Best bang for the buck PCP under $700.00

[keithd]

Long time powder burner and hunter looking to get into PCP for the first time looking for 22 cal small game hunting, casual target, and plinking. I have had springers for years as well as multi-pump pneumatics. Always had a dislike for the more powerful springers, barrel droop, recoil etc. As I have access to high pressure fill stations I do not know why I have not jumped into this already.

So recommendations for first PCP rifle please

[Wayne52]

There's really some nice pcp's out there these days for that price! My latest acquisition is a Varmint in .22 and it's definitely hunting worthy, I also have the Maruader in .25 which really slings some heavier pellets for hunting as well, I've got the Marauder pistol which I've also got setup for hunting and more.  There's quite a wide range of pcp airguns to chose from these days.  I've even been hunting with my Airmax pistol which is a .22 and with great results.

[keithd]

Mrod air seems like really good prices I could but more than one for my budget, but what about quality?

[Xraycer]

I would go with Wayne on the .25 Marauder......and for just a little more over your total budget pick up a .22 Marauder pistol/carbine(PRod).

The Marauder rifles are super accurate, but very heavy, so its great for bench shooting or hunting off a bipod or shooting stick. The Prod is super lightweight and compact, but still packs enough power to easily take down squirrels. Wayne can attest the effectiveness of pesting with a PRod.

[Wayne52]

I'm heading out to the state land right now with my Varmint, I'll be using the Beeman 21.14 grain pellets today for hopefully some long shots on a ground hog again.

[Xraycer]

I would go with Wayne on the .25 Marauder......and for just a little more over your total budget pick up a .22 Marauder pistol/carbine(PRod).

The Marauder rifles are super accurate, but very heavy, so its great for bench shooting or hunting off a bipod or shooting stick. The Prod is super lightweight and compact, but still packs enough power to easily take down squirrels. Wayne can attest the effectiveness of pesting with a PRod.

Also, if you don't mind the tactical look of a bullpup design, i'd highly recommend the Hatsan Bullboss in (.25). This thing is compact, accurate and a beast in the power department.

[terry mc]

Even with access to  HPA
Leave some budget for a tank unless your HPA  source goes with you everywhere you shoot.
Tanks can be very expensive.

[kbstingwing]

Marauder .25 is an excellent choice and you could still have enough for a tank. seen some good prices out there, almost got one myself but I had to restrain from it.

[Lmgunner13]

Marauder .25 through crosman with AGNATION promo code is 473.19 with tax and shipping.

[Jman2311]

I would strongly suggest looking here.  https://hatsanusa.com/collections/parts-and-refurb-buys

You'll find plenty of very good rifles very well within your price range.  Not sure exactly what you are looking for but a .22 Nova would fit the bill based on what your looking for quite well.  Every one that has one seems to love them.  Mrod and Hatsan for a first PCP are common recommendations among the forums with the general consensus that Hatsans are a bit more capable out of the box in terms of FPE.

I would say, don't make the same mistake I did and buy lower than your expectations first.  You'll blow a lot of money getting what you want in the process.  Fun journey but pricey.

[LDP]

Its funny when someone wants best pcp advice for a .22 and everyone gives .25 cal suggestions For under $700 and .22 I would look at BSA scorpion se.

[Taso1000]

BSA Scorpions can be found for $700 and lower under Amazon's price swings.  Very nice rifles.

Taso

[triggertreat]

I would have suggested the .25 cal Marauder too, but you want a .22 cal.  I will still highly recommend a .22 cal Marauder with a synthetic stock which is one pound lighter than the wood stock version at 7lbs without a scope.  After picking up and handling many guns at my first fun shoot recently, the .22 or .25 cal synthetic Marauders aren't heavier than many other guns at all IMO.  In fact, they are about the same or even slightly lighter than a lot of them in the same size.  Just put on a light scope and sling to keep the weight down.


Although it is likely you will get a good .22 cal Marauder stock barrel for accurate groups out to 30 yards, I would go ahead and order the $210 Marmot Militia Hammer Forged barrel that is drop in ready for the .22.  You will then have a gun that is extremely accurate short or long range.  I won the GTA 50-yard fun shoot competition with mine this year against many different expensive guns.  It was probably just luck, but I can't stress what an awesome gun you will have if you go this route with the .22 Synrod.  It will be hard to beat for the money spent.  It is a big gun, but I don't find it to be excessively so.  If you do want a lighter shorter gun though, I would keep looking but be aware the prices go up and the shot count usually goes down with lighter guns.

[Xraycer]

Its funny when someone wants best pcp advice for a .22 and everyone gives .25 cal suggestions For under $700 and .22 I would look at BSA scorpion se.

subliminal messaging?

[39M]

Prod

Contour G6

[keithd]

Marauder .25 through crosman with AGNATION promo code is 473.19 with tax and shipping.

When purchased from where??

[K.O.]

I have 2 .25 Mrods/Synrods and a .177 BSA Buccaneer...I like buying American and from  closer allies...  on top of how I feel about who my dollars support there is the practical reason... parts availability... that worries me with the Turkish and Russian rifles and some with the Chinese rifles...

Crosman/Benjamin parts and customer service are tops... BSA/Gamo well there will be parts thru Knibbs I am pretty sure but a touch more $...
There also are more aftermarket parts for Benji/Crosman than other brands...

Not that I would not get say an Mrodair M10 at a bargan price at all but 10 years down the road I may need to have say a  exhaust poppet chances are I would have to have one made...

My first Mrod .25 was 450$ and was my first PCP I wanted a pure hunter and was not at all worried about shot count or how much pellets cost... I planned on getting a second to experiment with (.22lr and .22 mag barrels with  cast rounds)and did when a sale happened and got it for $373...But before I picked that one up I could not resist  the Buc on sale for $277...

The last two are thanks to the enablers here... they love posting to the Bargain gate... Right now I am hoping about a killer price on a .177 Maximus... and  a Maxi .22 barrel and bolt will change it to .22 for less than $30...

I have been looking at the Gamo urban a bit lately Just because it is a lighter 3300 psi fill .22 and BSA barrels are rock solid...it does have a smaller tank at 105cc but such is the price of nimbleness... speaking of price it is currently $269 at wally world... Daughter just got married or I might have put one on the CC...

Right now in .177 I think the Maximus is King of the low buck rifles... but if single shot bothers you.. Lots of good reports on accuracy and if you are not going for larger game shot placement is king and a hit with a .177 will do for most small game... 

So yeah define what you want to do with it really well... plinking and fun favors a .177 hunting longer range favors .22 and .25...

[keithd]

Wow so many, it is hard to narrow it down Mrod and Prod are high on the list that Contour G6 looks like a nice rifle

[RAJOD]

Long time powder burner and hunter looking to get into PCP for the first time looking for 22 cal small game hunting, casual target, and plinking. I have had springers for years as well as multi-pump pneumatics. Always had a dislike for the more powerful springers, barrel droop, recoil etc. As I have access to high pressure fill stations I do not know why I have not jumped into this already.

So recommendations for first PCP rifle please

Ive tested many and my criteria was weight under 8 pounds or they get too heavy to carry.
Decent shot count 25 or more
.22 cal as ammo is usually cheap and easy to find.
Accurate.
Quite so can shoot indoors if need.

Ill just make a list on price
799.00 - brocock compatto it was $1000 now at a better price and fires
45 shots accurate good weight and has a built in silencer which many dont have
That is worth 150.00

630.00 - bsa scorpion se- very nice quality
Gun but is loud out of the box.

500.00 maurader or maybe hatson at44

200.00 benjamin maximus.  Single shot
But very light and accurate. 

In my opinion i think the compatto is the best as it has
All the features right out of the box.

500 and under the fit n finish is a step down
But they shhot well.   Keep the weight 7-8 pounds if u plan to hunt.

The scorpion is very nice if you can get one under 650

For 1k the daystate regal xl does not have much competition.

Id go scorpion or brocock compatto it has the harper
Sling shot valve so will be very effecient on air.

[anti-squirrel]

There's so many different options to think about it might be worth figuring out what you're looking for.  By that I mean:

1: what's your budget including a tank?
2: cost of magazines?
3: regulated or non-regulated?
4: integrated shroud or aftermarket LDC (another add-on cost)
5: adjustable power lever/switch?
6: fill pressure (2900 psi, 3K, 220 bar/3350psi, or even 300 bar)
7: wood stock, synthetic?  Beech or Walnut?
8: what's your budget for optics?  Is it included?
9: aftermarket goodies?
10: customer support in case of breakage?

Once you have these figured out, make a spreadsheet and grade each model that appeals to you... highest points wins.  This method will never let you down.  Otherwise, just go with gut feeling and hopefully you'll be thrilled.

I've been mulling these exact criteria for well over a year and my list includes the following:  Cometa Orion, SPA M10/M22/M16, BSA Buccaneer/Gamo Coyote, MRod, AA410, Xisico Sentry

Currently, the SPA rifles, Cometa, and BSA/Gamo guns are right there.  Everything else takes an "also ran" status.  Since I hand pump my PCPs, I have no desire for a gun requiring a very high fill pressure or has a large reservoir.  Since I've done extensive hiking using packs weighing a bolt-load more than a rifle, weight is less of an issue.... Plus I've hunted with my Hatsan 95QE without a sling and it's not exactly a lightweight.  Weight to me is the least important issue, as a heavy but well-balanced gun is easy to carry and shoulder where a lighter but unevenly balanced gun can be a real chore.  And, if I had to make a snap decision right this second, the BSA Buccaneer or SPA M16 would be what I buy.  Tomorrow, it might be the Cometa Orion or Gamo Coyote.  And...

You can't go wrong with a BSA barrel.  Both the Gamo Coyote and BSA Buccaneer have BSA barrels... and you can buy them incredibly cheap at Aceros-de-Hispania.