Advise on a c02 model

[woreout]

My first post and would like some input from more knowledgable shooters.  I just sold 2 springers due to tendonidas of the elbow ( could no longer cock them).  Now I THINK I want a co2 power plinker. No competition, no hunting, just my empty beer cans. I am looking at the TF79 as it comes with the bulk fill hose and fittings. The problem is my budget is limited to around  $200.  Any and all opinions appreciated.  I may even go with the 22 cal over the 177, thoughts on that also.  Thanks in advance 

[dk1677]

Welcome to the GTA! Check out Flying Dragon air rifles, Mike is a great guy and can tune them to fit your needs

[amb5500c]

Welcome to the GTA.
Richard

[Fisherdude]

The Flying Dragon airgun site is good advice. You might try ^&$@_=s as well.  I have a QB78 and it shoots well.  both sites offer air rifles that fit your budget.

[farrlarr]

Even with the bulk hose and fittings on the TF79, you are going to have to have a pump of some sort (with effort to push that pump which may be an issue with your tendonitis) or a tank, either of which adds additional cost.  I recommend the TF78 Gold (QB78 Deluxe, same gun, different name) as a very nice CO2 gun that will fit into your budget, even if you add additional bells and whistles, and one that is very accurate.  Only proviso is that outdoor shooting in cold weather will result in loss of power because of effects of temperature on the CO2; there is also an issue with hot weather, above 90 degrees F or so, but the problem there is potential valve lock up.  In either situation, bringing the gun back to room temperature resolves the issue.

[ac12]

I have shot my co2 match pistol from low 50s to about 100F.  This was a low power match pistol, so I don't know the effect of temp on the higher power guns.

CO2 gun does not need a pump.
power source is either co2 cartridge or bulk co2.  The cartridge is the easiest to start with.  But if you shoot a LOT, bulk is the cheaper way to go.  Bulk has the added cost and hassle of the tank.

[Kailua]

Maybe "farrlarr" was thinking with the bulkfill you maybe able to use High Pressure Air in a conversion.  Then in shooting in cold air weather should not be problem.  That is where the extra cost of filling HPA would get costly.  In bulk fill co2 you will need to have like a paintball shop to do it.
With shooting beer cans I would go with the .177

[ac12]

I agree with Kailua.
For casual plinking, I would go with .177.  Generally, you get more .177 pellets for the same price than .22.  There are some brands/dealers that price .177 and .22 the same.

[dwk54rak]

I have the qb79 Target version stock. Co2 customized by @SSS$$$. I had it set up to take 9 oz. paint ball tanks. It is very accurate and gets about 650 shots per tank. If you go to customizing our gun it will run above your budget, but this gun in stock form can be had for under $200 and it is accurate
Darrell

[dwk54rak]

Looking at some of the earlier posts. The filling of the say 9 oz tanks is $2.50 at Sports authority and $4.50 at a local paint ball shop. As I mentioned in my earlier post 650 shots per tank, thats pretty cheap shooting. I have 177 cal.

[dwk54rak]

A bulk co2 tank (I use 9oz.) is good for 5 years and then it has to be re certified. At $20 a piece, throw it away at the end of 5 years and buy a new one.

[Random Plinker]

I second, third etc. the QB78 in 177 recommendation for beer cans and targets.  I think the QB78D "Deluxe" version with the beefier stock and barrel is worth an extra $10, or whatever it costs (also sold as TF78 Gold Series).  This rifle is worth putting a scope on, so the fiber optics on the QB78D may not be much of a draw, and many may prefer the black fixed sights on the regular QB78 anyway.

You've got to be shooting an awful lot for CO2 paint ball tanks to be a deciding budget factor over regular 12g CO2 cartridges purchased in large quantity boxes, and 177 pellets are cheap too.  To me, the paintball tank ruins the rifle's aesthetics.  Most of the time, I only replace the outside of the two 12g cartridges and shoot 30 shots or so anyway.

In a pinch, heavy for caliber 177 dome or pointed pellets will suffice for light pest control with this rifle too.

You can modify the QB78D all day (hammer debounce, XP probes, custom tuning to up the fps, etc., etc., etc.), but the stock gun is easy on the wallet and pretty darn nice too in my opinion.  It is worth a little time smoothing and adjusting the trigger on these.  Once you have it adjusted where you want it, taking care to leave enough sear engagement for safety, add a dab of blue lock tight on the adjusting screws to keep them from coming loose on you.

[coax]

Some great suggestions.  I just have no experience with the QB series.  I may have to rectify that at some point.

I would also keep an eye out for a RWS 850 Magnum refurb gun.  I don't know why the prices on these things have gone up so much the last couple of years.  I call it my "Summer Gun", I've shot with it down to 60 degrees, but I think it's near the limit without a heat source for the tank there.  They are excellent shooters (I've shot groups under an inch at 50 yards), will suffice for pesting with heavy pellets (I took out a Praire Dog with a JSB Exact Heavy at 72 yards) in .177 cal, and have a Lothar Walther barrel.

[RedFeather]

Keeping it Chinese, I would opt for Mike.  He has a good track record in customizing these guns for performance.  My choice would be some kind of set up that allows bulk fill but also standard CO2 cartridges.

[stevemag]

i vote for the qb78, good sights , decent power,hits what you point it at, my favorite airgun. i've yet to feel the need to bulk load co2.

[ac12]

re bulk co2
As was mentioned, the cost of a bulk tank makes this a volume thing.  If you do not shoot a LOT, IMHO it is not worth going bulk.  I went bulk because my co2 match AP has to load from a bulk tank, no other option.

I forgot about the small tanks, when I think bulk I think 5 pound and larger co2 tanks.  The tank will run about $100+.  And tanks need to be hydo tested I think every 5 years, and this adds to the cost.

I would get a rifle that has the OPTION for bulk.  Then if you start shooting a LOT, where it becomes more economical to go bulk, then you can switch to bulk.  In the mean time you just buy 12g co2 cartridges in bulk packages, so you get a price break.

@woreout
I empathise with you.  I have tendonitis as well.
And that is the reason I switched from a SSP match pistol to a co2 match pistol.

[woreout]

I greatly appreciate all the input. After looking for a long time on line for the QB78 or TF78, the only place I can find that has them in stock is Archer, which from everything I have read is a top notch dealer. I will sit here before the NFL playoff games, decide which one I want and place an order. I am leaning towards the QB78D, add the debounce with gold service. Any other suggestions are also appreciated, as I spoke with Ms. Archer on Friday and they are going to a gun show this week, so it will not ship until late in the week or early next week. Again Thanks to all. Wes

[VAFarmer]

Be patient, and defininitely talk to Mike.....he may be able to offer you a tuned rifle for a very good price.

If you really wanna go the right way, I'd go for a ar2078.    These have a nice thumbhole stock, and target sights.  Bulk fill option is there, and you can also go single or double carts.   Add a power adjuster, and you have a complete rifle......that you can open up the throttle on outdoors in the summer, and adjust down for incredible shot count and safe velocities in the winter.

Mine is a 15 ftlb rifle when its hot outside.   I am thinking of going with the power adjuster, and making it a 12-13 ft lb rifle CONSTANTLY....ie, with a little testing.....I can crank it all the way up at 55 degrees, and have a 12 ft lb rifle.  If its 65, crank it back a turn or two, and have a 12 ft lb rifle.   If its 75, 80, crank it back....you get the idea.

I had an HW 95 in .20 cal, that had been tuned by a well known tuner, cost me 400 bucks used. 
I had Mike tune me an ar 2078 to a slightly higher powe output,  arrived BNIB, easily as accurate as the HW for less than half what I paid for the HW. 
Apples and oranges, the two guns.  But for lights-out shooting and less than 3/4 inch at 50 yds, one was an easy choice over the other, cost wise.   Sold the HW, and put that money into another rifle.


God bless,

Farmer

Farmer

[woreout]

I will certainly contact Mike Melick, however I am not sure how to contact him. Please someone send me his web site, email or telephone #. Thanks again

[Wisemorn]

Go to GTA mall look for Flying Dragon air rifles or send Mikeiniowa a PM.