Author Topic: How much does it cost to get a decent tank for a first-time PCP'er? (Read 11436 times))

NickB79 · « **on:** May 08, 2012, 06:51:14 PM »

I'm just crunching the numbers, and was wondering how much I should expect to pay to get a decent filling set-up for a PCP rifle? To be clear, I'm not talking about the rifle, scope, ammo, etc, but just the tank and whatever other filling equipment I'd need. I already know the local scuba shop down the road will fill tanks for $6 a pop, or $50/10 pre-purchased fills.

Thanks!

JonnyReb · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2012, 06:59:47 PM »

I didn't want to spend big money on a tank, so I bought a new 3000psi tank straight from my local scuba shop for $160.00, which is a fairly standard or average price. They agreed to a years free fills with the purchase. Picked up my kingman fill yoke from pyramid air for 70ish bucks and of course the quick disconnect adapter, from PA, for about 25. Even though its not near the fill capacity of one of the expensive carbon fiber tanks, it does great for my pcp's, especially if I stick to my guns that like 2000psi fills. Since the scuba place is close its no big deal to refill more often and often I don't have to go for months inbetween. For me, the inexpensive route works great. J

joe k · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:09:08 PM »

got my tanks at the scuba shop used for $100.00 each.
joe

grumpy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:23:37 PM »

Really depends on your guns fill pressure. If your talking about something with a 3300 psi fill then scuba's not gonna cut it. Then again if all you need is a 2000 psi fill then it will.

4500 carbon fiber tanks cost more but are the way to go if you don't want to be living at your local fill shop, just make sure you have a place near by that can fill to that pressure.

Dave

Motorhead · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:34:16 PM »

Pending PCP your using and pressure range tuned too ?
Even tho my M-rods classified as a 3000# gun, have it tuned for 2500# fills.
So ... a 3000# 80 CuFt tank fills gun over 40 times ( Actually get my shop to 10% over fill at 3300# ) which add to the practical use of standard pressure aluminum dive tanks.
You can pick up used 80's all day long In areas where there's divers for under $100, add an E-bay Paint ball fill yoke @ $25.00 and a longer hose & fitting for @ $18 and your good to go !!

AllanWJ · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:39:50 PM »

I bought everything new and probably paid too much. A 3300psi, 100cf Aluminum tank with a Din300 valve for 285.00 (50 bucks to ship) and a Joe Brancato fill hose assembly for 185.00 (shipped). The tank is surprisingly heavy, but I don't need to cart it around and it's great for a Disco. I get about 2700 shots on a fill. I'm going to go the shoebox route eventually.

Allan

It's bright too.

MustangMike · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2012, 09:39:47 PM »

make sure ur hoses are rated for hpa if you buy them off ebay and also try to get micro bore hoses their better then standard hoses

aack73 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2012, 09:51:20 PM »

i got a used 30 minute 4500psi scba on ebay for $50. thanks to Tom.

it had current hydro and 2 years left on it. a fill assembly is about $160 depending on configuration. (i think) check with Tim at mac1. he has a nice assembly for the best price i found with out piecing your own together.

MustangMike · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2012, 09:54:34 PM »

Quote from: aack73 on May 08, 2012, 09:51:20 PM

i got a used 30 minute 4500psi scba on ebay for $50. it had current hydro and 2 years left on it. a fill assembly is about $160 depending on configuration. (i think) check with Tim at mac1. he has a nice assembly for the best price i found with out piecing your own together.

good advice, there is also joe i forget his last name. but every one who buys his stuff raves about him and his products. i think for something as important as the fill station part of a tank its best to buy something setup and ready to go for ur intentions if you dont know enough about peicing ur own setup together. like putting a turbo in a car, if you dont know the math side of it its best to buy a premade kit. i dont know enough to peice together a fill setup so i wille be opting to buy one.

its money well invested

aack73 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2012, 10:01:25 PM »

preassembled wasn't much cheaper than me making my own. to me it wasn't worth the hassle.

Plekto · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2012, 10:11:30 PM »

If you are on the West Coast, Sport Chalet fills pony tanks for free. So the obvious choice is to get a larger pony tank. These run about $120 last I checked.

waterdogs · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2012, 11:18:49 PM »

Before I had enough money to get a shoebox and new carbon fiber tank I found a used carbon fiber on the forums and a fill setup from Joe Brancato. The tank was 50 bucks and the fill setup was 160. You don't have to fill the tank to 4500 psi if the scuba shop can only get to 3500. I was having our local dive shop fill to 3500 up until the end of 2010 when they closed down. That pretty much gave me the incentive to go all in and get the shoebox and a new carbon tank. I am happy I did. You have to look around for the best deals. Carbon tanks are the way to go. I have a steel 80cf scuba that fills to 3500 psi and a 19cf pony bottle. They just sit now since the carbon tanks are much lighter and can be topped off at 4500 psi. A good used carbon should run in the 150 to 250 range if it has some life left. Check with Joe Brancato. He sometimes has used ones available that are checked out and have current hydro's. It costs more up front but you don't end up with a collection of tanks that you will never use again. Ask me how I know this.
On a side note I recently purchased a couple of carbon paintball tanks from Expert HPA. Mat sold out to Joe Brancato but Joe is carrying on with the Bush bottles that Mat was making up. For 250 or so you can get a 70ci to 90ci with a 3000psi regulator and fill setup. Paintball shops will fill these up to 4500 psi for about 6 bucks. I can refill my 2000 psi Discovery over 20 times. Plus these are small and light so carrying them in the field is a breeze. I can spend a weekend out in the boonies and not have to go back to the truck for a refill off the big tank. Depends on how much you shoot, this might be a good alternative.

Ribbonstone · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2012, 11:58:26 PM »

When I did tank-fill, went to the local SCUBA shop first. Talked to the owner (not a clerk.). Told her (woman owned the place) want I was doing, what I needed, and asked if he had any inexpsnsive or used tanks. Did not care how beat up it looked, so long as it was in hydro and the owner would keep refilling it.

This was about 4 years ago..think I paid $100 for an in hydro 100cf tank. NOT a pretty tank, but in hydro and safe. Now she understood i was not going to be diving, and that I'd be coming in rather often to refill with the tank still having 2400psi ....no problem. I'd just drop it off in the AM and pick it up later in the day.

So my advice, if thinking of scuba, is to go to the shop you intend to have fill it and ask. He's not going to make any $ from you buying scuba gear or signing up on group dive trips, and he may have a better attitude about filling your tank if you bought bit from him than if you show up with one you bought on-line.
-------------
Almost all of my PCPs are set to run on 2700-2400 fills (some set lower).

larspawn · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2012, 12:28:03 AM »

I too had three scuba tanks but it was a hassel to get filled. Even though in hydro the $100 tank I bought was no deal because the to local I've shops claimed it was a dangerous tank. Apparently theres certain AL tanks that are susceptible to failure. Sold it and lucked into a brand new 44cf CF tank for $240! I think my JB assembly was $160. And Shoebox #205 was $450. Not cheap but no regrets at all. However it did make me buy two more hpa rifles so it only gets more costly. But as my kids say, YOLO!

NickB79 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 10, 2012, 04:29:38 PM »

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I was thinking about a Hatsan AT44 from Pyramidair, but now that I've thought about it some more I think I'll be getting the Disco I've always wanted and use a pump instead of a tank. Maybe in the future I'll upgrade to a tank, but for now I think I'll be happier with the simpler set-up to start off with.

badredbird · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2012, 06:14:42 PM »

i have a shoe boc but keep and 80 cu ft aluminum was 160 for a backup or for when i hunt , joe brancato is thre guy mustang mentioned and he gave good advice on the micro bore hose , it helps eliminate wasting air on the bleed off , so you get more fills , its good to have but if your going to get into it serious or carry alot of guns eventually a shoebox is way to go

lincolnmike · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2012, 10:38:02 PM »

check eBay for used firemans Scba tank. 44 ft.³. I saw one the other day for $69. It had three years of life left on. I recently purchased a similar item. After that I purchased that I see SCBA adapter from PA. it works perfect.I wish Dragon NaturallySpeaking work as well. It works okay sometimes but it seems I have to do some editing. Thank everybody, Michael from Massachusetts

Edtampa · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2012, 04:09:13 PM »

When I was Scuba diving alot there was no way a shop would fill the tank without showing my PADI Certification. Too much risk to the shop. How are you guys getting your tanks filled?

Just curious, I have two Scuba tanks I am getting hydo's for the upcommng DISCO purchase.

jpmche · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2012, 09:58:14 PM »

Guys! thanks for this, help a lot.

MustangMike · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2012, 08:41:03 PM »

get the for sale gate here on the forum and check craigslist.org... i picked up my tank for pretty cheap here on the forum and it has a few years of life left. i did see 2 long life tanks for what i thought was a good price in the for sale gate here on the gta a few days ago

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How much does it cost to get a decent tank for a first-time PCP'er?

Author Topic: How much does it cost to get a decent tank for a first-time PCP'er? (Read 11436 times))

lincolnmike