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Why Do You Think Air Tubes Are Better Than Bottles?

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?
I have both bottle guns in carbon fiber and the tube cylinder rifles. They both have their advantages and disadvantages as far as im concerned. For hunting and carrying I prefer the tube type. If I'm at the bench sitting at the house shooting targets it's the bottle gun all day. I'd prefer getting 100 shots a bottle instead of 30 in the tube. Refilling sucks as it's a necessary requirement and also hard on the compressors. I've been through 2 air compressors in 2 years and we all know they are costly. I've had my GX CS4 water cooled for 1 year exactly end of November and I'm sure it will quit anytime! Lol. My FX Dreamline Tactical 25 has the removable bottle valve system so I have the original aluminum bottle and I got a valve and a CF bottle for it and no problem to get almost 200 shots in one shooting session so FX did great on that part. Thanks for listening to me rant!
 
I have both bottle guns in carbon fiber and the tube cylinder rifles. They both have their advantages and disadvantages as far as im concerned. For hunting and carrying I prefer the tube type. If I'm at the bench sitting at the house shooting targets it's the bottle gun all day. I'd prefer getting 100 shots a bottle instead of 30 in the tube. Refilling sucks as it's a necessary requirement and also hard on the compressors. I've been through 2 air compressors in 2 years and we all know they are costly. I've had my GX CS4 water cooled for 1 year exactly end of November and I'm sure it will quit anytime! Lol. My FX Dreamline Tactical 25 has the removable bottle valve system so I have the original aluminum bottle and I got a valve and a CF bottle for it and no problem to get almost 200 shots in one shooting session so FX did great on that part. Thanks for listening to me rant!
I dont see how the compressor works any more to fill a tune a few time or more or a bottle once?

if I am shooting from he bench and plan to be there all day I just tether?
then my tube becomes a giant bottle.
 
I dont see how the compressor works any more to fill a tune a few time or more or a bottle once?

if I am shooting from he bench and plan to be there all day I just tether?
then my tube becomes a giant bottle.
Start up and build pressure then cool down multiple times for a tube even more work if having to fill an inline filter, I have two.
 
What are Tethers?
I have a couple different setups.
9L sitting around 2500-3000 psi is my main tether. Usually just swap in one of the other 9L when it gets down around 3000psi. Then top off the former tether tank to 4500psi.

I have some 3L abd a 2L that are my travel tether. Couple have adjustable fill valves and one is setup for 4500psi.

And my tank fill valves all have these. So much easier than the standard QD fitting
Screenshot_20251208_223119_AliExpress.webp
 
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?
Bottles generally give higher shot counts and easy swaps, but tubes are lighter, sleeker, and often balance better. The “versatility” of bottles only matters if you actually buy and carry spares — otherwise, tubes can feel more practical.
 
Bottles generally give higher shot counts and easy swaps, but tubes are lighter, sleeker, and often balance better. The “versatility” of bottles only matters if you actually buy and carry spares — otherwise, tubes can feel more practical.
Some tubes are swapable. FX and some Hatsan and Snowpeak can be hot swapped.
 
Is there a physical reason bottles need to be rounded on the ends? I see some smaller ones are “sharp” but aesthetically if typical bottles were “square” edged they would be a lot nicer looking.
 
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 😒🤣.
If it’s a low power gun it ain’t bad. I get over 75 12.5 fpe shots out of this one.
I’m about to drop the reg to 70 bar and see what it will do for shot count.
 

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