Compressed air rifle

[retiree]

I have used a RWS 52 in .177 to keep the small varmints down around my place for several years.  Now I would like to go up a bit in killing power by getting a .22 caliber air rifle.  I have been looking at the compressed air models (the Air Force Talon catches my fancy), but I don't know of anyone with anything but a "springer" like mine.
These compressed air guns appear to be refillable in several ways; one is to hook to a scuba tank and fill-er-up.  two, is to purchase a high-pressure hand pump and go to work, and three is to buy an electric compressor (more expensive than the gun).  For those of you that shoot these guns, what method do you use?  What's the cost on the scuba-tank setup, and how exhausting is it to pump up to 3000 p.s.i., at lease ONCE a day (I am not as young as most of you on this board).  Any advice would be appreciated.

[Lawdog]

retiree,

My wife shoots a Beeman Super 12 in .20 caliber.  We recharge the 400cc bottles from a scuba tank when out in the field and fill the tank from a compressor I bough from a dive shop that was going out of business in the late 1980's, also bought four used tanks he was selling.  As far as the hand pump goes, I only tried that one time.  Does that tell you my opinion of them.  PCP air rifles are great.  The Super 12 is accurate, powerful and fast to the next shot being a 12 shot repeater.  In a situation like shooting called in crows out of the tree the wife always scores more than the rest of us.  The son and I both shoot Beeman Crow Magnums, his a III and mine a IV.  We recharge them from the tanks when in the field.  If I were you and wanted a compressor and scuba tank I'd check out a dive shop or if you don't live near one check over the net for a used compressor.  Say on Ebay maybe.  Lawdog

[dave]

If you want a bunch of opinions on PCP guns, try asking here:  http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/79537
Most of the guys there have PCPs, and use all three methods of filling them. You'll probably get a bunch of different opinions on each too. By the way, in case you don't know, the Super 12 has a price tag well over $1000. Theres a number of guns just as good for half that price.