PCP vs 22rf

[bsekf]

So I have been researching PCP air rifles. I am finding a good rifle will be $300 more than a good 22rf rifle. Scope, the same. But a compressor to load the rifle will be $400-$1500. Even at $50 a brick, I can buy a lot of 22 shells. Am I missing something?

Bill

 

[Adam in WI]

What's your purpose? For plinking, maybe not on the PCP. I have one, and like it a lot; but it's not shot for enjoyment or training. It's for ~50 yard pest control where over penetration or ricochets are no bueno. It's ridiculously quiet also. Stand by for Jeff to sell you on a springer...

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I've been using my Beeman R-10 magnum .20 cal springer since around 1985 with no complaints at all. No scuba tanks to dink about with, no compressor either. With my 2-7X Beeman airgun scope, it's good on ground squirrels, rats and starlings to about 35 yards....the most range I can get in my backyard. And a tin of 250 premium Beeman Silver Bear HP pellets are a lot cheaper of a box of .22LR.

I've considered a PCP rifle, but with all the equipment required, it's no bueno for me.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I am a Springer guy due to the simplicity. However if components continue to be a more and more expensive commodity I have not ruled out going the PCP bench route in the future. As mentioned here in an earlier thread by I Dusty Stevens an option to buying a compresser is having an air tank filled by a local volunteer fire company for a donation to them. As I have stated previously shooting 5 shot groups at 25 yds with my tuned TX200 gives the same group sizes as a good 6ppc at 100 yds , and no loading and no cleaning. Actually it is a bit harder than with the centerfire.

 

[Mark W]

I’m PPC shopping now. My goals are sub 1” groups at 50 yards with enough power to eliminate small pests out to the same distance. I considered a .25 for the knockdown power, but I think I’ll probably go with a .22 for the flatter trajectory since it will be mostly used for plinking.

 

[Ironman308]

I also use a Beeman springer for ground squirrels. Head shots out to about 20 yards then body shots further out. Every now and the my sons come by and we do a target match at about 50 yards. Lots of fun, can do it at the house and cheaper than a 22.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I’m PPC shopping now. My goals are sub 1” groups at 50 yards with enough power to eliminate small pests out to the same distance. I considered a .25 for the knockdown power, but I think I’ll probably go with a .22 for the flatter trajectory since it will be mostly used for plinking.

You can do thst with a good springer. No tanks or air source needed.plus a learning curve is required that becomes very rewarding when achieved. Just a thought.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Hey Adam, thanks for the chuckle.Wifes bird feeders came under attack,from starlings today....she have me a wack them and stack them order. I have listened as s good husband will. Hope the local foxes come through tonight.

 

[Adam in WI]

plus a learning curve is required that becomes very rewarding when achieved.

This is all well and good, but I would like to point out that depending on one's requirements you do not need to own a compressor. It takes me about 5 minutes to fill mine with a hand pump. There is no learning curve. In fact, it's boringly easy. That's the point I like to make; if you're just interested in making dead birds out of live ones (or rabbits, an 18 gr JSB to the cranium is lethal out to 45 yards) the PCP is a machine. I get ~35 good shots as fast as I can work the lever and reload the two 9 shot magazines.

 

[MikeT49]

You can build your own PCP air rifle with all the custom parts for ~$450. $550 w/pressure regulator. $750 w/multi-shot breech. You can get over 60 ft-lbs with a .22. That's a 33.95 gr JSB @ a measured 907 fps. One hole accuracy at 10 yards is easily done. Less than 1/2" vertical at 50 yards with the 33.95s. You can build one with a left hand bolt. Or a side lever. You can build a PCP hand gun out of a Crosman 2240 CO2 pistol for about $350. You can get 30 ft-lbs with the handgun (.22 cal)
You can get a hand pump on eBay for around $50. A 4500 psi water cooled compressor from Amazon for under $300 Used SCBA tanks from eBay for $100 or so. Buy once cry once. I'll edit this and add some pics using my tablet in a few. Pics:
Edit:. Your gonna need a stock, not a minor detail. Factory Tupperware stock is about $20, factory wood stock about $30. A Boyd's will run $169 to about $300. For glass you can get a Centerpoint 4-16 with AO for ~ $80. Hawke, Athlon, Bushnell all have side focus variables that will focus down to 10 yards. $130 to ~ $600. The Sightron S-TACs are great airgun scopes for a little more $.



eeduiyty

 

[JEFFPPC]

This is all well and good, but I would like to point out that depending on one's requirements you do not need to own a compressor. It takes me about 5 minutes to fill mine with a hand pump. There is no learning curve. In fact, it's boringly easy. That's the point I like to make; if you're just interested in making dead birds out of live ones (or rabbits, an 18 gr JSB to the cranium is lethal out to 45 yards) the PCP is a machine. I get ~35 good shots as fast as I can work the lever and reload the two 9 shot magazines.

Your third and fourth sentence was /is a negative to me concerning a PCP at this point. There is no doubt PCP guns work and work well. I have s friend who has some very high end PCP guns and he uses a handpump. He shoots a couple groups, maybe 15 or 20 shots, pumps it full, puts it away ready to go next time which for him might might be a month or two down the road. It all makes more sense than running down the centerfire rabbit hole these days. Problem in the NE is its not yet taken off here.

 

[JEFFPPC]

You can build your own PCP air rifle with all the custom parts for ~$450. $550 w/pressure regulator. $750 w/multi-shot breech. You can get over 60 ft-lbs with a .22. That's a 33.95 gr JSB @ a measured 907 fps. One hole accuracy at 10 yards is easily done. Less than 1/2" vertical at 50 yards with the 33.95s. You can build one with a left hand bolt. Or a side lever. You can build a PCP hand gun out of a Crosman 2240 CO2 pistol for about $350. You can get 30 ft-lbs with the handgun (.22 cal)
You can get a hand pump on eBay for around $50. A 4500 psi water cooled compressor from Amazon for under $300 Used SCBA tanks from eBay for $100 or so. Buy once cry once. I'll edit this and add some pics using my tablet in a few. Pics:View attachment 1339058View attachment 1339059View attachment 1339060

Mike, very interesting equipment you have built. Thanks for sharing with us. I might contact you someday if that is ok with you.

 

[mjl650]

I can shoot an air rifle in my back yard where as I cannot discharge a firearm on my property other than for personal defense. I can easily do up to 100 yards in my backyard.
To shoot firearms I have to travel an hour each way to the range and back.
For me it's worth the investment to get more trigger time.

 

[Adam in WI]

Your third and fourth sentence was /is a negative to me concerning a PCP at this point.

They're definitely not for everyone, but imo neither is a springer the ideal tool in all circumstances. It sounds like the op is interested in economical recreational shooting. Maybe he can be swayed one way or the other, but on the other hand it might be best to stick with a .22 RF...

 

[Randall D]

I have several Air Rifles, Benjamin pump, PCP's and Olympic 10 meter side cocking pneumatic. I have old scuba tanks that I refill with a cheap $300 compressor and it works great. Besides the ocasional field target matches that I shoot and the off hand practice in the garage all winter, I use my FX Crown Royal 25 cal. to dispatch a lot of yard pest. Yardages are from 10 to 100. The Crown will usually hold a 1 inch group at 100 yards, depending on the wind. So far this year I have taken 5 rock squirrels from 48 to 54 yards. Even missed a couple of times and they never heard the shot and was able to follow up with a kill shot. Pellets are CHEAP and I get a lot of shooting practice. Also you don't have to go really expensive, I have a friend that wins matches with a Benjamin Maurader.

 

[PigButtons]

Hand pumping isn't bad if you don't let the pressure get too low. .20, .22, .25, will all kill small varmints to 50 yards, for me it's .22, or .25, from there to 75 yards. For targets like paper or steel, they all give great practice.

I own some good 22lr target guns, none of which can outperform my better PCP rifles. If you get easily bored putting shots one after another into the same hole at 25 and many times to 50 yards, PCPs will bore you to death.

 

[MikeT49]

Mike, very interesting equipment you have built. Thanks for sharing with us. I might contact you someday if that is ok with you.

No problem, I'm retired.

 

[JEFFPPC]

LOL, it's a great phase of life I have found.