What's up guys. I have a question I hope someone can help me with. I purchased AEA Challenger pro 30.. I was wondering if anyone has experience hunting deer with this pcp, if so may u give me some tips on tuning and slug grain?
New to the pcp world
- Thread starter BackWoodsWv
- Start date
New to PCPs and already contemplating taking deer? Hopefully you’ll already hunted deer with firearms or archery tackle. I believe it’s been done… but doesn’t mean most should. 30 yards or so (like bow hunting)… Lots of variable.
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I would say 45yrds and under I know people take Deer at 50yrds and under with a .357 and about the same maybe a little further with a .457 and up to 100yrds with a .50 further if using the Zeus .72cal. First get to know your gun and your limits with it. Oh, and the laws hunting with a airgun where you'll be hunting.
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Legally, in West Virginia (at least according to Pyramyd Air), these are the rules... "Firearms Season Only. .45 caliber or larger with at least 200 grain slug. Arrow shooting airguns are not legal."
So you're a little under caliber and a little under power. Most I've seen a 30 cal Challenger Pro push is about 130 fpe and you're probably using 70 grain slugs to achieve that.
If your main goal is hunting you may want to sell that Challanger Pro and pick up a regular Challenger in .45 or .50 caliber. You'll save a few bucks too.
It's a great gun and can kill deer though
So you're a little under caliber and a little under power. Most I've seen a 30 cal Challenger Pro push is about 130 fpe and you're probably using 70 grain slugs to achieve that.
If your main goal is hunting you may want to sell that Challanger Pro and pick up a regular Challenger in .45 or .50 caliber. You'll save a few bucks too.
It's a great gun and can kill deer though
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Yea, good point .30cal and under for small game and maybe medium game with the .30 like a coyote.
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Thank you everyone for your info. I live in Maryland. Been hunting for 30 years. I planned on head shots to take the game. I will eventually invest in 45 cal just trying this one out first.
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Hello, Im new to the forum. Im slowly getting into PCP.
I purchased a FX Indy (bullpup version) .25 when they were fairly new to the PCP market. I like and still use it.
But Im looking at purchasing my first deer PCP.
1) shooting range 50-60yards
2) 3-4 full power shots
3) .357 ok but prefer .45
4) carbine barrel
5) mag fed
6) LDC attachment
7) 170-196 hollow point slugs
Which leads me to AEA HP max .457.
What are your thoughts.
I purchased a FX Indy (bullpup version) .25 when they were fairly new to the PCP market. I like and still use it.
But Im looking at purchasing my first deer PCP.
1) shooting range 50-60yards
2) 3-4 full power shots
3) .357 ok but prefer .45
4) carbine barrel
5) mag fed
6) LDC attachment
7) 170-196 hollow point slugs
Which leads me to AEA HP max .457.
What are your thoughts.
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@BackWoodsWv Reviewing your local hunting laws (or laws in the state you intend to hunt) is probably the best first step. That way you can make a sound first purchase. As far as capability is concerned I’d look to what other air gunners have accomplished on deer hunts with big-bore airguns. Here’s a couple threads that may interest you in regards to hunting deer with an AEA .357 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/aea-hp-max-357-first-deer-ever.1223752/
.58 and .72 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/aea-zeus-weekend-deer-hunt.1268866/
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