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Accessories Daisy 880: Part 5

Daisy 880: Part 5

by Tom Gaylord, a.k.a. B.B. Pelletier

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Daisy 880
The Daisy 880 multi-pump is a classic.

This report addresses:

• Examining test targets sent from Daisy with this rifle.
• Accuracy with 3 different pellets.
• Accuracy with BBs.

Today, we’ll look at the accuracy of the brand-new Daisy 880 that Daisy sent for this test. Before we begin, I’ll show the test targets Daisy sent with the rifle. Then, I’ll shoot the rifle at 10 meters with 3 different pellets. Finally, I’ll move up to 5 meters and shoot steel BBs.

Daisy targets
When Daisy sent me the rifle, they included the results of their testing. So, I have 2 targets for the rifle. They did not indicate which target was shot with BBs; but since they used a 10-meter target for the one test and a 5-meter target for the other, I’ll assume the first was shot with pellets and the second with BBs.

The target they shot with BBs was enlarged before they copied it, so it looks larger than its actual size. The black bull is supposed to measure 18.415mm across, but the target they sent measures 25.07mm from side to side. So, it’s approximately 137 percent the size it should be. I’m telling you that because I can’t put a dime next to that target and make any sense out of it.

They also shot just 5 shots per target, where I normally shoot 10. So, my groups should be 40 percent larger than theirs. They did give me the center-to-center measurements for each group, however, so we’ll be able to make some comparisons.

Daisy 880 Daisy BB target
Daisy shot 5 BBs into 0.65 inches at 5 meters with the test 880. Remember, this target appears larger than it really is.

They also sent a 10-meter target they shot with pellets. They didn’t indicate which pellets were used for this test, but I would think they would use Daisy Precision Max pellets — that only makes sense. This 5-shot group measures 0.60 inches between centers.

Daisy 880 Daisy BB target 2
Daisy shot 5 pellets into 0.60 inches at 10 meters with the test 880.

There was no indication of how many pumps were used for either target. I will therefore use my best judgement when I shoot my own groups.

Pellets first
I shot the 880 rested at 10 meters using 3 different pellets. The first was the 7.9-grain Crosman Premier dome that was used for the velocity test. I used 6 pumps for each shot with pellets. The rifle was rested in a sandbag rest.

Sight-in took 2 shots because the rifle was shooting low for a 6 o’clock hold. It was also shooting a little to the right, but I didn’t bother correcting that on the first group. Ten Premiers went into 1.037 inches. While not bad, I hope to find another pellet that does better.

Daisy 880 Premier target
Ten Crosman Premier lite pellets went into 1.037 inches at 10 meters. Not a very great group, but there’s the silver dime several of you obsessed over.

Daisy wadcutters
After the first group, I adjusted the rear sight down one notch and over to the left. Next, I tried some old Daisy Superior Match Grade wadcutter pellets. How close they are to the current pellets Daisy sells, I have no idea. Ten of them went into 0.713 inches, which is better than the Premiers and, accounting for my 5 additional shots, also better than what Daisy got.

Daisy 880 Daisy wadcutter target
Ten Daisy Superior Match Grade wadcutters made this 0.713-inch group at 10 meters.

RWS Hobby pellets
I felt the rifle had redeemed itself with the Daisy pellets, but I wanted to try just one additional pellet. This next one was an RWS Hobby. When you see what it did, I think you’ll agree with me this was a fortunate choice.

Daisy 880 RWS Hobby target
Ten Hobbys made this 0.458-inch group at 10 meters. Now THIS is a group!

So, the 880 I’m testing can definitely shoot. Both Daisy and I got good results from the rifle with pellets. Let’s see what it can do with steel BBs.

Daisy with BBs
I moved the shooting table up to 5 meters from the target and started shooting with Daisy Premium Grade BBs. At this distance I used 3 pumps for each shot. They were hitting the target right where the top of the front sight was, so I decided to hold for the center of the bull instead of at 6 o’clock. They did hit a little to the left, but it was nothing to be concerned about. Ten BBs went into 0.624 inches.

Daisy 880 Daisy BB target
Ten Daisy BBs went into this 0.624-inch group at 5 meters.

If you check my other BB-gun targets (other than those made by the 499), you’ll see that this gun really groups tight with BBs. I’m surprised it did so well.

Summary
This Daisy 880 can certainly shoot! Next, I’ll mount the scope and back up to 25 yards.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

61 thoughts on “Daisy 880: Part 5”

  1. B.B., I must say that although I have no idea how many tests you have performed in this format,I am very impressed with both the format and 880! Excellently objective! For some reason it seems as though Daisy not only stepped up to the plate but may be taking the level of competition up a notch or 3
    Got me Really interested in hearing how the 901 is holding up.
    Well done Sir!

    So glad I’m back!

    Reb

  2. Something I wanted to bring up last night, but had to lay down instead.I recall a gun used in my basic training that supposedly used an oxy-acetyline mixture to simulate overhead machine gun fire, whilst crawlin’ on our bellies!
    Anyone know of this gun?I have remained enamored with this concept for over 25 years now, And still going!
    If anyone has any information about it-Please share!
    What a feat it would be to have a Spud gun capable firing @ a rate of 50 Pounds per minute 😛

    • Reb,

      When I went through basic they fired M60 machine guns over our heads. The course was called TTIS, for tactical training of the individual soldier. It was 80 yards long and included mud, sand, barbed wire and bomb craters with occasional explosions, in addition to the gunfire.

      The guns are calibrated to not fire lower than 6 feet and you are briefed to not stand up on the course.

      B.B.

      • My Dad said that during his 6 months as a volunteer recruit for the U.S. Army, he had to crawl through a course while they fired a 50 caliber machine gun overhead. I find that a little hard to believe since when I went to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for a JROTC camp, the soldier who was demonstrating the Browning M2 said that if the slug passed even two feet over your head, the concussion would kill you. That would put the crawling soldiers in severe danger. My Dad said that the sound of the bullets overhead was something otherworldly, sort of like the photon torpedoes on Star Trek vastly amplified and they almost cut down the tree behind him. And he did say there was a story of some guy who panicked and stood up and got cut in half. Interesting but to be taken with a grain of salt. My Dad pulled a record number of KP shifts, several weeks worth, I believe, because of screw-ups and attitude problems. He was not cut out to be a soldier.

        Matt61

        • Matt, from my experience in the USAF, all it takes is the wrong person not wanting you to succeed. And there goes your career, education,college fund&veterans benefits all in one fell swoop!
          I just got denied again because I was in during the wrong presidential administration.Very volatile political environment inside the US armed services!
          I shoulda been a Jarhead.

          Reb

      • Enough to make me wonder. How much money did they save on primers, brass & powder, after the conversion to the oxy acetyline rig? And Why not have it spittin’ spuds for added realism?
        I need one!

        Thanks B.B.
        I’m off to find one right now!

        Reb

        • B.B.! I think I found it!I’m confused as to whether or not it’s an advertisement, or just footage so I’m reluctant to share.It’s also an auto download. But I really want everyone to have the opportunity to judge for themselves. Please advise

          • Looks like it downloads Real Player, which I already have so it took like 3 seconds on my computer,and my search actually said it was running on propane.I found it through GasGuns. could you please check it out to see if it’s safe for the site?

  3. Hi BB
    I picked up an 880S on a whim from Wally World over the weekend since Pyramyd is out of them. Using RWS R10 Match pellets in my rifle at 10 meters also at 6 pumps I managed a ten shot group at 0.479. I’m not sure what the difference is between the RWS R10 Match and the RWS Hobby is but at half the price I think I’ll be getting a tin of Hobbys to try in my 880S based on your results.
    One thing you may want to check is your statement that the 880 and 880S are the same gun. The front sight on the 880S is a Blade and Ramp the 880 has a Fiber Optic front sight. The chronograph results of my 880S are close to the rifle provided by Daisy, low of 704fps, high of 730fps average of 716fps with the RWS R10 match at 10 pumps. While your old 880 and the 880 from Pyramyd both shot lower velocity. Just wondering if the front sight may not be the only difference between the two versions of the 880.

    • When they make the R10 Match pellets, they use molds that are much more precision made from one cavity to the next. The R10s go through a more thorough inspection. Also you may note that the Hobby has a fluted skirt, while the R10s do not. As to weight, the Hobby is nominally 7 grains while the R10s come in 7 grain for pistol and 8.2 grain for rifle.

  4. I’ll have to retest the 880 that I performed my “Restomod” on to be sure, but it seems like all I was able to wring outta it wasabout 7fpe. I remember having all the notes before going into hospital.
    However,While gone the dog apparently ate my homework. 🙁

  5. Interesting results. Maybe I need to consider getting a tin of Hobbies for my 880. I was also impressed with the accuracy out of the other wadcutters at 10 meters. Will the same pellets be tested at 25 yards?

      • In all the tests you’ve done have you ever seen where a gun just loved a certain pellet, and even if they were heavier ran them at a much higher velocity than expected because of. – fit? Finish? Any that just made you go “Wow, those should be slower then these, but that’s crazy fast…”

          • Not like full details, but what kind of differences have you gotten? Like the most extreme case… curious because my np is throwing superdomes supersonic, but the other 14.3s are not, that and the 11.9 hobby’s went 800 on the ten for ten, I’ve done the lube tune and the shorter barrel, but it seems thats a little unbelievable

        • RDNA,

          My Winchester 425 shoots 14.3 JSB’s faster than any other pellet I have tried. Lighter or heavier. They shoot about 25 fps faster than 13.4’s which is significant on that low powered rifle. The 14.3’s are also the most accurate and have the tightest velocity spreads. A fortunate coincidence perhaps? I care not and shoot what it likes.

      • My Daisy 880, in a lot of pellet testing, keeps telling me to stick with the RWS Basic Diabolo’s. It always out shoots anything else I’ve tried. The second best pellet is the Crosman Premier Super Match.

  6. Speaking of fluted skirts on pellets, perhaps someone could enlighten me concerning the theoretical purpose for such?

    And speaking of RWS pellets, I recently bought a tin Super Domes and some of them are fluted and some are not. I wonder if they are transitioning away from fluting or is their QC going down the tubes?

    • I always wondered about that too. I never truly noticed a difference between fluted or non-fluted pellets aside from normal barrel pickiness. Many of the guns I’ve had did spectacular with some fluted RWS (and even a certain batch of Gamo from years ago I ran out of) pellets. Nowadays almost everything I shoot is smooth-walled however.

    • I just got a tin of superdomes in 22 and the np loves em. They seem to all be fluted, though I did notice when I checked that at certain angles the light makes the flutes disappear, Im sure that’s not what you meant though. I thought the ribs/ flutes whatever would aid aerodynamicy, at least in placebo! Lol

      • If the ones RR got are like what I got. There is a distinct difference. In the tin of 500 I got about a 1/4 of the tin with a absolutely smooth finish on the skirt.

        And I shot them In my 1720T and did not see any change in POI or in the consistency of the groups I shot while shooting 5 of the fluted skirt pellets and 5 of the non fluted skirt pellets. And I also shot them out of my 1377 woods walker that I made with the Disco barrel. Again both pellets shot the same. That’s the results I had anyway.

        RR now that makes me wonder also. Did you try the fluted and non fluted Superdomes in any of your guns to see if they shot any different?

        • As a matter of fact, I did. I also could not see a difference in performance. What I am thinking is once upon a time, manufacturers thought it had an affect with stability such as the ribbing and such on the feathers of a shuttlecock. However, with modern technology it has likely been shown it has no noticeable affect and most have gone away from doing such with their new molds and swages.

    • RR
      I just recently got a tin like that also. I thought that was strange because I have bought the Superdomes in .177 cal. for many years and never had that happen with the mixed skirts.

      I thought that something went wrong when they were making them and they either slipped past quality inspection or they knew and salted them in here in there so they didn’t have to scrap them. And if that’s what they did that’s a bad business decision if they did it on purpose. That will bite a company in the butt real quick.

      So I just put it off as something happened and they slipped through. Now that you said you got some that way I would like to know what the real story behind that is. Or maybe I dont.

      • Sounds like its the phasing of the flutes, if its cheaper to machine without, might be seeing if it makes a difference to anyone. Salting in some leftovers has a much higher likelihood though. Its beautiful out but I’ve had so much junk to do today I probably won’t get out to test the dry weather supersonic-ness of the super Ds, hoping it stays nice like this for, well, forever.. that’d be nice! Then we’d never miss a day of shooting on account a rain.

    • My last tin (purchased about a month ago) of RWS Superdomes included about 1/3 with bent skirts. I am imagining their quality control IS going downhill. Too bad if true. I had liked these pellets.

  7. I am a staunch supporter of the RWS R10 pellets, especially the 7.0 gr ones. They are the best pellet in nearly all of my pistols. I must admit though that H&N’s are a very close second and sometimes they are the best. I usually don’t have much luck with the Hobbies.

    G&G

    • I’m a big fan of RWS Basics (formerly Geco in the blue and black tin) For years they’ve been my go-to pellet for plinking purposes in my IZH 46M. Like you however, I haven’t had as much luck with the Hobbies in anything I own. Then again, some airguns paradoxically run otherwise cheapo pellets amazingly well, a fact thats been borne out on this blog by BB on numerous occasions.

  8. I am still on my quest to get my first PPC rifle up and shooting. I received the Benjamin Marauder and the UTG Accushot 4X16X56. Pyramyd AIR was out of the big carbon fiber tanks, so have ordered one from someone else. I called all of the paint ball places in the Austin area. The only one that seems willing to fill my tank doesn’t know if they have nitrogen or air. My question, Is it OK to mix nitrogen and air? Can you tell the difference by smell? Can I assume that if they are using a compressor, that it has to be air, and if they use bottles it must be nitrogen?

    Thanks again for your input.
    Jerry

    • Jerry,

      You can run a Marauder on nitrogen just fine. But I wouldn’t do business with that particular paintball store. They are fools if they don’t know whether their system uses air or nitrogen. They would compress the air on site, but they buy the nitrogen from an industrial gas supplier.

      B.B.

  9. B.B.

    I’m going to ask for your patience as I go off topic again. In the world of high end PCP’s I am nearly shocked that absolutely no one has done a full review (including handling, FPS and accuracy testing) of the Air Arms FTP 900 yet. At least I can’t find anything about it. This rifle has been out for quite awhile now. Air Arms initially gave it a big splash but since then the air gun community has been silent about it. Do you or anyone you know of plan on doing a review of this rifle? I am anxiously waiting to see if it lives up to the initial hype.

    G&G

    • G&G,

      No, I am not familiar with any reviews on the FTP 900. Of course the UK “funny papers” (what airgunners call the two British airgun magazines) will have reviewed it, but they are in the manufacturer’s pocket.

      Because it is an Air Arms gun I believe it is probably quite accurate and it certainly looks ergonomic, but it is a niche gun. There are only a handful of shooters in the world who will want a gun like that, and there are already plenty of great guns to choose from. That would be my guess why you haven’t heard very much about it.

      B.B.

    • And I just wonder if Loyd has got anywhere with that double reservoir kit for the Marauder rifles that I asked him about.

      I cant wait for that to happen. 😉

      • Hey meant say that par-boil squirrel fry sounds sooooo good, I’ve noticed the fish fry batters have the most flavor, we had a Louisiana style one that rocked, have to get some more for the tree steak that will hopefully hit the bag soon… thanks fir sharing the way you do it, I will be trying it!

  10. I would think that the dime would be the very thing to normalize the overly large bulls from Daisy which sounds like a bit of dirty pool on their part. I read about one guy who had terrible results with his Ruger M77 rifle and sent it back for testing. Ruger came back with test results of a decent MOA, but after some investigation, it was revealed that these tests were done at 50 yards rather than 100 as they had led the guy to believe. That is surprising to hear from Ruger with the extremely high quality of their products that I have experienced and read about.

    Matt61

    • I was going to mention that, if the target is 37% larger than the group is going to look 37% smaller… kinda weak if the thought was actually put into doing that, its one of those silly things companies do, like velocity claims. I would like to put together every actual chrony data for every gun you could find, get the average and make a reference chart so people can look and get the numbers that can really be expected.

  11. I just registered my name for the blog through wordpress. Does anyone know how I can add my own little icon picture like BB and RifledDNA have? The edit your profile page doesn’t have a spot to add one anywhere. I can usually figure this sort of thing out, but this one has me stumped.

    • There is registering for the blog, then there is creating a wordpress.COM profile. They are two different things. The .com profile has a site called Gravatar that lets you upload profile avatars and pics.

      • RDNA, Sounds like I need a tutorial or 2 from you myself!
        unfortunately I’m flat wore out right now and will have to attack it at a later date.

        B.B., Is there a way we could incorporate this into an orientation blog , maybe even with a link specifically for newbies and the computer skill challenged such as myself?
        I was just getting some tricks in my toolbox when I started feeling bad, however the way my brain is working out solutions to problems since my cerebro vascular hemophagic incident. I feel like my head’s gonna explode!

        Reb

    • The wordpress.com and gravatar link the profile picture to your email and will show up at any blogging you do with that email. It is really tough to explain and almost as tough to get done, do the .com registering and than search for gravatar.

      • Ah no wonder I was having a problem. Thats not exactly self-explanatory. I’ll try and figure it out when I get a little more time. Thanks RDNA!

        • Basically a wp .com profile is starting your own blog site, it then at the bottom has a button for site admin, that will bring you to your blog dashboard, from there is a button, bottom left, says documentation 24/7, that brings you to a support search page – searching “profile picture” “gravatar” or however you want to ask about changing your avatar picture will give you tips etc.. and right near the top of the list will say change or add with gravatar.com. hitting the link will bring you where you need to be. There is probably faster ways to get there but since your working your blog/profile anyway, going through the dashboard was the fastest way I found. Plus going to gravatar from your dash means its ready to go with your profile.

  12. Well, I did break down and buy a Daisy 880 a couple years back now. I have fired at least 2000 pellets through it by now. BB’s were a waste of time, and just fly all over the place. The accuracy hasn’t been nearly what the big 880 fans seem to be getting in theirs. But, lately, I have been getting better accuracy. I have tried all manner of pellets through it too. No JSB, and only one H&N, but lots of Crosman, Gamo, Winchester, Daisy (and some Daisy pellets are HORRIBLE even though they say “Precision Match” on the tin), Beeman hollow points, and on and on. All of these pellets have been tested many times over. Generally, when I try RWS, things do improve. My 880, over and over, has chosen RWS Basic wad cutters as it’s favorite . I’ll just stick with them. The RWS Hobby pellets are by far the best, most accurate and consistent in my smooth bore Crosman 760. RWS Supermags are very good in my Crosman 1377 carbine.

    Things I like about the 880. It’s a fine looking rifle, and has a good feel to it. Even using 6 pumps it seems to have very good “tin can” penetration. It pumps very quietly. The Basics load pretty well in it. Dislikes? My pump handle has gotten fidgety about latching closed. The trigger is pretty hard to pull, but does seem crisp and consistent. Accuracy is nowhere as wonderful as many other owners constantly talk about. No way can this thing reach out to 25 yards with accuracy. 15 yards is pushing the envelope too. 7-10 yards it gives minute of rat head accuracy with the Basic pellets. It changes its favorite pellet and is generally pellet picky. Fliers tend to be way our there too.

    I used a small piece of business card folded over and slipped in underneath the small spring that holds the pumping are in the locked closed position. When I was using 8 pumps, that thing would pop open with quite a bit of force. When I cut back to 6 pumps, things were a lot better as far as the pump handle lockup.

    So, the Daisy is very enjoyable for me to shoot, and seems to have settled down to some practical accuracy, and is pretty quiet, which wins it some points, as I rat shoot at night. But, to 10 yards my 760 will shoot as well or a bit better, and with zero problems.

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