Newbie needing suggestions

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CS-315

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Nov 1, 2023
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Baltimore
A friend and I have started getting into small game hunting/target shooting with air rifles. Currently been using a gamo magnum break barrel with no complaints. Potentially just wanting more, which demands PCP it seems. I've acquired some info so far, but still looking for some suggestions

-Cleaning/maintenance frequency and complexity

-Reliability of PCP rifles in harsh weather

-thoughts on buying second hand?

Things I'm looking for in order of importance:
-Range, being able to trust something at 100+ yards would be very nice.
-Weight/Length , Im on the move a decent amount and shoot standing up sometimes, it would be awesome to keep under 7-8 lbs and not be too terribly long.
-Reliable, don't want it constantly breaking/Jamming on me.
-Magazine capacity of at least 5. The more, the better.
-Semi auto would be really nice, but I could be talked into bolt action.
-Stopping power is not something I'm terribly concerned with, just needs to be able to drop small game at the ranges expressed above.

My price range is preferably 500-1000, but some of these high end semi autos are making me think again. A second hand leshiy 2 or a steyr hunting rifle would be pretty cool. Just not into the 3-5k that would cost to have done all-new. Thoughts on the AEA terminator? Just seems like those are good for about 20 shots before they need refilled.

Or is something like a bolt action daystate more up my alley?
 
Long_Gun_Dallas said:
Well, to get the long range performance, you either need to be extremely good at reading wind, or you'll want to use slugs. Once you start using slugs, you may as well be shooting bullets. They don't slow down much at all. And just keep going. Pellets are good because they do shed speed and power pretty quick. So, generally I'd .22 caliber pellets at 70 yards max while hunting. This is my personal comfort zone/skill level. Larger caliber pellets will buck the wind better, but also carry more energy.....
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I haven’t tested it at all, but I was under the impression that even the .30 slugs and possibly even larger didn’t travel half as far as a .17 HMR/.22 LR.
YouTube seemed to point me towards some guns being able to streach to 100 and just beyond with .22/.25 hollow points. That’s just YouTube. Not like I can prove it. That is kind of what I was looking for.

I need to really test my break barrel and see what it can really do. I know I can do 50+ yards with it no problem unless lots of wind.
2 grand for 30 extra yards of accuracy may not be for me.
 
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Couple of questions you have to ask yourself, what kind of small game? We talking squirrel to maybe woodchuck, or something larger? How often do 100+ yard shots realistically present themselves? What type of projectiles do you plan to use? some can get pricey depending on caliber and/or carry further than intended. Will this strictly be a hunting gun? High shot count becomes less of a priority if so. Magazine feed is nice, but do you really need it? You could be passing over some solid performers that are single shot. Filling source, cylinder/tank volume and pressures?!!! You ain't going to want to fill a 500cc tank to 4500psi with a hand pump...

My suggestion for whatever gun you choose, is to stay with the current caliber you have with your Gamo, or if you choose to go up, maybe consider going at least two caliber sizes (so if a .22 skip .25 and go .30+) so you avoid those in between/marginal gain effects/feelings/what have you, but you don't have to do this. I was one of those who went from .177 to .22, then to .25 for a stint, then back to .22 wishing I skipped .25 and gone .30... All while questioning why I'm keeping/feeding these different caliber airguns...

Also, I know they're not repeaters, not feature rich and possibly are a bit dated, but go check out the Airforce line up... They also have an outlet if you want to save a bit.
 
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Just Zack 2 said:
Couple of questions you have to ask yourself, what kind of small game? We talking squirrel to maybe woodchuck, or something larger? How often do 100+ yard shots realistically present themselves? What type of projectiles do you plan to use? some can get pricey depending on caliber and/or carry further than intended. Will this strictly be a hunting gun? High shot count becomes less of a priority if so. Magazine feed is nice, but do you really need it? You could be passing over some solid performers that are single shot. Filling source, cylinder/tank volume and pressures?!!! You ain't going to want to fill a 500cc tank to 4500psi with a hand pump...

My suggestion for whatever gun you choose, is to stay with the current caliber you have with your Gamo, or if you choose to go up, maybe consider going at least two caliber sizes (so if a .22 skip .25 and go .30+) so you avoid those in between/marginal gain effects/feelings/what have you, but you don't have to do this. I was one of those who went from .177 to .22, then to .25 for a stint, then back to .22 wishing I skipped .25 and gone .30... All while questioning why I'm keeping/feeding these different caliber airguns...

Also, I know they're not repeaters, not feature rich and possibly are a bit dated, but go check out the Airforce line up... They also have an outlet if you want to save a bit.
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We often do plenty of target shooting. The more capacity, definitely the better for quality of life. I can make 5 or so work. But 10+ would be great.
Single load is not something I’m wanting to consider. I move a lot of and would like to be able to have several mags ready.

The more shots I can get out of a tank, the better. I’m not worried about filling it up. My friend has a compressor.
Thanks for the help on the caliber changing.

I looked at the air force lineup. I think they’re all single shot. So I’m out by default.
 
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You can find a real nice used Brocock for under $700. if you keep an eye out. A lot of airgunners get bored with the latest flavor when something new comes out and they just have to have it. Usually they sell guns that have a lot of miles left in them just to get the newest and greatest and will do whatever it takes. It's a disease and hard to cure LOL. Ask me how I know. That's why there are a lot of great deals in the used market. Just be careful as there are a bunch of dishonest people out there. The AGN classifieds are one of the safer places but you still have to do your Do Diligence.
 
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ba49 said:
You can find a real nice used Brocock for under $700. if you keep an eye out. A lot of airgunners get bored with the latest flavor when something new comes out and they just have to have it. Usually they sell guns that have a lot of miles left in them just to get the newest and greatest and will do whatever it takes. It's a disease and hard to cure LOL. Ask me how I know. That's why there are a lot of great deals in the used market. Just be careful as there are a bunch of dishonest people out there. The AGN classifieds are one of the safer places but you still have to do your Due Diligence.
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I already have my eye on a few different ones. Just can’t message them for another 10 days.
I have the same never-ending-cycle habits…. Just not in airgun form!
 
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I suggest looking at the Avenge X. I have an Avenger and it is a good rifle, especially for the price, but uses plastic where I think it should have metal. That seems to have been addressed by the Avenge X. Caliber changes for under $100 is wild.

My favorite airgun is my 3 P35s. Under $500 about 5 lbs weight. 25 easily is over 40 fpe, 22 is over 30 and the 177 is almost 20 fpe. All work for small game for me. All have squirrel head accuracy at realistic ranges but the 22 is the most accurate. I've shot one 200 score on the 30 yard challege with it which means touching (at least) a 1/8th inch diameter 10 ring with 20 of 24 shots at 30 yards. 15 shots touched the center dot. But the few times I have tried this gun at 100 yards it was about 2 MOA. I was just using hold over to aim and was using pellets, not slugs. There was wind. I think if I got serious about 100 yard bench shooting I could get it down to around 1 MOA but it might not do better than 1.5 MOA.

In terms of shooting at 100 yards, even my 177 will carry 200 yards according to chairgun and the 22 and 25 will carry 500 yards with the right upward angle. With pellets. It's just an accuracy thing. Pellets have really high BCs so they get blown around a lot and that shows up big time at longer range. Slugs are better but their BC is still low relative to powder burner bullets. I think 50 yards is a really long shot on small game. 20-30 is normal for me.

When I talk about squirrels I am talking about squirrels that live in trees, not holes in the ground. I think the requirements for ground squirrels are different and longer range shots may be a practical requirement. But for tree squirrels and rabbits I don't need to take 100 yard shots and I don't.
 
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maxtrouble said:
@CS-315 - Why the 100 yard requirement? Fifty yards and under air rifles shine. Use bait to distract your quarry for close shots. Squirrels lose their fear when peanuts are involved. I try and keep my shots around 35 yards for hunting. I shoot pest birds at 20 yards with bird seed and a springer pistol. DRT.
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There are a few comfortable setup spots that leave me 50-100 yards away from targets. With rabbits and birds, they seem to scare when I think im going to get into that 35-45 yard range. Squirrels seem to be a lot more unbothered. Not 100% needed, but my break barrel does fine at the ranges listed above. So would defeat the purpose of investing 1000+ for marginal advantages.
 
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