GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside" => Topic started by: -Horton on March 19, 2023, 03:44:44 AM
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I want to get Hubbs a good beginner big bore airgun for his b-day. We are both retired military and both hunt big/small game with powder ammo. Hubbs has expressed interest in airgun for hunting pronghorn, or mountain goat at a range of 175-max 250 yards.
1: Is this yardage realistic?
2: For pronghorn, a moderator or suppressor is probable necessary. Is this possible?
3: I am thinking in the .45 caliber range. Is this valid?
4: For a scope I am looking a the Element Hyper 7 from Element optics. Any thoughts?
5: My working range is 1K ish.
6: Can I have it professionally dialed in? So it’s ready to go for 250-500 rounds practice.
7: Would it need to be re-dialed in after that many rounds before hunting with it?
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.45 Air Force Texan Hard to do under 1000, try $ 2000 with ammo and support equipment and optics.
I am cheap and this is my take.
AEA air rifles would be my next choice, alongside Hatsan Piledriver .45/ I have the 50., over 100 yards gets to be a tall order for an air rifle.
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What James said above!
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Howdy, thank you for serving
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Thanks for the info. I see that my price range (gathered from the net for a Airgun starters was wrong, imagine that, the net being wrong).
So move my price range to 2 k…in for a penny, in for a pound..
Given the new peramiter:
1: Is this yardage realistic?
2: For pronghorn, a moderator or suppressor is probable necessary. Is this possible?
3: I am thinking in the .45 caliber range. Is this valid?
4: For a scope I am looking a the Element Hyper 7 from Element optics. Any thoughts?
5: My working range is 2K ish.
6: Can I have it professionally dialed in? So it’s ready to go for 250-500 rounds practice.
7: Would it need to be re-dialed in after that many rounds before hunting with it?
Because this is a starter, I would be willing to invest in quality used (previous issued, no longer in production). If this is anything like our rimfire, this would be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. 👍
Thanks - great full to have come back.
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Not too much to offer because I have only had my .457 Texan since the first of the year.
$2K is very do-able to get started.
My standard has quite a "Bark" but at $1400 for the "Texan SS" and you may not need a suppressor... https://www.airforceairguns.com/The-TexanSS-by-AirForce-Airguns-s/136.htm (https://www.airforceairguns.com/The-TexanSS-by-AirForce-Airguns-s/136.htm)
While I haven't shot mine at the ranges you are contemplating, I can tell you it is cable of 125Y's. I hear there are folks who can do it, I am not one of them yet.
Being a 3000 psi bottle gun that gets about 6 shots per fill, I suggest buying a compressor. You will kill a hand pump soon, and unless you have a 4,500 psi bottle and a place to fill it... but then you be spending the money a decent compressor would cost and be "Air Independent".
So ~$250-300 for a Yong Hang or similar compressor... that leaves $300 - $350 for a scope and ammo.
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Then again there is a GTA Giveaway going on right now for a Winchester 70-45 Big Bore Airgun Package.
You have a chance for several entries.
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Only big bore experience I have is with powder burners but if I may offer some advice.
Think more like an archer. Work on some serious stalking skills. Get your shots much closer.
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Then again there is a GTA Giveaway going on right now for a Winchester 70-45 Big Bore Airgun Package.
You have a chance for several entries.
If I win it I would give it to the guy ;) I have similar performiong guns, but yes go for it :)
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Have you checked the airgun hunting laws in UT? It looks like you can only use a air rifle with arrows.
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I assume the game hunted pronghorn, will take some sniper stalking to get in range, hope that is in the thinking :)
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175 to 200 yards?
New AG shooter?
Not gonna happen!
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Then again there is a GTA Giveaway going on right now for a Winchester 70-45 Big Bore Airgun Package.
You have a chance for several entries.
The Winchester 70-45 is a 50-75y gun according to Rick's review on the contest prize package.
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Thanks for the info. I see that my price range (gathered from the net for a Airgun starters was wrong, imagine that, the net being wrong).
So move my price range to 2 k…in for a penny, in for a pound..
Given the new peramiter:
1: Is this yardage realistic?
2: For pronghorn, a moderator or suppressor is probable necessary. Is this possible?
3: I am thinking in the .45 caliber range. Is this valid?
4: For a scope I am looking a the Element Hyper 7 from Element optics. Any thoughts?
5: My working range is 2K ish.
6: Can I have it professionally dialed in? So it’s ready to go for 250-500 rounds practice.
7: Would it need to be re-dialed in after that many rounds before hunting with it?
Because this is a starter, I would be willing to invest in quality used (previous issued, no longer in production). If this is anything like our rimfire, this would be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. 👍
Thanks - great full to have come back.
You'd do well when thinking about big game hunting with an air rifle to equate it with black powder. Air might get you out to 175 - 250 yards but it will Not have the necessary energy for a reliable humane kill. Try to remember hunting is about getting Close to assure Best Chances for a clean kill. Target shooting is for seeing how far away you can hit something.
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The .45 Texan is about a 100 yard gun on deer sized game. I have a Seneca Dragon Claw for pigs and deer and consider it a 50 yard gun. Airgun huntin is a close range game. Check the specs on guns closely before purchase, caliber isn't everything. They need to be capable of a minimum foot pounds of energy depending on your states regulations.
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Also keep in mind, that there is not the hyrostatic shock that rifles produce on the target. Unless you shoot them in the brain, you will not get a "bang-flop". There will most likely be tracking involved for chest cavity shots after the animal bleeds out. That is why bigger is better and .45 to .50 caliber are popular.
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Have you checked the airgun hunting laws in UT? It looks like you can only use a air rifle with arrows.
and there you have it lol
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I remember a Quote from someone that said " Big Bore Air guns are Short Range Sledge Hammers and not for Long Range " I forget his name but I agree, just about all mass produced Big Bore air guns are meant for ranges out to about 100 yards, my Texan .457 will shoot farther, but accuracy will drop, I think long range shooting past 100 yards you should stick to Powder Burners, I do, at least for an Ethical kill,
That Said, The Airforce Texan .457 is a very good gun and will have the power to ethically kill Larger game at a range out to 100 yards, the Umarex Hammer .50 is another good gun, it has more power than the Texan at about the same price range, and it's shorter, the Hatsan Pile driver .45 and .50 are also a good guns, these 3 are in your price range and are the most powerful guns on the market in your price range, I would recommend a mini PCP compressor to fill them with, I like GX or Spritech Compressors, but most are basically the same, just rebranded.
depending on the Shop you purchase from, you might be able to get hop up tuning, you will have to ask, being that you are in Utah, you should pay a visit to Utah Aiguns
https://utahairguns.com/
Utah Airguns
953 S. State Street
Orem, UT 84097
(385) 685-5951