Budget, quiet, super accurate basement and back yard pcp rifle recommendations.

[Taso1000]

Hi All,

As the title states, I'm looking for suggestions.  I had my heart set on an Air Arms T200.  The more I researched I am finding that it's setup for smaller statured shooters and maybe not as accurate as I thought.  So I'm looking for an alternative to the T200 better suited to my needs.  If you have had a great experience with a T200 please let me know.  It's not out of the running.

Accuracy has top priority.  Then silent and ease of operation.  I don't need high power as I will be shooting paper targets and aluminum beverage cans.  Lot's of shots per fill is preferred.  I'm leaning towards a scope versus open sights.  I am 47 and wear glasses for nearsightedness and astigmatism. 

I am 5'11" and I don't have any immediate plans to compete.  I just want to hone my skills at home, primarily offhand shooting, and have fun.  I don't know what weight rifle I should be looking for also.  Light may be lees fatiguing but I have read heavier is better for accuracy.

I don't have access to co2 or hpa tank or compressor setups.  I will be filling by pumping manually.

I do have a CMP 853 refurb with the monte carlo pistol grip stock.  So I'm looking for an upgrade and something better suited to my requirements. 

I am frugal and will spend money where it will provide the most benefit.  I was ok spending $525 for the T200.  Spending less is good and I don't have a problem spending more if the benefit is there.

I have built a detuned B51 but it's missing something.  I don't know what that is.  I think the barrel may not be good as I tried crowning it but I am not seeing crisp lands and grooves.  I'll address that in my other post about it.

Thank you all in advance for your help.   

Taso

[marty2]

I have a CZ200s that fits all your requirements(maybe a little high on the budget side). Basically the same as T200 but has a laminate stock. I use it exactly as you describe.... mostly in my basement range at 10M. I have it shooting around 12ft lbs for about 45 accurate shots with the short tube. I also have a long tube and that makes a little more power and I'm getting 75+/- accurate shots. Being 6'1" with a 34 sleeve length the CZ fits me very well with the limb saver as shown in the pic below. In stock form it is not quite backyard friendly. It is my favorite airgun.

[rangerfredbob]

If you are limiting yourself to hand pumping and are target shooting, I would recommend something that is set up for a 2000psi fill instead of the 3000psi fill that is common on most of the more high end guns, unless you willing to tinker on the action to increase the shot count.

The Benjamin Discovery is set up for a 2000psi fill but they apparently come with a really stiff hammer spring now that increases velocity but reduces shot count and have a standard barrel that could or could not meet your needs, and at best even with tuning on a .177 version you would probably only get 30-40 shots per charge and you would have to add a TKO muzzle brake to get it quiet. The Benjamin Marauder has a choked higher end barrel but is 3000psi with a large reservoir. Everything on the Marauder is adjustable from the factory without changing parts (hammer preload, transfer port size, etc) and in .177 if you dropped it down to ~700fps I imagine you could get around 100 shots per fill as I get 60 at 850fps in my .22 version. And the Marauder is near silent as it is, especially if you lower the velocity, as it is I can get at least a couple shots at most pest birds especially in a tree as they can't hear the gun just the impact...

[Dairyboy]

If it's just target shooting I would recommend the Mrod in .177. You can always tune it to a lower fill pressure and usually are accurate with the right pellets. There heavier but are very quiet.

[Teach]

Xisico xs60c http://flyingdragonairrifles.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=56

[Taso1000]

Thank you everyone for suggestions and taking the time to respond.


Marty,

I will have to research that rifle.  Besides power how is it different than the T200? 


Scott and Dillon,

I have considered the Marauder.  It's more of a jack of all trades and flexible rifle.  And it's a good base to customize.  For tinkering I picked the B51's over the Marauder.  I have 4 B51's and 2 FD PCP's.  They are all modified except for two B51's that are still brand new in the box. 

I want a break from tinkering.  I was looking for something more specific purpose built that I don't have to do all the R&D on. 


Ian,

I have 2 FD PCP's that I have modified.  I'm looking for something different.



Please keep the suggestions coming and thank you all!   

Taso

[mobilehomer]

Give this one a real good perusal.

http://www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles/challenger-pcp-rifle-with-sights-177

[Taso1000]

Ken,

I've seriously considered that rifle.  I've read that there are issues with the bolt?  Do you have any first hand knowledge? 

The other issue is that it priced at $649 versus $525 for the T200 on PA.  Even if they were the same price I'd rather have the Air Arms honestly.

The S400 MPR is interesting but it's double the price and I don't know if it's worth the upgrade for what I'm going to do with it.  But it is impressive looking.   

Taso

[mobilehomer]

No personal experience, bur here are some reviews for both rifle variants.

https://www.pyramydair.com/search-results-ext?keyword=challenger+pcp&sid=1375A617A415&N=0&Ntk=primary&q=challenger+pcp&cx=002970863286801882398:jlcminxfwdw&cof=FORID:11;NB:1&saSearch

There is this version, no sights -
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-challenger-pcp-co2-rifle-no-sights?m=1927

[transmissionman]

I have had several pcp guns and they are by far my favorite guns period . I own both powder burners and other air guns but always have the most fun shooting my pcp guns . I have had an evanix blizzard for about 5 years and have shot thousands and thousands of pellets thru it and it is a lazer accurate powerfull gun its also .22 cal . Just a few weeks ago I got a marauder pistol for my birthday and I love it ! Got it on amazon for $350 bucks free shipping . I have had the evanix  windy city 2 pcp in .25 cal  as well as the  Benjamin  marauder in .22 and a disco in .177 . My advice is if you want a  cheap light weight fun back yard plinker that is not realy loud then go with the marauder pistol . The maurader pistol  comes with a pistol grip  that is pretty much useless in my opinion take it off and put on the bigger stock that comes with it mount a scope on it and you have a very nice piece . I thought the Benjamin discovery was way to loud the way it comes out of the box and it also is a single shot " load one pellet at a time" just didn't cut it for me . my final pick of the liter is the marauder rifle in .22 or if money is tight go with the marauder pistol and put the bigger stock on it . There are better guns out there but for the money I recommend the marauder     

[Back_Roads]

Hatsan AT 44 QE , very tuanable also in that price range .

[Dairyboy]

Idk why I didn't think of this before checkout the crosman 1720t. Lothar walther barrel with shroud and it's a .177 perfect for target shooting. Comes with 2 transfer ports for changing power output

[marty2]

Marty,

I will have to research that rifle.  Besides power how is it different than the T200? 

The stock and the T200 comes with target sights. The power can be turned up on the T200, the instructions are right on the Pyramyd Air page for the rifle. Mine is very accurate at the 12 ft lb mark with JSB 8.44 pellets at 10M.

[Taso1000]

Dillon,

I guess TransmissionMan triggered us both on the 1720T!  I knew the PRod was .22 only and the 1701 is .177 but there was another model pistol with the Lothar Walther choked barrel in .177.  I couldn't remember the name so I had to look it up.  The 1720T!!!  So I was searching while you were posting I guess.  Very Nice!

I see there's like a Tactical version with an AR-15 style collapsible stock.  Not my thing.  I guess there's the 1399 stock.  Meh.  Are there any other stock options? 

Would a Challenger stock and trigger group work?     There I go trying to mod the rifle again lol     I said I didn't want to do that lol

So I think the T200 has some competition if I can figure out a stock solution for the 1720T.   

I have to look up shot counts at low power for both.  I'm thinking at 550 fps with 7.9 gran pellets.  And prices.

I'm gonna start more research on the 1720T but please feel free to comment or submit any other options.

Thank you all for your help!   

Taso

[mobilemail]

What about one of the custom FT rifles at Discos-r-us? http://discosrus.net/

LW barrel, 2K fill pressure for easy pumping, you should get decent shot count in the 12fpe version. I must admit...this rifle keeps tempting me!

[Taso1000]

Mark,

I like it!  Thanks.  Now I got to read up on it.  The price seems good.  I need to research more about it.

Do you know much about them?  Can a tko ldc be added?  If it's the Challenger barrel it's shorter than the air tube.  I don't know if there is enough clearance for an ldc between the barrel and air tube gap.  The same would go for the Challenger no?

The 12 fpe version would need to be brought down to 5 - 6 fpe too.

Thank you Mark,

P.S.  I was real tempted by your .177 Marauder you had for sale the other day.   

Taso

[mobilemail]

There is still a .22 if you want to go Rambo on the local squirrels. :-). 
Back to subject - talk to norm at discos r us, he makes a disco muzzle that accepts a threaded ldc. But honestly, if you are tuning for 6fpe, you probably won't need it. I was able to shoot my challenger in the basement no problem. And having owned a challenger... I thin this rifle is a better deal.

[Tweeter]

I would say go with the Air Arms, you will not regret it.  Plenty of options to make it quiet.

[SpiralGroove]

Hey Tasso,
If shooting 50 yards or less, just get a QB78 or QB79 (.177) and convert of HPA.  Now this is not a big gun, but after owning all my Hatsan's, I prefer about at 6.5lb to 8lb gun scoped.  Further, the QB's are built very solidly, I can't imagine the stock snapping -> aka my B-26.
 
I've made my last two for $165 .......... but plenty of tinkering  

[moorepower]

I will 3rd the 1720T. I have an AR stock on mine and it is my all time favorite plinker. It is quiet, and if you went with a TKO it would be near silent. Put in the small TP in doors and the larger one outdoors. I have a 3X9 EFR Nikon on it and I LOVE it. 65cc reservoir is easy to pump. I unscrew the stock and it fits in a small box.