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There are a few points which come up quite often in e-mail discussions. They are difficult concepts to clarify. While portions of this information are discussed throughout the site, let me try to be more concise . . .

First, let me say that I understand that the vast majority of people want a very light weight rifle, of superior power, which gets a phenomenal number of shots per fill, and is incredibly accurate. I understand this clearly. It just happens that some of these features fight each other, and; in the real world, we can't have all of these features in one package. Please allow me to explain.

Folks often ask for these features while discussing the possibility of buying a 60+ ft. lb. rifle. They'll often site for example, some of the "bottle guns" on the market. (The ones with the small scuba tank grafted to the rifle). Some of those rifles are supposed to get 150 shots per fill. People really like reading that. They frequently miss the point that the incredible number of shots these guns advertise, is achieved when the rifle is turned way down to sedate levels - maybe 12 ft. lbs. or so. Certainly far below the 60+ ft. lbs. they've asked about. They also tend to overlook the fact that that huge bottle (which they don't like the looks of), is why the rifle contains so much air and is able to give that many shots on low power. Nobody talks much about how many shots they give on full power. People assume that it's just alittle less. In fact, it's dramatically less.

The facts and the advertising and desires of the potential customer get all rolled into a ball and it becomes difficult to sort it out. In alot of people's minds, those guns remain 150 shot per fill guns no matter what. I end up being the bearer of bad news when we get back to our real world 60+ ft. lb. rifle (without the big clumsy bottle).

Everyone wants to know how many shots per fill a given combination will produce. This is determined by several factors: The power range of the rifle, the length of the barrel, and the size of the air reservoir. There are other factors, but these are a start. Now, let's just assume that we only discuss two barrel lengths (long and short). Let's just assume two power levels (high and low). Let's just talk about two reservoir sizes - (big and small). Now, there are combinations of each. High power, short barrel, big reservoir. Then there's low power, short barrel, big reservoir. Then there's High power, long barrel, big reservoir, etc., etc. There are eight combinations already. Then, there will be modifications of each. What if we go with medium power?

What I try to get folks to do is to try to forget the numbers game. Set a top priority and realize that other factors will follow that. That's just as in every other situation in life. You decide you want to live in New York City. That becomes the top priority. Therefore; the other things on the wish list (detached house - three car garage) are swept away. If a light weight rifle is your top priority, then realize that power and shots per fill will suffer. If power is your top priority, then realize that I have to provide the machinery (read size and weight) to provide that.

There's no magic in these combinations. People hope they'll beat the system and figure out that one combination which defies the laws of physics. No manufacturer can provide max. power and longevity of shots without expending the energy required to do so - that's a large volume of high pressure air in our case.

Keep in mind one last factor for this discussion. Power in pcp rifles is closely related to the Richter scale used to measure earthquakes. Do you realize that, on the Richter scale, a 6 earthquake is ten times as powerful as a 5 earthquake? A seven will be ten times as powerful as a 6. The greater number is not simply alittle bit more than the previous number. That's the way it is with producing power in a pcp rifle. It doesn't just take alittle bit more energy to increase the power - it often takes a "multiple factor" of additional energy to produce the additional power. That's the one - the point that's most often missed, and the key to the whole puzzle.

That's why I give those frustrating answers to simple questions. It's because the answer is not simple. I can provide the power, and do so with incredible accuracy. But; I must be allowed to build the machinery required to do the job. If you wish to have "reach out power", that cannot be small, light weight, and fuel efficient. Please make sure that you consider "like statistics" when comparing other rifles. Comparing a 40 ft. lb. rifle to a 60 ft. lb. rifle; or a 200 ft. lb. rifle to a 400 ft. lb. rifle is a prime example of comparing apples to oranges.

The answer is to pick your priority, build to that. Realize that other factors follow in a natural progression. If you want to varmint hunt @ 100 yards, and you don't want to carry around a fifty lb. rifle, then I'll be pleased to build you a well balanced package. When it needs fuel, we simply fill it again. As I say many times throughout the site, "It's only air".

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