Affordable big bore PCPs? (.30 or bigger)

[markjs]

Looks to me, that if  you wan to stay under a grand, your only big name options are Benjamin, Hatsan, and Seneca, and maybe Evanix.  The Seneca offeings are big n power for sure, but I hate the way they look.  How they shoot matters more of course, but you want to like everything ou can about a rifle.

What I was most curious about are non mainstram manufacturers, Ive seen Xisicos and Artemis (SPA), but AFAIK, no big bore guns from those manufacturers?  Eerything i have seen from them is small bore.

Basically just looking for what's available in .30 and up for a grand or less, that's deliveing near or over 100FPE?  I know I want a lot for not much, but since some well revered guns exist, that I already know about, makes me think there must be others I am unaware of?

[ranchibi]

Umarex Hammer .50 I believe is under a grand.

[triggerfest]

Cometa has one too, with the .30 Orion. Cometa has very good own made barrels, definitely worth to consider.

[mackeral5]

If you stay on the lookout you can find a used Bulldog in the $500 range.   Hard to beat that for value.

[Nomadic Pirate]

I agree if can get at 500-600 bucks Bulldog is probably the best deal.

[MI Yeti]

Umarex Hammer .50 I believe is under a grand.

A fill system for it will cost more than the gun...

A hatsan carnivore in .35 makes about 90fpe and is $550 or less.

[Wayne52]

The Badger 40 cal is a good one if you can find one for sale.

[UnderPressure]

This gun is $500 and 90 FPE in .30 caliber:

https://www.aeaairgun.us.com/products/aea-challenger-bullpup

I also remember JSAR announcing the Nighthawk (with balanced valve) in .30 for something like $649. It hasn't been released yet though.

[mackeral5]

The Badger 40 cal is a good one if you can find one for sale.

I would love to get my hands on a used Badger, but you virtually never see them for sale...

[Nomadic Pirate]

This gun is $500 and 90 FPE in .30 caliber:

https://www.aeaairgun.us.com/products/aea-challenger-bullpup

I also remember JSAR announcing the Nighthawk (with balanced valve) in .30 for something like $649. It hasn't been released yet though.

Forgot about that new China brand, yeah those look good too in .30 and nice price

[mackeral5]

This gun is $500 and 90 FPE in .30 caliber:

https://www.aeaairgun.us.com/products/aea-challenger-bullpup

I also remember JSAR announcing the Nighthawk (with balanced valve) in .30 for something like $649. It hasn't been released yet though.

Forgot about that new China brand, yeah those look good too in .30 and nice price

Very attractive specs, but until one of these new players is around for a while and shows decent post-sales support I'm not falling for it........the SPA rollercoaster left a bad taste in my mouth....Dont get me wrong, I love my P15, but I also want predictable access to parts....

[fatmike]

If someone would like to buy a aea challenger and give it a thrashing and report back thatd be great

[anti-squirrel]

There are always Korean cannons coming up for sale in the various classified, never mind Amazon. which currently has the...

909 in .45 for $767
Recluse in .357 (.35) for $742, or single-tube for $699
WingShot in .50 for $825

Then both Winchesters (.35 and .45) for $800, but I often see sales for $650.

Of course the Gamo Rex-wannabe ranges from $800 to $1k

If it were my money, I'd look no further than either the Recluse or a Bulldog.  Both have good reps- especially with the Bulldog @ $760 all day long, though I REALLY love the single-tube Recluse.  Of course, since I already own a Leshiy, opting for Big-Bore is just $250

[Steelhead]

Bottom line is you can't have your cake and eat it too. No way to go cheap, get the aesthetics you want, and superb performance. Nothing's free. Aesthetics can be overcome quickly by performance, trust me. I like traditional styles but I own Airforce, JSAR, etc. and they all look like futuristic guns. However, when you see the results on paper you can reconcile it.

Couple of things you didn't mention:
What are you shooting at? Big game? Medium game? Paper/steel?

What range/accuracy are expecting to get? 25 yards? 125 yards? 225 yards? All can be done accurately with different guns.

Are you casting or buying ammo? Both are expensive (casting on the start up costs) and since you are budget-conscience that will be a factor.

Will you shoot pellets are slugs? Most of the above-mentioned guns will shoot both, but will definitely prefer one over the other.


When I purchased my first big bore these are some questions I had, and some are questions I wish I would have asked. Here's my two cents:
You can't replace horsepower and accuracy. The whole point of big bore is power but it doesn't do any good if you can't hit anything. Find the happy zone for your shooting needs.

Air usage/efficiency doesn't mean squat. They all eat air and having a fill source that easily meets your needs is just as important as the gun itself.

If versatility is desired consider something like the Korean guns that can shoot bolts as well as bullets.

Don't let $200.00 sway you from something that you REALLY want. Everything in this hobby is expensive and the $200.00 difference between guns is chicken scratch when you consider the differences in guns. That price difference is the gap between a bulldog and/or a Korean gun vs. an Airforce Texan. Not here to debate which one is better, but what the guns can do is VASTLY different. The first two are slightly more economical, much easier to carry afield, etc.  The Texan makes more power, has range way beyond what other platforms can do, but it's long and cumbersome. The point is, be a little flexible and don't let a couple of hundred bucks sway you one way or the other. Be happy with you purchase.

[Back_Roads]

 Them Senicas/ Sam Yangs look way better in person, maybe only need 3 beers to take it home 

[markjs]

Something that can take a deer at 100 yards is my main consideration, IDK how much hnting I will do, because I'll have to go out of state for anything bigger than my AT44S-10 QE could take, but having the ability would be nice.  I think a Bulldog may be in my future. I dont like the look, but the capabiliies, quality and easy access to parts and service make it very attractive.  I like the Hatsan BT65, but it just doesn't put out the power you think it should for the caliber.

[kingrude1]

Something that can take a deer at 100 yards is my main consideration, IDK how much hnting I will do, because I'll have to go out of state for anything bigger than my AT44S-10 QE could take, but having the ability would be nice.  I think a Bulldog may be in my future. I dont like the look, but the capabiliies, quality and easy access to parts and service make it very attractive.  I like the Hatsan BT65, but it just doesn't put out the power you think it should for the caliber.

Just know that when you start considering hunting deer with an air rifle, the regulations can vary from state to state, it will be important to know the regulations wherever you hunt. Like in my state, to hunt deer with an air rifle it has to be  at least a .40 caliber and produce at least 400 ft.lbs. on energy.

[Nomadic Pirate]

For deer, long distance therefore heart/lung shot I would opt for .45 or .50 rather then .357

[markjs]

Something that can take a deer at 100 yards is my main consideration, IDK how much hnting I will do, because I'll have to go out of state for anything bigger than my AT44S-10 QE could take, but having the ability would be nice.  I think a Bulldog may be in my future. I dont like the look, but the capabiliies, quality and easy access to parts and service make it very attractive.  I like the Hatsan BT65, but it just doesn't put out the power you think it should for the caliber.

Just know that when you start considering hunting deer with an air rifle, the regulations can vary from state to state, it will be important to know the regulations wherever you hunt. Like in my state, to hunt deer with an air rifle it has to be  at least a .40 caliber and produce at least 400 ft.lbs. on energy.

Well I wasn't necessarily looking at deer particularly, I just know for Turkey (something I am particularly intereted in, many states require .30 or better).  Was looking at it more from a gun capability standpoint than a legal one, along with what I can realistically afford.  Basically looking for the most huting power I can afford, not that I'll necessarily use it, but have it if ever comes down to needing it.  Lots to think about anyway, it's still out of my reach for now anyway. Just kickning around possibilites.

So taking down a deer is just a "would be nice if it could in a pinch" but not necassarily something it needs to do.  I don't  plan on poaching unless hunger demands it anyway, and if it comes to that point, I don't think there will be any game wardens around to care....

Mostly I'm looking at medium game, with the potential for big game.  A Bulldog or better in essense....

The more in consider it though, considering my feelings on my AT44S-10 QE, despite not liking the  look, a bullpup might be just what the Dr. ordered, I like the size of them for sure....

[Dan H]

Umarex Hammer .50 I believe is under a grand.

junk ! it will blow your eye out kid ! no kidding air blast out of the side of the mag has hurt guys hand when shooting it … happened to Bob = mr hallow point  and Will  look in the big bore section you will see what I mean .. Hammer in hand thread …