Author Topic: LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR CONVERTING TO THE DARK SIDE $1200.00 BUDGET (Read 3311 times))

Zachary Hoy · « **on:** June 30, 2016, 11:45:53 AM »

So title pretty much sums it up. I'm coming to the dark side and need help picking first rifle and accessories. I have access to filling stations up to 4500 psi , I'm a fit 220 lbs so pumping is not an issue. I will be using it for target shooting , pest control up to raccoon size , and most of all personal enjoyment. I am an engineer by trade so enjoy tinkering for improving general performance. I would just appreciate any input from the experts

Hobbyman2007 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2016, 12:18:55 PM »

Being a Hatsan fan, I would recommend a Bt65 in either .22 or .25 . Good rifle right out of the box ,can be made into a great rifle with some tinkering. The rifle is quite hefty ,but for the price it's pretty hard to beat. With the left over money ,a good quality scope and spare air tube fits into your budget. They can be bought refurbished for under 500$ from the airgun pro shop online . I haven't shot or seen one in person but the Galatian is one fine looking rifle also ,same size air tube as the BT65.

Zachary Hoy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2016, 12:47:10 PM »

Thank you that is definitely on my list. However how would you recommend I fill it? purchase a pump, scuba, cf tank? I am just venturing into the dark and have no accessories

Dairyboy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2016, 01:26:16 PM »

Since you have access to a fill station I'd say get a tank. Not that hand pumping is terrible but it would be more enjoyable to shoot I would think. Mrods are also good but do take work as well in my opinion to get them great. Easy to mod and rather cheap. .22s are hit and miss on accuracy department but have great aftermarket replacements. .25s are usually very accurate out of box.

Iamscotticus · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2016, 01:32:04 PM »

I think you are a good candidate for a Benjamin Marauder (Mrod).
A synthetic stock Mrod is a Synrod. And there is the Armada, an Mrod tac'd out.
So you already have a versatile platform to start with, and being one of Benji's sales leaders for a few years, support is likely for a long time.
Also, replacement parts and spares are inexpensive and available from the factory.
The aftermarket support for custom and upgrade parts is very large. Your decent into the Dark Side is assured.
Subscribe to notifications from the bargain gate and you will eventually find a sale on Mrods.
Then I would get a tank and do tank filling.

oldpro · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2016, 01:33:00 PM »

Quote from: Iamscotticus on June 30, 2016, 01:32:04 PM

I think you are a good candidate for a Benjamin Marauder (Mrod).
A synthetic stock Mrod is a Synrod. And there is the Armada, an Mrod tac'd out.
So you already have a versatile platform to start with, and being one of Benji's sales leaders for a few years, support is likely for a long time.
Also, replacement parts and spares are inexpensive and available from the factory.
The aftermarket support for custom and upgrade parts is very large. Your decent into the Dark Side is assured.
Subscribe to notifications from the bargain gate and you will eventually find a sale on Mrods.
Then I would get a tank and do tank filling.

Yep!!! This is how I would go.

Zachary Hoy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2016, 06:41:47 PM »

Thank everyone for the suggestions. I think I'm going mrod from wicked air rifles. Only confusion I have now is what tank, adapter, and connectors I need.

limbshaker · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2016, 08:12:49 PM »

I would recommend skipping the pump if at all possible. It's not super hard and strenuous, but it does really sap the fun right out of shooting. That's how I started....

I'd also recommend starting with the best quality rifle you can afford, even if that means buying used. I'd recommend anything from Air Arms, most of the BSAs, the HW100 in .20 or .177 only, or a Daystate Huntsman or Regal. These should perform top notch right out of the box, and do what you need to do.

Bigship · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:18:09 AM »

WAR turns a Marauder into bonafide, beautiful Euro Trash (I mean that in a sexy, good way). The .25 cal I had shot well out of the box. I added an SSG and it really made a big difference in shot count and predictability. Welcome to PCPs. The tank and pump cost more than the stock Marauder!. I'm a penny pincher and sometimes I get burned. Buying the small carbon fiber 4500 psi tank is a good example. I should have purchased the larger one. Also, I find a pump essential (I have two). I use the bottle to fill as much as it will, and then I hand pump to the desired pressure. Also, the pumps keep me from having to drive down to the paint ball park for bottle top offs! The cheapest place to buy the high pressure pump (the Benjamin) is Walmart. It was invented by Duane Sorensen at Sun Optics. Give him a call and purchase a few o-ring rebuild kits. One of my pumps fails more frequently that the other, so I go through about 4 rebuilds a year. Having said all this, I sold my Marauder (Synrod) in May and purchased a .22 cal BSA R-10 MKII. I'm an engineer too, and that crappy regulator took a lot of finesse to get it even halfway right. I took five squirrels out of my fig tree and put them in the freezer with perfectly placed head shots. Its a shooter, but I bought the HuMa regulator yesterday anyway LOL. Have fun, air rifles are a deep addiction.

Booger · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2016, 08:05:47 AM »

I wish you good luck at staying under $1200. Once the bug bites you are doomed. My fill tank alone cost $918 and I am now looking for a compressor.

Dairyboy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2016, 08:34:37 AM »

Quote from: Booger on July 01, 2016, 08:05:47 AM

I wish you good luck at staying under $1200. Once the bug bites you are doomed.

So true

By the way you made a great choice on the WAR Mrod

PelletsForPests · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2016, 03:00:35 PM »

Yea I started off saying "Ok, $2000 is the max"

Just don't look up the Slayer .308 or Talon Tunes Vulcan .25 unless you're ready to be right back to square one of the decision process and in a deeper hole than a 25 lb groundhog ...

Booger · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2016, 03:29:50 PM »

Quote from: SOMDshooter on July 01, 2016, 03:00:35 PM

Yea I started off saying "Ok, $2000 is the max"

Just don't look up the Slayer .308 or Talon Tunes Vulcan .25 unless you're ready to be right back to square one of the decision process and in a deeper hole than a 25 lb groundhog ...

Do not look at these two guns either.

PelletsForPests · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2016, 03:56:56 PM »

*transfer to checking account intensifies*

Magnificent

moorepower · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:37:36 PM »

Since you like to tinker, i would go with the .25 M-Rod and pick up a 4500psi tank. Right now there are unused 45 minute tanks on Ebay for under $250.
these tanks have 7 years left and another 15yr recert test available, they are a great deal. I would highly advise one of Joes 2 gauge setup.

Extreme · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2016, 05:55:44 PM »

WAR Mrod is a great choice. Travis will set you up real nice. Go with the .25 that's a great caliber extremely accurate. I had a Gen I tuned by Travis, great gun! Another choice that is great for hunting and plinking at a low velocity is the Sumatra .25 or .22 Long gun. On low power a lot of shots on higher power settings great hunting gun. Very accurate and I have had zero troubles with mine. A Will Piatt tune will make them even better. The Daystate Regal is a great gun. I have one in .22 and love that gun, AOA has them for $1200 right now. Oh I almost forgot about the Brocock Compacto .22 Jim Chapman did a review on this gun. Best of luck staying on your budget.
Have fun Brother Man

Zachary Hoy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2016, 07:31:21 PM »

Ok I won't lie you guys are killing me. When you tell me not to do something by instinct I automatically just have to do it.........already thinking what harm would it do to up the limit. The talon tunes, great white 4500 tank , and a shoebox would be a pretty nice entrance. Just may be sleeping with them for a bit as the wife cools down enough to even attempt communication.....definitely fell right into the trap of the dark side and haven't even squeezed the trigger on a pcp that is my own.

Dairyboy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2016, 07:44:48 PM »

Take it easy on the guy y'all are a bunch of enablers

it's a slippery slope but no need to over do it in the first one cause you'll be back for more...or maybe that's a reason to over do it and get what you really want so you won't want it later

BUT I do think your decision on your Mrod would be a great starter to see what you like and don't like for your next one

Booger · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2016, 08:05:56 PM »

Quote from: Dairyboy on July 01, 2016, 07:44:48 PM

Take it easy on the guy y'all are a bunch of enablers it's a slippery slope but no need to over do it in the first one cause you'll be back for more...or maybe that's a reason to over do it and get what you really want so you won't want it later BUT I do think your decision on your Mrod would be a great starter to see what you like and don't like for your next one

Get her dead and done. Once I bought the Daystate MK4 & Air Wolf I started selling off my collection. Once you have tasted Steak you have no need for hamburger. LOL

PBguns · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2016, 10:31:29 PM »

Quote from: moorepower on July 01, 2016, 04:37:36 PM

Since you like to tinker, i would go with the .25 M-Rod and pick up a 4500psi tank. Right now there are unused 45 minute tanks on Ebay for under $250.
these tanks have 7 years left and another 15yr recert test available, they are a great deal. I would highly advise one of Joes 2 gauge setup.

x2 on the scba suggestion.. I picked up one of the 60min ebay drager bottles and a JoeB slow fill valve. Great valve!

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LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR CONVERTING TO THE DARK SIDE $1200.00 BUDGET

Author Topic: LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR CONVERTING TO THE DARK SIDE $1200.00 BUDGET (Read 3311 times))