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Category: PCP Rifles

Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL Air Rifle air Rifle

The Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle is a high-powered, precharged pneumatic (PCP) air rifle that is designed for hunting and target shooting. It is available in various calibers including .357, .45, and .50, and features a Quattro trigger system for a smooth and consistent trigger pull. It also has a QuietEnergy barrel that reduces noise, and an integrated air pressure gauge. The rifle has a synthetic stock with an adjustable comb and a built-in pressure relief device for added safety. It also has an anti-double pellet feed mechanism and a manual safety. The rifle is designed for powerful and accurate performance, and is suitable for both experienced and novice shooters.

So what do product reviewers say they like about it?

Product reviewers generally have positive things to say about the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle. Some of the things they like include:

-Powerful performance: Many reviewers comment on the rifle’s impressive power, with some saying it can take down large game with ease.

-Quiet operation: The QuietEnergy barrel is praised for reducing noise and making the rifle more suitable for backyard shooting.

-Accurate: Reviewers appreciate the rifle’s ability to shoot accurately at long ranges, making it suitable for target shooting and hunting.

-Comfortable and adjustable stock: the synthetic stock is praised for being comfortable and adjustable, making it easy to get a good fit for different shooters.

-Reliability: Reviewers report that the rifle is reliable and easy to use, with minimal maintenance required.

-Bang for the buck: Many reviewers think that the rifle is a great value for the price, especially considering its powerful performance and accuracy.

-Safety feature: Many reviewers appreciate the built-in pressure relief device, and the anti-double pellet feed mechanism that increases safety during the shooting.

What do they not like?

Product reviewers generally have positive things to say about the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle, but there are a few things that some reviewers do not like. Some of these include:

-Weight: Some reviewers find the rifle to be heavy, which can make it difficult to hold steady for extended periods of time.

-Recoil: Some reviewers report that the rifle has a significant amount of recoil, which can make it uncomfortable to shoot.

-Trigger: Some reviewers have criticized the trigger, saying it can be heavy and difficult to adjust.

-Barrel: Some reviewers have reported that the barrel is not very consistent in terms of accuracy and performance, which can affect the overall accuracy of the rifle.

-Ammo: due to its powerful caliber, some reviewers have reported that it can be difficult to find suitable ammunition for the rifle.

-Cost: for some reviewers, the rifle is considered to be a bit pricey and not affordable for some.

It is worth noting that these are not common complaints and that the majority of reviewers have had a positive experience with the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle.

Any other interesting facts or things to note about the Hatsan BT Big Bore?

-The Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL air rifle is available in a variety of calibers, including .357, .45, and .50. This allows shooters to choose the caliber that best suits their needs and preferences.

-The rifle features a Quattro trigger system, which is designed to provide a smooth and consistent trigger pull. This can help improve accuracy and make the rifle easier to shoot.

-The rifle also features an integrated air pressure gauge, which allows the shooter to easily check the air pressure in the rifle’s reservoir. This can help ensure that the rifle is always operating at optimal pressure.

-The rifle also has an anti-double pellet feed mechanism, which prevents more than one pellet from entering the barrel at a time. This can help improve accuracy and reduce the risk of jamming.

-The rifle has a built-in pressure relief device, which automatically releases air from the rifle if the pressure becomes too high. This can help prevent damage to the rifle and improve safety.

-The rifle is suitable for both experienced and novice shooters, it’s easy to use, and requires minimal maintenance.

Conclusion:

-In general, the Hatsan BT Big Bore Carnivore QE SL is a powerful and accurate rifle that is suitable for hunting and target shooting. With its adjustable stock, pressure gauge, and integrated silencer, it is a great choice for any shooter looking for a versatile and reliable air rifle.

January 21, 2023
Maximum Value PCP Rifle – Benjamin Marauder

No, it’s not cheap, but for the money we have to say that the Benjamin Marauder fairly easily wins the top value spot among the PCP crowd for us. Indeed, what you get for your money in the Marauder (or “Mrod” as it’s affectionately referred to by forum junkies) is not just a capable rifle, but near match-grade accuracy right out of the box and the power to maintain tight groups out to 50/60 yards easily. And if you are an air rifle hunter, pay close attention – this thing is an ultra-quiet killing machine!

Of course, there are some sacrifices that one must make when optimizing value (aren’t there always though?). However, we are happy to say that these are pretty minor in the case of the Marauder. Please read on as we tick through what we love about this rifle, and what we don’t.

>>Check Prices & User Ratings!<<

What We Love About The Benjamin Marauder

Here’s what we think are the key features of the Marauder, and why you might want to consider this rifle among other PCPs.

Laser-Beam Accuracy Out of The Box

Yes, you could spend several hundred dollars more than the cost of the Marauder and might get a slightly more accurate rifle, but in its price class the Marauder’s high-quality factory barrel delivers near competition-grade accuracy. Moreover, you don’t have to struggle with “tuning” it for this type of precision either.

What do we mean? We are talking about punching very tight groups out to 50 or 60 yards repeatably, with the capacity to make 100 yard kills with just a bit of practice and a good air rifle scope. For our money, there is really nothing else that comes close to its one-hole accuracy anywhere close to its price class.

A Multi-Shot Killing Machine With Huge Power

If you are like the many that are concerned with purchasing the best air rifle for hunting they can afford, you will be delighted. Not only can you place numerous pellets (magazine size varies by caliber) with nearly surgical precision and get anywhere from 17-30 shots per fill (depending on caliber), but they will have the downrange knock-down power that air rifle hunters dream about.

In fact, sources report that the .177, .22 and .25 versions of this rifle produce up to 21, 32 and 45 FPE respectively! And as far as the .22 and .25 caliber models are concerned, this makes the Marauder powerful enough to go after larger game and pests, including turkey, fox and even coyote! Tip: I would definitely pick the .25 if dispatching coyote!

The .177 with a heavy pellet can also be used for hunting, but in our view is best suited for those looking to brag about their groups at 100 yards, and/or hunters who want a truly devastating, long-range bird rifle. As between the .25 and .22, go with the .25 if you are dealing with bigger game (e.g., fox, coyote, raccoon). However, for those primarily hunting squirrel, rabbit, woodchuck, etc., the .22 is more than adequate and has the advantage of having a larger shot magazine, cheaper ammo, and greater pellet selection. Here is a good forum thread discussing the .22 vs. .25 debate.

The Quietest Shot Around

There has been a lot of talk on the forums about “quiet air rifles,” and the consensus from the most reputable sources in our view is that the Benjamin Marauder is one of quietest – if not the quietest air rifle you can buy. Indeed, the Marauder’s integrated resonance dampener and full barrel shroud produce shots so stealthy that you’d think you were firing an underpowered pneumatic rifle. This allows you to play with your rifle closer to home without irritating the wife or the neighbors and, if you are a hunter, it may allow you to get several shots off and enjoy multiple kills without sending your quarry running for cover. Please note, however, that the .25 caliber is significantly louder than the .22 and .117 models.

Don’t believe us? Check out this Crosman video showing the .25 caliber Benjamin Marauder (the loudest of all Marauders) quietly devastating prairie dogs at 70 yards. Note: the real action starts at 4:30.

Match-Grade Stock Trigger

The Marauder uses a match-grade, two-stage adjustable trigger that is outstanding and has plenty of leeway to please the vast majority of users without any further modification. And if you’re one of those who want an even lighter pull, you can find many cheap “tips and tricks” on the web that should suffice to get things just where you want it. For most airgunners (even more experienced ones), we suspect this would be the nicest trigger they’ve ever used. No need to drop $$ for any trigger upgrades here!

Rare User Friendliness & Lots of Tuning Opportunities

This is a big point. Given the numerous aspects that allow for user-adjustment, and Crosman’s legendary support, the Marauder is easily the easiest PCP to use and dial in for most users. In addition, unlike other highly-acclaimed PCPs, parts are much more accessible for the Marauder, and there is certainly a ton more information on the web to help even newbies get the most out of this rifle, or tune it to their precise specifications.

Unbeatable Value!

Quality PCP rifles are generally among the most expensive of the lot, which is why most would agree that the Benjamin Marauder’s roughly $500 price tag gives you more bang for you buck than any other PCP rifle you can get. Even the Benjamin Discovery, which is also one of the best value PCP rifles out there, still would require some costly upgrades to match the performance of a stock Marauder, and the “Disco” is only a single shot rifle.

What’s Not to Like About the Marauder?

It’s actually quite difficult to find any fault with this extremely high-quality and affordable PCP rifle. Some may complain that the stock is nothing special and that it could have deeper bluing, etc. However, beyond these relatively insignificant gripes, there is one real issue to keep in mind in our view.

The Risk of Receiving a “Wild Shooter”

Unfortunately, there has been several instances where users received rifles that – for some reason or another – are just off and don’t shoot accurately or reliably. These apparent “duds,” some say, are less likely to be noticed with the .25 caliber (which reportedly has a barrel that is made outside of the Crosman factory); however, the truth is that no one can be sure just what is underling this apparent quality control issue. We don’t think this risk is serious enough to avoid a purchase, but one should be on the lookout for poor accuracy out of the box, regardless of the caliber involved.

Concluding Thoughts & Recommendations

>>Buy the Benjamin Marauder PCP Air Rifle!<<

It doesn’t matter whether this is your first PCP rifle or your 15th, the Benjamin Marauder is an insanely-accurate, quiet and high-quality killing machine that has no true weak spots that we can identify, besides some possibly spotty quality control issues in the manufacturing process.

Moreover, this potent, sophisticated weapon just happens to be selling for what we believe is a steal when you compare its features and performance relative to other, much higher-priced PCPs. Yet, what ultimately puts this model over the top for us is its sizzling power and accuracy right out of the box, and its unusual ease of use and capacity for simple user-adjustment. No need for fancy tuning, or burning tins of ammo, to get this rifle purring. Indeed, the factory settings are probably perfect, as is, for even the die-hard “tinkerer.” As we say, why mess with something that doesn’t need fixing!

As between all of the calibers, we would probably recommend either the .22 or .25 versions. For an all-around plinking and blistering small game hunting rifle, the .22 is ideal, with the .25 being better suited to taking down larger quarry like coyote and fox. Of course, you can also hunt smaller game with the .25, but you will pay more for, and have fewer choices between, your ammo. The .177 caliber fails to take advantage of this rifle’s hitting power in our view, but if you are most concerned with one-hole groups and/or are doing a lot of long-range, small bird hunting, the .177 caliber is hard to beat! In that case, just remember to use the heaviest .177 pellets you can find to keep velocities under the speed of sound for accuracy’s sake!

June 5, 2014
Benjamin Discovery .22 Review

The Benjamin Discovery .22 caliber air rifle has set a new bar in the industry, and may well be the hottest, affordable PCP air rifle on the market right now in terms of combining great long-range power, accuracy and unusual value. This PCP air rifle will be probably be the one to convert many die-hard springer owners into fans of PCP. It’s really that amazing.

Let’s take a closer look at the Benjamin Discovery so you can see exactly what all the fuss is about.

Benjamin Discovery .22 Specifications and Key Features

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Power – Lots of Power

This is a dual fuel PCP air rifle that can accept CO2 cartridges (for indoor shooting/plinking) or be charged up to 2,000 PSI with a scuba tank or hand pump (which is often sold together with this model). Fully charged, this rifle can send a 14.3 grain, .22 caliber pellet up to 900 feet per second. This works out to approximately 26 FPE at the barrel!

With this kind of velocity and power in a .22, the Benjamin Discovery makes an outstanding hunting rifle that can hold a relatively flat trajectory at long ranges, and still have absurd power left at the end of those shots to take down all sorts of small game and even larger pest species. This is much more power than your average springer, even very good ones. And best of all, it comes without the recoil of a springer, which greatly improves the Disco’s accuracy. Likewise, you don’t need to be a muscular shooter to cock this rifle, as you would if it were are spring-piston model. You may spend a bit of time pumping it up, but just about anyone can do it, making it perfect for male, female and younger shooters.

Laser-Like Accuracy

Beyond bone-rattling power, the next most impressive thing about the Benjamin Discovery is just how accurate it is. It’s deadly accurate out of the box, but if you couple this rifle with a good air rifle scope (it has 11 mm. dovetail mounts), this thing is a freaking laser beam! And not only can you shave the hairs off a flea’s rear at close ranges, but with good optics and a steady hand, reports are coming in that you can expect under 1″ groups consistently at 50 yards. This is something you’d be more likely to see in expensive and high-powered .177 caliber rifles; the fact that you can enjoy such tight groups with a much heavier .22 pellet is simply unheard of when it comes to air rifles that the average consumer can afford.

Further, unlike springers, there is no annoying recoil with the PCP power plant, just smooth power that releases in a controlled manner thanks to a well-balanced 3.75-pound trigger pull. Consequently, even relatively inexperience shooters can quickly become adept at nailing seemingly impossible targets. Needless to say, if you are looking for a hunting air rifle that gives you tremendous range, this is a no-brainer outstanding choice for newbies and veteran shooters alike that I would put up against anything on the market.

25-Shot Capacity

This is a single-shot, bolt action rifle that, when fully charged, can fire off up to 25 shots on a single fill before power begins to wane. This is yet another great convenience over spring-piston rifles, which can fire only a single shot with each cocking, and cannot be held it the cocked position for extended periods as this can cause the spring to set and lose power. The Benjamin Discovery, however, can be charged and left in this state for the entire day. This is great if you want to charge it for another shooter and leave it ready to fire when pests or game present themselves.

Light Weight

Yet another startling statistic is just how light this rifle is, notwithstanding it’s first-class power. Because there is no large spring-mass to weigh it down, the Benjamin Discovery is able to clock in at roughly 5 pounds in total weight (without a scope). This lightweight design is great for minimizing fatigue and keeping your sites on the target for as long as necessary until a clear shot becomes available. Again, it’s also another reason why this rifle is also great for younger, more slightly-built shooters.

Top-Notch Quality and Accessories

Let’s not forget that the Benjamin Discovery .22 is a beautiful air rifle. The rifle has a total length of 39 inches (24.25 inches of which is barrel) and is handsomely-clad in a luxurious walnut stock. The bolt action mechanism and full-body design, necessitated by the compressed air reservoir, also gives it a very rugged, no-nonsense look that we can appreciate. It is fitted with a high-quality pressure gauge and front/rear fiber optic sights. An adapter to use with CO2 cartridges is sold separately.

The most important accessory that comes with certain packages is the hand pump. Although we often frown on these as they can be difficult to use, the model thrown in with the Disco is outstanding. Most people are surprised that they can fully charge the rifle in minutes. Some indicate that it took about 70 pumps to charge; some say more. Also, the pumping effort needed is minimal, allowing younger, weaker shooters to charge the rifle with relative ease. Consequently, unlike many other high-powered PCP rifles, you actually don’t need a scuba tank.

Any Downsides to the Discovery?

The user reviews of the Disco are predominantly 5-star, with most users praising the extreme power, ridiculous accuracy, high-quality, and shocking value delivered by this PCP air rifle. They also confirm that it is easy to charge with the included hand pump.

So what didn’t they like? As usual, a few took issue with the trigger pull, but the most consistent note is about the sound produced by this rifle. Make no mistake: this is a relatively loud air rifle. If that is going to be an issue, you should either consider something else or a silencer to bring the decibels down – especially if you were planning to use it near a quiet suburban area. Nevertheless, most people are able tolerate the noise and it did not significantly detract from the model’s satisfaction ratings.

Extraordinary Price and Value

Yes, this is going to be more than most decent entry level spring-piston air rifles. However, if you buy the Disco with the hand-pump included, it is a veritable steal in the PCP market. Indeed, as of the date of this writing, the Benjamin Discovery .22 rifle with the hand pump is under $400, making it just about the best-value single shot PCP air rifle you can get.

The Verdict

We have always loved the recoil-less power and accuracy of good PCP rifles, but are often hesitant to recommend them to most consumers due to price. – not only the price of the rifle itself, but the additional cost of a scuba tank, which is often the only feasible way to charge many PCP rifles.

The Benjamin Discovery has changed all of that. Not only can this rifle be charged with a hand pump, but the rifle/pump combination is remarkably affordable – and is in the same price range as many good quality springer rifles. However, unlike those springers, just about anyone can charge the Disco. Further, the smooth, recoil-less power, coupled with truly big-time power and a flatter pellet trajectory, makes the Disco a much easier rifle to shoot, and we are confident that even inexperienced users will be stunned at how tight their groups will remain out to 50 yards.

In a nutshell: whether you are into long-range plinking or dispatching annoying pests, like raccoons, rats or fowl; or are instead looking for the perfect hunting air rifle to take down rabbits, woodchuck, squirrels, and other weary quarry, the Benjamin Discovery will not disappoint.

>>>Buy The Benjamin Discovery .22 With Hand Pump Now!<<

March 21, 2014