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Buster Bodine · Veteran Member

Hey y'all,

Okay, okay, I've got the damned AGAS and I've got it pretty bad. I'm getting hotter and hotter on the idea of one of these 22xx jobbies but the myriad of choices out there is really a bit baffling so I need a little help. Got a whole bunch of questions so please bear with me...

First...

If I go with one of the 2250s with the 88gram CO2 bottles, can I leave the bottle hooked up for long periods of time or do I have to pretty much screw one on and then shoot it dry or dump it when I'm done? I want this gun for a lowlight/night hunter so there's every possibility I could go out and not even fire a shot before I came back in to put it away. I'd hate to have to burn an entire bottle without ever firing a shot.

Second...

If I went with one of the many coolio PCP mods out there, is there a way to pump up a PCP to good pressures manually? I know the normal way to do it is with a scuba tank (and that's all I know about it!) but in the event I wasn't near a dive shop and my tank was empty, how could I charge the thing up?

Third...

Which gives best power and performance, PCP or CO2? And which one works out to be cheapest in the long run?

Next...

Before I start blowing money on mods, what ELSE do I really need to know about these things? What mods are recommended, what are bad ideas, etc?

I reserve the right to ask more pestiferous questions as the need arises, thank you very much. Laughing

sniper · Silver Status Member

yourdaddyjoe. i can answer some. he can answer all! Wink

rsterne · Moderator

My limited experience with CO2 is that they seem to hold pressure just fine.... I regularly leave powerlets in for extended periods and shoot them whenever.... Wink

Regarding PCP, filling using a SCUBA tank is a relatively new idea.... There are excellent hand pumps available from Hill and FX.... the latter even have a new 4-stage pump (most are 3) that reduces effort once you go over about 2500 psi.... I took the easy route and bought a Benjamin/Crosman Discovery which comes with a pump.... Even though you only pump the Disco to 2000 psi, the pump works fine to 3000 psi.... Cool

I have recently modded a 22XX into a PCP using a QB79 tank block as an adapter to mount the tank right under the barrel.... here is the thread:

http://airgunhome.com/agforum/viewtopic.php?t=3165

I have built two versions of the gun, the first using a 9 oz. CO2 tank which I pump to 1800 psi.... It has a good shot string (ie acceptable variation of plus or minus 2%) and you can choose from about 65 shots between 800 and 830 fps, 50 shots between 830 and 860 fps, or about 40 shots between 860 and 890 fps.... Cool

The second version is using a JDS Airman 13 cu.in. tank and regulator.... I chose 1600 psi because I bolted the valve to the tank block and thus didn't pressurize the main tube.... Most people use 1400 psi, and that is what JDS recommend.... That pressure falls within what CO2 can reach on a hot day so is considered "safe" in a 22XX.... The only warning I would have is that if the regulator fails, you can have 3000 psi in the tube which might cause serious problems.... I have heard of a QB79 which had a regulator run wild and it sheared off the tank block bolts and sent the tank spinning across the floor.... Shocked

The advantage of the regulated setup is that the velocities are more consistent.... in fact virtually flat (870 to 880 fps) until the tank pressure drops to the regulated pressure.... which is about 70 shots.... The Disco pump takes about 2 pumps per shot to top up the tank, regardless of which setup I used.... ie about 140 pumps to refill after 70 shots.... It's harder to pump when refilling to 3000 psi than to 1800, of course.... but I use it for a bit of cardio workout so it kills two birds in one.... Rolling Eyes

Most 22XX conversions use a remote tank for either CO2 or air.... there are pics of several setups on the JDS Airman site.... yourdaddyjoe at this forum also does these conversions, or is about to.... I don't think there is anyone currently marketing a setup similar to what I have done, which is a shame.... I like the looks and convenience of the tank mounted right under the barrel, and even with the 13 cu.in. tank you can get plenty of shots.... and it's lighter than a 9 oz. CO2 tank even with the regulator on it.... Mr. Green

IMHO, CO2 can't approach the performance you can get with HPA.... but the big difference between CO2 and HPA is the effect of temperature.... CO2 varies a HUGE amount.... HPA hardly at all.... but then you DO have to pump.... (instead of buying CO2!).... Laughing

Bob

Buster Bodine · Veteran Member

Wow, great information and that's an awesome looking setup. Most of what you say is way over my head, I know nothing about PCP guns after all. The performance capabilities sound fantastic though! 870-880fps with a .22 pellet? ~drool~

Where do I go to find answers to questions like, "What's a "Tank Block?" and "What's a Disco?" (Something tells me if I search for "Disco" I'm going to find a lot about the BeeGees and precious little about AGs)

Is there a PCP FAQ somehwere I should read? How do you guys learn all this stuff without spending thousands of dollars first?

rsterne · Moderator

If you look at the bottom of the thread I posted, you will see a tank block.... I bought one for a QB79 and modified it to fit onto a valve from a Discovery (which fits 22XX guns, although they need to be drilled to accept the mounting screws)....

Here are links for the Discovery and the Hill pump:

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/benjamin-discovery-air-rifle.shtml

http://www.dlairgun.com/Hill-Accessories.html

HTHs

Bob

aircube · Veteran Member

Buster Bodine said, "pestiferous questions"

Laughing

I like that!

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

I had a nice 5 paragraph response... then I lost my connection to the satellite... and the response... I will work off line and reply later...

fritz · Silver Status Member

I don't know if you really want the "carbine" look, or an actual rifle.

If you want the carbine look then get a 2250, 2260 for a rifle and 2240 for a pistol.

The 2250 is my favorite of the group. The B version has a cheap scope and "iron" sights. The XT is the one that takes 88gr carts and you CAN get an adapter which works as an on/off switch for it. It is almost ready to be bulked with about $35 in adapters and $20 for a 9oz co2 tank.

My second choice is the 2260. It's a rifle Rolling Eyes

, that's why i like it. You can convert it to HPA much easier using a remote line under the foregrip so you don't have to rework any internals - big plus.

Finally the 2240 is a brick of C4 waiting to go off on your wallet. You will sink more time and money into this gun than you make. The mods are innumerable.

sniper · Silver Status Member

or buster. look at the benjamin maruader coming out within a month. Wink

not cheap. i sold my disco to get one. Shocked

and i have a 3000 psi tank. Razz

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

sniper · Silver Status Member

i case you all aren't following threads, joe is gelous i'm getting the marauder and the only way he dances is disco! Laughing

pimpin' aint easy.....

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

sniper · Silver Status Member

you got me there. my range sucks.

how good are you with a 14.5 inch AR-15 @ 300 yards????? OPEN SIGHTS!

pimpin'. Mr. Green

Buster Bodine · Veteran Member

hahahahaha, I love this place. Laughing

A picture is starting to form, I can't really say what I do or don't want right now, I'm still deep in the learning phase and a long way away from the spending phase but I appreciate all the info I'm getting. Thanks to all of you!

sniper · Silver Status Member

embrace your AG pimphood! Razz