Scuba vs SCBA

[Lmgunner13]

Ok I have seen a lot of questions regarding filling methods for PCP Airguns. Here is my opinion, but please share yours!
I have a benji pump, 3000 PSI 80 cu ft scuba tank with fill station and a 4500 psi Great white (97 cu ft SCBA) tank. What i have found is that for my needs right now the SCUBA tank and the pump are plenty. The scuba tank has a burst disc in the K valve assembly that will burst at 140% of the maximum psi rating of the tank or in the case of my 3000 psi tank that is 4200 psi. When I get my tank filled after it has had time to cool down the pressure in it is a little over 3300 psi. since my best shot strings with my P-Rod are achieved with a starting fill of 2700 psi down to 1700 psi I can get over 40 fills of my P-Rod. The tank still has plenty of pressure to fill my Disco to 2200 psi for many fills. Both the P-Rod and the Disco are not bad to fill with the benji pump. I bring just the pump when I'm in the field (ok sometimes I bring the great white  ) So tell me, what do y'all prefer and why? Where do you get yours filled? Paintball shop?
 Scuba Shop? Fire Department? This might help answer some questions I have seen from newer PCP owners like me!

Thanks

Phil

[Geronimo]

3 SCBA 4500 psi tanks. filled free by my local fire department. I shoot a lot and hated bothering them weekly. now with 2-60 minute and 1-45 minute tank, it's usually once a month. the cool thing is now some local firefighters have some interest in precharged rifles. I'll eventually get a compressor but it's hard to spend the money when I can get em filled now for free. my poor pump is very lonely.

[Lmgunner13]

3 SCBA 4500 psi tanks. filled free by my local fire department. I shoot a lot and hated bothering them weekly. now with 2-60 minute and 1-45 minute tank, it's usually once a month. the cool thing is now some local firefighters have some interest in precharged rifles. I'll eventually get a compressor but it's hard to spend the money when I can get em filled now for free. my poor pump is very lonely.

Very cool. I work for a city and the Fire Dept. fills my tanks for free also...sort of, I do spring for Pizzas or the occasional sandwich tray from Jimmy Johns.

[Wayne52]

3 SCBA 4500 psi tanks. filled free by my local fire department. I shoot a lot and hated bothering them weekly. now with 2-60 minute and 1-45 minute tank, it's usually once a month. the cool thing is now some local firefighters have some interest in precharged rifles. I'll eventually get a compressor but it's hard to spend the money when I can get em filled now for free. my poor pump is very lonely.

You sure as heck can't beat that deal, I've got two of the SCBA tanks, it costs $5 a piece to get them filled but that's really cheap compared to what some folks have to pay.

[Lazer Wolfe]

Like you I am new to PCP's as well. I found a scuba shop about 30 miles (one way) from me, problem is they only fill to 3,200 psi and I can't find anyone who fills to 4,500 in my area. so I purchased a trio of tanks-two full size and a pony to top off with. Most of my guns are larger caliber and really not so good up the air and I wanted to minimize trips to town as much as possible. I really can't speak on shot count or how well this system works for me because I've yet to try it out, life keeps getting in the way but hopefully that will soon change.

I don't have a pump at this point but might get one in the future.

I really need my own compressor but don't have a garage so not sure where I could put it.

[Geronimo]

3 SCBA 4500 psi tanks. filled free by my local fire department. I shoot a lot and hated bothering them weekly. now with 2-60 minute and 1-45 minute tank, it's usually once a month. the cool thing is now some local firefighters have some interest in precharged rifles. I'll eventually get a compressor but it's hard to spend the money when I can get em filled now for free. my poor pump is very lonely.

Very cool. I work for a city and the Fire Dept. fills my tanks for free also...sort of, I do spring for Pizzas or the occasional sandwich tray from Jimmy Johns.

that's the right thing to do. they charge zero but I usually "donate" a case of Gatorade when they fill them. the guys are super appreciative. the first time I brought Gatorade, they acted like I'd handed each of them a $100 bill. I don't mind to give when people appreciate your effort. couldn't ask for a nicer group of guys.

[wimpanzee]

local paintball shop fills my 4500psi tank (to usually about 4300psi) for free. Well, almost, i float them a $10 or $20 whenever i have cash on me, which isn't often...

[mann]

I have a shoe box that I use in my basement with a small bostich shop compressor for a tank I got 90 cu in 4500 psi and a scuba tank but only use the small tank I get about 8 to 10 fills on my 25 mrod and more on my disco and like 5 or 6 fills on my recluse 357  takes about 45 mins to top off the tank to 4700 psi

[Lmgunner13]

I have a shoe box that I use in my basement with a small bostich shop compressor for a tank I got 90 cu in 4500 psi and a scuba tank but only use the small tank I get about 8 to 10 fills on my 25 mrod and more on my disco and like 5 or 6 fills on my recluse 357  takes about 45 mins to top off the tank to 4700 psi

So a small compressor is enough to use with the shoebox? I'm thinking about getting one after we move to our new house. It's way further out in the boonies. how many gallons is your bostich compressor?

[Taso1000]

So a small compressor is enough to use with the shoebox? I'm thinking about getting one after we move to our new house. It's way further out in the boonies. how many gallons is your bostich compressor?

A Shoebox Max only uses .2 cfm @ 85 psi.  I don't know the exact numbers for the F10 version but maybe double that.  Super low air requirements.  Just make sure your compressor is oil free or you'll have to filter the oil.

Taso

[Alexander Arvizu]

I use a HPA compressor and 90ci and 88cf scba tank. Compressor is small, inexpensive and fast. Never run out of air!

[UncleJohn]

I believe that one of the most important things when considering HPA cylinders is something I learned on Joe Brancato's web page.  Don't buy one if you don't have a way to fill them.  Sure, people move and situations change but the principle is sound advice.

I have two 4500psi cylinders.  I have a NinjaPCP and a 30-minute SCBA cylinder.  I have relatives in the local fire department so that is a big plus.  I use the larger cylinder to fill the small one so I can be more portable in  the field.  Some paintball fields have compressors which can fill to 4500 psi.  One near me does this for $5.00.

There's my story, I hope it helps.

John

[mann]

The bostich is like a 5 or 6 gallon compressor and I turn the regulator to about 95 psi to speed up the fill a little and it really isnt that loud

[Sfttailrdr46]

  After I bought my third PCP the Hill Pump was permanently shelved. I bought the Freedom 8 compressor and a dual Gauge Guppy tank from Joe B. great rig and no regrets. I have since acquired two 45 minute SCBA tanks and slow fill valves for both I never run out of air or worry about getting the tanks filled

[Lmgunner13]

After I bought my third PCP the Hill Pump was permanently shelved. I bought the Freedom 8 compressor and a dual Gauge Guppy tank from Joe B. great rig and no regrets. I have since acquired two 45 minute SCBA tanks and slow fill valves for both I never run out of air or worry about getting the tanks filled

Awesome solution. But I wouldn't expect anything less from an old pro like yourself.

[Lmgunner13]

I believe that one of the most important things when considering HPA cylinders is something I learned on Joe Brancato's web page.  Don't buy one if you don't have a way to fill them.  Sure, people move and situations change but the principle is sound advice.

I have two 4500psi cylinders.  I have a NinjaPCP and a 30-minute SCBA cylinder.  I have relatives in the local fire department so that is a big plus.  I use the larger cylinder to fill the small one so I can be more portable in  the field.  Some paintball fields have compressors which can fill to 4500 psi.  One near me does this for $5.00.

There's my story, I hope it helps.

John

Thanks John

[Lmgunner13]

I use a HPA compressor and 90ci and 88cf scba tank. Compressor is small, inexpensive and fast. Never run out of air!

That's a great set up

[Lmgunner13]

So a small compressor is enough to use with the shoebox? I'm thinking about getting one after we move to our new house. It's way further out in the boonies. how many gallons is your bostich compressor?

A Shoebox Max only uses .2 cfm @ 85 psi.  I don't know the exact numbers for the F10 version but maybe double that.  Super low air requirements.  Just make sure your compressor is oil free or you'll have to filter the oil.

Taso

Great tip thanks! I really want a shoe box compressor. If for nothing else the freedom to fill at home and whenever I want.

[USAFANG6799]

When I was first looking to delve into the PCP world I chose the SCUBA tank because it was the least impact $ wise and fill wise. Dive shop less than 1/2 hour away, used tank for $80, $7 refill.
The cost of the MRod ll was expensive enough. Took my breath away thinking how expensive all that was. When I fill my MRod with air I also fill my lungs to help catch my breath given the cost of it all 

[FuzzyGrub]

Great tip thanks! I really want a shoe box compressor. If for nothing else the freedom to fill at home and whenever I want.

FWIW: The max will top off a guppy in less than an hour, from 3kpsi.  A 90ci, a little less time.  They work fine for all my prod versions and Mrods.   Now, tuning the bulldog (340cc), that sucked the guppy down very quickly.