is a great time to buy good PCPs on a budget, incredible selection out there and I would definitely go on a different direction from these you mentioned.

..........And don't lets yourself be scared by the handpump thing and big tanks/bottles,
it's really a nonfactor and a myth,...unfortunatelly a wifetale that is been repeated constantly but total missinformaion.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Beersngars Welcome to AGN. I’m curious to know some things. How long would you leave your rifle sitting in the cabin unused? Does it get extremely cold, hot, and humid within you cabin? Some PCP rifles to consider within your price range:

DAR Gen 3 in .25 caliber. They go for $499. Here’s a link to their site. https://www.dynamicairrifles.com/products

Here is an AGN thread on the rifle. The member with the most substantial input is a reputable member on our forums. https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/dar-gen-lll.1221274/

.25 Kral Puncher Breaker (wood stock) at around $430 https://www.pyramydair.com/product/puncher-breaker-silent-walnut-sidelever-pcp-air-rifle?m=4294#828

Another airgun to consider is the soon to be released JDS Airacuda Max .25 soon to be introduced at around $420 https://www.pyramydair.com/product/jts-airacuda-max-pcp-air-rifle?m=5547

The Air Venturi Avenger is another budget PCP to consider within your price range. This goes for around $350 https://www.pyramydair.com/product/air-venturi-avenger-regulated-pcp-air-rifle?m=5136#10277
Here’s a hand pump/Avenger combo for under $600 https://www.pyramydair.com/product/air-venturi-avenger-regulated-pcp-air-rifle-pump-kit?m=5509

Umarex Gauntlet .25 going for around $300 https://www.pyramydair.com/product/umarex-gauntlet-pcp-air-rifle-synthetic-stock?m=4311#9272

I don’t have experience with these rifles. I’m aware of them through the forums and reading so consider them purely informational suggestions.

For your specific application I’d consider a springer. I would trust a quality spring-piston/gas-ram powered air rifle at your cabin to be dependable year-after-year. The best thing is that no air supply is needed. Your effective shooting range is also an important factor. A Weihrauch HW90 is out of your price range at around $730, but from all that I’ve read this is the one I would trust. https://www.pyramydair.com/product/weihrauch-hw90-breakbarrel-air-rifle?m=2358#4719

 

[Emu]

Welcome!!

If you want to love this hobbie, in your budget you should include a compressor.

You will be much more happy shooting knowing there will be no suffering asociated with each shot!!!

 

[rangur1]

Possibly an air Venturi avenger.

 

[beerthief]

I think you have the right idea and i also like the HW90 .25 as in no air problems and a truly wonderful gun for the use you describe . I envision your pesting out to 25 yards and HW90 target shooting out to 50 yards or so ? perfect for this rifle .

Also this is a lifetime product i own a 50 year old HW pellet rifle beautiful .

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

Now that looks like they will be here anyday I would really keep an eye out for the

Airacuda Standard in .25,...incredible bang for the buck at 320 USD

 

[Beersngars]

@Beersngars Welcome to AGN. I’m curious to know some things. How long would you leave your rifle sitting in the cabin unused? Does it get extremely cold, hot, and humid within you cabin? Some PCP rifles to consider within your price range:

We go to the cabin just about every weekend. The temps would vary from about 50 in the winter to maybe high 80's in the summer. Would this be a problem?

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Beersngars No, it sounds like good weather to me. It also sounds like you will be shooting frequently. I asked because I would be concerned about the effects of extreme hot and cold on the o-rings of an idle gun. Doesn’t sound like an issue for you. It was just a thought. Let us know what you decide to get.

 

[Beersngars]

Well that was quick!! I was looking thru the classifieds and found a lightly used Kratos and bought it. Shopping for a scope and pump now.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Beersngars You didn’t waste time. Congratulations. Keep us posted on how you like it.

 

[DonaAna1]

I have a hand pump and a compressor. A word to the wise. After about a magazine full of shots. Take a break and bring out the handpump to top off the fill. You will thank me afterwards.

 

[Beersngars]

I have a hand pump and a compressor. A word to the wise. After about a magazine full of shots. Take a break and bring out the handpump to top off the fill. You will thank me afterwards.

HAHAHA. Thanks for the tip! Scope is ordered. Sightron S Tac 3-16x42. I have a spare set of VortexPrecision medium 30mm rings that I hope will work. Looks like the Hill MK5 will be the pump I order. Anybody know if I'll need any adapters for the Kratos?

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

Do not waste your money on a HILL pump !!!!!.....regardless of the hype and what people think a 50 Bucks China pump is the way to go.

 

[starlingassn]

for a pump...agreed!

 

[crazyaust]

.25 cal super fun 2 shoot but worry about getting air and lead cheers m8

 

[dizzums]

you may want to get a long-reach fill foster for the kratos .. and since its used hopefully it doesnt come empty using a handpump, or your looking at a conservative 7-800 strokes to fill it .. tip, do it in sessions of 50 strokes over the day ... and do yourself a favor and dont shoot it all the way down, after 2 mags id keep on top of it so it doesnt turn into a nightmare again ...