Keep it powered
Shooting PCP (precharged pneumatic) powered air guns offers many advantages. The main reasons air gunners choose PCP air guns include consistent power, superior accuracy, and low recoil.
The disadvanage, however, is a turn off for many air gun shooters. You have to keep the gun filled with air, and that generally involves having some type of compressor or external air tank on hand. And that can be a problem when in the field chasing your intended game.
It’s true that if you’re hunting big game like deer, you’ll probably only need one shot, maybe two, and rarely more than that. But for those hunting squirrels and other small game, or even for those hunting coyotes or wild hogs, killing more than one during each hunt is fairly common, or at least the opportunity to do so is, as long as you have enough air in your gun. And to have enough air, you’ve got to carry something with you.
Three options
PCP air gunners basically have three options to keep their guns full of air. They all have advantages and disadvantages.
Hand pumps
The most portable type of compressor, which many hunters turn to in order to stay mobile, is a hand pump.
PCP hand pumps look like bicycle tire compressors, but they are much more powerful. Depending on the model, hunters can use hand pumps to generate as much as 4500 psi, and that’s enough to air up even the most powerful air guns on the market.
Their biggest advantage is that they are relatively light and portable, so hunters can haul them in and out of the woods. So they’re never without air, or at least the means to create it.
“These can be a great, ever-ready source of air for your PCP air guns,” said Tyler Patner of Pyramyd Air. “But the very obvious and apparent downside is that they are labor intensive. You are doing the work, and that’s not something everybody enjoys.”
Patner said most air gunners want to shoot, not operate a hand pump. And that’s why he, and many others, choose not to use hand pumps.
“Still,” he said, “it’s a great source of air on the go if you need it.”
Air Tanks
Compressed air tanks come in various materials, such as carbon fiber wrapped aluminum, which are capable of filling to higher pressures. Steel and aluminum tanks also work well, but fill to lower pressures.
“Tanks are fairly lightweight, but also very tough and very rugged,” said Patner.
The tanks made of an aluminum bladder with carbon wrapped over are the lightest, and they are also extremely tough. They come in several different sizes, and while bigger than hand pumps, are light enough to not be too big of a burden if carrying into the woods with you.
“These are the same tanks that firefighters carry on their backs into burning buildings,” said Patner.
When it comes to filling an air gun, nothing does it faster than one of these tanks. No pumping is involved, and it’s much faster than using a compressor.
The downside to these tanks is that they can only hold so much air, and then you have to get them refilled at some place like a scuba dive shop or a fire station.
Compressors
The most popular product used by air gunners to keep their guns filled is a compressor. They are fairly commonplace now among serious air gunners, and even casual air gunners, because of their availability and relative affordability.
As recently as 10 years ago, these airgun-specific air compressors didn’t exist. It wasn’t until 2017 when Air Venturi released a 4500 psi unit that these machines were portable and affordable enough to be of interest to air gunners. And since then, numerous other manufacturers now produce air compressors in a wide range of sizes and power ratings.
When it comes to compressors, just remember that the smaller it is, the longer it will take to fill your gun. Still, all compressors offer an unlimited supply of air as long as you have some place to plug it in.
One great advantage compressors have over other products used to fill air guns is that they don’t run out of air. They actually produce their own air. Most work on either AC or DC power. Some can use both, so even if you’re in the field, you can take one of these with you and use your truck’s battery to power it.
Most consumer-grade air compressors can fill any air gun, even those used for big game hunting. They are, however, limited in how quickly they can get the job done. Most will run for 15 minutes before shutting down, then start back again when the machine has recovered. So depending on the capacity of your gun, you may have to wait 30 minutes or more before you’re fully powered up.
The more expensive models can even fill air tanks, so if you already have a tank, owning one of these can save you time and effort by filling it yourself.
PyramydAir.com has a wide selection of these products, and plenty of resources to help you decide which one is right for you.
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