Why Do You Think Air Tubes Are Better Than Bottles?

[Billm]

I’ve seen a few posts this week stating that air tubes are better than bottles. Why? I have both and I was under the impression that bottles are more versatile with easy capacity swaps. On the flip side, so far I haven’t changed any of my bottles out. So that “ versatility” may be a false narrative
, if you’re not willing to buy extra bottles. What am I missing? What are pros and cons based upon experience. I would think that the ideal setup is the one that the BRK Ghost uses: valved bottles. You could carry an extra prefilled bottle in the field and swap out in a minute or two. Is it the weight, size, looks or something else?

 

[pan60]

I have only held a couple bottle gun and to me they felt heavy but I have no reference to quantify that.
for me I dont like the feel or the look.
I dont mind filling up so if can can get a couple three mags I am good.
and I am also Leary of them ; /

 

[Ezana4CE]

I’ve seen a few posts this week stating that air tubes are better than bottles. Why? I have both and I was under the impression that bottles are more versatile with easy capacity swaps. On the flip side, so far I haven’t changed any of my bottles out. So that “ versatility” may be a false narrative
, if you’re not willing to buy extra bottles. What am I missing? What are pros and cons based upon experience. I would think that the ideal setup is the one that the BRK Ghost uses: valved bottles. You could carry an extra prefilled bottle in the field and swap out in a minute or two. Is it the weight, size, looks or something else?

The trade off is ergonomics over volume (which ultimately boils down to shot count) for me. If I worked target-rich permissions (pest birds, rats, etc) then the volume would be necessary, but I do not. Personally, I like the look of a tube. I like how tubes fit into tripod and bipod yokes deeper and more snug. To slide (on/off of a yoke) and drop off the end of a bottle onto the shroud in the dead of night makes noise when set up on a night set can ruin or seriously disturb a night set. Then when it comes to bipods or barrel bands I think it's more convenient to use or go around a smaller diameter tube shaped reservoir. Plus when putting an airgun into a backpack scabbard, the tube shaped reservoir gives the airgun a lower profile. This also helps with certain gun socks. Bottled airguns with tall scope require larger gun socks and wide scabbards. That's my take on it.

 

[Solo1]

The trade off is ergonomics over volume (which ultimately boils down to shot count) for me. If I worked target-rich permissions (pest birds, rats, etc) then the volume would be necessary, but I do not. Personally, I like the look of a tube. I like how tubes fit into tripod and bipod yokes deeper and more snug. To slide (on/off of a yoke) and drop off the end of a bottle onto the shroud in the dead of night makes noise when set up on a night set can ruin or seriously disturb a night set. Then when it comes to bipods or barrel bands I think it's more convenient to use or go around a smaller diameter tube shaped reservoir. Plus when putting an airgun into a backpack scabbard, the tube shaped reservoir gives the airgun a lower profile. This also helps with certain gun socks. Bottled airguns with tall scope require larger gun socks and wide scabbards. That's my take on it.

A tip for your gun sliding off a yoke i got some sticky backed foam from amazon that i cut a couple pieces out of and put on the yoke of my primos trigger styx and ziptied top and bottom and my bottle sticks well a tube would probably stick even better. Oh it was 1/4”

 

[JimT66]

I’ve seen a few posts this week stating that air tubes are better than bottles. Why? I have both and I was under the impression that bottles are more versatile with easy capacity swaps. On the flip side, so far I haven’t changed any of my bottles out. So that “ versatility” may be a false narrative
, if you’re not willing to buy extra bottles. What am I missing? What are pros and cons based upon experience. I would think that the ideal setup is the one that the BRK Ghost uses: valved bottles. You could carry an extra prefilled bottle in the field and swap out in a minute or two. Is it the weight, size, looks or something else?

The rear mounted bottles don't bother me at all. The front mounted though seem more heavy, and definitely more bulky, especially when tromping around out back squirrel hunting. My back just can't take them.

 

[Luis Leon]

I like both but prefer the slimmer profile of the cyclinder tube PCPs. Definitely don’t like bottles as the buttstock simply a non starter for me…

 

[FL22]

I just see it as different tools for different jobs for the most part.

@Billm think about all your trips to the compressor with the Microstrike, that got old fast. Plus additional wear and tear.

Sure, you could get a bottle and fill that. I only have one Airgun that would benefit from one, my Contour (14 decent power shots) but I have a compressor inside my house and shoot only on my property. I don’t feel like I need one.

As far as aesthetics of bottle vs tube go, as long as it looks good to me that’s really all that matters.

I will say that I thoroughly enjoy my Wolverine .177 filled it up once three days ago and have plinked at least 100 shots and pested (4) with it and it still has 50 bar before I’m off the regulator.

For certain jobs a bottle is just superior.

 

[Billm]

I just see it as different tools for different jobs for the most part.

@Billm think about all your trips to the compressor with the Microstrike, that got old fast. Plus additional wear and tear.

Sure, you could get a bottle and fill that. I only have one Airgun that would benefit from one, my Contour (14 decent power shots) but I have a compressor inside my house and shoot only on my property. I don’t feel like I need one.

As far as aesthetics of bottle vs tube go, as long as it looks good to me that’s really all that matters.

I will say that I thoroughly enjoy my Wolverine .177 filled it up once three days ago and have plinked at least 100 shots and pested (4) with it and it still has 50 bar before I’m on the regulator.

For certain jobs a bottle is just superior.

I’m with you, right now I prefer bottles. I just kept seeing people asking for a tube option on the new Marauder. I was curious if I was missing something. I can see how the tubes look sleeker. If someone’s airgun hunting is similar to my deer hunting, where at most you fire your gun a couple of times, a tube would be lighter. For shooting a bunch of rats or squirrels in one outing, I’d like a bottle.

 

[MileHighAirGunner]

I’ve never claimed a tube is better than a bottle. I just like the looks of a tube over a bottle especially when it comes to a traditional rifle.

 

[jlowe]

Out of all the recharged airguns I own and have owned, I like the FX Wildcats in tube version the best.

 

[Florida_Man]

Most of my rifles are a cylinder. For me I like that the stock can extend forward further for bench shooting. Putting a bottle or cylinder on a bag is not ideal for me.
Before I had new windows installed on my house, a cylinder rifle worked better for pest control through old casement windows, those rifles offered less vertical height of the rifle.
I don't shoot a lot of powerful rifles. The cylinders hold plenty of air for what I am doing, and I always have an air source near me.
I'm not opposed to bottles, I just reserve them for higher power requirements.

 

[Pumacarl]

I don't think that there is any one answer for anything at this point. I like both for what I need them for. The material construction just needs to be kept as light as possible; no steel tubes, carbonfiber bottles only.

 

[SpindleB]

As someone that shoots off a tripod almost exclusively the weight of a bottle is not important to me.

I also prefer to swap in CF bottles and regulate my unregulated rifles. That allows the 4500psi fills and a consistent breech pressure. I also like playing around with plenums. As I don't have access to a shop anymore all my modifications are with commercial parts. But most of my modifications are more just engineering curiosity, "what happens if I...".

I have a few tube guns. The ability to hot swap most of them is a nice feature. Makes working on them easier than draining a bottle. A few of my bottle guns can be hot swapped but mostly that is a tube feature.

I tend to tether my tube guns due to their limited air volume. Some of my bottle guns I haven't connected to an air source in months. 1.1L bottle on a AirForce Condor will shoot a lot of pellets before it ever reaches regulator pressure.

Then there is all the various size bottles. Tubes you are pretty much stuck with the size your gun came with. I have put 0.22L to 1.6L bottles on the same gun.

Pinging, seems much more prevalent on my tube guns. Anecdotal, as I haven't ever really tested that.

Bottles are just more interesting to me. So many options with which to play around. You can create some ridiculous and fun modifications.

I do have some 4500psi 20cm tubes on the way from China. Rather than gauge at one end I had them put M18X1.5 fittings. More fun with plenums. They have 40cm and 50cm with 30mm internal too. You could easily build up a quantity of hot swap tubes using them. A lot cheaper than the OEM tubes even with buying the valves that most tubes use.

 

[Billm]

As someone that shoots off a tripod almost exclusively the weight of a bottle is not important to me.

I also prefer to swap in CF bottles and regulate my unregulated rifles. That allows the 4500psi fills and a consistent breech pressure. I also like playing around with plenums. As I don't have access to a shop anymore all my modifications are with commercial parts. But most of my modifications are more just engineering curiosity, "what happens if I...".

I have a few tube guns. The ability to hot swap most of them is a nice feature. Makes working on them easier than draining a bottle. A few of my bottle guns can be hot swapped but mostly that is a tube feature.

I tend to tether my tube guns due to their limited air volume. Some of my bottle guns I haven't connected to an air source in months. 1.1L bottle on a AirForce Condor will shoot a lot of pellets before it ever reaches regulator pressure.

Then there is all the various size bottles. Tubes you are pretty much stuck with the size your gun came with. I have put 0.22L to 1.6L bottles on the same gun.

Pinging, seems much more prevalent on my tube guns. Anecdotal, as I haven't ever really tested that.

Bottles are just more interesting to me. So many options with which to play around. You can create some ridiculous and fun modifications.

I do have some 4500psi 20cm tubes on the way from China. Rather than gauge at one end I had them put M18X1.5 fittings. More fun with plenums. They have 40cm and 50cm with 30mm internal too. You could easily build up a quantity of hot swap tubes using them. A lot cheaper than the OEM tubes even with buying the valves that most tubes use.

I’ve learned something already. Other than one pistol/carbine, I didn’t know that some tubes are hot swappable.

 

[SpindleB]

I’ve learned something already. Other than one pistol/carbine, I didn’t know that some tubes are hot swappable.

Not all, they need to have a pin valve. FX is a good example. My Snowpeak Max 1 does but the gun has a plenum and an over the barrel volume so when you unscrew the tube a lot of air is released. The FX Bobcat just unscrew and just a bit of air is released.

Some bottle guns have pin valves, my FX Boss and Royale, Reximex Throne 2 use the same style pin valves. FX is superior as the oring seat is square and the Reximex is angled. The Reximex is hard to swap without the oring getting unseated.

 

[Billm]

Not all, they need to have a pin valve. FX is a good example. My Snowpeak Max 1 does but the gun has a plenum and an over the barrel volume so when you unscrew the tube a lot of air is released. The FX Bobcat just unscrew and just a bit of air is released.

Some bottle guns have pin valves, my FX Boss and Royale, Reximex Throne 2 use the same style pin valves. FX is superior as the oring seat is square and the Reximex is angled. The Reximex is hard to swap without the oring getting unseated.

My Ghost bottle is valved. I like the idea, but have not splurged on another valved bottle.

 

[Danman]

My Ghost bottle is valved. I like the idea, but have not splurged on another valved bottle.

Love that about the ghost for sure..Black Wolf whaaa?!
I have contemplated buying another valved bottle for it as well (I dont own any tanks for filling) just a small compressor and hand pump.
But honestly I have never pested and needed more than 50 shots, so I never will. At some point the bottle will expire and I can always shop for one then lol.
Bottle vs Tube? I have no preference as I love both, but...I have seen some UGLY bottle guns!

 

[SpindleB]

I have seen some UGLY bottle guns!

If I didn't agree I think I would be insulted. Since most of those ugly dogs were probably my creations .

Other than a Snowpeak M16A. I had nothing to do with that one.

 

[Danman]

If I didn't agree I think I would be insulted. Since most of those ugly dogs were probably my creations .

Other than a Snowpeak M16A. I had nothing to do with that one.

Yeah your builds definitely crossed my mind..but...I was more speaking to factory standard guns that somehow made the cut as good enough looking
The new marauder in question would definitely look better with a tube. Some airguns can pull it off (Daystate Wolverine) some can't.

 

[FL22]

Well, it’s now official. I am spoiled shooting off of a bottle fed Airgun. I’ve been plinking most of the day since the rain, I shot my Taipan for a long time and I decided to grab my S510. I don’t feel like I’ve been shooting it that long at all and it’s out of air .