by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Hakim air rifle trainer. Anschütz made 2800 of these for the Egyptian army in 1954/55. This one has custom-made wood.
This report covers:
- The test
- Sight in
- RWS Superpoints
- Eley Wasps
- The experience
Today’s blog arose from the suggestions of several readers. In the end it was Siraniko who pushed me over the line, and, when you see what happened, I think you’ll be glad that he did.
The test
The question is — how well does the Hakim air rifle shoot at extended distances? In the past I have always tested it at 10 meters. Today we will see what it can do at 25 yards. The rifle was rested directly on a sandbag and I used the open sights that came with the gun. My bionic eyes don’t see the rear notch very clearly anymore, and now you will see if that affects my accuracy.
Sight in
The rifle had to be sighted in before the test, because I haven’t ever shot it at this distance.The first pellet hit the target very high, which was expected, since it was sighted for 10 meters. So, I spent some time lowering the point of impact. It had to come down about three inches to center the group in the bull. Since I was shooting with open sights, hitting the center of the bull did not affect my aim point, because I couldn’t see the pellet holes at 25 yards. So I decided to center the first group — at least with the first pellet.
For this test I selected three pellets that have done well in the past in this rifle. For starters, I put 10 JSB Exact RS pellets into a group that measures 1.164-inches between centers. The group is very well centered in the bullseye. While it isn’t a small group, it’s not that bad.
Ten JSB Exact RS pellets went into this 1.164-inch group at 25 yards. The group is well-centered and not that bad!
I thought this might be the best group of the test, because the rear sight notch was really difficulty to see. The front blade was going in and out of focus, but the rear notch seemed like a best guess every time. I wasn’t positive I could see it.
RWS Superpoints
For the second pellet I tried RWS Superpoints. In the past, Superpoints have been my go-to pellet for all the Hakims I owned. But the last time I shot this Hakim for accuracy, JSB Exact RS pellets shot better.
Not this time, though. At 25 yards the Hakim put 10 RWS Superpoints into a 1.057-inch group. The holes closed up on the target paper, making the group look smaller than it is, but it’s still very respectable. Notice that this heavier pellet landed lower on the target.
Ten RWS Superpoint pellets went into 1.057-inches at 25 yards.
Eley Wasps
The last pellet I tested was the vintage 5.6mm Eley Wasp. While this one has a thicker skirt that doesn’t blow out as much in the loading tap as the first two, the pellet is much fatter overall and fits the bore quite well. Ten Wasps went into a 1.039-inch group at 25 yards. That was the best group of the test, by a slim margin. And truthfully, it’s too close to call But this one landed even lower on the target.
Ten Eley Wasps made this 1.039-inch group at 25 yards.
The experience
Shooting this Hakim air rifle again was a lot of fun. I’m so glad I decided to do it today. I had forgotten how well the trigger is adjusted and it was a pleasant experience, just to shoot it once more.
The action is a little buzzy, though. I can always fix that with some Almagard 3752 grease on the mainspring, so it doesn’t make me as anxious as it did before Tune in a Tube came along.
Remember what I said about what makes a collector? Well, this Hakim air rifle is one you will have to purchase at my estate sale.
In fact, shooting the trainer has gotten me interested in the firearm again. I’m looking into some reduced loads that will conserve the brass and let me play some more with the poor man’s Garand.
2017 Texas Airgun Show
This airgun show is coming up in just 12 days! It’s on Saturday, August 26 and here is the website with full information.
Come out and meet Rick Ward, the Urban Airgunner. And don’t miss, Iraqveteran8888, who will be at the show with his film crew!
Pyramyd AIR Cup
This is also a reminder that the 2017 Pyramyd AIR Cup will run from August 25 to 27 at the Tusco Rifle Club in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
B.B.,
Thank you for doing this accuracy test. It goes to show that the airguns of yesteryear are no slouches in accuracy even when pushed outside of their envelope.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Yes, it does. I admit I was surprised by the result.
B.B.
Hi Bb
Well, I know what you mean when you say your bionic eyes have trouble with the rear sight. I’ve just this weekend started shooting the Hatsan Torpedo 175 in .177 cal. that I bought about a year ago. Both carpal tunnel surgeries have healed nicely and I can cock the Hatsan with no pain now although until yesterday I was still using the butt on the ground method. Yesterday I tried and succeeded cocking the rifle while seated at my shooting bench. It’s a brute to cock but now I can do it easily with two hands and not have to stand each time. With some initial tests and Chairgun I found that crossovers worked out exactly at 10 metres (11 yards) and 50 yards. I zeroed at 10 metres with the iron sights in 3 shots and it was bang on at 50 yards – more or less. The 10 metre zero was easy but 50 yards is challenging for my old eyes. Like you I have a hard time with the rear sight. Using CPH Domes I started getting 3½ inch groups but now after 250 shots the groups have shrunk to under 2 inches.
Redrafter,
Two inches at fifty yards with a .177 sproinger is pretty good, no matter what condition your eyes are in. I am not sure a scope would help much.
I agree with RidgeRunner, it would be hard to improve on those groups at 50 yards!
BB,
Ha! That is why I like these oldies. They shoot as well as the new ones and have a cool factor that is off the charts. Yesterday we rearranged the décor in the great room some. Now my BSA has a place of honor over the fireplace and the FLZ is over the kitchen entry way. Kathy does not care to shoot my air rifles, but she likes the looks of these antiques in our log home.
RR,
I agree with your wife. In fact, I have started a project whereby some of my older guns will be displayed around the house. I guess it’s all a man cave now.
B.B.
Part 2
Sorry for the split but sometimes this tablet keyboard has a mind of its own.
I think this gun is going to need a lot of break in shots to get it shooting smoothly and accurately. I did a cursory external lube before I started shooting and will wait for about 500 shots before taking the gun apart for a more in depth lube job.
If the groups keep shrinking as they are I should get, hopefully, acceptable group sizes at around 800 or a 1000 shots.
At that point I think I will scope the gun and and start to refine the pellets that I’m using as the Crosman heavies are not very uniform. If I can eventually get the groups down to 1½ to 1¾ inches at 50 yards I’ll be happy.
I’ll keep you informed.
Cheers
Dave
Dave,
You do that! I would enjoy hearing about your experience.
B.B.
This is the Hakim that was a gift from Edie and Tom several years ago. Because of my failing eyesight, I decided to add the scope to help with my accuracy. It is a really accurate plinker and has shot its limit of feral cans a number of times.
Bob
B-I-L,
As I recall, I tuned that one, and it shoots smooth and powerful for a Hakim.
B.B.
B.B.
What’s up with those Texas boys (holding their airgun show the weekend of my wife’s birthday so I can’t go)?
*shrugs* It’s not their fault, I guess. =)~
Nice shooting with that Hakim, especially with open sights!
Yes, I can surely understand your not wishing to part with it.
Thanks for another great report!
Take care & God bless,
dave
Dave,
What! You can’t bring your wife? JerryC brought his wife from South Carolina and she bought him a special airgun he had been wanting! Wives are always welcome at my shows. 😉
B.B.
BB,
Kathy actually bought me that FLZ. I think I will hold off a bit before I hit her up for that Webley though. 😉
RR,
What a nice and thoughtful gift! I hope you responded in kind.
B.B.
Haha; I was just funnin’ you; I was sure wives would always be welcome at your shows. =)
I should have clarified; each year on her birthday, I take her to whatever place she has picked out.
This year, it’s Callaway Gardens.
But you should have seen the year she picked the Navy Seal UDT Museum in Fort Pierce FL.
It was a Tuesday, and we were the only ones there; the former Seal running the place was reading a book behind the register. He asked where we were from, and was a little happy to hear that we came 80 miles to go to his place; but he really perked up when I told him that it was my wife’s birthday, and that she could have picked anywhere. He came out, took her by the arm and said, “You could have gone ANYWHERE, and you picked my museum? Why?” Her: “I’m really interested in learning more about the Seals.” Heh; she got the guided tour, plus free books and free movies.
The frogmen who worked on D-Day trained there.
It’s well worth the drive for anyone who happens to go to Florida.
Dave,
There you go! 😉
I’m no seal, but I have been mistaken for a walrus a few times!
B.B.
Hahaha! Good one =D
Dave,
Do bring your wife. Last year, mine brought me a 1701p from Tom last year. And I didn’t anything about it until Christmas.
Jim
Cool; I guess I should start working now toward next year’s show. =D