To improve a PCP..........

[mikeiniowa]

Don't want models and etc. but what would a good PCP have to have, up to .25 cal, weight , shot count etc, lets keep it real...weight etc. easy to pump etc.....I need this info for making a better PCP.......

[MustangMike]

entry level decent pcp in 25cal is the benjamin mrod, anything above that wont really need any imporvement to the rifle or action its self.. other then tuning the options it comes with not to many mod mod the really high end pcp's.. also the mrod is going to be about the cheapest route for getting ur pcp feet wet with a 25cal...

[grumpy]

Weight under 7 lbs, Calibers up to .25 cal. High shot counts. Adjustable and regulated power. A carbine option weighing under 6 pounds. Hey you asked ! lol

Dave

[TOM aka critter99]

take the 25 cal Marauder throw out the stock, cut down the air tube, flip around backwards, make it cock on close, and mount a HPA min. 22 CI bottle to the rear as the butt stock.  should increase the shot count and drop alot of wieght

[rsterne]

Many conflicting things there.... .25 cal is nice for whacking things but a .22 cal is more practical and cheaper to shoot.... and some people still prefer a .177.... You need to taylor the output of the gun to the caliber.... and that means you are limited by the availability of good pellets with a good Ballistics Coefficient.... Aim for a velocity of 950 fps with the heaviest pellet that has a decent BC.... That will give you the airgun with the best potential long range accuracy in each caliber.... Incidently, at 950 fps, the FPE = twice the pellet weight....

The best .177 pellets for long range run from 10.2-10.6 gr.... That means you are looking at 20-21 FPE max.... In .22 cal, the ones with the best BCs run 18.1-21.1 gr., so you are in the range of 36-42 FPE max.... In .25 cal, the best pellets run 25.4-31.1 gr., so you are looking at 50-62 FPE max.... Unless somebody develops a better long range pellet, those are the best power choices in each caliber, IMO....

Easily adjustable power is a nice feature.... and over the largest range possible.... If that isn't practical, then the ability to tune the gun for a variety of fill pressures and needs (like the Marauder) is next best.... A regulated gun is capable of providing the flattest possible shot string.... However, it's easier to get high power from a non-regulated gun.... Adding a regulator as an afterthought will usually limit your performance because of limited volume between the regulator and the valve.... To get high power with a regulator, you need to design it with that volume in mind.... about 1cc per FPE expected is a good number.... If you do it right, an adjustable regulator could give you a wide range of power.... with the shot count in inverse proportion (more of one, less of the other).... 

What do I like in a gun personally?.... Light, powerful, and lots of shots.... Quiet isn't allowed in Canada, so that, unfortunately, is off the table here.... My preference would be under 7 lbs, and 6.5 would be better, so that the total with scope is under 8 lbs.... but it must have a lot better ergonomics than a Condor with the high sight line.... I'd like a .25 cal at 60 FPE and 30 shots within 1% variation (say 10 fps).... In .22 cal, make it 40 FPE and 45 shots with the same variation over the string.... I'll pass on a .177 PCP, thanks.... If you can't do that shot count at that weight, I'd sooner drop to 20 shots in .25 cal. and 30 shots in .22 cal. (same total FPE) to stay under 7 lbs.... With either gun, I'd like to be able to dial the power down to half those numbers or less, and double the shot count.... but still with the same flat shot string....

If you want to pump it, or fill from a readily available 3000 psi SCUBA tank, then 2000-2500 psi is the goal.... Do that, however, any you are likely not going to be looking at a regulated gun.... Since the next commonly available tanks to fill from are 4500 psi SCBA.... then you might consider a gun that fills to 3500 psi.... but that is beyond the reach of most pumps.... The best solution is likely a 3000 psi fill, and possibly you can incorporate one of the readily available HPA tanks into the design.... A 3000 psi, 22 CI tank, regulated to 2000 psi can deliver 1500 CI of air above the regulator setpoint.... With a well designed gun, at the power levels I suggested above.... you should be able to deliver those 30 shots at 60 FPE in .25 cal (or the 45 shots at 40 FPE in .22 cal., both are a  total of 1800 FPE) as that only requires an effiiency of 1800 / 1500 = 1.2 FPE/CI... which can certainly be done.... Dialing the regulator back to 1000 psi would reduce the power a lot (maybe half the FPE?), with probably quadruple the shot count....

I hope that gives you something to ponder.... I'm sure others will have their ideas as well.... 

Bob

[rkr]

I like the power levels Bob suggested + adjustable power to go down to 12 fpe. In addition I'd like to have 10mm groups at 50M (so I can tease those guys shooting rimfire matches), semi automatic action with at least 10 shot magazine, carbine size gun, 1 pump / shot air consumption and a 60 shot flat (that 10fps variation sounds good) power curve. To make it quiet a 1/2" UNF thread on the barrel end. Then a nice wooden stock to boot it up and synthetic version for those you use it for hunting. And let's not forget a two stage fully adjustable match quality trigger. Finally a build quality that matches the English and German made guns so I don't have to go through the whole thing to make it work as it should. I'll take mine in .177, when is it available?

[aack73]

the most important thing it has to have is 1st: ACCURACY.(shoot 1 hole at 50 yards would be perfect) and what ever caliber it should be able to shoot the heavier pellets at 950fps to 1000fps  2nd: nice fully adjustable trigger. 3rd: quiet  4th: realistic price  5th: adjustable power 6th: ergonomics and aesthetics. my .02      

[darryl]

All these suggestions are very good, Mike. Maybe you should also consider your target market. Some will be able to afford a top-shelf PCP rifle, but perhaps too few for your intended goal. There are lots of manufacturers chasing a small market population, in my view. So competition will be stiff no matter what price point you select (my speculation again; no real facts). If you want a target PCP rifle to go after, I'd say target the Air Arms S510,  or S500. Both known for very good (variable) power, good shot count, and accuracy. Oh, don't forget to make the PCP as quiet as an S10 or Marauder. I've heard both of these and they are really quiet.
just my ignoramus 2 cents. Good luck with your project. I'm sure we're all rooting for you to succeed.
darryl

[jonnnyboy]

Mike, please make mine a 6.5 pound repeater thats accurate and has a good trigger.  At least 30 solid hunting shots would be sufficient for me.  OH, and I need to be able to afford it!

Let me know when its ready, please?
joe

[ray in wi]

I would like a bottle that is removeable and has a high shot count, magazine, weaver base, wood stock option, shrouded barrel option, and stupid accurate. The weight of a gun does not bother me at all
Ray