Anatomy of a PCP · Air system
Air Reservoir & Bottle
The compressed-air tank that powers every shot. The reservoir is the difference between 30 shots per fill and 300 — and the swappable carbon-fiber bottle is how serious PCPs scale up.
The quick answer
The air reservoir (also called the air tube, air bottle, or air cylinder) is the pressurized chamber that stores the compressed air between shots. On every PCP rifle, the reservoir is what makes the “pre-charged” in pre-charged pneumatic — you fill it once to 4500 psi and shoot until the pressure drops below the rifle’s regulator setting.
There are two configurations: the fixed reservoir built into the rifle (Avenger, Lynx Gen 3, Stormrider) and the swappable bottle that threads onto the rifle (Snowpeak M60B, Mercury, Max 1). Swappable bottle PCPs are the upgrade path — you can carry a spare bottle, swap in 5 seconds, and double your shot count without a fill pump.
When shopping
What to look for in a air reservoir & bottle.
- ✓On-rifle vs swappable bottle Two architectures: (1) the air tube is part of the rifle and you refill it via fill probe — common on starter PCPs like the Avenger, Lynx Gen 3, Stormrider; (2) the air bottle is a separate swappable cylinder that threads onto the rifle — common on serious bottle-fed PCPs like the Snowpeak M60B, Mercury, Max 1. Swappable means you can carry a spare bottle and reload in 5 seconds in the field. Fixed means simpler and lighter.
- ✓Cylinder size = shot count × power Bigger cylinder = more shots per fill (at the same power level). A 300cc carbon bottle gives you roughly 60-80 shots of a .22 PCP at 12 ft-lbs. A 500cc gives 120-150. A 700cc bottle gives 200+. The trade-off is weight and bulk — a 9L tank is a workshop fixture, not something you carry.
- ✓Working pressure: 4500 psi / 300 bar standard PCP rifles fill to one of two pressures: 4500 psi (300 bar) is the modern North American standard — most rifles, all hand pumps, all carbon fiber bottles support this. 250 bar (3600 psi) is older Euro PCPs. Verify your rifle's max fill pressure stamped on the gauge or in the manual — never overfill.
- ✓Carbon fiber vs aluminum Carbon fiber bottles are lighter (500cc weighs ~700g) and rated to 4500 psi standard. They're the right choice for any rifle you carry. Aluminum HPA tanks are heavier, cheaper, and typically rated to 3000-4500 psi — fine for a stand-hunting setup or a bench rifle that doesn't move.
- ✓Thread pattern: M18×1.5 is the airgun standard Carbon fiber bottles use one of two thread patterns: M18×1.5 (the airgun standard — Snowpeak, Mercury, M60B, Max 1, most Acecare/Alsafe bottles) or 7/8-14 UNF (paintball/HPA tank standard — adapter required for airgun use). The partner sells the adapter for $25 if you're using a paintball tank.
- ✓You need a fill station, not just a bottle A bare carbon fiber bottle does nothing without a fill station (the regulator + gauge + hose assembly that transfers air from the tank to the rifle). Many of the partner's listings bundle the bottle with a fill station — buy the bundle, not just the bottle, unless you already own a fill station from a previous setup.
Sourced from our partner
Air Reservoir & Bottles we feature.
Each product below has its own full reference page on Hunt & Live with spec table and editorial pick rationale. Buy direct from our partner — Canadian family business, flat $17 CAD shipping, real product support.
Snowpeak 500cc Carbon Fiber Bottle 300 Bar
The high-capacity bottle for the Snowpeak Lynx Gen 3, M60B, Mercury, and Max 1. M18×1.5 thread, 4500 psi max fill, 300+ shots in a .22 PCP at 12 ft-lbs.
Tuxing 3L Carbon Fiber Cylinder + Fill Station
3 liter (3000cc) carbon fiber tank with bundled fill station. The standard upgrade from a hand pump — fills a .22 PCP roughly 30+ times before needing a refill itself. Buy this once and stop pumping.
Tuxing 9L Diving Cylinder 300 Bar
9 liter scuba-style carbon tank with regulating valve. For the off-grid setup or competition shooter — fills a .22 PCP 100+ times. Heavy, workshop-fixture sized.
Alsafe 480/580cc Carbon Fiber Cylinder
Mid-size Alsafe bottle in 480cc or 580cc capacity. M18×1.5 thread, 4500 psi. Less expensive alternative to the Snowpeak bottle if you don't need the Snowpeak branding.
Alsafe 700cc Carbon Fiber Cylinder
Larger 700cc Alsafe bottle for shot count between fills. The right pick for the bench shooter or PCP hunter who wants the maximum shot count on the M18×1.5 standard.
Adjustable Regulated Fill Station + 50cm Hose
Standalone fill station with adjustable output regulator and twin gauges. Buy this if you already own a bottle and need to upgrade to a regulated fill setup, or if you bought a bare bottle without a station.
Want more options?
22 SKUs across swappable carbon-fiber bottles (300cc to 9L), aluminum HPA tanks, fill stations, and hose-and-adapter accessories. Acecare, Alsafe, Tuxing, and Snowpeak.
Browse all air reservoir & bottles at Airgun Archery Fun →
Pillar resource · Featured
The Perfect PCP Starter Kit for Beginners
Every part. Every line item. Picked, budgeted, and linked. Snowpeak Lynx Gen 3 rifle with bundled scope, hand pump, pellets, mounts, silicone oil, fill adapter, bipod, and case — $1,200–$1,500 CAD total, every item from our Canadian partner.
Read the full starter-kit guide →In partnership with
