What's the best PCP air rifle for someone who wants a regulated system and high shot count, but doesn't want to spend over $1,000? I want something reliable for both target shooting and small game.
That search for a regulated PCP under a grand quickly becomes a game of tradeoffs, because the Avenger gives you external adjustability and solid shot counts but the stock feels cheap, while the Gauntlet 2 delivers massive air capacity yet weighs like a boat anchor for hunting. After testing a half dozen budget regulators, the real surprise was how well the pinty PCP airguns held their own with consistent velocities and decent triggers, though the magazines needed breaking in before they fed smoothly. Shot count means nothing if the rifle loses zero after a fill, so spending time finding the right pellet and learning the regulator's recovery time matters more than the number on the box. Used market hunting turned up a gently loved rifle with a Lothar barrel for well under budget, proving that patience beats impulse buying every time
