Want to get in to PCPs, looking for Accuracy, Suggestions?

[masterdiverstx]

Hi all,

I am looking to "turn to the dark side" aswell and get a PCP rifle. I currently own a springer and like it very much but want something more accurate. Accuracy is my thing, so single shot, bolt actions, repeaters makes no difference to me. I probably begin with a pump then upgrade to a scuba fill kit. Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands, dive shops are eveywhere so no problem. All sugestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

[daved]

Hey, Nowel, how much money you got to spend :-)?  For a first PCP on a budget, I'd recommend a Big Ed tuned BAM B51.  Thumbhole stock, good power and accuracy, Chinese clone of a very nice English rifle.  The same gun in a standard sporter stock is called a B50, but I don't think it fits nearly as well.  Expect to pay around $350.  

If you have the cash, any of the Air Arms S4XX rifles would be tough to beat.  The S400 is a singe shot bolt action, the S410 is a ten shot repeater.  Available in a variety of configurations and power levels, priced from around $650 to over $1000.  

If you're a tinkerer and/or like something modular, the Air Force Talon or Condor would be worth looking at.  The Talon is the base model, runs around $450 as I recall, then the Talon SS, shorter but fully shrouded barrel for those with noise concerns, about $480, and the Condor is the power house, somewhere over $500.  The nice thing about the AF guns is you can mix and match tanks and barrels, everything interchanges.  

If power is your thing, look at some of the Korean rifles, most do in excess of 50 fpe, and the Dragon Slayer is a .50 cal. that's rated at 200 fpe, as I recall.

No experience with the Korean guns, but I've owned a B50, 2 Talon SS's with various barrels and other stuff, and just recently got an older AA S400 in trade for one of my Talons.  No question, the Air Arms is top of the heap, but they are all good guns.  I know there are lots of other choices, and I'm sure others will chime in.  These are the ones I'm familiar with, and would feel comfortable recommending to a friend.  BTW, welcome aboard, and hope that helps.  Later.

Dave

[gamo2hammerli]

I just recently fell into the "Darkside" heh heh....I got lucky....bought the BSA Scorpion T10 and a Air Arms 410S (carbine)....both are very accurate 10 shot air rifles. The Scorpion is abit heavier and longer than the 410S.....but with it's bull barrel, it's quieter. The Scorpion's bolt action requires abit more arm muscle to cock and load a pellet, while the 410S's side lever just require one finger. I'msure there's alot of accurate PCP's out there.....I'm no expert on the topic though.

But I know what you mean.....a springer will move off target after a shot (Unless it's well tuned), while most PCP's have no recoil. My two PCP's stay on target after each shot.....I can just keep the stock to my shoulder and keep on shooting....see each pellet hit where it's aimed at. Or getting one holers.

With a pump and a PCP....the price will set you back around $700.00 or more....unless you get a Discovery....which I think is about $400.00....not too sure about that though.

[masterdiverstx]

I have been trying to narrow down my choices from the following: Air Force Condor HPA, Air Arms S400, or a FX rifle (Typhoon, Cyclone, Monsoon). Any reviews or comments on these rifles?

[jon]

AA 400 hands down would be my first choice, had a talon and didnt like it nothing wrong with it just didnt fit me well.

[daved]

Have to agree with Jon on the S400, only difference is, I LIKE my Talon :-).  I just did a review of my recently acquired older S400E, here's the link: http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9384&mid=69231#M69231
As I said, I like my Talon, but I don't think it's the best gun for someone getting a first PCP, especially if you want something ready to go right out of the box.  I've heard good things about the FX rifles, but never had any experience with them.  As I understand it, the newer Air Arm guns have an even more effective shroud, and the side lever cocking is supposed to be a big improvement over the bolt.  Add in adjustable power, and life just doesn't get much better.  Later.

Dave

[Rixtrix]

I only own a BSA PCP, but of the choices you've listed, the AA S400 is hands down the best for a first gun in that price range, both from what I've read on the various forums and from the personal experiences of my shooting buds( Some of whom have 25 or more air rifles). I would recommed looking at the BSA's, too. All the ones I've seen are fantastically accurate, including mine. Most guys that get an AirForce spend a ton of money getting the gun jut to their liking. Monsoons are neat with the rapid fire, but the guys I know say the FX's are kind of labor intensive to keep shooting well. Whatever you get, you'll love the ease of shooting one well!

Ric G

[PeakChick]

I would agree with Rick, take a look at BSA PCP rifles. They are indeed very, very accurate and have a reputation for being very reliable. The BSA PCP rifles are also very competitively priced when comparing them the the AA, FX, and other higher end PCP guns. I have a BSA Ultra, that I got from the great folks at Cobra Air Guns. I couldn't be more tickled with this fine, accurate little rifle.

Wouldn't the Evanix or the Sumatra from Korea be a good choice. I only know from reading reviews but both get excellent write ups.

[Gene_SC]

Jon is right about the the AA air rifles. I own two of them and both are tack drivers. I also own a FX Cyclone which is a tack driver as well. If you are looking to shoot for accuracy , the Air Arms 400 410 are in my opinion your best choice. If you are looking for power and not the precision accuracy then you can go with the chinese pcp's. Also there are many other things to lookfor besides accuracy and power as well. So do your homework and remember you want to pick the right air rifle for the style of shooting you like best. Gene

I understand the rifles I mention are Korean, not Chinese. This from the folks at Pyramyd Air.

[Gene_SC]

Sorry for the wrong ethnic name...:) I concider Korean PCP's to be excellent for power. I have owned a Sumatra and it was just to much for me..:) Fairly accurate but no where near an English made PCP, but then again the English PCP's are not of the same power either. Just depends on what you want to shoot at. If you buy a high powered PCP like the Korean or Chinese made ones and find you would rather shoot closer distance and have more consistant accuracy in my opioon the two I mentione on my previous post would be the one's I would choose....:) Gene

[gamo2hammerli]

Hi Rixtrix, can you give abit more "heads-up" on the FX's....what do you mean by "Labour Intensive"? I'm thinking inthe near future I might get a FX Whisper or Cyclone. Thanks. Is there a forum which FX owners hang out?

[Rixtrix]

Glad you like your Ultra, Stephanie. Did your's come with the mini-SAS or the full sized SAS Muzzle thingy? Mine was the short one and not quiet at all, so I got a new one from Rich in Mich that's quite effective. Btw, I got my Ultra through Airguns of Arizona.

Ric G

[Rixtrix]

Had two friends with Monsoons that either developed leaks monthly, or would jam up if fired rapidly a lot. Seems like the guys were always fiddling with them and never shooting them( maybe that was the problem?!). I'd recommend a BSA Multishotin whatever style suits your taste if you want that capacity. JMO

Ric G