PCP rifle sub £500 advice

[BamjoDando]

I'm sure this has been asked a few times, but I've a few specific models I think I've narrowed down to, and would like some input.

I'm returning to shooting, I'd like to get more into range target shooting and like the idea of a PCP. I'm going to view a few at our local gun shop. I've whittled it down to:

GAMO Coyote
GAMO Gx-40
JTS Airacuda Max
BSA Scorpion TS
Benjamin Cayden
Benjamin Akela

Any feedback or opinions would be greatly appreciated

 

[terrierforce]

It's not on your list but I'd also be looking at the Zbroia Sapsan if it appeals?
Well known gun shop in the West mids offering these for £600 they are about £900 new.
Also there's one in the sales section on here that looks very nice indeed for about £550.
They do look like a bit of a bargain and are probably in a different league to some on your list.
Have a look and do a little research.

 

[Paynut]

Have you factored in filling options, if 500 quid is your budget, you will struggle for new

 

[terrierforce]

 

[BamjoDando]

Have you factored in filling options, if 500 quid is your budget, you will struggle for new

That is just the rifle cost I'm looking at. Everything else comes from another pot

 

[GeeTee]

Alternatively, how about a 2nd hand Premium Pcp, Air Arms S400/500, FX Dreamline etc., the budget Air Rifles are great value for money & currently there is so many budget brands, you are spoilt for choice, I have seen them at my local RFD from as little as £200, although what sort of reliability & accuracy is debatable

 

[BamjoDando]

It's not on your list but I'd also be looking at the Zbroia Sapsan if it appeals?
Well known gun shop in the West mids offering these for £600 they are about £900 new.
Also there's one in the sales section on here that looks very nice indeed for about £550.
They do look like a bit of a bargain and are probably in a different league to some on your list.
Have a look and do a little research.

Thanks for the reply, I hadn't looked at it as it was quite a way outside of budget. 550 sounds a good price, I'll look at the sales section but ideally wanted new.

£600 is also good, I wonder if the shop is near me.

I'm also interested in feedback on those that are on my list as the £600 is still more than my budget hard limit is.

 

[That hurts]

 

[BamjoDando]

Alternatively, how about a 2nd hand Premium Pcp, Air Arms S400/500, FX Dreamline etc., the budget Air Rifles are great value for money & currently there is so many budget brands, you are spoilt for choice, I have seen them at my local RFD from as little as £200, although what sort of reliability & accuracy is debatable

Thanks but I'd rather go new. Bad experiences with second hand rifles in the past

 

[BamjoDando]

Alternatively, how about a 2nd hand Premium Pcp, Air Arms S400/500, FX Dreamline etc., the budget Air Rifles are great value for money & currently there is so many budget brands, you are spoilt for choice, I have seen them at my local RFD from as little as £200, although what sort of reliability & accuracy is debatable

I suppose I've been discounting ones that review badly, the Benjamin reviews very well as far as I can tell, as does the Airacuda

 

[GeeTee]

I suppose I've been discounting ones that review badly, the Benjamin reviews very well as far as I can tell, as does the Airacuda

The Gamo & the new BSA Scorpion TS are one & the same I believe, I was looking at the Benjamin Cayden last week at my local RFD & I must admit I liked it, a very handsome Rifle, the world's your oyster as the saying goes, also worth looking at are the Kral range, I have previously owned the NP03 & the NP02, both very capable.

Happy hunting

 

[valevelo]

Out of your list I'd say either of the Gamo or the BSA would be the best bet at a decent starter option. They have a better chance of being good out of the box at least, and whilst some Benjamin's or JTS can be good, especially if you know what you're doing with tinkering, I doubt you'd want to do that straight away.

I've had a Gamo Phox which is the same as the Coyote just with a plastic stock, and it was great for the money. Moved it on now but would happily have one again. That's the only one I can comment on as an owner though sorry

 

[BamjoDando]

Out of your list I'd say either of the Gamo or the BSA would be the best bet at a decent starter option. They have a better chance of being good out of the box at least, and whilst some Benjamin's or JTS can be good, especially if you know what you're doing with tinkering, I doubt you'd want to do that straight away.

I've had a Gamo Phox which is the same as the Coyote just with a plastic stock, and it was great for the money. Moved it on now but would happily have one again. That's the only one I can comment on as an owner though sorry

Thank you, this sort of response is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate it.

 

[BamjoDando]

The Gamo & the new BSA Scorpion TS are one & the same I believe, I was looking at the Benjamin Cayden last week at my local RFD & I must admit I liked it, a very handsome Rifle, the world's your oyster as the saying goes, also worth looking at are the Kral range, I have previously owned the NP03 & the NP02, both very capable.

Happy hunting

Thank you for this response. I had wondered about the NP02. I've heard good things. I didn't love the aesthetic, but maybe need to see one in the flesh

 

[valevelo]

Thank you, this sort of response is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate it.

No problem at all. At sub £500 I think you'd struggle to beat the GX-40 even by going to the £500 limit tbh. Others may disagree though, but at £500-600 I'd be looking at second hand guns for better performance/finish per £. Understand why you don't want to go down that route though.

Have you looked at Reximex? The Lyra tends to get good reviews and Pellpax have an offer at the minute. If you're doing range/target shooting, the length won't be an issue
https://www.pellpax.co.uk/airguns/a...r-rifles/reximex-lyra-177-pcp-air-rifle/40036

 

[BamjoDando]

No problem at all. At sub £500 I think you'd struggle to beat the GX-40 even by going to the £500 limit tbh. Others may disagree though, but at £500-600 I'd be looking at second hand guns for better performance/finish per £. Understand why you don't want to go down that route though.

Have you looked at Reximex? The Lyra tends to get good reviews and Pellpax have an offer at the minute. If you're doing range/target shooting, the length won't be an issue
https://www.pellpax.co.uk/airguns/air-rifles/pre-charged-pneumatic-pcp-air-rifles/reximex-lyra-177-pcp-air-rifle/4003i had considered the Lyra actually, I hadn't found much info on it, but planned to take a look at my RFD

 

[joe average]

from your list, the only one I have personal experience of is the Gamo Coyote, mine is .177, very accurate and if you change the trigger adjustment screw for a m10, then the trigger is perfect, I would recommend a coyote in a heartbeat.

 

[terrierforce]

Thanks for the reply, I hadn't looked at it as it was quite a way outside of budget. 550 sounds a good price, I'll look at the sales section but ideally wanted new.

£600 is also good, I wonder if the shop is near me.

I'm also interested in feedback on those that are on my list as the £600 is still more than my budget hard limit is.

City air weapons, Birmingham.
The one in the sales section was being advertised as new condition.
Sell a kidney

 

[BamjoDando]

City air weapons, Birmingham.
The one in the sales section was being advertised as new condition.
Sell a kidney

Oh ok. I'll take a look. I assumed used. I'm heading up that way as it is

 

[Eeyore]

The Gamo Coyote is effectively the same rifle as the GX40 but with a longer air cylinder, so you get more shots per fill but also more weight.
Because I'm a "thumb up" shooter I have the wood stocked Coyote, which is a bit too heavy but as I shoot from a bag at the range it's not a problem.
The Reximex Lyra K takes my fancy too, and if I was in the market for a thumbhole stocked rifle the Gamo GX250 would probably be top of my list. Both are within your budget, I believe.