N/A PCP advice

[Cherokeesctp]

Sorry in advance for being so long winded on my first post.

I'm not new to the PCP air rifle. I had a Daystate Huntsman in .177 and a Theoben Rapid MK II in .22. They were stolen in a break-in at my home about 3 years ago.

I'm wanting to get back into air rifles again.

I've been watching many a video on YouTube as it relates to the new air rifles. What its done more than anything is confuse me some because of the choices. I'm a range shooter and hunter. So I'd like a gun in which I can do both. I'm strongly considering a .25 from one of several makers. I'd like to shoot slugs and pellets with slugs being shot at a 100 yards or better. It will be used quite a lot for pest removal (birds, rabbits, groundhogs, possums). I'd like to have enough power inside 75 yards with the right slug to possibly take a coyote though this will be the exception.

So I guess I'd like an accurate, powerful, well balanced rifle that has proven itself to be a reliable gun. I realize you can issues with any air rifle. I just don't want to get one that is prone to problems.

I'm considering one of the following. AT this point there is no particular order to preference.

1. Western Sidewinder in .25
2. BRK Ghost in .25
3. Taipan Veteran II in .25
4. Airmaks Arms Krait X in .25
5. RTI P-3 in .25
6. RTI Prophet 2.1 in .25

Thanks for any advice you may offer,

 

[Corvid_hunter]

The BRK Ghost appears to be doing very well with regard to the reviews I've seen. I've had Daystate rifles before and liked them, so I'm possibly biased.

 

[Ranchibi]

Since you had a Rapid, I would also suggest researching a RAW, especially if you call Martin and have him build you a custom one built to your specs. All the ones on your list are as good as it gets BTW , just a suggestion.

 

[Cmurphy5583]

Not on your list but a huben k1

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Cherokeesctp Whatever you get, don’t overlook the .30 cal. Since you threw coyotes in the mix I felt inclined to mention it.

 

[F6Hawk]

Totally depends on your budget. Gauntlet II in .25 or .30 Cal is an awesome gun for the price, but very "untweakable". Step up to the Impact M3 and you will have a very adjustable gun with multiple caliber/barrel options. One dual-regulated, very adjustable air delivery system in multiple calibers as well as options for pellet and slugs. But the starting price is $2100.

 

[Corvid_hunter]

@Cherokeesctp Whatever you get, don’t overlook the .30 cal. Since you threw coyotes in the mix I felt inclined to mention it.

30cal might be nice, but not necessary. A well placed .25cal slug would drop a coyote at 75 yards. Some would say a well placed .22cal slug could do the same. The difference in ammo cost between the .25cal and the .30cal would be noticeable in the long run.

 

[shambozzie]

+1 on what was said about the .30 cal. Got mine tuned for accuracy. Jsb 44.7 @ 850 mv still have 40 fpe @ 100 yds. The yotes are tough. Sure the .25 will do but we need power here.

 

[Corvid_hunter]

A 33.95gr .25cal JSB pellet with a muzzle velocity of 900fps has 33 fpe at 100 yards. The BC on the 33gr .25cal pellet is 0.046. The BC on the 44gr .30cal pellet is 0.037 as per Hard Air Magazine. https://hardairmagazine.com/ballistic-coefficients/

 

[beerthief]

Adding a question to this post . Is it possible to have a rifle (say Vulcan for instance or RAW ? ) tuned so one can change projectiles at will ? Pellets for birds then a slug for racoon ? NO fiddling with settings !

 

[Brownie2]

I like option 5 then 2

 

[357cal]

30cal might be nice, but not necessary. A well placed .25cal slug would drop a coyote at 75 yards. Some would say a well placed .22cal slug could do the same. The difference in ammo cost between the .25cal and the .30cal would be noticeable in the long run.

For coyotes I wouldn't use anything less than my Airforce Texan 308, You're not always going to get that well placed shot.

 

[Corvid_hunter]

For coyotes I wouldn't use anything less than my Airforce Texan 308, You're not always going to get that well placed shot.

If that's what makes you comfortable, by all means stick with it.

 

[orangeokie]

Daystate, Air Arms and BSA steel and walnut would be the top three on my list.

 

[357cal]

If that's what makes you comfortable, by all means stick with it.

It's not about being comfortable, the use of a low-powered airgun is not recommended as the chance of simply wounding the animal is much greater.

 

[Corvid_hunter]

It's not about being comfortable, the use of a low-powered airgun is not recommended as the chance of simply wounding the animal is much greater.

If you can't reliably shoot MOA at 100 yards, don't try to shoot a coyote in the head at 75 yards. Or 50 yards for that matter. Making up for poor shot placement with using a bigger caliber doesn't cut it.

 

[JimD]

If you want to consider some less expensive guns you might look at a Snowpeak (SPA) P35 or Stoeger bullshark or SPA M60b. The first two are available in 25 caliber and the M60b is also available in 30 and 35 caliber. Airgun Archery Fun has the M60b and Krale has both that gun and P35s. You can get the Stoeger from Amazon and others. I have 3 P35s and really like them. Light (5 lbs unscoped), short (under 30 inches) and reasonably powerful (my 25 is just under 50 ft lbs). My P35-22 has given me one 200 on the 30 yard challenge so they are pretty accurate too (my other two have shot over 190).