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Competition Sharp Ace Target Standard: Part 3

Sharp Ace Target Standard: Part 3

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Sharp Ace Pan Target
Sharp Ace Target Standard is a sidelever multi-pump 10 meter target rifle.

Part 1
Part 2

A history of airguns

This report covers:

  • This rifle is not an Ace Pan Target
  • Today’s test
  • What happened
  • Finale Match Light
  • Sig Sauer Match Ballistic Alloy
  • Qiang Yuan training pellets
  • RWS R10 Match Pistol
  • JSB Match
  • Evaluation

This rifle is not an Ace Pan Target

I received an email from advanced collector, Don Raitzer, who said he was sure this rifle was a Sharp Target Standard model. What he keyed on was the bolt handle I showed you last time. The Pan Target has a pushbutton bolt release and a spring-loaded bolt, similar to the Innova. That was a feature I overlooked when researching this rifle in vintage Sharp catalogs, but now that Don has brought it to my attention I see he is right. So I changed the title starting today. I will leave the previous reports as they are.

One benefit of the change is, according to the Blue Book, the Ace Target Standard is a little more valuable than the Ace Pan Target. So I profited by the mistake. But it also means the entries in the Blue Book are correct, after all.

Today’s test

Today we look at the accuracy of this air rifle. I shot it rested at 10 meters, and though I described in Part 2 how I planned to test the rifle for accuracy, things happened that changed everything.

What happened

I told you I planned on shooting it on 2 pumps today and then on 3 pumps. The first shot on 2 pumps failed to fire, so I went right to three pumps and did not plan to try any testing on 2 pumps. Then the rifle acted very strange on 3 pumps as I was refining the sight picture. It had a double bang release — almost as if it was a flintlock rifle. And a couple times there was just a pop follower by a hiss of air. Something was wrong and I wasn’t going to be able to shoot it on 3 pumps, either. So — 4 pumps is was! And I was able to finish the test on 4 pumps per shot.

I also only shot 5 shots per group instead of 10. I normally do that when testing target airguns. And I had to shoot left-handed to see the bull through the front aperture. My right eye can’t see well enough anymore.

Finale Match Light

The first pellet I tried was the H&N Finale Match Light. Five of them went into 0.168-inches at 10 meters. The group wasn’t centered on the bull, but I decided to press on with the test and leave the sights where they were.

Sharp Ace Target Finale group
Five H&N Finale Match Light pellets went into 0.168-inches at 10 meters.

Since I was only shooting 5 shots, I thought I would test a few more pellets. I will say this — pumping the rifle 4 times per shot was tiring, so I’m glad I only shot 5-shot groups.

Sig Sauer Match Ballistic Alloy

Next up was the Sig Sauer Match Ballistic Alloy pellet that has done so well in past tests. In the Ace Target 5 of them went into a horizontal 0.434-inches. I don’t think the Ace likes this pellet.

Sharp Ace Target Sig Match group
Five Sig Match Ballistic Alloy pellets made this 0.434-inch group at 10 meters.

Qiang Yuan training pellets

Next I tried 5 Qiang Yuan training pellets. These have been very accurate in recent tests of target airguns. In the Sharp Ace 5 of them went into 0.302-inches at 10 meters. That’s okay, but nothing to get excited about.

Sharp Ace Target Qiang Yuan training group
Five Qiang Yuan Training pellets went into 0.302-inches at 10 meters. It’s good, but not great.

RWS R10 Match Pistol

I tried 5 RWS R10 Match Pistol pellets next. The group shrank to 0.180-inches. That’s almost as small as the Finale Match group. The R10 Pistol pellet seems like a good choice for the Ace Target.

Sharp Ace Target R10 Match Pistol group
Five RWS R10 Match Pistol pellets went into 0.180-inches at 10 meters. A possible contender?

JSB Match

The last pellet I tested was the JSB Match. Now, don’t get confused. JSB calls almost every pellet they make a match pellet, but only wadcutter pellets are allowed in 10-meter matches. That was the one I tested. Alas, they didn’t do that well. Five went into 0.323-inches at 10 meters. That’s not worth it, given the performance of the R10 and Finale Match.

1Sharp Ace Target JSB Match group
Five JSB Match pellets made this 0.323-inch group at 10 meters.

Evaluation

Today’s performance disappointed me. I have shot regular Sharp Aces that were more accurate than this, and their triggers aren’t nearly as nice as this one. I think the trigger might need some adjustment to stop the problems mentioned at the start of the report. Perhaps the former owner tried to make it as light as possible to the detriment of everything else. Or maybe there is something I haven’t figured out yet.

The rifle is a curiosity, I’ll say that! I’m not finished testing it yet, either. I plan to shoot it with a scope from 25 yards as well, so we get a thorough look at this odd Asian multi-pump.

54 thoughts on “Sharp Ace Target Standard: Part 3”

  1. BB

    .168 inches shooting open sights left handed? Maybe you better throw this junker in the fireplace to keep you warm for those fierce Texas winters.

    Also… a 9.9 ounce trigger pull at eight pumps?!! What do I look like, Arnold Schwarzenegger?

    Because I like you and you are my friend, I will do you the huge favor of burying this horrible abomination deep underground if you will send it to me. I will even pay the postage, that’s just the kind of guy I am.

    • SL,

      Really. How can he possibly bear the shame of having such an air rifle exist within the borders of the state in which he lives? What a horrid thought.

      If I am not mistaken, I live even further away from there than you. Perhaps if I was to accept the presence of this retched thing in my state, he would perhaps be even further mollified?

      • B.B., Errol, R.R., and S.L.,

        Nice tries, I agree, but we know how possessive B.B. is with good shooters — they might as well be made of “unobtainium.” There is his pump-assist 392 I desire, but I still occasionally remember and covet his Ruger 10/22, and I’ve never had or even fired a firearm in my life! Good thing he’ll never sell it, because I would be very tempted to buy it from him.

        Michael

        • Michael,

          I cannot say that I am a 10/22 fan. Such rifles are great for burning through a bunch of ammo, but not much else. I prefer a bolt action, single shot is fine. They teach you to slow down and make every shot count rather than spray and pray.

          • RR

            While your run of the mill 10/22 might not be good for much else than spraying and praying you have to remember that BB’s particular 10/22 is anything but “run of the mill”. Either that or the mill was having a really good day when they put that one together.

            /blog/2015/03/talon-ss-versus-ruger-1022-part-2/

            • SL,

              Oh, I am well aware of what BB has done with his 10/22. I am also well aware of how the vast majority of people shoot rifles like this.

              I myself would prefer a Stevens Favorite. If a multi-shot, perhaps a Henry or a quality bolt action. My philosophy is to not depend upon a quick follow up shot. My personal experience has been that the second quick shot will miss more often than not. Slow down, make the first shot count.

              I do not care for full auto weapons for that very reason. Yes, at times nothing else will do, but most of the time semi would have done just fine. One well placed shot versus thirty sprayed all over the place with one or two hits it not my style. I guess I am a sniper kinda guy.

              • RidgeRunner,

                I was merely pointing out that B.B.’s Ruger 10/22 is so accurate, it is the one and only firearm that could lure me into firearm ownership and shooting. Not any 10/22, THAT 10/22.

                It is a very special rifle.

                Michael

                  • B.B.,

                    I did not know that. I also did not realize yours is a full-length version. To me it looked like a carbine in the photos. (I am a sucker for carbines.)

                    Regardless, very rarely am I drawn to actual firearms, otherwise I would have owned one by now. Your 10/22 is one firearm that could potentially lure me to the “powder-burning side.” I would use it to try my hand at 50 yard target shooting at a range about five miles from my workplace. I’ve never shot anything at 50 yards before. I bet it would be fun and challenging.

                    Michael

                    • Michael,

                      Do it with an air rifle. Think of the thrill when you go to the range and outshoot all the powder burners with an air rifle.

              • Ridgerunner,

                I am tempted to buy my first and only powder-burning rifle to target shoot at 50 or more yards, but I would prefer to do it with an air rifle. But that would mean a PCP. As it is I have two basically new Marauders I never shoot because I don’t want to have to pump them up with my basically new Hill pump. A 2000 psi rifle would be OK to hand pump, but it would not reach out as well, and can you imagine the snickers at the range when after 20 shots I pull out a “bicycle pump” to pump up my rifle? “Hey, is that rifle a Schwinn? Heh, heh, heh.”

                A tank and fill-ups are not an option for me as the dive shop closest to northern Illinois is probably in Pensacola ;^). Dive shops are very few and far between here in fly-over country. And a 4500 psi compressor is too big of an expense for what I would purchase it for and for the amount of use it would get. 3000-4500 psi PCPs are for the well-heeled and/or folks on the coast, not we middle-Americans. A scoped A.F. Condor and filling system would run me roughly $2500. How many quality .22 LR rifles could $2500 purchase? Or perhaps one accurate .22 rifle and 15,000 .22 LR rounds?

                That is why I have all but decided to return to The Light Side. The Dark Side never really was for me once the Benjamin Turbo Aire Pump (a.k.a. the Godot Pump) turned out to be just folklore, LOL. That’s why I mistakenly purchased the Marauders in the first place, so I would be all set when the Benjamin Turbo Aire came out. Live and learn, I guess.

                So, if not a PCP or .22 LR, what, a single-shot in .223 Remington? Nah, I really am not the powder burning type.

                Hey, how do you do 50 yard target shooting with a springer in a large basement? Shoot match heads at 10 meters! Got a light? Sure. :^)

                Michael

                • Michael,

                  Each to their own. It sounds as if you really want to stay with air guns. The pump and tank are an expense. But, once you have them, you have them. Plus, you are not using the M-rods. No dive shops in Ohio near me either. You already know the power and the smoothness of a PCP. I do not regret my Shoebox and Guppy tank one bit. 0 work makes the shooting all the more pleasurable. Just sayin’ ……….. 😉

                  ………. “Schwinn”,…… that was good one and no doubt would have occurred.

                  • Chris,

                    I already have an oil-lubed Dewalt shop compressor that’s great. An oil-less one would be needed only if I were to buy a Shoebox. Oil-less compressor + Guppy + Shoebox = Almost $2000.

                    I shoot paper and plink. PCP’s are for people who hunt and/or have a lot more money than I have. A Benjamin Tubo Aire hand pump for $300-$400, on the other hand, would be great for someone like me.

                    Michael

                • Michael,

                  You have two Marauders? Have you considered tuning one of them down to 2000 PSI operating pressure? It will indeed reach out just as well as one that is tuned to 3000 PSI, it is just that you will not get as many shots per fill. My Talon SS had an operating pressure of 1800 PSI and would get about 30 shots before it needed pumping.

                  Right now all I have is a hand pump. Besides my Talon SS, I have an Edge and now a HM1000X in .357. It takes a lot of pumping to top it off after a couple of mags, but it is most definitely worth it to me. For a while I was also shooting Lloyd’s Rogue. Yes, I am planning on picking up a compressor, etc. in the near future, but for now the pumping is actually good for me.

                  As for the inbred rednecks laughing at your “Schwinn”, that will cease when you out shoot their powder burners with it.

                  As far as powder burners go, if you start down the road of target shooting with those things you had better consider that you are likely going to spend a grand or more for the rifle. Then you are going to want a nice piece of glass on top of it. Then there is the reloading equipment and supplies. I know you are going to reload as factory ammo is not going to produce satisfactory results.

                  Now if you really want to get rid of those Marauders, please let me know. I would be seriously interested in picking one or more up at a good price. 😉

                  • RidgeRunner,

                    My dream is to do what you describe. Go out to a range with an odd-looking air rifle, get some sideways looks, and then shoot tiny groups. Every chance I get I talk up airgunning with people, but rarely do I pique their interest. Showing is a lot better than telling.

                    Also, yesterday I did a small amount of research on single-shot rifles in .223 and .204 Remington. It’s not so much the guns, but shelling out (get it? ;^) well over a dollar a round for target ammo would “powder-burn” through a lot of cash. Then I might as well instead spend the cash on a Condor, Tank, Shoebox, and oil-less shop compressor. (My shop compressor is nice but not oil-less.)

                    I had long forgotten that he Marauders can be detuned in several ways (including several ways at once). Perhaps I will do that with one of them and experiment.

                    One is a Gen I., and the other is a Gen II Synthetic stock, both mint. But both are in .177, so they probably would not interest you. If I do decide to part with one or both of ’em, you will be the first I let know.

                    Thanks much for your advice and knowledge,

                    Michael

                    • Michael,

                      Ranges past 50 yards with a .177 will be difficult, but with heavier pellets like the Baracuda it can be done. Most of the guys shooting .22 rimfire will be at 50 yards anyway. I think that with a little trigger time, you will find those Marauders will keep you pretty happy for quite some time.

                      I myself am looking forward to taking my HM1000X to the public range and turning a few heads with it at 100 yards.

                    • Michael,

                      Give (California Air) a hard look before getting an oil-less compressor. Ordered on line and picked it up at the local Lowe’s. 157.00$. Super quiet. Double the rated life of others. 3000 vs 1500 hrs.

                  • RidgeRunner,

                    I have had the Marauders for about five years now and have shot each maybe a dozen times, so “for quite some time” they have not kept me happy. :^( They are too much trouble to pump up. I bought them planning to purchase a Benjamin Turbo Aire when those came out.

                    Michael

                    • Michael,

                      Well, maybe if you are not planning on a compressor setup in the near future perhaps you should consider selling them. A Maximus may fit your “needs” better. I think I would try tuning one of them to a 2000 PSI operating pressure first though. A little pumping is good for your physique. 😉

                      You could still sell one of them and get a real nice sproinger.

  2. B.B.,

    Well,… it seems that you have no shortage of people willing to take this “toad” off your hands! 😉

    One thing that I had mentioned prior was that the Blue Book noted the ACE as having an adj. butt plate,…. while the PAN was not noted as having such. If the PAN did have one,.. I thought that it was a rather large thing to not note.

    Do you know for sure if the PAN did have one?

    Chris

      • B.B.,

        I did a quick search with “Sharp Air Gun catalogs” and the top choice was as you describe. The name of the models in English,.. but all details in Japanese. A nice reference tool. Perhaps one of our readers from here or around the world that can read Japanese can assist.

        Chris

  3. You often comment on the pumping force of guns such as the Benjamin 392. How do you actually test this using the bathroom scale? Do you place the rifle butt on the scale and then pump? Just interested on how you do this.

  4. Hang on, we are going way off subject here.

    There is a company in the Philippines that is trying to start up that is selling some pretty nice air rifles from what I am hearing. The company is Ace Precision. One of the models they have has a shroud around the barrel that is used as an additional air reservoir. I do not know how the changing air pressure may affect accuracy, but it sounds pretty interesting to me.

  5. You might try shooting about 20 shots with the Finale Match Light pellet and see if that seasons the bore. Then shoot a group for record. But, I might not shoot them all at once. That’s a lot of pumping!

    Mike

  6. BB—I have improved the accuracy of several Ruger 10/22 carbines by removing the barrel band . If the shooter wants to keep the band , filing it so that it makes 0 contact with the barrel works. Cutting the top of the band off ( half band) will also work . The remaining lower part of the band can be glued on, ( or pinned) to hold it in place.——–Ed——-PS—Happy new year to all.

  7. B.B.,

    I thought I’d share a video Mr. Hollowpoint posted back in September. He tests a 20mm air rifle with roughly 4000 psi of helium shooting 1150 grain .825 bullets. At one point it generates just under 1800 foot-pounds of energy.

    (By the way, IMO that is a questionable use of helium, which is in increasingly short supply these days.)

    Michael

    • Michael,

      Very nice. Worth the 25 minutes to watch. That thing has quite the recoil. First time I have seen anything from Mr. Hollowpoint. I like his enthusiasm and humor. Any idea what the rifle platform (brand, custom maker) was?

      P.S.,…… Healthy, happy and a prosperous New Year’s to ALL !!!!! 🙂

      • Chris and Siraniko,

        Happy New Year!

        Most of the guns Mr. Hollowpoint uses are customs by Extreme Bigbore Air Rifles, Dan McVey, or XP-Air Rifles. He does frequently shoot and showcase Dennis Quackenbush rifles, too.

        He custom casts all of the ammo, in pure lead, himself, and he sells bullets in every big bore you can imagine from his website and airgun shows in the Midwest. He’s located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I can tell you from personal experience that that is some of the most beautiful country in the Great Lakes region.

        If you enjoy his folksy, clever wit as much as I do, watch the vids of him sitting on his sofa talking about certain big bores and ammo. He has two HUGE exotic domestic cats that roam all over him and the furniture. Those are especially hilarious. You gotta love a guy who loves cats. THEY are the Earth’s greatest hunters!

        Michael

        • Michael,

          Mom and Dad had a black cat that weighed 18+ pounds. You picked it up and you thought you needed a 3rd arm/hand from the “spill-over”. Also, the cat LOVED to be vacuumed. Mom would have to put the cat in another room just to vacuum. (canister type with the long hose attachment)

              • B.B.,

                Roy Rogers — I love it! Our boys are litter-mates Ben and Jerry (not because of politics but because they are soooo sweet). Every cat my wife and I have had, those before we knew each other and those since we’ve been together, has been outright demanding of physical affection. Our two boys will not take no for an answer. They require several hours of “lap time” and “being held time” every day. It’s a good thing my wife is now retired and I my profession provides long vacations!

                Michael

    • Michael,

      Thanks for the entertaining link. I agree that helium is increasingly in short supply but with the artificial low price it will continue to be used for trivial purposes. Maybe somebody is hoping that fusion reactors will come true and provide an abundant source of helium.

      Chris USA,

      The rifle looks like it was based on one of Dennis Quackenbush’s Rifles with the breech changed.

      Siraniko

  8. Hey guys I know this is a noob question but I loaded my walther terrus closed the barrel and opened it again because I didn’t remember if loaded it or not. Will this damage the spring?

  9. So I was plinking in my backyard and noticed that the automatic safety on my terrus stopped working? Wouldn’t go on safety after a shot. Safety still works just not the “automatic” aspect of it? Anyone know why this would happen? Really sucks that this happened love this little rifle!

    • Mando.177,

      What do you mean by, “Wouldn’t go on safety after a shot.” Usually the safety goes on after it is cocked. I don’t see much a problem with the safety becoming manual. I have acquired the bad habit of thumbing the safety off automatically when holding my rifles because of that automatic safety. I prefer a manual safety. The only reason the safety would not work is that the bar actuating the safety has probably slipped off the connecting rod.

      Siraniko

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