The PCP, a gateway to precision shooting

Passionate about long-range shooting and reloading for precision for 10 years now, my recent foray into the world of PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) rifle shooting has been a revelation. Passionate about this field during my teenage years, I never took the plunge for financial reasons, today at 31, I'm catching up! For those who are new to precision air rifle shooting, the choice of propulsion technology is crucial. While spring and CO2 rifles have their fans, the PCP represents a real leap forward in terms of performance and accuracy potential .

How is this consistency of PCP rifles achieved? 

At the heart of the PCP system is a compressed air cylinder that feeds a plenum . This plenum acts as a buffer chamber where the air pressure is kept constant before each shot, thus smoothing out the pressure drop in the main cylinder. This ingenious mechanism ensures an identical air release with each pulse , propelling the projectile at a remarkably stable speed. This consistency of speed is crucial for long-range shooting, as it minimizes the vertical dispersion of impacts due to power variations.

Additionally, the design of PCP rifles generally allows for significantly higher power levels than spring or CO2 systems. To illustrate, an entry-level spring rifle often delivers muzzle energy in the range of 7 to 40 Joules . CO2 rifles can achieve similar power outputs, but mostly in the 7 to 24 Joules range , sometimes slightly higher in some models.

In comparison, a beginner PCP rifle can easily develop an energy of 15 to 50 Joules (approximately 11 to 22 ft-lbs) . More powerful models, designed for long-range shooting, can reach and exceed 40, 80, or even 140 Joules , especially in larger calibers such as 5.5mm (.22) or 6.35mm (.25).

Using a compressed air cylinder also allows for much greater shooting autonomy than CO2 cartridges, making shooting sessions longer and more comfortable without requiring frequent changes of energy sources.

In summary, if your goal is to explore the limits of accuracy at significant distances, then PCP technology is a preferred choice over conventional air rifles.

Having the right equipment is the first step to fully enjoying PCP rifle precision shooting. There's no need to break the bank right away, but investing in quality equipment will bring you satisfaction and better results in the long run.

The PCP rifle, the heart of the system

For beginners, several brands and models stand out for their excellent value for money and inherent accuracy. Brands like Hatsan, Gamo (some models), Air Arms, and Weihrauch (entry-level) offer reliable and accurate rifles to get started. Don't hesitate to consult online reviews and tests to get an idea.

For those who want to aim for a higher level of performance from the start, the Swedish brand FX Airguns is an essential reference in the world of high-end PCP. Their airguns are renowned for their exceptional accuracy, technological innovation (such as advanced regulation systems and high-quality barrels) and modularity. Investing in an FX Airgun may represent a larger budget, but offers a very high-level precision shooting experience. Models like the Crown, the Dreamline or the Impact are particularly appreciated for their versatility and performance, we chose to opt for the FX Panthera model for our part, its aesthetics so close to large caliber weapons seduced us!

FX Panthera mounted on a shooting tripod equipped with a Sightron SVIII 5-40x56 scope

Caliber selection is a critical consideration for any beginner. The 4.5mm (.177) is often the first choice for target shooting due to its smoother trajectory, resulting from its high muzzle velocity, and its generally more affordable ammunition cost. However, its low weight and limited energy mean that its accuracy and impact can decrease significantly over distance.

The 5.5mm (.22) presents itself as the most versatile caliber. It offers an interesting balance between impact energy and trajectory, making it suitable for plinking, target shooting, and long-range shooting. In addition, the market offers a wide range of rifle models and a very extensive selection of pellets and slugs for this caliber, allowing shooters to find the equipment and ammunition that best suits their needs and budget.

Opting for larger calibers, such as the 6.35mm (.25) , means an even greater gain in energy on impact, making this caliber relevant for greater distances or targets requiring more power. However, this increase in energy is accompanied by a proportionally higher air consumption. Thus, for the same tank volume, the autonomy of your rifle will be significantly reduced in 6.35mm compared to the 4.5mm. This is a crucial factor to consider depending on the duration of your shooting sessions and the ease of refilling. In summary, the larger the caliber, the more air you will consume per shot, but the greater the energy delivered to the projectile will be. The 5.5mm (.22) caliber is positioned as an excellent compromise for a large majority of users, offering versatility, a wide choice of equipment and a good balance between performance and air consumption.

For our part, we chose the 6.35mm (.25) caliber. In fact, the rifle we purchased was a very good deal on a well-known online sales platform. I was hesitating between the .22 and the .25... It was the sale announcement of this Panthera in .25 with a very attractive price that tipped the scales!

The inflation system: The compressed air supply

The PCP operates using compressed air stored in a built-in tank. There are several options for filling it:

The high pressure hand pump: The most economical solution at the start, it requires physical effort to inflate the tank. It is a good option for small tanks and occasional use, but be careful, it is really physical; inflating a 300 CC (0.3 L) bottle to 250 bars is a real workout!

The diving (or inflation) cylinder: More expensive to purchase (with the filling connection), it offers great autonomy and quick and effortless inflation. It is a wise investment if you plan to shoot regularly. Make sure of the expiration date and safe filling procedures, we advise you to check the CE approval to guarantee the quality and resistance of the product, these cylinders are particularly suitable if you have a large consumption of projectiles while being far from any source of electricity to run a compressor…

The high pressure compressor: The most expensive option, but the most practical for frequent and autonomous use. Be careful to choose a compressor sized to inflate a suitable size of bottle, some are sized for 250 CC (0.25L) bottles when others are more sized for filling diving bottles from 3 to 12 liters.

For our part, we chose the 6.8L carbon diving bottle solution in order to have good autonomy on our FX Panthera rifle, supplemented by a VEVOR compressor which fills our 6.8L bottle in 40 minutes from 0 to 250 bars.

Pellets AND slugs: The ever-evolving precision ammunition

Contrary to popular belief, not all PCP rifle ammunition is created equal. Quality and fit to your rifle are essential for accuracy. Traditionally, pellets , with their distinctive hourglass shape, have been the standard ammunition. Brands like JSB, H&N, and RWS are renowned for their quality and consistency in pellet manufacturing.

However, a major innovation in recent years has seen the emergence and popularization of slugs . Unlike diabolos, slugs more closely resemble conventional rifle bullets, with a more cylindrical shape and often less pronounced or even absent skirts.

Benefits of Slugs for PCP Rifles: The major advantage of slugs is their aerodynamic design, which is more efficient than traditional diabolos. This shape results in a significantly higher ballistic coefficient (BC) . To give you an idea, a standard 5.5mm (.22) caliber diabolo can have a BC of between 0.020 and 0.035 . In comparison, a slug of the same caliber, specially designed for long distance, can have a BC ranging from 0.070 to 0.110, or even higher for some high-end models.

This difference in CB has direct consequences on trajectory and velocity retention. A higher CB means that the projectile encounters less air resistance, thus retaining its velocity longer and providing a tighter trajectory , with a less pronounced arrow, especially at long range. For example, at 100 meters, the drop of a slug with a CB of 0.080 will be significantly less than that of a diabolo with a BC of 0.025, fired with a similar initial velocity.

Example of a ballistic curve comparison between a slug and a dome pellet fired at the same velocity

Here is the difference in energy conservation between a slug and a diabolo

Where the difference is most obvious: the drift due to a side wind

Disadvantages and considerations: Adopting slugs is not without its constraints. Optimal use often requires a PCP rifle specifically designed or adapted for this type of ammunition. The barrel's rifling pitch (the speed at which the rifling inside the barrel spins the projectile) is crucial for stabilizing slugs, which are generally longer than pellets. The rifle's power must also be sufficient to efficiently propel the slug at an adequate speed to stabilize it and ensure long-range accuracy. Finally, the loading system (rotary magazine, single shot) may not be compatible with certain slug shapes. Furthermore, and this is a significant factor, slugs are generally much more expensive per unit than pellets, which can impact the cost of your training sessions.

Example :

200 good quality 5.5mm (.22) slugs (H&N) generally cost €13, while 300 5.5 (.22) flat match pellets from JSB cost €12, a budget 50% higher if you shoot slugs rather than classic pellets.

Expert advice: For beginners, it's advisable to start with quality pellets and familiarize yourself with your rifle. If you plan to explore longer-range shooting, research your rifle's compatibility with slugs and don't hesitate to experiment to determine if they offer an accuracy advantage for your specific setup. Experimentation is the key to finding the ideal ammunition.

Flat head (wadcutter): Ideal for short-range target shooting, it cuts clean holes and allows for accurate scoring.

Round (domed) head: Provides better penetration and good energy conservation at medium distance.

Pointed head: Mainly intended for plinking, less accurate for target shooting.

Hollow head (hollow point): Used for pest control due to its expansion on impact (in compliance with local regulations).

An often underestimated advantage of PCP rifles is their power adjustment capability . Unlike spring or CO2 systems, many PCP models offer the ability to change the power output. This feature opens up a range of possibilities for the shooter. It not only allows for adaptation to a wide variety of projectiles , from lightweight pellets to heavier slugs, optimizing muzzle velocity for maximum accuracy, but also for improving the groupings of a specific projectile.

The plenum pressure is adjustable using an Allen key, the setting is located in the trigger guard. The hammer force adjustment is directly adjustable using the dials on the side of the rifle.

By fine-tuning the plenum pressure (the air pre-compression chamber) or the force of the hammer hitting the air cylinder valve, it is possible to tune the rifle to the chosen projectile. This optimization can significantly reduce shot dispersion and achieve even greater accuracy. The ability to adjust the power thus offers extensive flexibility and customization, making PCP rifles true precision tools adaptable to many shooting situations and preferences.

Conclusion: The pleasure of precision within reach of your hand and wallet

In conclusion, getting into precision shooting with a PCP rifle opens up a world of possibilities for shooting enthusiasts. Beyond the satisfaction of hitting targets with remarkable accuracy, there is a pleasure surprisingly similar to that which an ammunition reloader knows well on my reloading bench for large caliber ammunition: matching his ammunition to his gun. Here we reverse the system by playing with the minute settings of the PCP rifle, whether it is adapting the power to a specific projectile, optimizing the plenum pressure or the force of the hammer to obtain the tightest groupings, which offers a dimension of customization and deeply gratifying experimentation similar to precision reloading of large caliber ammunition. It is this quest for perfect harmony between the weapon and the ammunition, this attention to the smallest detail, that makes precision shooting with a PCP rifle so captivating. So, if you are driven by precision and the desire to understand and optimize your equipment, the world of PCP will welcome you with open arms for long hours of fun and progress on the shooting range!