Pre-charged Pneumatic Tank Management

[mikemayberry]

Have just purchased an Avanti 888 rifle for my son who hopes to begin competitive shooting next week.  He will learn and we will learn together, I am sure.

First question is about tank management.  I'm guessing that eventually we will want at least two CO2 reservoirs.  The one for this rifle is 2.5 oz. and I am told it might go 200-300 shots before the power begins to shift.

Local stores that serve paintball customers are willing to fill the tanks at $2-$3 a fill and they are handy but I am just wondering how many shooters gill their own or have a better system to never run out of air.

As I said, we are just starters and we will be with experts next Monday night who will have pumps.  I have found hand pumps on the web but they are very expensive.  

Any suggestions would be welcomed and thank you.

Mike

[Lawdog]

Have just purchased an Avanti 888 rifle for my son who hopes to begin competitive shooting next week.  He will learn and we will learn together, I am sure.

First question is about tank management.  I'm guessing that eventually we will want at least two CO2 reservoirs.  The one for this rifle is 2.5 oz. and I am told it might go 200-300 shots before the power begins to shift.

Local stores that serve paintball customers are willing to fill the tanks at $2-$3 a fill and they are handy but I am just wondering how many shooters gill their own or have a better system to never run out of air.

As I said, we are just starters and we will be with experts next Monday night who will have pumps.  I have found hand pumps on the web but they are very expensive.  

Any suggestions would be welcomed and thank you.

Mike

You can get a 888 Mini CO2 Fill Station that, according to the specs. you should be able to fill the CO2 cartridges from any bulk fill tanks or even using a hand pump.  Make sure you get a hand pump made for filling PCP air guns and not one for filling the tires/tubes on cars and bicycles.  Get one like the Logun FX3000 - see it at Pyramyd Air at http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/accessory.pl?accessory_id=458.  I use scuba tanks to re-supply my PCP rifles.  I charge the tanks with my dive compressor I bought used and a dive shop that was going out of business.  Shop around and you should be able to find a bargain or two.  Lawdog
 

[xs pro-comp]

DO NOT USE compressed air in a gun made for CO2. They are not compatable. I would look into getting my own fill station, ie large tank from welding supply store and adapters to refill the guns co2 tank from the large tank. I'm surprised that the 4-H club doesn't have one on hand just for this purpose. We use compressed air guns so I bought two 40lb. scuba tanks for refills and keep them at our range. Remember, co2 and compressed air are not the same. They work at completely different pressures. Be safe and have fun learning presicion shooting.