Quote. I don't see any scenario where I would only have one or the other in my home. Nor would I, but since I already went off the proverbial reservation with the .22lr bolt action as being the best all ‘rounder I was trying to stick to the “either or question” the second time around. Given the limitation of air only a suppressed middle caliber PCP makes a ton of sense I just, personally, trust the simpler machine overtime more and this largely comes down to 2 primary thoughts. -Spring guns are always at rest unless being shot. PCPs, if stored for use, are always under pressure/tension so all the seals, pressure containers etc. are constantly subjected to stresses so while a good spring gun with synthetic seals can sit for decades with little to no maintenance a PCP will likely need more care. -PCPs by in large need to have external methods to charge them. These external items also require maintenance. Now I realize we are not talking about survival and parts and replacements are available but you are still taking time away to do those things vs your day to day work of homesteading. Where your 2 rifles are a PCP and a springer for a backup mine would be a .22lr and a springer for a backup. As both offer more robust longer term lack of attention. The .22LR gives you power and ammo versatility (snake shot, hunting, CB type rounds etc.) the HW95, for example, gives you all the quiet pesting you could need and is plenty powerful enough to take some fairly large critters. For the above reasons for me personally I don’t think a PCP would be in my battery if I was limited to either or or just 2. Now I am gun geek so I imagine I would have a whole tool box myself so……there would be a PCP. Now if you are willing to devote the time and energy to a PCP there is a TON to be said for making that your only platform as a mid caliber, suppressed PCP is really about the best of both worlds from spring gun and .22LR just with more effort involved.
. I don't see any scenario where I would only have one or the other in my home.
^^^^^^I think it’s all about comfort level. For the task at hand I don’t think any choice is a BAD ONE just that everybody has their own comfort levels, experiences etc. I am, at heart, a firearm guy hence my best choice for me being a .22LR bolt gun with irons and an optic. I can list a ton of reasons why that would be best for ME. I am also more comfortable tearing a spring gun apart and have far more experience and time with them vs a PCP gun so for me they work better. A solid sorted PCP gun with a compressor and hand pump would make a heckuva good one gun option for a ton of reasons. I don’t have the length of time and experience to trust them as much however. Again when we are talking about homesteading and not pure TEOTWAWKI survival then any of them work about as well as the next for basic chores requiring a projectile which are not a constant thing. You can always get ammo/parts resupplied as needed, although depending on your location it might be a bit of a PITA or time consuming but you can get them. At the end of the day I think in this case there really is only a RIGHT answers person to person and not holistically. I think the MOST IMPORTANT rule here is “two is one, one is none” because ANY tool you rely on will have an issue because well life and Murphy.
well for me it is pcp and pumpers all the way...along with molds for casting... do not have to worry about ammo shortages and prices when it comes down to it... as long as you recycle your lead can work on your familiarity with your rifles all day long if you want... So yep just for the INDEPENDENCE aspect of it the pumper/pcp wins... none of my pcp/ pumpers are very hold or ammo sensitive... And they are capable of high fpe without eating very expensive or cheap scopes...I have 5 rifles that do well to very well with 30g BBT... the least powerful is my MK 1322 pumper that sends them at 550 fps... It still does very well out to about 35 yards... MY urban and Buccaneer at about 28 and 32 fpe do better at longer range... and My Maximus and AT 44L at 45 ish fpe do better at 50-70 yards....22lr like a springer/gas ram can be ammo sensitive... cheaper ammo is not an option for many... what happens if it becomes not available or gets very expensive... Point is there are many ways that a pcp has the potential to be superior as a homesteading tool... and the longer you cast more economical to boot...
. Any platform can work for homesteading... the question is, how much ammo would you need to have on stock ? Even with casting ammo yourself, you still need to have the right raw materials for that.
Quote. Any platform can work for homesteading... the question is, how much ammo would you need to have on stock ? Even with casting ammo yourself, you still need to have the right raw materials for that. How much shooting are ye old homesteaders doing??? I mean barring for pleasure you are not gonna be popping off 50 shots a day. A few thousand rounds, which for most air gun calibers and .22LR is trivial to keep on hand and should last a LONGGGGG TIME if used only as a tool. I mean I am not homesteading but I just can’t see them running a beltfed worth of shots. Pellets keep indefinitely, don’t take up much space and are fairly inexpensive even in larger calibers vs real ammo. I mean you could have a shelf in the garage with a literal lifetime of ammo for honest tool use. Now shooting for pleasure that changes things.
I shoot into softwood rounds and pellet trap so I can reuse my pellets and lead... I got lucky and have about 60 lbs of pure lead that a buddy gave me in the form of flashing, an old pipe seal ring, and an old expansion/rupture tank...point is could shoot for practice/maintaining/improving skills, teaching kids shooting skills and yes for entertainment also...and entertainment can be important also as a homesteader...
HW95PCP TalonP
If you had to pick one type for a survival gun which would it be and why? Thinking:Small game for foodDefend the gardenPossibly protect the hen houseSort of a homesteading theme.
A Racine Sheridan like I shot my first squirrel with - wish they still made them like that! Accurate, powerful, light, great trigger, self contained. If I had to vote for greatest air rifle of all time that would be it!