swaying over a pcp...

[wildfowler.250]

I loved using my air gun,(mostly outside the game season) which is a .22 HW 77K. I have always fancied a pcp but asides the cost, the thought of constantly refilling the gun/divers bottle has put me off.

 

At the moment i have a few rimfires and tend to mainly go for the HMR so I 'could' sell my .22 and get a pcp.

 

 

Q1) should i get a FAC .22 air? if not I was thinking of .177

Q 2) How easy is it to find somewhere to get air? I'm in north of scotland so generally if you want something it is usually miles away.

Q3) what would you estimate the costs to be for a set up. I would need to buy the divers bottle stuff as well as the gun but I would be able to use my scope from my .22lr

 

 

I am tempted with the HW100 or the air arms s410. I have a sneaky suspicion the weihrauch will be a much better gun though. When I last looked at the website it is actually marginally lighter than the 77K i started with at 14!

 

 

All replies are greatly appreciated. Half the reason I'm tempted is I always feel airguns are much safer than a rimfire but obviously backstops still apply.

[wildfowler.250]

ps...im guessing a mil dot scope would make things a lot easier as well for longer shots?

[evo]

the HW 100 is a great choice only problem is its a little heavy but very accurate

 

IMHO answers to your question

 

Q1) should i get a FAC .22 air? if not I was thinking of .177

 

A1) if its for the larger species then .22 fac but a .177 has a flatter trajectory and will extend killing range

 

Q 2) How easy is it to find somewhere to get air? I'm in north of scotland so generally if you want something it is usually miles away.

 

A 2) you could use a hills stirrup pump so no need to worry about filling your bottle although it is easier, i use a 7ltr 300bar bottle but to be honest get a bigger one (ltrs) because you will get more fills,also make sure it is 300 bar as this ensures it will fill to max more also,once the bottle starts to empty you can always top up with the pump,imo it is better to use a bottle because the air is cleaner but the pumps are very handy if you run out and also for topping up when the air bottle is starting to get low

 

please remember you will get less shots per fill with fac air than you will with a sub 12ftlb prob 20 to 30 shots fac and 70 to 80 shots sub 12ftlb

 

Q3) what would you estimate the costs to be for a set up. I would need to buy the divers bottle stuff as well as the gun but I would be able to use my scope from my .22lr

 

A3) all depends wether a new gun or second hand but for second hand your looking at around £450 to £600 just for the gun and £70 to £200 for the bottle depending on size

 

If buying new you might be able to get a deal on a bottle and a gun together but doubt you will get much change out of £900 for them both

 

Regards the pump second hand anything from £50 upwards and new i think they are around £150

 

hope this helps and please note my figures are off the top of my head so to speak

 

anyway good luck with your choice,,all the best,,, Evo

[chrisjpainter]

North of Scotland eh? Which part?

I agree with pretty much everything evo has said. I'd definitely look at going second hand as you can get some tasty deals that include bottles and/or pumps for a lot less than you pay new! 400-650 would get you everything you'd need second hand. The problem might be finding someone selling that's close or willing to post to you that you trust. The one thing i would add is that if you get something with a large buddy bottle - Daystate air ranger or a Theoben - definitely get a bottle! Filling up to pressure on a 400cc bottle is heavy going! For the more conventional cylinder rifles, a pump is fine, but as evo hinted at, keeping the moisture out of it is a good idea, so get one with a drypac system that takes the moisture out of the air as it's being forced into the cylinder.

[timmytree]

After 40 odd years of springers I've got my first PCP!

Springer wise I've got a Prosport which is brilliant and a Cometa 300 for ratting and lamping at short range. A few months ago I got an AA S200 intending it to be for my youngest lad to learn on.

I joked about PCP's being flit guns, not proper guns etc but I have to admit this little gun has got me hooked. Superbly accurate, light and simple.

I only use a pump but with a small cylinder that's not a problem. Starting at 170 bar I get 45 shots in the sweet spot, topping up with a pump takes less than 2 minutes. I'm 55 with a bad back and I don't struggle with it at all.

[ash w]

I have a AA S200 .177, they are great little gun and so accurate as timmytree has said, as for filling a pump is all i use . Im now going for FAC air.Dont think i will be buying a bottle just use my hand pump.

[BerettaEELL]

I have a Webley FX2000, deadly accurate, silent in .22 . I have a stirrup pump which is lightweight and transportable, it takes about 50 pumps to bring it up to max load (200 bar). PCPs are a pleasure to fire ans easy to maintain. Most are adjustable for use with FAC up to 34ft/lbs,

[pest popper]

If going fac air go .22, if sub12 go for .177 or .20

 

Also fac air at say 950fps uses alot more air so it would be highly beneficial to go for a gun with a buddy bottle to get a fair shot count (theoben rapid would be my choice)

 

If sub12 the likes of a HW100k would be spot on (the newest version of this gun is very light compared to its previous model)

 

If you are buying a bottle get a 12ltr 300bar as you are out the way a bit.

 

Or, if filling bottle is that much of a problem i would go for a pcp with a small cylinder and a 4 stage pump. Try and pick up something like a .177 regulated BSA ultra. Quality little guns, accurate as hell, easy to work on, and if its been regulated, 70 shots per fill with no power curve

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks for all the very helpful replies guys don't have time just now to do a proper reply but

1) in near Inverness

2) what pump would you recommend

3) what's the newest weihrauch version called then? The lighter one?

 

 

I'll do a proper reply later when I get the chance cheers again for the advice. I'm starting to think hw in .177

[Catweazle]

Buy an efficient rifle with a buddy bottle, a Rapid MK2 ( in 0.22 ) can give up to 400 shots from one fill. A 12 litre 300 bar bottle will fill the buddy bottle many times, you might only have to fill the divers bottle every couple of years.

[kent]

I loved using my air gun,(mostly outside the game season) which is a .22 HW 77K. I have always fancied a pcp but asides the cost, the thought of constantly refilling the gun/divers bottle has put me off.

 

At the moment i have a few rimfires and tend to mainly go for the HMR so I 'could' sell my .22 and get a pcp.

 

 

Q1) should i get a FAC .22 air? if not I was thinking of .177

Q 2) How easy is it to find somewhere to get air? I'm in north of scotland so generally if you want something it is usually miles away.

Q3) what would you estimate the costs to be for a set up. I would need to buy the divers bottle stuff as well as the gun but I would be able to use my scope from my .22lr

 

 

I am tempted with the HW100 or the air arms s410. I have a sneaky suspicion the weihrauch will be a much better gun though. When I last looked at the website it is actually marginally lighter than the 77K i started with at 14!

 

 

All replies are greatly appreciated. Half the reason I'm tempted is I always feel airguns are much safer than a rimfire but obviously backstops still apply.

They are a niche tool in Fac , not a replacement for a .22 Lr in any way. In FAC air you will want to be getting a big buddy bottle fed gun not the two you mention. I sold my Rapid to a mate and retained it on my FAC as I can get it back on loan if required. Get as large a bottle as you can and find your nearest Dive shop. IMO not a good buy in your location, stick to the springer and don't even look at a sub 12ftlb pcp- why have all that filling hastle for what is essentially a vermin tool for short range use?. effective range increase in the field might seem a lot to a 12 ft lb only user BUT its effectively 60yds at best using a 30ft lb gun and taking that shot is like a 70 yd shot with subs. Oh and PCP guns hate the muck and rain that comes as part of the course in the field compared to a good solid springer. Were are you going to store the bottle and gauges without it getting damaged. good for shooting crows out of trees, better around stock rabbiting in the right hands doubling the effective range of a 12ft lb gun- that's it

[wildfowler.250]

Well I've decided this much..I've ruled out FAC air.

 

I do really fancy the PCP airguns as I enjoy using them and obviously birds in trees are a no no with the rimfire.

 

I've heard fire stations can fill up your O2 tank at a cost but only to 230 bar.

 

 

I think I'll buy a good quality hand pump and looks at the O2 source after that. Anyone recommend a good pump. I have to say I do fancy a decent airgun. Are daystate's much better than HW? I'm just looking for something accurate, well made and 12ft lbs.

 

 

The big issue is whether I can face selling my finnfire to fund it

 

Ps thanks for the opinions and apologies for the poor grammar,(I'm using my phone).

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

[evo]

Well I've decided this much..I've ruled out FAC air.

 

I do really fancy the PCP airguns as I enjoy using them and obviously birds in trees are a no no with the rimfire.

 

I've heard fire stations can fill up your O2 tank at a cost but only to 230 bar.

 

 

I think I'll buy a good quality hand pump and looks at the O2 source after that. Anyone recommend a good pump. I have to say I do fancy a decent airgun. Are daystate's much better than HW? I'm just looking for something accurate, well made and 12ft lbs.

 

 

The big issue is whether I can face selling my finnfire to fund it

 

Ps thanks for the opinions and apologies for the poor grammar,(I'm using my phone).

 

Cheers!

 

if you fancy a daystate,well built ,light and the perfect hunting machine then get the daystate huntsman,,accurate ,light and 70+ shots out of a full charge,you will get one new for £700 if not less but will pay anything between £450-£600 second hand but they truely are a fantastic hunting rifle,well built aswell with a 10 shot magazine,heres a picture of mine , if you can afford more then go for the daystate air ranger it is truelly the best of the best a fantastic rifle but you will pay over a £1000 new,good luck with your choice but a huntsman classic is the ideal hunting rifle in your price bracket,in my opinion

[kent]

Well I've decided this much..I've ruled out FAC air.

 

I do really fancy the PCP airguns as I enjoy using them and obviously birds in trees are a no no with the rimfire.

 

I've heard fire stations can fill up your O2 tank at a cost but only to 230 bar.

 

 

I think I'll buy a good quality hand pump and looks at the O2 source after that. Anyone recommend a good pump. I have to say I do fancy a decent airgun. Are daystate's much better than HW? I'm just looking for something accurate, well made and 12ft lbs.

 

 

The big issue is whether I can face selling my finnfire to fund it

 

Ps thanks for the opinions and apologies for the poor grammar,(I'm using my phone).

 

Cheers!

Selling a finnfire to fund an airgun! Are you on drugs or something? None of the decent 12 ft lb airguns will shoot more accurate in the field, in deed I bet your HW77 has greater shot to shot consistency (good springers are very good in this regards)

[chrisjpainter]

The hills pumps with the drypac is probably the one to go for. you can pick them up new for a fair whack, but second hand might be the way to go. You can buy the drypac system that removes the moisture from the air separately and just screw them in i think. In terms of guns, the HW100 and the Daystate Huntsman are brilliant, although the HW is rather heavy. Other things to think about would be an AA S510, BSA R10 mk2 or a BSA S10.

[BerettaEELL]

I have had my Logun pump for 8 years without any issues whatsoever, My Webley FX2000 has worked flawlessly with it.

[jmj121]

Hw100 everytime.....

[retromlc]

i just got back into air rifles and went for a HW100S,shockingly accurate but heavy,solved this with a shoulder strap and shooting sticks,the good thing I think is a HW100 comes with 2 X 14 shot mags and a superb silencer as standad,so for £750 you have a good start,I got a used bottle and had a scope so with sticks and strap it cost £960,a good scope is prob £100.A carbine is a little lighter but less shots per fill,not that i would get 70 shots on a single hunt trip anyway,but for garden shooting the extra shots is handy.For hunting I wish i'd got a lighter gun TBH

[scrawny40]

FXroyale 400, in 177. very accurate and quiet.

[jackinbox99]

I find the s410 in .22 works perfect for me as i found the hw100 too clunky and heavy. I find I get more shots than i`ll ever use in several hunting trips out of mine. I cant remember the exact number its something like 70 I think. I tend to just top it up with a pump before each trip, so it never runs out.

 

You can get a hills or an FX pump, they are about 120quid new, maybe slightly more. I found it easy to pump the gun up. 5 or 6 pumps to get going then each pump seemed to = 1 shot. As I said, if you just top it up before each trip its a lot easier. You can get diving bottles - which give you no end of refills. I bought a 300bar 7litre one for about £180 incl whip. Diving centres will happily refill them and they dont cost much to refill.

 

Normal 12ft/lb guns will only be accurate to about 45 yards. I normally aim for 25->40 years for kills. Certainly no replacement for a .22LR or anything, but ideal around barns and in fields where you dont want a more powerful gun.

 

Price for a setup? Typically for a s410 like mine you can pick them up for about £400ono. incl scope & silencer. Then you just add the cost of the pump or bottle on top of that. The best thing is that they hold their value like mad, so if in 6 months or a year you want to go for an FAC air, you`ll pretty much be guaranteed to get your money back on the s410 when you sell it.