Lightweight PCP in .22 cal

[Ronni]

Howdy folks,

I am looking for an inexpensive, lightweight pcp with high shot count in .22 cal. I own a Diana 48 .177 and a Hatsan BT65 .25. Both are heavy rifles and I want a compact light .22 as an allaround plinker/hunter.
There are 3 old models wich I have in mind:

Walther Dominator - This is the top selling rifle on the german market since its easy to tune and rather cheap. I tried it in .177 and its super lightweight, smooth cocking action, short and compact.
What is your experience/opinion on that rifle.

BSA Bucaneer - Seems to be accurate but trigger is supposed to be bad. How about the weight? What do you guys think?

Gamo Coyote - Better than the Bucaneer or not?

Thanks guys

[DamonZ28]

The Hatsan Flash QE comes in at 5.9 lbs. Nice accurate rifle, and I think it shoulders great. I get about 30-35 shots in my .22 with 18 grain pellets.

[toddbrat]

you may want to consider the Gamo Urban, or Phox in the EU market. A bit less shot count than the Buc, but it is the same action, only a lighter stock and smaller air tube. I have both, the Bucc is in .177 and I personally prefer the stock on the Urban for off hand shooting, it feels much more balanced. The trigger can be made really nice with just a longer adjustment screw. It is also easy to adjust the power if you only want a backyard plinker. I have mine dropped all the way down and can get almost 50 shots with only a fill to just over 2k at about 13ft lbs.

[Ronni]

I forgot to mention that its quite expensive for me to get my hands on a hatsan, evanix, air arms, FX etc. Those 3 models I mentioned are easy for me to get so I'd like to know your experience on those particular models. Im not sure if I'm going to buy any of those, I was just wondering if they're worth a try.

Why is the Walther Dominator so unpopular on the US market?

If you'd have to choose, would you rather get the Buccaneer or the Coyote?

If they're not worth a buy I'll go thru the trouble and buy something else that takes more effort/money for me to get.

[CraigH]

I forgot to mention that its quite expensive for me to get my hands on a hatsan, evanix, air arms, FX etc. Those 3 models I mentioned are easy for me to get so I'd like to know your experience on those particular models. Im not sure if I'm going to buy any of those, I was just wondering if they're worth a try.

Why is the Walther Dominator so unpopular on the US market?

If you'd have to choose, would you rather get the Buccaneer or the Coyote?

If they're not worth a buy I'll go thru the trouble and buy something else that takes more effort/money for me to get.

If the Walther Dominator is the Walther 1250 Dominator here is the US, the reasons are probably that it weighs 8 pound, is not inexpensive ($800), and some or many think it's action is the same as the Hammerli (now Umarex) 850.

I would pick the Buccaneer - may as well the manufacturer's name on it.

[Ronni]

Yeah, the 1250. Its rather cheap here and plenty of tuning parts for trigger, bolt etc. available. And yes its basically the same as the Hammerli 850. But it really doesnt feel heavy at all, compared to the dianas or the hatsans. Looks kinda ugly tho

[ranchibi]

Yeah, the 1250. Its rather cheap here and plenty of tuning parts for trigger, bolt etc. available. And yes its basically the same as the Hammerli 850. But it really doesnt feel heavy at all, compared to the dianas or the hatsans. Looks kinda ugly tho

LOL Ron, it is a tad ugly but I’m sure it shoots beautifully .

[MB]

Buccaneer change trigger with CDT trigger, accurate and light, mostly same internals as Coyote

[Back_Roads]

 The AT size regulators do fit the flash for what it is worth 

[fivestar45]

None of the guns mentioned so far are what I'd call very light. Light to me is 5 lbs or less.
I do not know what the price is in Germany but you may want to take a look at a CZ 200..with a Altaros aluminum air tube it will come in under 5 lbs and that is with the extended length aluminum tube.

[walleye4us]

Save your money up and get an Edgun Leshiy. Mine is a .25 cal and I luv it.

[subscriber]

Ron,

You might like to browse this candy store not that far from you:
https://www.krale.shop/en/catalogsearch/result/index/?limit=all&q=pcp+air+rifle
Look through the specs and find something that catches your eye, then research that specifically for other important criteria; such as accuracy.

Judging how a particular air rifle will fit you is always going to be tricky.  References to it being proportioned similar to something you know and like, would be very useful.

For instance; "light weight" means different things to different people.  To me, "light" means 6 lb and under.  "Heavy" is anything over 8 lb.  High shot count is also subjective; and totally dependent on the power level you are shooting at.

You should also look at how the magazine loads.  I am partial to the HW100 magazine for easy loading, although the "standard" magazine seems to be "Marauder style".  That works too, else it would not be so common.

You did not say if this PCP would be limited to sub 12 ft.lb (less for Germany?).  That said, if you have a .25 cal airgun, it is probably a full power version.  You might want an air pressure regulator for consistent pellet velocity, and adjustable power...

[Ronni]

Thanks for your input guys.

I am very aware of what is on the market right now. Its just not that easy for me to get my hands on a lot of models without having to drive many hours and invest a lot of time.
Those 3 models I mentioned are basically just the ones I can get without a lot of trouble and that would fit the category of a .22 allaround rifle. The 48 and bt65 are super heavy rifles, in comparison the Walther Dominator feels like a featherweight. And I can get it rather cheaply.

I had my eye on those 3 guns for a long time now and I just wanted to know what the more experienced guys from overseas think about them.

I have modded all the rifles I own myself. BT65 has an altaros regulator, the diana a vortek pg2 kit.

[Tonykarter]

That Slayer .22 Backpack airgun grants me movement.  Save your money.  I am.

[Ribbonstone]

Nothing against the 1250, I liked my few trials with one.  Not a super-lite weight, but better than many PCP's....think US shooters are more spoiled about that, with easy to find (although not always inexpensive) PCP's that can end up scoped and about 7 pounds.


1250 has pretty much the same trigger system that t6hat action always had (using US names:from the Hammerli 850, the 1250,the Thor, etc.).  Can get it reasonably light, but being "crisp" seems to be the really big trick. 

Reguarless, can shoot quite well...and if you can get one cheap in your area, it feels lite to you, can think of any reason it wouldn't be a good choice.