Umarex Talk me out of a Umarex Gauntlet 2 sl30

I am fairly new to air rifles but not firearms. I have been shooting my Airacuda Max in .22 and enjoy it. I would like a .30 Cal for bigger game. Airgun Channel has convinced me that the would be a good choice. I have done a bit of research and I really like the following features: Bottle 4500 PSI air tank, supported by Hajimoto, upgradable, accurate, will shoot slugs if I want, and side lever. The weight is certainly a thing but it's not much heavier than the Airacuda. I would like to keep my budget under $800. I have looked at the Hatsan Blitz but I don't need semi or full auto and would rather have accuracy. I realize the M60b is in the same arena but I cannot find it in .30 cal, Am I missing anything?
 
I am fairly new to air rifles but not firearms. I have been shooting my Airacuda Max in .22 and enjoy it. I would like a .30 Cal for bigger game. Airgun Channel has convinced me that the would be a good choice. I have done a bit of research and I really like the following features: Bottle 4500 PSI air tank, supported by Hajimoto, upgradable, accurate, will shoot slugs if I want, and side lever. The weight is certainly a thing but it's not much heavier than the Airacuda. I would like to keep my budget under $800. I have looked at the Hatsan Blitz but I don't need semi or full auto and would rather have accuracy. I realize the M60b is in the same arena but I cannot find it in .30 cal, Am I missing anything?
I don't know where you are or if you're looking for something used but I'm in Florida and I have a "FX Mavrick Sniper" .30 I'm looking to let go of.
 
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Although the gauntlet SL .30 is long and unwieldy if you're not going to be doing stalking or running and gunning it's a good platform for the money.

My first PCP was a gauntlet .25 and that was poop to shoot, BUT it shot great. Took about 2k shots for the bolt to finally "smooth" itself.

The SL30 is miles ahead of what the first gauntlet was like. With a heavy slug you can get close to 120fpe and 100fpe is standard on the gun.
 
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Have patience, Umarex just came around to sidelever after giving up on the "rock crusher" bolt action. Light and short are next on the agenda, I hope, can't rush progress. WM
If they would have kept the rock crusher bolt I might have purchased a .30.

John
 
I bought a Gauntlet 2 in .25 in the classifieds here. I still like it and bought a Gauntlet, not a 2, as a second .25 because I want two of everything. The second one had some problems but it got sorted and shoots very well. Both are big and a bit heavy but not my heaviest and well priced. No reason for me to rule them out in the future. I also have an Anschutz target rifle that cost more than both Gauntlets combined and is easily my heaviest rifle. Different critter for different needs but I would buy the Gauntlet again.

Rick H.
 
Cons:

I never had a .30 or side lever. But it took three .25s to get one that mostly did not leak. The quality was poor. All three rifles had "repairs" to the finish with Magic Markers. The bolt came loose on all three, it took a winch to cock the thing. The rifle is way too big, way too heavy for a hunting rifle. And it is fugly. Sometimes if I look at something long enough the appearance I might become accustomed to, not in this case, it has no redeeming aesthetic aspects. No parts availability, no phone to call, no support.

If I got another, it would be the .30SL. I would cut the shroud off or cut it down or sleeve the bare barrel. I would get rid of the stock somehow or cut it up also. I would spray paint or Cerakote or hydrodip the ugly thing to give it an even uglier finish than black Magic Marker on black paint that rubs off. And put a carbon fiber bottle on it so that to knock some weight off the front.

Pros:

The magazines I think fit in my M-Rods, if I recall or vice versa. Maybe I am not remembering that clearly. Otherwise they seemed reasonably accurate and powerful.
 
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Cons:

I never had a .30 or side lever. But it took three .25s to get one that mostly did not leak. The quality was poor. All three rifles had "repairs" to the finish with Magic Markers. The bolt came loose on all three, it took a winch to cock the thing. The rifle is way too big, way too heavy for a hunting rifle. And it is fugly. Sometimes if I look at something long enough the appearance I might become accustomed to, not in this case, it has no redeeming aesthetic aspects. No parts availability, no phone to call, no support.

If I got another, it would be the .30SL. I would cut the shroud off or cut it down or sleeve the bare barrel. I would get rid of the stock somehow or cut it up also. I would spray paint or Cerakote or hydrodip the ugly thing to give it an even uglier finish than black Magic Marker on black paint that rubs off. And put a carbon fiber bottle on it so that to knock some weight off the front.

Pros:

The magazines I think fit in my M-Rods, if I recall or vice versa. Maybe I am not remembering that clearly. Otherwise they seemed reasonably accurate and powerful.
The owner of this site (Dana) does custom builds for UX as well as other guns, he also prints body kits, which lighten the weight of the rifle by 2lbs