Purchasing first PCP

[Flatlander]

Looking to get into the PCP world for shooting pest birds in our backyard.  Furthest shots would be out to 60 yards, 40 yards would realistically be the sweet spot, right now the airgun I use is a Daisy 880 with the PBL installed.  With the Daisy, I can shoot birds reliably out to 30 yards, 35 yards and the groups open up.  From what I have been researching, the PCPs are much more accurate, especially at distance.   I would prefer to keep the cost under $350 and like to stay with .177 caliber.

Here are a few of the options I have been looking at.
New Beeman Chief Gen 2 regulated 1341
Hatsan Hyrda QE (heard they leak?)
Hatsan Flash QE Regulated
Aircuda (Aircuda Max, over budget)
Air Venturi Avenger (over budget)
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated(if they come out with a .177)

If .22 cal is recommended, here are a few I have been looking at.
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated
Umarex Notos
Piny P-Force
Stoeger XM1 Ranger

[Back_Roads]

 The Hatsan Flash, and the Notos float to the top of the list from my experiences. Bummer the Notos does not come in .177, with the Chief not far behind. Mind you I only own the Notos, but do have other Hatsan and Beeman products.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

I have a Flash QE Regulated in .177 and it shoots well enough to hit a mouse at 50 yards!  I got it from Hatsan during their 15% off Refurb Sale and it was under $200 shipped.  The unregulated Flash would also be a good choice.  You can find some great deals shopping the Hatsan Refurb Sales!

[Flatlander]

I have a Flash QE Regulated in .177 and it shoots well enough to hit a mouse at 50 yards!  I got it from Hatsan during their 15% off Refurb Sale and it was under $200 shipped.  The unregulated Flash would also be a good choice.  You can find some great deals shopping the Hatsan Refurb Sales!

That is pretty impressive, the stock is not very traditional but it sounds like it performs great.

[Blowpipe Sam]

My .25 caliber Hatsan Flash-R QE is also a long range tack driver.  Like Paul I bought it as a refurb for less than $200 shipped.  Hatsan is selling refurbs of the older, unregulated Flash QE for $110 with free shipping.  I’m trying to keep from buying another one myself.  I have a Beeman Raider and don’t recommend it.  However the Gen II Chief has a metal receiver and accepts Beeman’s extremely reliable magazines.  I have one of those on my want list too.

[Rick67]

Looking to get into the PCP world for shooting pest birds in our backyard.  Furthest shots would be out to 60 yards, 40 yards would realistically be the sweet spot, right now the airgun I use is a Daisy 880 with the PBL installed.  With the Daisy, I can shoot birds reliably out to 30 yards, 35 yards and the groups open up.  From what I have been researching, the PCPs are much more accurate, especially at distance.   I would prefer to keep the cost under $350 and like to stay with .177 caliber.

Here are a few of the options I have been looking at.
New Beeman Chief Gen 2 regulated 1341
Hatsan Hyrda QE (heard they leak?)
Hatsan Flash QE Regulated
Aircuda (Aircuda Max, over budget)
Air Venturi Avenger (over budget)
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated(if they come out with a .177)

If .22 cal is recommended, here are a few I have been looking at.
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated
Umarex Notos
Piny P-Force
Stoeger XM1 Ranger

Any reason why it has to be in .177?

The Gamo Urban, a .22, can be had for less than $300 and is made in England with a BSA barrel.

The only reason don't own one is because it has a synthetic stock.

[Back_Roads]

 I am a fan of .177 shooting .22 weight pellets.

[Flatlander]

Looking to get into the PCP world for shooting pest birds in our backyard.  Furthest shots would be out to 60 yards, 40 yards would realistically be the sweet spot, right now the airgun I use is a Daisy 880 with the PBL installed.  With the Daisy, I can shoot birds reliably out to 30 yards, 35 yards and the groups open up.  From what I have been researching, the PCPs are much more accurate, especially at distance.   I would prefer to keep the cost under $350 and like to stay with .177 caliber.

Here are a few of the options I have been looking at.
New Beeman Chief Gen 2 regulated 1341
Hatsan Hyrda QE (heard they leak?)
Hatsan Flash QE Regulated
Aircuda (Aircuda Max, over budget)
Air Venturi Avenger (over budget)
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated(if they come out with a .177)

If .22 cal is recommended, here are a few I have been looking at.
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated
Umarex Notos
Piny P-Force
Stoeger XM1 Ranger

Any reason why it has to be in .177?

The Gamo Urban, a .22, can be had for less than $300 and is made in England with a BSA barrel.

The only reason don't own one is because it has a synthetic stock.

I have a large varity of .177 pellets but I can always purchase .22 pellets.  I thought .177 shoot flatter than .22?  Is this not the case? 

[rdtricks]

I have an original Flash QE in .25 that has proven to be more accurate than the price would seem possible.  The gun is just about right for walking around with and in .177 with heavy pellets should prove to be devastating out to 50 yards.  I have been looking to purchase a reconditioned Flash R-QE in .177 because I like the side lever action and prefer regulated guns, even though they can be a bit fussy at times.  The Fash in either version would be a good first PCP.  Yes, your mileage may vary but it is only an air rifle - ya.

Oh, Field Supply has the Flash QE (unregulated) at $182.00 in .22 cal at the moment: https://www.fieldsupply.com/airguns/refurbished/hatsan-flash-qe-pcp-air-rifle-22-cal-blk-syn-refurb.html

[Rick67]

Looking to get into the PCP world for shooting pest birds in our backyard.  Furthest shots would be out to 60 yards, 40 yards would realistically be the sweet spot, right now the airgun I use is a Daisy 880 with the PBL installed.  With the Daisy, I can shoot birds reliably out to 30 yards, 35 yards and the groups open up.  From what I have been researching, the PCPs are much more accurate, especially at distance.   I would prefer to keep the cost under $350 and like to stay with .177 caliber.

Here are a few of the options I have been looking at.
New Beeman Chief Gen 2 regulated 1341
Hatsan Hyrda QE (heard they leak?)
Hatsan Flash QE Regulated
Aircuda (Aircuda Max, over budget)
Air Venturi Avenger (over budget)
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated(if they come out with a .177)

If .22 cal is recommended, here are a few I have been looking at.
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated
Umarex Notos
Piny P-Force
Stoeger XM1 Ranger

Any reason why it has to be in .177?

The Gamo Urban, a .22, can be had for less than $300 and is made in England with a BSA barrel.

The only reason don't own one is because it has a synthetic stock.

I have a large varity of .177 pellets but I can always purchase .22 pellets.  I thought .177 shoot flatter than .22?  Is this not the case?

The .22 will buck the wind better.

I like .177 myself and most of my airguns are in this caliber.

[Flatlander]

Where I live in central IL it is extremely winding.  Maybe the .22 is a better choice. 

[Flatlander]

Any opinions on the Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated?

[Flatlander]

My .25 caliber Hatsan Flash-R QE is also a long range tack driver.  Like Paul I bought it as a refurb for less than $200 shipped.  Hatsan is selling refurbs of the older, unregulated Flash QE for $110 with free shipping.  I’m trying to keep from buying another one myself.  I have a Beeman Raider and don’t recommend it.  However the Gen II Chief has a metal receiver and accepts Beeman’s extremely reliable magazines.  I have one of those on my want list too.

Hatsan has the refurb Flash QE listed for $129. Is there a discount code?  $110 is a easy buy.

[Blowpipe Sam]

REFURB15.

[Flatlander]

REFURB15.

I could not get this code to work, expired?

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Sign up for their e-mails, those refurb sales happen on a fairly regular basis.  Seems they run that one at least once or twice a month.  They will e-mail you the discount code when the sale starts.   They typically run for a weekend, but sometimes are extended for a full week.

[TorqueMaster]

I have a large varity of .177 pellets but I can always purchase .22 pellets.  I thought .177 shoot flatter than .22?  Is this not the case?

I have that same notion of 177 vs 22 inside my head, but it doesn't really apply anymore with PCPs.  Used to be a given powerplant shooting 177 would have faster muzzle velocity than the 22 version, so the 22 had a loopier trajectory.  With most of these PCPs, you can tune to shoot 177 at 850 fps, or 22 at 850 fps, both having the same trajectory.  Both pack a wallop but 22 much much moreso.

I also recall way back when most of the best pellets for precision shooting used to be 177.  Now the 22s are just as well made, just as precise, and generally hold groups better than 177 at longer ranges.  22s do cost a bit more, but not prohibitively so.  Either way the air is "free" -- I'd recommend PCP pesting with 22.

[Flatlander]

I have a large varity of .177 pellets but I can always purchase .22 pellets.  I thought .177 shoot flatter than .22?  Is this not the case?

I have that same notion of 177 vs 22 inside my head, but it doesn't really apply anymore with PCPs.  Used to be a given powerplant shooting 177 would have faster muzzle velocity than the 22 version, so the 22 had a loopier trajectory.  With most of these PCPs, you can tune to shoot 177 at 850 fps, or 22 at 850 fps, both having the same trajectory.  Both pack a wallop but 22 much much moreso.

I also recall way back when most of the best pellets for precision shooting used to be 177.  Now the 22s are just as well made, just as precise, and generally hold groups better than 177 at longer ranges.  22s do cost a bit more, but not prohibitively so.  Either way the air is "free" -- I'd recommend PCP pesting with 22.

Thank you.  What you say makes perfect sense now.  I was watching youtube videos of guys over the pond comparing .177 and .22 but they have restrictions on their FPE witch doesn't apply here in the states.   
I will be looking at these .22 cal guns now. 

Hatsan Flash QE Regulated
Barra 1100z Gen 2 regulated
Umarex Notos
Piny P-Force
Gamo Urban
Aircuda
Aircuda Max
Air Venturi Avenger

[TorqueMaster]

Yeah, having "no FPE limits" opens up larger calibers to shoot almost as flat.  After posting, I considered the larger calibers may slow down a little bit quicker than 177, due to more frontal area.  But I think it's BC that really matters -- not something I have studied.  Without getting into it, a fast shooting 22 should be very flat shooting.

I can vouch for the Avenger being capable of 1 MOA at 50 yards (5 shots 1/2" ctc.)  With some simple mods to keep the barrel/shroud more rigidly secured.  And it was getting close to 1 MOA at 100 yards (See the Long Range Club Gate, NUAH challenge.)

Notos, Urban, P-Force are also great shooters I have experience with, I'd expect them all to be capable of 1" (or better) at 50 yards -- I have not wrung them out enough to prove it.  The Notos is a lightweight joy to shoot if you don't need a long shot count.

I would not rule out that unregulated Flash -- at that price and based on reviews here, it's an entry level bargain.  Only downside would be the limited shot count to keep it in its optimal pressure band.

Don't forget you'll need a PCP pump.  The az $50 hand pumps are quite decent.  The more you shoot, the more you'll be thinking about electric, though.

You'll probably want a chronograph too, for testing and tuning.  I find the ~$30 barrel mount type to be very useful.

Welcome to the dark side.

[22Talon]

Plus one for the urban.
I wish I had guns like that 20 plus years ago when I got into airguns.

For around 350-400 bucks you can get gun, a scope and a pump.

I set up one for a buddy, urban on sale from pyramid, scope for 30 bucks on sale, cheap but got decent reviews and a pump for 50

I think 350 or 400 all told

Relatively quiet, accuracy is nickel size with premier pellets at 30-35 yds.

Only thing is it's not regulated.

I had cheap chrony I got for like 50 bucks a while ago to adjust the power for max and to map the power curve