One airgun to rule them all?

[Danman]

My top 'does everything well' gun is my AA S510 .22 superlight. I have tennis elbow in both my arms and this thing, while quite long (43 inches) is very light, excellent for bench, plinking, or hunting. The poplar stock is slightly dinged up already and I may get some sling studs for it soon. As a tinker I will definitely be getting an adjustable reg gun (brk ghost is top of the list by far) next year hopefully. I love my 2 springers dearly TX200 and Slavia both in .177 and they have there places, but when the pests are deep I need the 10 rounds! Like pan60 though I have not tried/owned many different pcps to say much else about any of the others. The tx200 called to me bc it is reliable, repairable, accurate, and just bloomin gorgeous. This is my second go at airguns since being a kid (I'm 36 now) and I agree if you can save up for a good one, do so! Research it a bunch, and take the plunge....But I'm preaching to the choir I think

 

[Florida_Man]

If I still had my Royale 400 22 cal, it would do everything I need. But I stupidly sold it. My Notos is currently the closest thing I have to doing it all for my needs, but not quite there.

I’d still like to find another Royale even if it needs work to get operational. You don’t see many go up for sale.

 

[PasadenaMike]

If I still had my Royale 400 22 cal, it would do everything I need. But I stupidly sold it. My Notos is currently the closest thing I have to doing it all for my needs, but not quite there.

I’d still like to find another Royale even if it needs work to get operational. You don’t see many go up for sale.

That Notos is nice man

 

[Ezana4CE]

I see too often people wanting a one size fits all solution to a problem. I think we all do this mentally in some way or another. But most of us recognize that we need multiple tools for the job. That said, what gun do you find is the most versatile for you?

Most versatile? Hands down my .357 Benjamin Bulldog (the original Bulldog). It effectively slings pellets, slugs, and airbolts. Nothing extra is required to shoot these projectiles. I’ve shot a bolt and turned around and shot a slug right behind it. With the ability to shoot a variety of projectiles, it can be used to legally kill take just about any animal native to my region. It is quite capable of doing so. It is also fun to shoot targets with airbolts and not too expensive to target shoot with .35 pellets.

 

[CTAirgunner]

How did this go from “one airgun to rule them all”? To the above aspersions for example: “Yeah the guys…”

Implying you’re the only one doing honest reporting/reviewing? You can love your Evols without casting aspersions.

That isn't what I am implying at all I was simply replying to the comment @PasadenaMike made, I will quote it so you can see. I hope this clears things up.

When you start this adventure you rely on YouTube and man those guys are trying to sell guns so they say anything. I understand thats how they pay their bills but it doesn’t help guys and gals getting started. Like you I’ve also literally owned everything and sold it because they didn’t meet expectations. The only non high end stuff I have now is a Notos, Avenge X (this is kinda border line) and a Crosman Icon because it was $129 and it works great for that price. Other than that that’s it I’m very picky.

 

[Ezana4CE]

It seems that the OP’s original question should be revisited. The focus of the question was “what gun is most versatile for you?” The operative word “versatile” is key to the question. I’m not reading much about how these guns y’all are mentioning make them the most versatile air guns that you own. Personally I am interested in those details.

 

[PasadenaMike]

That isn't what I am implying at all I was simply replying to the comment @PasadenaMike made, I will quote it so you can see. I hope this clears things up.

Yeah it happens sometimes we go off subject sorry guys

 

[CTAirgunner]

It seems that the OP’s original question should be revisited. The focus of the question was “what gun is most versatile for you?” The operative word “versatile” is key to the question. I’m not reading much about how these guns y’all are mentioning make them the most versatile air guns that you own. Personally I am interested in those details.

The reasons you mentioned for your bulldog were great!!

The evol .30 with 18 inch barrel imo is one of the most versatile airguns out there, maybe not the most but one of the most.

Field proven with enough power to ethically take down coyote or deer, precise enough to compete in the competition circuit, I have a buddy who uses his for a squirrel and bird abatement so great for smaller game. It can be TOSSED in the bed of a pick up each and every time picked back up and shot at any of these things from targets to animals. Its light enough to be carried , even lighter than other rifles smaller in overall size. It also is AR furniture compatible so very, extremely, easy to fit to you.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

Most versatile for me in Florida? Being that you can hunt with .30 here deer and hog, I would say .30 Evol, Ghost/Alpha. Yes three top guns but meh.

As for the side subject of YouTube and bias I don't mind side subjects I'm never a thread Nazi and I always think let the conversation go where it may. Speaking for me personally and my YouTube journey, of course I am biased for products my shop retails, I'm not going to advertise or review products I dislike and don't have faith in - it's my business and my money so I spend it where I think there is value. I think any that have watched any videos I do, I usually do 5 shot groups on multiple cards off a simple bipod, maybe bags, in normal 7-12mph wind for the range I go to, and I let the results speak for the themselves. If I wanted unreal results I could go in the morning when the wind is dead and shoot 20 groups and pick 1 that is the best, but the difference between a YouTube reviewer and a retailer like myself that also does reviews periodically is that my bosses are my customers who I owe honesty to. All of the 1k+ airguns I have ever shot can outshoot me, but people want to "see" evidence on video of their performance. I try to never complain about the wind and try to show the mean or average results I get because I am an average guy and I think most shooters are not perfect group shooters at 100yd everytime. So I believe the idea that YouTubers will do anything to make a sale is false, depending of course on the channel. I know a lot of airgun YouTubers and there are many very honest ones. The way you can know they are honest is by watching and taking note, "by their fruits" if you will. The worst thing for my review days is taking 1.5 hours to get to the film range and seeing wind gusts of 13-16mph. It's good practice for me because I'm not a good shot, but of course I think about the size of the groups opening up and not being representative of how accurate the platform is independent of the wind. I decided however when I started doing film again that I would never complain about conditions or make excuses and just let the audience make what they will of the film independent of my silly thoughts.


I have really enjoyed all the replies on this thread, and I do enjoy opinions on airgun YouTube channels because that is something I care about. I like film for the art of it, and that is probably my main reason I do it, so of course I want to hear from my target audience what they hate and what they love and what their thoughts are. And yes, some of it is sales of course. My main advertisement is my videos. I have a family to feed and that means selling the products I believe in, so if I make a video and it gets someone to buy the very same platform on my site it literally helps my family tremendously. I never ask for handouts and work really, really hard and I hope it shows and that at the very least you get entertained if you watch anything I make.

My little rant, and not directly replying to anyone above just you guys sparked some thoughts in me I suppose.

Kind regards,
Atlas

 

[hameditor]

Most versatile for me in Florida? Being that you can hunt with .30 here deer and hog, I would say .30 Evol, Ghost/Alpha. Yes three top guns but meh.

As for the side subject of YouTube and bias I don't mind side subjects I'm never a thread Nazi and I always think let the conversation go where it may. Speaking for me personally and my YouTube journey, of course I am biased for products my shop retails, I'm not going to advertise or review products I dislike and don't have faith in - it's my business and my money so I spend it where I think there is value. I think any that have watched any videos I do, I usually do 5 shot groups on multiple cards off a simple bipod, maybe bags, in normal 7-12mph wind for the range I go to, and I let the results speak for the themselves. If I wanted unreal results I could go in the morning when the wind is dead and shoot 20 groups and pick 1 that is the best, but the difference between a YouTube reviewer and a retailer like myself that also does reviews periodically is that my bosses are my customers who I owe honesty to. All of the 1k+ airguns I have ever shot can outshoot me, but people want to "see" evidence on video of their performance. I try to never complain about the wind and try to show the mean or average results I get because I am an average guy and I think most shooters are not perfect group shooters at 100yd everytime. So I believe the idea that YouTubers will do anything to make a sale is false, depending of course on the channel. I know a lot of airgun YouTubers and there are many very honest ones. The way you can know they are honest is by watching and taking note, "by their fruits" if you will. The worst thing for my review days is taking 1.5 hours to get to the film range and seeing wind gusts of 13-16mph. It's good practice for me because I'm not a good shot, but of course I think about the size of the groups opening up and not being representative of how accurate the platform is independent of the wind. I decided however when I started doing film again that I would never complain about conditions or make excuses and just let the audience make what they will of the film independent of my silly thoughts.


I have really enjoyed all the replies on this thread, and I do enjoy opinions on airgun YouTube channels because that is something I care about. I like film for the art of it, and that is probably my main reason I do it, so of course I want to hear from my target audience what they hate and what they love and what their thoughts are. And yes, some of it is sales of course. My main advertisement is my videos. I have a family to feed and that means selling the products I believe in, so if I make a video and it gets someone to buy the very same platform on my site it literally helps my family tremendously. I never ask for handouts and work really, really hard and I hope it shows and that at the very least you get entertained if you watch anything I make.

My little rant, and not directly replying to anyone above just you guys sparked some thoughts in me I suppose.

Kind regards,
Atlas

@AtlasAirguns, thanks for your thoughtful comments. I - for one - always find both educational value and enjoyment in your videos. I look forward to the 2025 crop!

 

[AtlasAirguns]

@AtlasAirguns, thanks for your thoughtful comments. I - for one - always find both educational value and enjoyment in your videos. I look forward to the 2025 crop!

Thanks Stephen. I need to send you the EFT photos btw.

 

[PasadenaMike]

I guess what “versatile” comes down to is what are you doing ? What’s your purpose? Honestly mine changes depending on what I’m doing and mood of course

 

[Danman]

That is alotta honest words there AtlasAirguns. Being Canadian I may never shop at your store but I generally love the guns you shoot/review bc I know you are honest about them! I've watched many of your vids even on guns I may never own (battery life on alpha wolf comes to mind) I watch alotta the fx boys (no names) shooting alotta fx guns (I do not own any fx prods) and I take it all with a grain of salt, they will NEVER dis their guns in any way but always keep a bunch of diff ones in their trucks...hmm. I watch to learn and of course I love air gun hunting. When someone says "I don't hunt with my air guns" I usually draw a blank ...But that is 100% fine if hunting is not your thing. All the best in 2024!