by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
The Air Venturi Seneca Aspen precharged pneumatic air rifle.
This report covers:
- Today’s test
- Beeman Kodiaks
- JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy
- Air Arms domes
- Discussion
- H&N Baracuda Match with 5.53mm heads
- Second discussion
- High power
- Field Target Trophy pellets with 5.55mm heads
- Last discussion
- Summary
Today I move back to 25 yards and shoot some groups with the Air Venturi Seneca Aspen PCP. Before I go there, though, I promised reader Decksniper I would show him the shim I used to tighten the scope mounts on the Aspen’s small dovetail. You need to remember that I used the UTG P.O.I. scope rings to mount the UTG Bug Buster 3-12X32 scope on the Seneca. That’s important because of the extremely tight tolerances those rings have. They fit so well that only a single shim was required. Look where I put it.
Raising one jaw just that little bit was all it took to bind the scope rings solidly in place.
I just shimmed under one jaw on the right side of the rear ring. Those P.O.I. rings are so precise that once they are pushed out of line even a little they bind up tight. This is a great solution!
Today’s test
Today I shot off a sandbag rest at 25 yards. I shot 5-shot groups because I was pumping the rifle between shots. I plan to do more shooting at 25 yards with the magazine and also with filling the rifle from a tank, but today I just pumped the gun by hand. I kept it pumped to the pressures we have discovered work the best for high and low power. Because low power requires slightly higher pressure, I started the test there.
I loaded the gun single shot. I will test the magazine in a future report, but I didn’t today.
Beeman Kodiaks
I started with some vintage Beeman Kodiak pellets that are no longer made. They are the same pellets as H&N Baracudas. On low power 5 of them went into 0.547-inches at 25 yards. Not bad.
On low power the Aspen put 5 Beeman Kodiak pellets in 0.547-inches at 25 yards.
I had hoped that Kodiaks might be great, because Baracudas were great at 10 meters. But that didn’t happen.
JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy
Next I tried JSB Jumbo Heavy pellets. Five of these on low power went into 0.499-inches at 25 yards. It’s a very vertical group, but close side-to-side.
Five JSB Jumbo Heavys went into 0.499-inches at 25 yards.
Air Arms domes
Next to be tried were some .22-caliber Air Arms 16-grain domes. At 25 yards 5 of them made a group that measures 0.53-inches between centers.
Five Air Arms domes went into 0.53-inches at 25 yards.
Discussion
The groups I was getting were very good, but not as good as I had hoped. You may notice that the impact point is shifting around as the pellets change. I was adjusting the scope after each group to get the shots in the black without shooting out my aim point. So, now I adjusted the scope once more for the next group.
H&N Baracuda Match with 5.53mm heads
The next pellet I tried was the H&N Baracuda with 5.53mm heads. These were the best at 10 meters and I hoped that would carry over to 25 yards. Well — it did. This time 5 pellets went into 0.253-inches at 25 yards. That’s almost small enough for the trime.
On low power 5 H&N Baracuda Match pellets with 5.53mm heads went into 0.253-inches at 25 yards. Notice I shot out my aim point!
Second discussion
When you see a pellet that clearly stands above all the rest like this, stop wasting your time chasing other pellets. Work with this one. This was the breakthrough I had been hoping for.
High power
I initially planned on testing all the pellets at both power levels, but that didn’t seem as important after seeing how much better this particular one is. So I tested it on high power, which, ironically, takes a little less pressure in the rifle for best results.
Five Baracuda Match pellets with 5.53mm heads went into 0.534-inches at 25 yards when fired on high power from the Seneca. While that’s very good, we have the first tests that show the rifle can do at least as good, if not better, with most pellets on low power.
h
On high power 5 H&N Baracuda Match pellets with 5.53mm heads went into 0.534-inches at 25 yards. Notice I shot out my aim point again!
I was getting tired from all the pumping because the Aspen requires me to hold it away from myself to open the pump arm all the way. So I’m pumping while holding the rifle at arms’ length. The pumping is not hard, but doing it that way does get old. In the field, away from a shooting bench, I wouldn’t have the same problem.
Field Target Trophy pellets with 5.55mm heads
I did want to try one more pellet, though. Would the Seneca Aspen be the first rifle to shoot H&N Field Target Trophy pellets with 5.55mm heads for me? Apparently not, because this was the largest group of the test. On high power 5 pellets went into 1.018-inches at 25 yards.
On high power 5 H&N Field Target Trophy pellets with 5.55mm heads went into 1.018-inches at 25 yards.
Last discussion
I find the trigger crisp, but a little heavy. I may see if I can adjust it.
The Bug Buster 3-12 is just about perfect for this rifle. The optics are clear and the reticle is fine enough for what the rifle can do.
Pumping is a bit of a chore. I still have to find a good way to do it.
Summary
I’m going to test the rifle as a PCP next and that will be when I also use the magazine. I think I will test with the Baracudas and perhaps some new pellets, to find a second good one.
This is a great multi-pump. If you are on the fence let me push you over. There is a lot like.
B.B.,
I’m glad Decksniper pushed you into showing how you shimmed the scope mount. I had thought you had placed it in the angular mating surfaces. Any ideas as to the cause of that consistent vertical stringing of the shots?
PA might have it’s hands full this season fulfilling the orders for the Aspen and Sig ASP20.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Truth be told, I meant to place the shim in the angled mating surfaces, but it’s so tiny that it went where it wanted to. But it worked so well I left it.
B.B.
B.B.
Do the scope rings have a different angle than the dovetail on the rifle? Maybe it’s just the picture?
George,
The angles are similar if not identical. But there are no industry standards for the angles, so it’s a crap shoot.
B.B.
B.B.,
Nice. Looking forwards to more. The shim idea was interesting. I had pictured it at the pinch point. (Very) fortunate that the dove tail is so tall. That is something I have learned to look for in something new.
Thank you for the input on the straight SIG stock. Also to Siraniko and Shootski. Maybe it is a trend we will see more of.
Good Day to one and all,….. Chris
BB
Looks like the Aspen is going to be a shooter.
I almost bought a Nova Freedom the other day but decided to hold off to see how the Aspen did.
Now to see what it will do at 50 yards.
And it’s a shame you had to shim your rings at the dovetail. From the dimensions you gave on the last report I still say that 3/8 rings would be the choice over the 11 mm rings. 3/8 rings are closer to the dimensions that you gave than to the 11 mm rings. The 3/8 rings should clamp right up with no dovetail shimming.
I know you got a lot of testing to do so that probably played a part in shimming rather then getting the correct rings for your guns dovetail. Oh well as long as it works I suppose.
GF1,
I went out last night just a little before dark and the wind was dead calm, so I set up my shooting bench to try a few pellets out of my Aspen. I didn’t get to do a lot because it got dark quick, but I did get these results.
At 28 yards I shot JSB Monsters on low from 3100 down to 2400 for 10 shots and got a .383″ group at around 21 fpe. It took 33 pumps to get back up to 3100. On high I didn’t get good results and didn’t record what it was.
At 28 yards I shot JSB Heavys on low from 3100 down to 2600 for 10 shots and got a .415″ group. 25 pumps to get back to 3100. Same pellet on High got .285″ group.
Then I shot the JSB Heavys at 50 yards on high from 3500 psi and got a .915″ group for 10 shots.
All of this was with the 4X scope that came with the gun. The reticle is so thick that I had to shoot at a 1 1/2″ black disk at 50 yards and that was almost totally covered by the crosshair. I think a better scope is in my future.
Ran out of light after that. Hope this helps. I’ll do more as I get the chance.
Half
That’s pretty good shooting. And I agree about the scope reticle.
B.B.
What is the shim made out of?
Do most PCP’s shoot better at lower velocities that high power?
Thanks,
-Y
Yogi,
The shim is a piece of expired credit card.
There is no standard that I know of for PCP accuracy. Ten-meter guns do best at lower velocities, but can be boosted to double the power (to 12 foot pounds) and do well. But I have had other PCPs that did well at 45 foot-pounds.
I will say this — no PCP smallbore I have ever tested has done well beyond a certain limit. The AirForce Escape rifles that develop 100+ foot-pounds have done best for me in the 55 foot-pounds region.
B.B.
I have a side bar question.
Since it seems you are about to shift over to using a tank to top it off instead of pumping.
About how many pumps would you say you have on the mechanism?
Just a ballpark figure?
Thanks.
Ian
Ian,
I would say 45-50 from empty.
B.B.
I actually meant how many pumps total on the pump mechanism, since you have been testing the gun.
200, 2000?
Happy Thanksgiving!
45Bravo,
Eight hundred to a thousand? Maybe more.
B.B.
BB
The original importer actually has a notation that Weaver # 49053 3/8″ scope rings work well on this rifle. So I imagine any rings or adapters identified as fitting a 3/8″ dovetail would work OK.
Mine is tight but unfortunately I have no way of identifying the rings once unpacked.
Sometimes flipping the ring tip that fits into the dovetail upside down will tighten the ring up but it looks like that’s not an option with your particular rings.
I imagine the best air pressure for shooting on the high or low setting would get thrown out the window if you make adjustments to the hammer spring. You would need to test it all over again.
Of course you would have to identify the factory hammer spring setting and let us know ( Hint, Hint ) which way you adjust it and what the results would be. Probably take up another entire part.
Bob M
Bob,
Goad taken! 😉
B.B.
BB,
You’ve talked a number of times about another installment to this series, from shooting 10 shot groups, using additional pellets, charging by electric pump and/or bottle, adjusting the hammer spring, as well as shooting at 50 yards. I got one of these for Xmas 2019 and am anxious to see more reporting. If you can get one with the now included scope, I’d love to read of your impressions. Do you think that you will do a part 6 ? I know you did the .25 series, but I don’t recall that the aforementioned tests were undertaken at that time.
Half
PS this is also a goad!
Half,
The guns are packed for return to Pyramyd. I don’t see a Part 6 — unless you write it. 😉
B.B.
BB,
I don’t guess I’ll be writing a formal “Part 6”, although I will share what I find as I test my gun and try to include some of the things that you hinted were forthcoming in a “Part 6”. Honestly, I had hoped to share and compare some of my findings in an up-to-date report that would be on topic. I know you don’t hold us to staying on topic, but I feel that the stuff we share with each other in the comments generate the most feedback when it is on that day’s topic, at least until someone says, “I like ice cream”
I realize that you have time constraints and changing priorities and opportunities that are in flux and that you must consider all of that when you write your blog each day, but I would like to point out, for whatever weight you would like to place on it, that some of us hang on to your every word, in some cases, when we are considering the purchase of a gun that you may be reviewing. I, and quite a few other readers, if the comments are an accurate indication, put off the purchase of this gun because you gave the impression that more would be forthcoming and it would include items that were important to my buying decision, such as long range accuracy, as one example.
Over the holidays the gun was put on sale at a significant discount, after being routinely omitted from coupons and discounts at PA and AGD since it became available from Air Venturi, and I took a risk at the lower price point and felt that I had to make the purchase in spite of not reading “Part 6” yet. Now it turns out that passing up the sale would have been imprudent, since there apparently isn’t going to be a “Part 6″ to consider.
Because this is written, rather than spoken face to face, I realize that it may come off as whiny and over critical, but I swear it’s not meant that way. I really do understand that things change sometimes, but I would ask that when you realize that circumstances have required you to abandon a particular gun’s report that you could, maybe, say at the beginning of the current report, ” Hey guys, I won’t be doing such and such with gun XYZ after all because…”, if it is more than a case of just forgetting, in which case, I truly, do, feel your pain!
Half
Half,
I would agree. Get it out there,… remove any “cliff hangers”,… and move on. Lord knows that BB has his plate overflowing with things to test with the market exploding the way it is. Not to mention,.. the historical articles that BB devotes time to.
A very fine wire to walk,,…. to be sure!
Chris
Bob
Thanks for the info about the rings.
Bob,
(Good point) on flipping the shoe side of the clamp. They are almost symmetrical, with one side being a bit bigger. Heck,…. that (may) be why they are made that way? Flip one way for 11mm and the other for something closer to 3/8″? I have been lucky I suppose and have been able to use them right out the box as positioned.
Chris
Chris
I believe I may have read that someplace, but it does work.
Bob M
B.B.,
I’m so glad that you give the replacements for the Beeman Kodiacs. Those are the best in a PCP pistol I have and I am shooting through the last tin of them.
Gerald
BB
Excellent close up of the shim placement. I too was surprised at the location. Would have expected it to be around the jaws or above the mount grip, not below it.
Bob M’s tip on flipping the ring tips has sometimes worked for me but always wondered if it would remain tight. Gunfun 1’s advice on using the 3/8 inch clamps seems like a better solution if they work for this rifle.
Just when I’m sure I need the Sig along comes this hybrid PCP/multi pump. Oh my, what to do?
Deck
Decksniper
Maybe the description is wrong on PA’s site about it being a 11 mm dovetail. Since Bob mentioned the importer states 3/8 dovetails. PA needs to get that figured out before they lead people down the wrong path. I don’t think everyone will be wanting to shim their new scope on their new gun just because the rings were noted wrong.
But first things first. Someone should try 3/8 rings on their Aspen (hint PA) to make sure they do indeed clamp up tight without shimming. Or maybe you done checked it out Bob. If so let us know.
GF1
Answer at bottom of blog
Sorry to be off subject, but Tom never seems to scold me or others. I had never shot any lead free pellets through any of my airguns before. Stopped into a good sized fishing, hunting, shooting store yesterday. Picked up some .177 RWS Hobby’s and RWS pointed pellets to try. Decided to grab a tiny tin of Crosman Fast Flight 5.4 grain lead free to try. These are spendy at about $9.00 for the 150. I want to try a few in each of my air riles just for fun. I’v e been getting back to shooting my older model Remington Airmaster 77 lately. bought it new 14-15 years ago. I had expected these Fast Flight, being just 5.4 grains, might shoot way off from the normal pellets I usually shoot. These, being from 7.0 to about 8.2, with a few Crosman 10.5 grainers thrown in. I also expected horrible accuracy. I have watched and read airgun reviews, where lead frees, instead of the 1/4″ groups the writer gets most of the time, might open up to six, and sometimes even like eight inch groups splattered every where. I shoot mostly at close range of seven to ten yards. I was very surprised with these lead free pellets. I only shot a three shot group due to the expense and only having 150 to try in all my rifles. These made a vert tight little group and the elevation was right on. They shot about 1/2″ to the right though. Not much of a difference.
More testing in my other airguns. Daisy 880, Crosman 760, Umarex APX NPG, maybe my Crosman F4 break barrel too. These pellets use a cylindrically shaped plastic (?) sleeve at the base, with the tip of the metal pellet sticking out. Anyone else tried these? Why do they shoot so close to where my Remington is zero’d? Ya learn something every day.
Birdmove
I have the same thoughts about the light weight pellets.
It’s good to know that you got good results.
Definitely want to hear more about how they do in your other guns.
Birdmove,
Good question. I too have wondered about the plastic “sleeved” pellets.
1) How does the skirt “blow out”? Or,.. does it?
2) Is the head as big as the OD of the sleeve?
3) Since/if the skirt leaves the barrel smaller then than head,… how does that differ from something that leaves the barrel with the skirt and head being the same size?
4) What makes the “sleeve” separate?
5) When does the sleeve leave? Immediately? 2′? 5′?
6) Would not the sleeve departing from the pellet cause disruption/instability when the separation occurs?
7) What is the concept/theory to this type of projectile?
Or,… am I the only one pondering such matters? 😉 I do not discount anything,…. but quite frankly,… these sleeved pellets have me stumped.
Chris
B.B.,
That is a list of questions,… ehh? Have you done any extensive testing with plastic sleeved pellets,… other than the (maybe) occasional test,.. in with other conventional pellets? If so,.. a link. If not,… then the questions await an answer. Been there, done that,… seen it before?,…. a bunch of hooey and just a sales gimmick? If so,… call it.
I think,… gimmick. But,.. I do not know. Therefore,… I ask.
Chris
Chris,
Not much experience. Sorry,
B.B.
B.B.,
So quick to dismiss? You are not curious? I am surprised that you have not already done an extensive test on the whole lot of sleeved pellets.
No doubt,… you have seen many “gimmicky” pellet design’s come and go. If any had ever shown stellar reports in the media already,… I am sure that you would have taken notice prior.
Like I said,…. I think “gimmick”, And,.. like I also said,… “I do not know”.
Chris
Chris,
Sleeved may be the wrong word, take a look at these Crosman No Lead Pellets.
They are .22 cal, the angle is bad, I was trying to demonstrate that they do not fit in the magazine, they don’t but hand loaded them in the Fortitude and after 3 shots gave up they landed nowhere near each other. Glad Birdmove had better luck with the .177. Of course these may not be what he was talking about .
Mike
Mike,
That is what (I) would call sleeved. Saboted might be another word,… but I am not familiar with the firearm versions. How? What? Why?,.. is what I am wondering. My “gut” guess is that it makes it look more like a firearm shell/cartridge.
Chris
Chris,
Not sleeved, the plastic and metal head are firmly attached, No not a powder cartridge. I did have some luck with these in a break barrel rifle, but not much.
When I saw them at Wally World I said, no way are these going to shoot, but got them anyway.
For me It was just a waste.
Pyramyd AIR carries them /product/crosman-powershot-red-flight-penetrator-pellets-22-cal-16-7-grains?p=1019
These are Birdmove’s /product/crosman-powershot-fast-flight-penetrator-pellets-177-cal-5-4-grains?p=1017
Mike
Mike,
Maybe my mistake,…. I did (not) realize that the plastic capsule stayed attached. I thought that (for sure) that the plastic detached. Mmmm?,… more questions. Or,.. less?
Thanks,…. Chris
Chris,
I added the pellets I believe Birdmove referenced after posting, nice feature the ability to edit, hope you saw it.
Mike
Mike,
I did see. Yes,.. very nice! They are different in that 1 is smaller than the sleeve and the other is the same size as the sleeve. Ok now,…… WHY? 😉
Chris
Chris,
It would appear that the .22 cal rides on the lands of the rifling on the alloy head and plastic tail, and the .177 rides only on the plastic front and rear.
In the break barrel I found a good bit of plastic collecting on the lands of the barrel, not hard to remove but not good for accuracy when you change back to lead. I guess just shooting some lead will remove any remaining plastic without cleaning the barrel, I cleaned it out.
Found it easy to dissemble the pellet without tools just twisted and got it apart.
Chris,
I’ve been rereading this series since I got a .22 Aspen for Xmas 2019. I wanted to tell you that this isn’t really a sabot ( say bow ) pellet since the edge of the metal insert engages the rifling. A sabot wraps a projectile of a smaller caliber ( sub- munition ) in a material that is the size of the bore through which it is being fired. Like the penetrator round fired from a US Military’s M1 Abrams tank. I believe that it is called a “shoe”. In the case of the Abrams it is a “discarding shoe sabot round” because, in this case,the shoe is split lengthwise and the two halves of the shoe separate and fall away as soon as the round leaves the barrel and only the “sub-munition” continues downrange, VERY FAST. So fast, in fact, that it penetrates armor and turns into plasma that sprays into the inside of the enemy’s armored vehicle and fries the soldiers and sets off the munitions that might be carried inside.
The earliest pellet of this sort was the Prometheus that was made in the ’80s in England by a company of the same name, I suppose, since that’s all that’s molded into the plastic box that they were sold in. You were informed that if the box was red plastic the pellets were .177 and if the box was black plastic then you had .22 pellets. I don’t know for sure if these are actually sabots. The plastic IS all that touches your bore,but it doesn’t exactly enclose the metal sub-munition. It’s really more of a plastic-skirted pellet. They are still available from H&N under that brand as well as Excite. Here’s a link.
/product/h-n-excite-prometheus-pellets-22-cal-9-grains-domed-lead-free-200ct?p=1208
They are not accurate in either caliber, whether new or from my over 30 year old stock, from anything that I have fired them from.
Half
Chris, I just read a little further in the comments and find that I have already discussed this with you , so…….Never mind.
Half,
Never say “never mind”. I can use all the reminders that you can toss out! 😉
The fact that you have had no luck with anything you have shot them in,… strongly indicates a gimmick pellet. While we may have discussed it, it would be interesting to see what the pellet profile looks like,… minus sleeve.
Chris
Half,
One half the lead to rifling contact may provide less drag and boost FPS and may explain the creation of them in the first place? Maybe?
Chris
I can say that the sleeve made it out of the barrel, through the target, and into my pellet trap. I use a home made wooden box and stuff it with ole towels, rags, shirts, whatever. They were sitting on these items. So, they apparently shed the actual metal bullet on impacting. The metal bullet or head is smaller in diameter than the plastic sleeve. Here is photos.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Crosman+Fast+Flight+5.4+grain+pellets&rlz=1CAACAG_enUS793US794&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6082gvOjeAhXszVQKHdb2Am0Q_AUIDygC&biw=1242&bih=605&dpr=1.1#imgrc=9a5iBFPyP6j68M:
These are the ones where the head is smaller than the plastic sleeve.
I tried two 3 shot groups yesterday in my newer model Crosman 760 smooth bore. First I shot one group each at seven yards and six pumps with Crosman Premier Super Match wad cutters, RWS Hobbys, Crosman Premier Pointed, and Gamo Match. The 760 was shooting particulary well, and gave me nice cloverleaf 3 shot groups. The Crosman pointed put 2 in one hole, with one out, so I shot 2 more, and ended up with 4 of 5 in a nice small group.
Then, I shot two three shot groups with the Fast Flights. These were both pretty close in placement wit the other pellets, but groups opened up to maybe 3/4″ . So, the 760 doesn’t care for these.
In my Remington, they shot pretty darn well at the same distance and 6 pumps. I’m not pushing them hard, and the the sound on firing is about the same as with my lead pellets. Maybe I’d get a “crack” sound at 10 pumps. Next, I’ll try them in my Daisy 880. Then maybe my Umares APX NPG. I do likes my multi-pumpers!
Birdmove,
Thank you for verifying what the plastic shell does upon shooting (stays with the pellet until impact). It is an interesting concept.
I would think that they might (not) be for something with a noise moderator. Maybe plastic bits would be collecting in the moderator casing?
Chris
Birdmove,
Those pellets that you linked to may be the very first leadfree pellets. They were marketed in the 1980s as the Prometheus. I think they were sold by Beeman, but didn’t bear the company’s name. Just, Prometheus. they came in square plastic boxes that had a flip top lid. They were available in .177 and .22, if I remember correctly. I have been testing the .177s in all the guns that I own and have recently acquired the .22 version that is marketed under H & N’s Excite line, also as Prometheus. In .177 they have sucked in every gun (10 or 12 ) that I tried them in. I have only fired the .22s in a few guns and they sucked also. This was all done at 12.5 to 13 yards and I’m talking 5 shot groups that exceed 5″ in all instances.
I figured that they had to shoot well in something or they would be off the market by now. Glad that you own THE gun. LOL
I have read reports of them leaving plastic in the rifling of some guns. I have assumed that they were being shot at high velocity when this happened.
Half
Here’s the pellets I used.
Half,
What exactly is the (concept/theory) behind these plastic saboted pellets? I do not know.
Chris
Chris,
Back in the day, if I recall correctly, they were just super fast and because they were hard( tin alloy vs lead alloy) they were expected to penetrate very deeply into small fur bearing game ( or bad-ass squirrels in leather biker jackets). I got sucked in because of the speed thing. The only guns that I bought at that time were the RWS model 45, then the FWB 124, when it exceeded the 45, and finally the RWS model 52 when it was crowned the speed king. Luckily for me those are all nice guns in their on right because today’s need for speed is turning out some real crap.
BTW, I think your referring to them as sabots is correct. They are non-discarding sabots.
Half
Half,
I can assure you that “saboted” was a somewhat,… ok,… (very) somewhat of a semi-educated guess at terminology. 😉 In the above comments,… Birdmove did verify that the plastic shell did stay with the pellet and that did stick with me.
Chris
Chris,
“Birdmove did verify that the plastic shell did stay with the pellet and that has”….” stuck with me.”
I see what you did there!
I think “sabot” is French for “shoe” or something along those lines. There are those that don’t realize that the shoe doesn’t have to break away from the encased core to be a saboted round. Most of the sabot rounds in modern warfare are that type, that is to say, discarding sabots, but that isn’t required to be a sabot. I thought I saw where someone took exception to your use of the term and I was just backin’ ya up.
Half
Half,
“I see what you did there”,….. LOL!
I did catch that after typing, but in honesty I can say that was not intentional. It is just the way it got worded,… but I did leave it.
To me, saboted can be stay with or break away, but I have nothing to back that with.
Chris
B.B.,
Those groups with the 5.53 Barracudas are beautiful and round. The Seneca Aspen continues to impress, no question.
I am surprised you haven’t decided to switch to SCBA just one stage of the report earlier. After all, you did demonstrate the multi-pump capabilities and benefits before. (And that’s from me, the anti-PCP ogre!) You deserve to be able to shoot a bit more and labor a bit less. :^)
Frankly, and it hurts my considerable ego to admit this, a compressor is beginning to start to sound more reasonable to me as I have been struggling with both A-Fib and especially kidney and bladder stones for the past month or so. Those sorts pf things take the will to multi-pump Sheridans & Benjamins and cock springers right of a guy. :^(
Michael
Michael,
I avoided compressors as long as possible myself, so you are preaching to the choir. I will break down and try it as a PCP next, so I can shoot 10-shot groups and also use the magazine. But I have a feeling the multi-pump is the way to go with this one.
B.B.
Michael
I’m glad that the pcp compressors are available. It definitely makes the pcp’s more enjoyable.
The biggest thing it seems from what I see is people don’t want to spend the money to get a compressor. The way I look at is get the compressor. It’s like you spent the money that it would cost to get one good spring gun. Then once you have the compressor you can get whatever kind of pcp’s you want.
I’m willing to bet once you get a compressor and a PCP gun you will enjoy the exsperiance.
GF1,
100% on all you said! 🙂 Plus, you got one cheaper that is working fine,… thus far.
Chris
Chris
So far so good on the compressor. Knock on wood.
But yep I keep thinking about spring guns that I would like to get. Thing is the spring guns don’t stretch out like I can with the pcp guns. Well you know what I mean. But I think once people actually give pcp’s a try they will like them.
fyi, the Sig ASP20 177 is in per an email from Pyramyd, but the 22’s show “out of stock” on the website.
BB
I have a Nova Freedom and found that by putting the stock butt first on the ground keeping the rifle pointed up its a lot easier to pump up when I am sitting at my range.
Marcusii,
Thanks for that tip. I don’t have enough room to do that on my 25-yard range, but if I pump at 50 yards I will try it.
B.B.
B.B. , For the 25 yd Benjamin smoothbore shoot, what about Predator Polymags?
That pellet may work well out of a smoothbore, it looks like a tiny tank round with the polymer tips on them.
Also, are a pistol scope and a scout scope the same or similar?
Hope the Sig is worth the wait !
Have a nice day folks, R
1stblue,
I’m reluctant to try anything at 25 yards that hasn’t been proven at 10 meters. This is a smoothbore and groups open pretty quick.
Pistol scopes have eye relief of around 21 to 25 inches. Scout scopes are around 11-16 inches. To use a scout scope on a pistol you have to hold the pistol closer.
B.B.
1stblue,
If you have a scout scope you could use what is called the TACO hold:. If you already know this just ignore the following: Hold scope and pistol overtop,. with your weak hand, just like you would an overstuffed real taco. That should bring the occular within the 11-16″ B.B. gives as the eye relief range for a scout scope.
shootski
It’s a shame velocity outdoors doesn’t make the cardboard .22 premier anymore. I’d love to see what the heavies would do.
GF1 and all
Dovetails
I measured the dovetail on the Seneca Aspen and it is 11/32″ wide inside the dovetail cut. That’s a tad under 3/8″ (1/32″) So it is a 3/8″ dovetail and that size will tighten down completely. The top flat is 1/32″ short of a half inch.
Now I have a Accushot airgun/22 one piece integral scope mount and measured the distance between the shoe/ blade tips when tightened. exactly 3/8″ and it works fine on this rifle. ( For checking only, wont fit wth a mag in )
I then flipped the removable blade to use the other blade tip and it measured exactly 7/16″ or 11.1125mm when tightened and it does not tighten down on this rifle. It’s too wide to tighten down in the dovetail or on the top flat when the screws are bottomed out, totally lose.
Remember the top of the dovetail on this rifle is just short of 1/2″ wide and with the blade set in this 11mm mode the ring base is slightly ‘ wider ‘ than 1/2″ when tightened. A no go all the way around.
I now believe these scope mounts that have different size blade tips are designed to fit both size dovetails with this option. The box for the scope mount made no mention of the dovetail size at all so I am assuming it was meant to be universal.
Some dovetails and mounts appear to have designed the grove or blade wider or thinner to fit everything but it doesn’t always work. It’s either 11mm, 3/8″ or adaptable. I much prefer a dedicated dovetail sized mount rail over those cut into a round tube like an after thought but that’s what a dovetail really is anyway.
Boy I just happened to drop back down to this blog and it has nearly doubled in size. It really pays to go back and review recent blogs.
Bob M
Bob M,
No kidding. I would have missed your post if I hadn’t returned to this after ‘gettin an Aspen in 12/19. I have been flippin’ those clamps for some time but have always thought that it was just a lucky hack that I stumbled onto, since, to my eye at least, the end that is engaged in the mount as it ships looks more like it belongs that way. It seems to match the profile of the notch that is provided for it. I’m glad you took the time to check and share, ’cause now I don’t have to feel guilt for abusing my mounts or risk the ridicule of the unenlighted masses. I can just reply that Bob said I could do it!
Half
Half
There are scope rings that are designed to be either 3/8″ or 11mm and are not intended to be flipped to fit both sizes. Then there are ones that were made to fit both sizes by flipping the blade over. You need to check the information about each mount on line.
You may get lucky and get one to tighten better by flipping it, even if it’s ‘ not ‘ designed to flip, but as you said it looks like it was made to work one way from the company, it may be true.
It may be a dedicated 3/8″ or an 11mm but the part that should stay engaged in the scope ring is usually ‘fatter’ and may tighten down better but may screw up the dovetail on the rifle when tightened down. Not really recommended to flip rails if it was not designed to do that.
Usually the ones that can flip have pointy blades on both edges of the removable rail and one blade is just longer than the other making it wider or thinner as you need and they also have both rails removable.
Dovetail scope rings that only have one rail that can be flipped most likely are not designed to be flipped, or they may? The scope mount may be off center a little if you flip it, left or right depending on which side the screws are on when you mount it on the rifle.
Also remember to first check the top scope cap alignment with the base for edges being parallel inside. I found that they are not always bored out dead center and rotating or switching the caps may position the cap bore offset from the base and dent the scope when tightened. There was a discussion about it a while back. Glad it helped.
Bob M
Bob M,
Thanks for that. I’ll look closer at the rings and clamps in the future.
Half
Half
Just remembered BKL makes a line of rings and risers that will fit just about any dovetail. They have no rails to tighten down or flip. Instead they squeeze the entire scope mount body together. They have a wide slot up the center and will automatically self center.
Another way to go is to get some of their low risers for rifles that have the dovetails cut into the receiver tube. I think flat top dovetail ‘rails’ like weavers and picatinny work much better. And the Aspen has it.
Curved receivers hit the bottom of some rings and prevent proper seating of the clamps in the dovetail.
I think BB tried to mount 11mm rings to a 3/8″ dove tail on this rifle and had to shim them to make up the difference? Not positive on that. (see his pic above)
Bob M
Bob
Could be about flipping the clamps.
Hello B.B
We are totally intrigued with this gun and are on the verge of pulling the trigger (no pun intended) for the .22 caliber at Pyramyd AIR.
The final selling point was the mention of factory iron sights (Part 1)
We are both dedicated open sight shooters.
Our goal is not to use a scope until we feel ourselves proficient without one .
So here’s the rub.
I just spoke with Sales at Pyramyd and have learned that the factory iron sights can’t be had.
Wondering if you know of any resource for them.
Best
SS
SS,
Welcome to the blog,
Pyramyd AIR decided not to buy the rifle with the open sights. Where can they be purchased? That is a larger problem than it sounds, because Pyramyd AIR also bought the rifle without the dovetail fore the front sight on the barrel support. If they had that, any back up iron sights for an AR15 would work. You can mount a rear BUIS on the 11 MM dovetail, bit I don’t know how you could mount a front sight without a dovetail to attach it to.
This is a question you need to ask of the Pyramyd AIR Tec\h team.
B.B.
Hello again B.B
The pursuit of Aspen open sights today has taught me as much about corporate structure in the air gun industry as it has about sights.
But I digress
Re-reading your reply it becomes apparent that what I’m really looking for is an Aspen barrel support with a dovetail machined into or attached to it.
Is that correct?
Perhaps one can be scared up out of the obsolete parts bin.
The beat goes on…….
Thank you,BB for the quick reply
I have sent an e-mail to Air Venturi hoping they can help.
Pyramid sales mentioned them as the manufacturer (and sister company)
This is probably verbotten in a Pyramyd AIR Academy blog; but I may need to contact other vendors.
That’s a shame too; as I find Pyramyd AIr customer service & support to be absolutely exceptional.
If anything else occurs to you please blog or PM
SS
Good morning, BB
Here is follow up to finding a barrel band for iron sights on the Seneca Aspen
As per your suggestion, I made contact with Pyramyd Tech: and requested they explore availability of the barrel band with dovetail.
(In house/ at Air Venturi/ at manufacturer in China)
True to their excellent service, the word came back promptly.
Unfortunately, there are no barrel bands with dovetail to be had anywhere.
Two options were offered should I desire iron sights
Custom machine a dovetail, or (surprised me!) simply buy a Nova Freedom.
(A link to the Freedom provided as well)
So here are questions
And I think not troublesome ones that would put you on the spot, considering the advice came from Pyramid.
Cosmetics aside, are the Aspen & the Freedom .22 caliber the same gun?
Can one expect equal performance & quality from one to the other?
Are there any issues with either model or any plaguing one but not the other?
It must be said that despite losing, what I consider, the superb customer care offered at Pyramyd the Freedom might be the answer.
Thoughts please!
SS
Squirrel,
The Aspen and Freedom are the same gun. I don’t know of any issues.
The Freedom is the answer if you want sights.
B.B.
Squirrel,
They are identical. The first Aspen I tested (the .22) was just a Nova Freedom with a different badge.
Take their advice.
B.B.
Thank you, BB
Most appreciated