Crap PCP v Good Springer

Ian Cartmell

Ian Cartmell

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As far as accuracy goes does a bargain basement PCP stand up as good as or better than a high end springer.

Assuming the pilot isn't Stevie Wonder of course.

My use and knowledge on PCP's is minimal, but the ones I've owned (AA S400, HW110, BSA Ultra, Webley Raider) were all boringly accurate with minimal input from myself.

However the high end springers which I've owned many, tuned off their tits, still needed me to do my bit, sometimes it was more than a bit, to make them come close to PCP accuracy.

My thoughts are turning towards getting involved in the lowest of the low PCP instead of spunking loads on high end springers.

Or would they come with other problems usually associated with cheap crap.

Any thoughts or input welcome thanks.
 
Uummmm 🤔, interesting one this!

I’m actually doing it the other way around. I’ve just bought a budget springer ( Remmy Express) to see it l can make it as good as my high end break barrels.

I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to do the same with a PCP. The question is, what one?
 
Ive considered this before.. A low end PCP to dip a toe and try one.

When it comes to buying i then get all doughy eyed looking at the springers for the same budget. I know what will happen every time.

Honestly @Ian Cartmell i often see the target pics you put up with springers and think.. Yeah, this guy can shoot! 👍
 
Most cheapo PCP"s will be easier to shoot more accurately than a quality springer without the skill/experience needed to get comparative results.

Something rather enjoyable about getting great accuracy out of a cheap PCP as well... I bought an old Falcon a while ago for £100.00 that's rough as toast but as accurate as any two grand pcp out there as well

Reliability is the biggest bugbear with low end pcp's not accuracy, although it can be a lottery

And strangely I don't really like high end springers, much prefer a cheap spring gun for fun
 
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Quality has certainly got better on the lower end PCPs over the last few years as the competition has increased, especially from Turkish manufacturers, plus use of cheaper ballistic polymers. You can tell they are still built to a budget though with poor QC and finish on component parts, but the gap is closing, and quite rapidly.

What concerns me though, is that the 'big boys' aren't responding and the price of the lower end guns seems to be going up quite quickly as demand increases.
 
Backgardenplinker said:
Ive considered this before.. A low end PCP to dip a toe and try one.

When it comes to buying i then get all doughy eyed looking at the springers for the same budget. I know what will happen every time.

Honestly @Ian Cartmell i often see the target pics you put up with springers and think.. Yeah, this guy can shoot! 👍
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I’ve one or two you can try Rob 😂😂😂👍
 
One of my most accurate pcp's was secondhand. Chinese nova vista. My daughter claimed it.

I have a Milbro Guardian Bullpup that is not very good at grouping. My TX and HW98 are far better.
 
I don’t know much about air rifles. So this is just my experience.

My S510 can hit a 5p coin at 50yrds. Constantly scoring high on bench rest with all shots in the scoring zone at my old indoor club. Bipod. Bag. It is fixed in place.

My hw97 was all over the place. Mostly down to me. Tuned up with a tbt kit I’m now hitting plinking targets about 2” square at 50yrds standing unsupported. No real bench rest facilities at my current club.
 
Nowt wrong with older used PCPs but personally I’d give cheaper brands a swerve
Reg issues, barrel issues, mag issues and poor spares availability put me right off

Something else you might want to figure in, despite cost, is how much you enjoy improving springers. You won’t get that with a pcp
 
Ian Cartmell said:
As far as accuracy goes does a bargain basement PCP stand up as good as or better than a high end springer.

Assuming the pilot isn't Stevie Wonder of course.

My use and knowledge on PCP's is minimal, but the ones I've owned (AA S400, HW110, BSA Ultra, Webley Raider) were all boringly accurate with minimal input from myself.

However the high end springers which I've owned many, tuned off their tits, still needed me to do my bit, sometimes it was more than a bit, to make them come close to PCP accuracy.

My thoughts are turning towards getting involved in the lowest of the low PCP instead of spunking loads on high end springers.

Or would they come with other problems usually associated with cheap crap.

Any thoughts or input welcome thanks.
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I would say it all depends on the target size and range Ian .
as you know i shoot both . i do have some superbly accurate recoiling springers that will shoot 8mm groups at 25yds that you couldn't tell they hadn't been shot by a pcp .
So to be honest and keeping it simple . right tool for the right target .
springer learn to cope with the recoil if you want a challenge at 50 yds .
pcps very boring at close range unless you going to shoot at very small targets or take on the challenge of something like BR targets without the madness of all the fancy kit .
 
P8X said:
Nowt wrong with older used PCPs but personally I’d give cheaper brands a swerve
Reg issues, barrel issues, mag issues and poor spares availability put me right off

Something else you might want to figure in, despite cost, is how much you enjoy improving springers. You won’t get that with a pcp
Click to expand...
Definitely go for older pcps . i have a huntsman midas with a custom Rob Lane reg in it .
WTF is a understatement . its a scalpel 🙂👍
 
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