Getting ready to order a new gun. Couple questions

[Kristopher]

So I'm getting ready to take the plunge on a new gun and would appreciate some advice.  I want to make the jump from basement 10 yard plinker to something that I can use for some light hunting (squirrels, rabbits, starlings) and some longer distance outdoor plinking (I want to set up a steel silhouette range, rams are at 45 yards).  I'm not looking for a super high power rifle and would prefer higher shot count at a medium power to high FPE and low shots per fill.

I've been reading Rsterne's $200 pcp thread and think that the qb79 and ninja HPA setup may be what I'm looking for, but have a few questions before I take the plunge. 

1st.  Is it feasible to pump the 13ci ninja tank to 3000 psi with a hand pump or am I going to need a fill station set up that I can have filled at a local scuba shop?

2nd.  If you had $300 to spend, would you buy the AR2079 + scope and run it on a 9oz co2 bottle that you already own while you saved for the HPA tank and pump, or would you buy a basic QB79, hpa tank and used pump and save for scope and upgrades?  Basically, I really like the stock and sites of the AR and want the consistency and performance of  HPA but can't swing both the AR and HPA at the same time.

3rd.  Would you buy 177 or 22? I know that 22 is a better hunter, but honestly, this gun will be 80-90% a target shooter.  Is the lower shot count and higher pellet cost (small but adds up) worth the increase in power for the occasional squirrel or rabbit? 

Thanks in advance.

[Oldnoob]

Those are some good questions, i have similar interests.
However, if i were to really get serious about hunting with air, personally, i would consider something with a .25 or up in caliber. i would want to make sure i killed it and not have it run off to die slowly.

[nervoustrigger]

In my opinion, pumping is not nearly as bad as many make it seem.  If you are in good health, don't let pump vs. SCBA scare you.

Having a 15fpe QB79 in .177 giving ~100 shots and a 30fpe QB78 in .22 giving over 50 shots per fill, I think the .22 gives plenty of shots per fill and is capable of dispatching possums, raccoons, and foxes at my usual distance of 45 yards.  But with your stated goals, I think you would be perfectly happy with .177.

Put it this way, if you are capable of setting up a QB like Bob has laid out, you will have a fine-performing rifle when you are done, and you really can't go wrong with either caliber.  Check out the QB78 link in my signature if you are interested in reading my recent experiences with tuning a couple of rifles.

[Kristopher]

Having a 15fpe QB79 in .177 giving ~100 shots and a 30fpe QB78 in .22 giving over 50 shots per fill, I think the .22 gives plenty of shots per fill and is capable of dispatching possums, raccoons, and foxes at my usual distance of 45 yards.  But with your stated goals, I think you would be perfectly happy with .

Thanks for the info NervousTrigger.  I'd read your qb78 thread in my some of my earlier research.  That thing is a hammer and a tack driver to boot.  What have you done to your 79 to get 15fpe and ~ 100 shots?    15 and 100 is my completely unscientific and for no particular reason goal. 

[nervoustrigger]

Hi Kristopher,

Just yesterday I had the QB79 out and fired a few CPUMs across the chronograph and they averaged 819fps or 15.6fpe, and it yields so many shots on a fill that I lose interest long before it runs out of air.

Here's a summary of the mods.  Sorry I don't have pictures but between Bob's post and my post and countless others, you probably have a decent idea.  If you have any questions just let me know.

1.  bolt:  Flow-through bolt drilled out both axially and radially to improve air flow.  Didn't record the exact size but it's drilled as large as I was comfortable with doing.
2.  transfer port:
     a.  made from 0.170" ID poly tubing
     b.  drilled through receiver so tube goes direct from valve to barrel (tubing cut 0.250" long gives it a little "squish" when bolting things back together to form a good seal)
3.  barrel port:
     a.  enlarged barrel port to approx. 0.140" (80% of caliber)
4.  valve work:
     a.  skeletonized the valve body (removed material to improve air flow and increase volume of regulated air "on deck")
     b.  removed restrictive parts from the valve (piercing pin, cylinder, washer, and fiber filter)
     c.  installed a lighter valve spring
     d.  rounded off inlet side of exhaust port (eases air flow)
5.  tank block:  Drilled a dimple into the O-ringed plug that fits into the air tube.  As with skeletonizing the valve, this helps to increase the volume of regulated air in the otherwise anemic QB79 air tube.
6.  hammer:  Lightened it up to 36.6 grams.  Did not manipulate the spring preload.  The lighter hammer makes efficient use of air but nowadays I like to use preload to do final fine-tuning to find the knee of the velocity curve.
7.  Ninja tank:  regulator set to 1000psi

[Kristopher]

I think I've decided to go with the AR2079 in 177 caliber.  It will be more set up as a field target/heavy plinker than as a hunting gun, but it should work well to dispatch a rabbit or squirrel from the garden when the need arises.  I decided that the flatter trajectory and high shot count of 177 probably fits my current needs more than the extra FPE of 22.

The mods you listed should all be within my reach.  I really like that you're getting 15 FPE but still using a pretty inexpensive pellet like the CPUM.  Hopefully, they will shoot as well through my gun. 

Is there any source for o rings and seals other than the unmentionable dealer?  I figure that I'll have this gun apart a handful of times and should have some extras on hand. 

[nervoustrigger]

PM me your address.  I have a good supply of O-rings and am glad to send you some.

[nervoustrigger]

I think I've decided to go with the AR2079 in 177 caliber.  It will be more set up as a field target/heavy plinker than as a hunting gun, but it should work well to dispatch a rabbit or squirrel from the garden when the need arises.

Definitely capable of cleanly taking squirrels and bunnies with good shot placement.  The 79 is my 8-year-old's rifle and this past squirrel season, he squeezed the trigger on 5 squirrels and put 5 squirrels in the freezer.

The CPUMs do (or rather, did) group well in it but the quality of the last few tins and even the boxed CPUMs has been downright embarrassing.  If I sort out some good ones--hard to do since most have molding defects--it will print groups under 0.2" at 25 yards.

We are getting much better consistency with the Air Arms and JSB 10.3gr pellets in this particular rifle.  The AA variety is pretty inexpensive if you do the buy-3-get-1-free thing at Pyramyd Air and use a 10% coupon, but of course you'll want to try a smaller qty before you stock the shelves.

[Kristopher]

PM me your address.  I have a good supply of O-rings and am glad to send you some.

I got the package from you on Saturday.  Thanks again, you really hooked me up.  I ordered an AR2079 and a Ninja HPA tank over the weekend.  I'm going to run it on an older CO2 tank for a while until I find a pump at the right price. 

Anything other than a general once over and running a few patches down the barrel that I should do before shooting it?