I am new to Air Guns and am looking to make my first purchase. I am looking for a solid rifle that is accurate as well as reliable. I am looking for a rifle in .25 caliber; it will be used mostly for squirrels. I have been looking at the Marauder and the Air Force Condor as well. I just want to buy a rifle that I don't have to mess with much; as far as putting more money into it. What is the better between the two and are there any other recommendations in the 1000 dollars and below range that would be a good solid out of the box rifle.
PCP Rifle Recommendations
- Thread starter elock49
- Start date
While somewhat over your target price, the Daystate Revere is outstandin. New they run around $1500. I have a lightly used .22 caliber revere for sale for $900 plus shipping in case you are interested. good luck in your search. Dave
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.25 marauder was my first pcp .. devastating on squirrel is not an overstatement .. its as accurate as a typical .22lr with comparable usage distance offhand which most tree rat problems are .. i never touched mine with a wrench for 10 years, just used it out of the box as it came ..
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Like @ontargetnow says the Daystate revere is awesome and 900 is a good price. If you can't go that route the marauders are good.
Is $1000.00 total budget or for just the gun?
Is $1000.00 total budget or for just the gun?
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There’s a million answers to this one. I just received a Umarex Gauntlet I purchased from a member here. It’s in.25 and should do very well for your needs. The Gauntlet 2 is out now and both are way under you max cost. I suspect you can get the gun and a compressor for around $600. Many other options as mentioned.
Rick H.
Rick H.
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The huntsman revere 22 cal is one that I won’t part with. Definitely a squirrel killing machine.
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elock,
I'd recommend you look at the Air Venturi Avenger (Wood Stock), the DAR Generation 3 and the soon-to-be released Airacuda Max. The Umarex Gauntlet and Benjamin Marauder are good guns, however, they're long, heavy and of an aging technology. A $50 Chinese high pressure air hand pump from eBay can be used to fill. You'll also need to purchase a scope since open sights aren't usually included. The ammo shortage, especially the .25, is improving slightly, however, you might want to check some prices to avoid sticker shock. Best of Luck, WM
I'd recommend you look at the Air Venturi Avenger (Wood Stock), the DAR Generation 3 and the soon-to-be released Airacuda Max. The Umarex Gauntlet and Benjamin Marauder are good guns, however, they're long, heavy and of an aging technology. A $50 Chinese high pressure air hand pump from eBay can be used to fill. You'll also need to purchase a scope since open sights aren't usually included. The ammo shortage, especially the .25, is improving slightly, however, you might want to check some prices to avoid sticker shock. Best of Luck, WM
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I don't know your situation, but if you have neighbours and you're worried about errant shots, deflections, etc, perhaps a 0.22 is the better option. Also kills squirrels, and is less of a danger to everything else. For your first PCP I'd start cheap. A pumper is a great way to go, like even a Crosman P1322.
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Acrually the gun will not be the determining factor, guns tank capacity does not make a difference,......how many shots you want to take a day will make a difference.
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Yupp, just like he says: you can fill a huge air bottle on your gun little by little with a pump. The tank is not the problem. It's the operator — when he/she wants the cake and eat it, too.
As in: he wants all the fun of shooting the whole big tank down to "empty" (or regulator setpoint) without any pumping —— and then expects to fill the whole big tank in one SHORT sitting.
Nope, you shoot some, you pump some, as not to keep it all for the "bitter end."
Scopes — Do you have a separate thread on your scope search?I have some suggestions (what is your typical squirrel range?).
Matthias
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I haven't started looking at scopes that much yet. Most of my shots will be in the 25 yards or less range; with nothing over 50 yards. Do you have any recommendations. I was considering the Leupold VX Freedom EFR, but any advice would be great.
The tank is not the problem. It's the operator — when he/she wants the cake and eat it, too.
As in: he wants all the fun of shooting the whole big tank down to "empty" (or regulator setpoint) without any pumping —— and then expects to fill the whole big tank in one SHORT sitting.
Nope, you shoot some, you pump some, as not to keep it all for the "bitter end."
I have some suggestions (what is your typical squirrel range?).
Matthias
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My first PCP was a Hatsan Hercules Bully, which I have been happy with. I went .177 since I live within city limits and state law says only .177. The Hatsan is in your price range, although it would be heavy if you wanted to carry it around the woods.
I did go with a hand pump and it worked out fine. I could shoot a couple magazines before my gauge would even move off the top of the green at 250 bar. After a few more magazines I would pump it up, which did not take too long, nor was it too hard for me - an in shape, older guy.
Price on the hand pump was better than the alternatives of a tank or powered compressor.
As mentioned a few posts back, if you plan on draining the whole tank ( 500 cc in this case ) expect you are going to be pumping for a while and will have to break it up into multiple sessions letting the pump cool down between.
Once I bought my Leshiy 2, and drained the tank to tweak things, and just because it uses air faster, I decided to get a carbon fiber tank for convenience.
I did go with a hand pump and it worked out fine. I could shoot a couple magazines before my gauge would even move off the top of the green at 250 bar. After a few more magazines I would pump it up, which did not take too long, nor was it too hard for me - an in shape, older guy.
Price on the hand pump was better than the alternatives of a tank or powered compressor.
As mentioned a few posts back, if you plan on draining the whole tank ( 500 cc in this case ) expect you are going to be pumping for a while and will have to break it up into multiple sessions letting the pump cool down between.
Once I bought my Leshiy 2, and drained the tank to tweak things, and just because it uses air faster, I decided to get a carbon fiber tank for convenience.
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Don't underestimate the effort hand pumping can be. If you insist on sticking with the hand pump I'd absolutely look for a hand pump friendly rifle. Most PCP's are NOT. Umarex Origin is one suggestion. It was my first pcp, also in 25 caliber. Specifically chose it since it's easy to hand pump. 180cc air cylinder, max fill of 3600psi but I never filled past 3000psi when I was hand pumping.
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My vote is for the Benjamin Marauder. That rifle has been around a long time, and has been many shooters 1st step into PCP. I have one in .177 and it is fantastic. Read through the reviews on Pyramydair.com. Good luck in your search.
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