PCP Setup Help - Yes I'm a Newbie

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Maestro

Maestro

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Sep 30, 2015
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Hey guys, first post here, looks like a great forum, excited to be here. Anyway...

So I'm new to PCPing. All I know is what is in Ted's videos and a few other things I've found while I've been "googling" away. Anyway I've decided I wanted to move forward with a purchase of a PCP. 

I don't mind too much about size. I care a lot about Accuracy and Shot-count. My budget is really open to the best for my money. I will be using a handpump though at least for now. There is a dive shop around but I'm not crazy excited to buy a 500$ tank and then have only 15-17 fills on my gun before heading to the shop again, and I'm afraid with my excitement, that might be way too often haha.

My first thought of course was the Marauder. But I really would want the .25 because of the Green Mountain barrel, but you only get 16 shots + a few more that might change your POI. I don't have a Chrony and I will not be tuning my gun, so don't ask me to do something crazy because I can't do it. 

My second thought was the Wildcat. I've always wanted a Bobcat ever since I saw it in Ted's videos. But now I think I'd rather have the Wildcat. Even though the Wildcat is 3000+ PSI to fill, I think since you get 50-60 shots depending on caliber, that I would be okay for at least 1-2 days of hunting. Which bring me to another point. I will be mostly using this for squirrels and pest birds once and a while. At my cabin we are infested with squirrel (and similar rodents) that I would be using my new PCP for. 

I will use it in my backyard from time to time on squirrels, but my backyard is quite large and neighbors are a ways off, that being said I would like it to be as quiet as possible, I know both the Marauder and Bobcat are deathly quiet. 

I was thinking for scopes, Hawke scope of some sort, doubt I'll spend 500$ on a 'winder. Pump I was thinking the FX Pump (I'd order the whole kit-and-caboodle from AOA). 

So this is the information I have. What sounds best for me? If I was to get a tank in a few months or so, what tank for the price would you recommend? I was looking at the 75 cb. ft. from Omega as my main tank, but as I said, I will be pumping for the first few months. 

Any information or recommendations you can give me would be great guys.

Thanks,

Maestro
 
You can always go with Nitrogen. I live in rural NE North Carolina & don't have access to a dive shop. I rent a 6000 psi Nitrogen bottle for $105 per year. So far so good. if you go the hand pump route, I would go with the Hill Mk. IV pump. I have a Hill Mk. III for a back up. Take a look at Optisan scopes. They are nice & cheaper than the Hawkes. I have both & like both. Lots of choices out there. Good luck & welcome to the Dark Side!!!
 
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If you are not going to get a tank, your best bet is a gun that is easy on air. You don't need 40fpe for pesting. Its much the same reason the R7/HW30's are so popular, because they are super easy to shoot. Pick a gun that is in the 12-15fpe range, or atleast under 20fpe, and I imagine you will be a much happier shooter. The .25 MRod's for example, are not going to be much fun to shoot.. I've got a .22, and even with an automated handpump, it seems to go through way more air (more hassle) than my other pcp's.

I've got a dirt cheap QB79 pcp, that is pure joy to shoot. I've gone through a suprising amount of pellets since I picked it up a few weeks back, and it would do great at backyard pesting and small game hunting. You could wind up with 2 pcp's, a cheap, easy on air one, and a high powered one, that way you have choices :)
 
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You are getting GREAT advise from thoughs posts above. If you really want to get into pcp's you will eventually need to get a tank. Some would say to get the tank before you get any rifle! Get the largest size you can get. I recommend Airhog. As binfordw stated, you will probably get a cheaper lower power gun and then go for broke on a high end one. With a full tank I start off with my cricket carbine and as the air reservoir goes below 3000 psi I switch to my Maruader or pistol to extend my shooting. I am still on the fence for a compressor but until then I hit the paintball center once a week. This hobby has been alot of fun, BUT it is NOT cheap!

Doc
 
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 I too agree you only need a sub 20fpe rifle for squirrels ( if your proficient with it) a 20fpe .177 or .22 will take head shots on squirrel out to 70 yards, 50 likely being a better limit for many shooters, do look at the UK forums and see what/how folks hunt to 50m (call em yards if you like) with sub 12fpe rifle all night ( and some days) everyday. Naturally for exact shot placement "I" would prefer the standar HM1000 .22 but as weight is a real issue for me I also have the "lowly" ( but absolutely competitive in Field Target - 10 to 55 yards-) QB78 on regulated HPA in .177 and it has taken head shots at 73 yards. I am running to much striker spring so only get 80 shots off the 13ci 3,000psi bottle at 18.5fpe. The HM gets 60+ shots on the reg at 30fpe off 3,000psi.
You mention scuba shops and $500.00 tanks, and, large CF tanks from Aoa so I got a bit confused.
The only $500.00 tanks I have heard of from a scuba shop were either the "cf wrap" 3440(?)psi with limited life span, or, "If it's Heavy it's a Faber" - that's a joke, it read "if it's steel it's a Faber, same thing but "might" suit you/someone?
A steel faber new is close ( should be less) to $500 but last forever, has good resale. I have a 110cf steel faber rated at 3440psi, it is heavy, it does have both decent psi and volume and works well for me.
Now "regular" scuba tanks are normally 3,000psi aluminum and sell for $125-150 new if you can shop around.
I've had the 3,00psi aluminum and WITH a regulated rig so even with a partial fill on the rifle every shot I did get was prefrect, on got by just fine with that. 
Nautrally large 4,500psi CF tanks are good but no matter what be CERTAIN you have a fill place.

But sure, "my" "Squirrel gun" spending your money would be the new RAW HM1000x in .25 with reg and ambi stock.

Also ( warrantee ?) I pumped for years, lot's of big-bores and many .22 target pre-charged rigs. And even know one very good FT shooter who "likes" pumping during shoots, pumping is doable and do check whoevers brand you buy about pumping, each manufactures wants you to use , x pump & with w/out filter.

Match any shoots near you? BEST thing you could do is drive, shoot, chat,learn and save.

John
 
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Wow thanks a lot guys.

Sounds like out of my choices most would opt for the .22 Marauder and then a CF Tank. Only issue is I've not heard the best things about the .22, and lots have "duds" compared to the .25. Currently I'm coming from a .177 break barrel which is approx. 18 FPE + or - a few depending on pellet. It will whack a squirrel in the right spot fairly easily, but I'd like to be able to stretch out past 15-20 yard limit. I know the .22 is fine, but from what I've seen and heard in a lot of places, the .25 is just a lot better IF you can fill it. 

And damn, I don't know how I've never seen the Gladiator before, but that is one awesome gun. If I waited a little longer I would really like that as an option, I mean at 100+ shots on high power and who knows how many on secondary power, I would literally have to pump it once a week (If that was okay for the gun). 

Personally, I'd rather wait until I have a good amount to buy the better/just less an ultimate setup instead of buy a get-ya-there setup and then a good setup and buying twice. 

Thanks for all the help guys, and if anyone has a Gladiator and/or has any info on it I'd love to listen. 

 
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