by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Stoeger S4000E breakbarrel rifle.
This report covers:
- Today’s goals
- The test
- Sight-in
- JSB Exact RS
- RWS Superdome
- H&N Baracuda Match with 5.53mm heads
- Shot cycle
- Trigger
- Hold
- Trigger
- Cocking
- Summary
Today I start testing the accuracy of the Stoeger S4000E Black Synthetic Suppressed rifle. I will be testing with open sights today but remember this is a combo, and that’s what I really want to test. So today will be a shakedown to learn as much as we can about the rifle.
Today’s goals
There are a couple things I want to find out from today’s test. First I want to know which pellet(s) the rifle likes. That way I won’t waste any time when the rifle is scoped.
I also want to discover how best to hold the rifle. The S4000E has a gas spring and they usually make rifles hold-sensitive. Of all the rifles with gas springs I have tested, so far only the Sig ASP20 has not been hold-sensitive. So I began the test expecting this rifle to be sensitive and I was looking for the best way to use the artillery hold.
The test
I shot off the bench, using an artillery hold and resting my off hand on the sandbag. In case you aren’t aware, only a few air rifles can be rested directly on the sandbag and still be accurate, and it’s best to start your test thinking the rifle is sensitive to hold.
I shot 5-shot groups because I wanted to test as many pellets as possible. I used the open sights and, while I did adjust them as I went, I wasn’t looking to hit the center of the bullseye. I just wanted the group to be somewhere on the paper target.
Sight-in
Sighting-in the rifle turned into a longer test where I also searched for the right pellet and the best way to hold the rifle. I tried JSB Hades, Air Arms Falcons, and Air Arms Field pellets to no avail. The groups were too large to consider, but they did teach me something. This rifle shoots each pellet to a different location on the target. It’s so different that until I found the right pellets it didn’t make sense to adjust the open sights. But I did discover that holding my off hand back by the triggerguard is the correct way to hold the rifle. That set me up for the next discovery, which was finding the pellets that worked!
JSB Exact RS
The first pellet that made some sense (with the right artillery hold) was the JSB Exact RS dome, Five of them went into 1.09-inches at 10 meters, with three of them in just 0.339-inches.
Five JSB Exact RS pellets went into 1.09-inches at 10 meters, with three of them in just 0.339-inches. Not bad, but I bet it can do better.
While this group is okay, it isn’t great. But the three pellets that are close tells me that I’m holding the rifle correctly and perhaps the best pellet is soon to come. If you remember from Part 2 I discovered two pellets that seemed like they might work in this rifle. The obsolete Beeman Kodiak looked good, but when I tried it in the sight-in today I was using the wrong hold. Rather than go back and try it again, because I can’t get more when these run out, I switched to the other pellet that looked good in Part 2.
RWS Superdome
The RWS Superdome is the first good pellet I found for the S4000E. Five pellets went into 0.555-inches at 10 meters. When I saw this I knew the rifle was accurate, because remember that I’m shooting with open sights that are fiberoptic!
Now we’re talkin’! The S4000E put five RWS Superdomes into 0.555-inches at 10 meters. This is accuracy I can work with.
H&N Baracuda Match with 5.53mm heads
Remember those Beeman Kodiaks that I thought might be good? Well, the final pellets I tested were five H&N Baracuda Match with 5.53mm heads. These are the exact same pellets as the obsolete Kodiaks. They are just sold under a different name, and H&N gives us a choice of head sizes where Beeman didn’t. I picked up the tin of 5.53mm heads at random, and look what they did! Five pellets went into 0.438-inches at 10 meters, and that is with open sights. This rifle really can shoot!
Now, that’s a group! Five H&N Baracuda Match (5.53mm heads) went into 0.438-inches at 10 meters.
Shot cycle
Remember I said in Part 2 that this rifle is smooth? Well, it really is! I have now had my face on the stock for 55 shots and can tell you the rifle doesn’t slap — not even a little. It does lunge forward a little, but even that is under control.
Trigger
I promised to report more about the trigger after shooting the rifle for accuracy, because that’s where I get the most exposure to it. The second stage on the S4000E has a long travel and it’s easier for me to think of the rifle as having a single stage trigger, because that’s how the second stage acts. I got used to it right away and once I did and once I found the right way to hold the stock, look at my results!
Hold
I have said a lot about the hold in this report. That’s more of a note to myself for the next accuracy test, which will be with the scope mounted. Yes, the rifle needs to be held with the artillery hold (stock rested on the open palm of the off hand with a soft grip all around to allow the rifle to recoil as much as it wants to), but it isn’t fussy at all. I got the hang of the hold pretty quick and you can see the results in the final two groups.
Cocking
I cocked the rifle 55 times and can now report that it’s not that hard. The one thing that’s different is because the barrel comes down so far the rifle becomes a little hard to cock in the final few inches of barrel travel. That’s a geometry thing, and I found it easiest to use my other hand to boost the effort. I cocked it one-handed maybe 10-15 times and the rest of the time I used the second hand at the end of the stroke. I could have gone on to shoot another 55 shots with ease, doing it that way.
Summary
Gentlemen, we have a winner here! I can tell that even before mounting the scope. In fact it was beginning to look that way back in the velocity test. And, the beauty of it is, at $160 — this rifle is affordable! It has the power and accuracy we need and the smoothness to complete the package. Stoeger has done everything right — as several readers who own other Stoeger rifles mentioned in their comments to the first two reports.
Next up will be the test of the scoped right at 25 yards. I can’t wait!
I’d love to see you try a Crosman Fire/Fury to compare. They are big box only rifles that are a solid 17fpe. But can be had for 60-70$.
B.B.
So it likes heavier pellets. .44 inches is to too shabby. Good shooting!
Let us see if it can do that scoped at 25 yards.
-Y
BB,
So it is starting to look like a long stroke works best for gas sproings. This makes sense as they are supposedly faster than metal sproings. Also, with no vibration or torque they would definitely have an advantage over metal sproings with such. It is nice to hear that you were not getting slapped either. Believe me, that is no fun.
It is a shame that your grip did not allow you to use that fancy foregrip. It would be nice to have it moved all the way back. Maybe they can come up with a syn stock with a slot rail so you can slide it to the position that suits you best. Not likely going to happen, but nice thought. It is pretty.
It sounds like that trigger could be easily modified to make it decent. The pull is not bad for a sproinger and though the pull is long you seem to feel it is predictable. There are tricks to be done to shorten up that long pull. With it shooting like it is, this may be worth considering.
As most may surmise, I am no fan of glowy thingy sights. The more I shoot these old gals around here, the less I like them. The good thing is, these can be replaced and/or modified or done away with altogether. By the way, I like the peppercorn.
You know, if one of these was to show up at the doorstep of RidgeRunner’s Home For Wayward Airguns I might be able to find it a room, at least for a while.
B.B.,
The residual forward surge suggests that the piston of this rifle is optimally made for heavy pellets. Maybe a test using an even heavier pellet might reveal something? No argument can be made with the promising results from the current pellet selection though.
Siraniko
Siraniko
It also has to do with piston acceleration. What one is more abrupt when the trigger is pulled. A Springer or a gas piston?
Or should I say which one accelerates the piston faster?
Gunfun1,
I’d guess that the gas piston accelerates faster which is probably why the first ones slap their shooters when fired. This Stoeger belongs to the next generation where the engineers seem to have a better understanding of what works well.
Siraniko
Siraniko
Really alot of things involved. But yep agree with what you said.
BB
Now that you have found one or even two pellets the rifle likes, I wonder if the open palm forward would also work. I think you have said and I agree that it is easier to keep the rifle steady with that version of the artillery hold. I hope you will try it.
Keep those birthdays coming!
Deck
Deck,
I tried it with the Superdomes and no luck. Next time I shoot I’ll try it with the Baracudas, but I doubt it will be as tight.
B.B.
BB
And while we are trying things do a real firm hold directly on the bag. Just for the fun of it.
GF1,
Okay. A firm hold AND rested on the bag (two separate tests).
B.B.
BB
Ok good. Hold it like your shooting a 12 gauge shot gun with a slug target shooting. Or something like that anyway. Not no whimpy hold. Put it to it. 🙂
So the “Bumble Bee” has a sting in its tail after all
B.B.
The S4000E looks to be a nice rifle – I’ve been wanting to get a decent gas-spring gun but the built-in suppressors are killing that idea.
I contacted a major airgun source here in Canada about ordering a .22 ASP20 and was told that because of the suppressor there was no way that the RCMP would approve the rifle for sale here. The S4000E would be rejected for the same reasons – bummer …major bummer! Real disappointed with that.
Seems that the Canadian market is too small for airgun manufacturers to consider making an unsuppressed version of the rifle. That and the RCMP (who control the firearm regulations) is going out of its way to make it difficult or impossible to legally buy pellet guns. I can understand the need to control the availability of (real) fully automatic assault rifles and such but applying the same logic (???) to pellet guns …come on eh – get real!
Evidently (according to my knowledgeable source), some Co2 pellet gun designs are not available for sale in Canada because the LOOK dangerous. Guess I should not be surprised considering blowguns, shuriken (throwing stars) and nunchucks are classed as illegal weapons (a decision probably influenced by watching to many low-budget “Ninja” movies). Bullpup pellet guns are illegal because they can be concealed – I can’t see someone holding up a store with one, why would they bother when gangs and thugs seem to have no trouble getting real handguns in spite of the fact that they are highly restricted to people who obey the laws. (It would take special licensing with all kinds of restrictions and bureaucratic red tape for me to be able to buy a pellet pistol over 500 fps and I am not sure if I could shoot it anywhere but an approved shooting range.)
Used to be that you could buy a Benjamin Marauder with the baffles removed from the shroud – the powers that be have decided that once available stock is sold, the rifle will no longer be available in Canada.
Sorry to vent here but I’m totally frustrated with the Canadian gun regulations (I wonder if the USA would consider the province of Ontario for a new state). Feel a bit better now – thanks for listening!
Hank
Hank,
According to their history page (http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/history-rcmp), “Today, the RCMP’s scope of operations includes organized crime, terrorism, illicit drugs, economic crimes and offences that threaten the integrity of Canada’s national borders.”
That’s some heavy stuff; one would think that with all that to worry about, they would just leave airguns alone…but that is not how big bureaucracies work! One thing I have never understood is the 500 fps rule: a .22 caliber rifle that shoots at 490 fps is OK; but a .177 caliber rifle that shoots at 530 fps, and less power, is not OK. I just don’t get the logic they are using. #_#
Remember, even if you can’t get the USA to make Ontario the 51st state, a guy like you would always be welcome here!…well, at least by the members of this forum, anyway. =>
Cheers,
dave
Dave,
Yeah, you would figure that the RCMP would have enough to do without nit-picking pellet guns.
Could be though that they are so busy chasing bad guys that they don’t have time to properly address pellet guns. If they are too busy, too lazy or just can’t be bothered then maybe they should pass that duty to an appropriate department that actually understands airguns and can make realistic, informed decisions as to what is dangerous to citizens and what is not. (you can tell that I’m still annoyed)
The 500 fps rule doesn’t make sense as we know here it is all about energy – imagine the damage a 500 gr pellet would do at 499 fps. I suspect that the number was pulled out of hat rather that for some practical reason.
Yeah, the Brits have a better handle on things – their 12 fpe rule is based on a study of what damage could be done to a human with a pellet. Their 12 fpe rule still allows for an unregulated rifle with enough power to take rabbits.
I don’t get the logic the RCMP uses either, would love to have one of their officers defend some of their decisions. Banning a C02 gun because it looks dangerous – would love to hear about that. Like, pellet guns are quiet to start with – what is the difference if they are shrouded and a bit more quiet than one that is not? The shroud is part of the design of the gun – like a muffler on a car – what is the problem? Guess that logic doesn’t apply Dave.
Anyway, wish there was some way to lobby to have changes made.
Later,
Hank
Hank,
In the States,… we have the DNR,… Department Of Natural Resources. Ohio is ODNR. Each state has their own.
Air gun hunting has been expanded in the State’s and continues to do so. I suppose that is a combination of air gunner voices and the more reasonable thinking of the DNR.
I have little to no faith in politicians for thinking with common sense. Perhaps your version of Natural Resources Dept. can provide a more reasonable solution to the arcane laws?
Only a thought,……… Chris
Chris,
We have our MNR – Ministry of Natural Resources and like you each province has their own branch to administer seasons, licensing and enforcement.
Since these people are more interested in the hunting, shooting and fishing activities it would make sense that they would be the ones to manage the firearms for these activities.
Hank,
In addition,… we all know that air guns can be effective hunting weapons/tools. Further,… the Diabolo pellet will travel much less distance than it’s firearm counterpart. If people use pellet guns instead of firearms,…. things would be safer.
Shootski did have a point of the possibility of an underlying effort to quell youth interest/participation in the shooting sports. Hopefully,… that is not at the root of the problem. Ironically,… hopefully the politician’s ignorance and lack of education on the topic,… is.
Chris
Vana2,
“That and the RCMP (who control the firearm regulations) is going out of its way to make it difficult or impossible to legally buy pellet guns. I can understand the need to control the availability of (real) fully automatic assault rifles and such but applying the same logic (???) to pellet guns …come on eh – get real!”
I have two issues in the above to take up with you Hank!
First:. RCMP and their Masters (Canadian $$$$ distributors) know that many folks start their love affair with shooting Iron with BB guns and air rifles. You kill a culture best by eradicating the entry of young members a little at a time.
Second: What makes an assault rifle? Why does an automatic rifle (Machine Gun) cause people to think it is any more capable of killing than a bolt action, revolver action, or Semi-Automatic? The ONLY difference is that it is harder to CHARGE an automatic weapon in the hands of a well trained operator. When you run away the other actions work just as well taking down the targets. RCMP feels the fear of charging an automatic in the hands of a criminal may make some of them run; bad for their image.
Suppression was a gangster movie victim until Shot Spotter type technology became the modern reason for LEO not wanting them to be common possessions of shooters.
shootski
Shootski,
Just finished reading a bit about the gun regulations in Canada. Seems that most of the regulations came in as knee-jerk reactions to “rebellions” of one type or another. The general theme is that by restricting access to handguns for everybody the bad people won’t be able to get guns and all will be good.
Best I can figure (from my limited research) is that in 1919 Ontario put in special licensing for pistols to keep them out of “alien” hands (we all know aliens are “not-good” people). Fast forward to a recent shooting in Toronto (a common event with all the gangs there) the newscaster interviewed some shady characters and determined that a restricted handgun could be acquired (illegally) by an unlicensed individual, within a day …so much for the value of 100 year old laws restricting access to handguns eh? Back to Halfsteps comment: Laws never have impacted anyone but the already law-abiding. I can’t speak for others but as much as I would like a .22 rimfire pistol for plinking I can’t be bothered with all the red tape and BS to get one. Seems that, starting with those with suppressors, the same principals are being applied to airguns.
To your first comment, agreed – kill a culture by stopping new growth/interest. BB guns and pellet guns are still available at many hardware and sporting stores. There are a couple of web-stores in Canada that sell quality stuff. According to one gun site there are more shooters than golfers in Canada so in spite of the poorer and more restricted selection there still is an interest in guns.
Guess that any rifle/shotgun could potentially be an “assault gun” but what I am referring to is the heavy firepower tactical weapons that are used by the military in a war. These types of weapons are restricted and prohibited for civilians and as you point out and I can understand why. In my comment I was questioning why pellet guns are being treated as if they were the same as military weapon.
On the home front, I would have liked an ASP20, but they won’t be available.
Vana2,
I read this with great interest: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/pol-leg/hist/con-eng.htm
Is this what you were reading? I would get real active if I had to live under this sort of system reading the specific laws from the Central Government…it looks like the Quebecoise just thumb their noses when they don’t like rules…maybe more shooters should move to do the same locally.
Hank is anyone (individual or group) working on getting change started by the rulemakers to build a bit more logic/discrimination into the enforcement of bans on things like the Stoeger S4000 or SIG ASP20?
Or is the RCMP system not at all open to any form of change? As I recall the Interior Ministry RCMP fleshes out the specifics of enforcement within the broad guidance of law given by the political Elite in Ontario.
shootski
Shootski,
That’s a better document than I was reading – it’s shorter and better presented. I lived in Quebec for 25 years, you are right about the Quebecoise.
Canadians as a whole will complain about something and then do little to address the problem. Guess that I am just as guilty as the next guy.
I am not aware of any person or group working to get changes made to the current regulations. I am sure the supplier I was talking with would be aware of such a group and mentioned it.
In reading the history you can see what kind of approach the bureaucracy uses and in spite of 125 years of regulations has not come up with an effective solution. The bottom line is the law abiding citizen is scrutinized and restricted (to no benefit) and the people willing to ignore the laws have no problem getting restricted weapons.
I had to renew my permit when I wanted to buy my new pellet guns and had to deal with that department, they are a typical bureaucracy mired in rules. There doesn’t seem to be any way to penetrate the force-field around them to get any answers, let alone find a person who would listen to a concern or suggestion. The system is setup to suit the system – not the people it is supposed to support.
Hank,
I read through that link that Shootski posted…wow!
Like you said, “in spite of 125 years of regulations has not come up with an effective solution.”
If Leroy Jethro Gibbs (NCIS character) was a real person, he should be sent to Canada to “Gibb’s slap” everyone in the Government. But instead of waking up to logic (his intent), they’d likely arrest him for assault. =)~
Cheers,
dave
Hank,
As I recall, you live in a pretty rural area with some acreage. Do you have nosy neighbors close by? Do Mounties patrol your property? Not sure, but in your situation I think I would have to be an outlaw. 😉 I wonder if some of these regulations are even enforced.
Geo
Geo,
Yes, have 10 acres in a rural area and there are no restrictions on discharging firearms (responsibilly).
Have one neighbour who doesn’t like guns – he has come to the understanding that having me shoot my pellet guns is preferable to me practicing with my 30-06 …haven’t heard a comment since.
Never seen a Mountie or a Warden anywhere around here and I would have to be doing something incredibly stupid to even attract the local police force.
Go outlaw … naw, no thanks. When I worked in Toronto I was talking shooting with some of the guys (no surprise eh?) and one of said that he knew of a .22 rimfire target pistol that was “available” – $50 cash, no questions, no paperwork – as much as I have always wanted one I steered away from that deal in a hurry!
I disagree with the regulations but they are there so I toe the line.
Cheers,
Hank
Dudley Do-Right
What you need is to develop a culture where the citizenry learns not to fear the government and its bureaucracies, bureaucrats who do not do their jobs as these are intended to be done are easily removed from their posts, and the government fears the citizenry.
Mexicans have a saying, alas, not well listened to in their country, “effective suffrage means no re-election.” Term limits should be codified in every democracy’s law code/constitution.
FawltyManuel,
I would love to see where the bureaucrats could be held accountable for their actions and dismissed if they don’t support their constituents as promised during the elections. Unfortunately we elect governments for a term and individuals cannot be dealt with appropriately.
Trouble is that once they are elected they think they have to peoples blessing to do whatever they want. Personal agendas and influence from the lobbyists take precedence over promises made. Once they are in power their whole focus is to stay in power as the benefits are so lucrative.
I wish there was an option on the ballot that said “NONE OF THE ABOVE”, so the people could reject all the politicians and force the selection of new candidates that had a better attitude. Think that would give them the proper perspective.
B.B. I apologize that my comments have inspired a bit of a political rant – seems to be a sensitive subject with people.
Off my soapbox now.
Hank
Vana2,
“I can understand the need to control the availability of (real) fully automatic assault rifles and such but applying the same logic (???) to pellet guns …come on eh – get real! ”
Accepting that as a valid statement, I’m afraid, is what ultimately leads to the restrictions that you dislike so much. It’s not that the medicine is no good, the powers that be just think they are not giving you enough of it yet. Laws never have impacted anyone but the already law-abiding. Just my two cents.
Half
“Laws never have impacted anyone but the already law-abiding.”
Half, Amen! Your 2 cents is worth much more than 2 cents. =>
20% of us are restricted. The other percentage do as they will.
That’s just a guess of course. But you get the idea.
Half,
Hear what you are saying about restrictions.
My point was that (collectors aside) that civilians don’t need military fully automatic assault rifles (they are not legal for hunting) but airguns are governed by the same rules as firearms.
In Canada, a .177 caliber 501 fps air pistol has the same restrictions (and licensing requirements ) as a .44 Magnum – doesn’t make sense to me.
Yup, agree totally… Laws never have impacted anyone but the already law-abiding.
Hank
Hank,
What you need to understand is that the Right to own a firearm in this country has little to do with procuring food. The framers of our Constitution gave us that right in order to remain free, whether that be from a tyrannical government, should one ever develop, or from other citizens that would do us harm. If the government ever becomes the enemy, a “military fully automatic assault rifle” is exactly what one would need to improve his chances of prevailing against that enemy. I know quite a few people who own them and even more that own the semi-automatic civilian versions that the media here would have everyone believe is the same thing. I don’t fear those guns at all.
Gun laws are just the simplistic solution to crime that we let our politicians pass off as real crime control. They don’t want to or don’t know how to address the socio-economic issues that are the real root of crime. Areas outside of the largest cities here, for the most part, don’t have the issues and, therefore, have but a tiny amount of the violent crime, in spite of being governed by the same “lax” gun laws. Go figure!
Many of us here in the US feel the same way about firearms laws as you feel about ridiculous airgun laws in your country.
Half
Hank: While in concert with your argument, I would beg to differ that the Constitution (II Amendment) does not guarantee the right to bear arms in a general sense. The Second established what we call the National Guard and it established organized Slave Suppression and Capture militias. All were to be under the regulation and order of the state rather than federal government (except in time of war), and in those situations, the participants (likely all were conscripted) were to be armed and not prevented from that.
I think that our right to arms is older and deeper than an NRA re-write of the original II Amendment. Out of English Common Law, Roman Law, Biblical cultural tradition and Mesopotamian Law came the right of the householder to be armed to protect his/her people and possessions. The right to protection as well as the other uses for securing food and some use in sport is far more ancient and profound than an unnecessary redo of the II Amendment. Said another way, responsible citizens have always had the right to arm themselves appropriately.
The framers of the Constitution, the liberal Founding Fathers, all understood arms and their use by people of good will and sound mind. That was particularly true with the frontier at the doorstep of the original colonies. They understood the need for public order, too, and, I think ironically, framed the II so reign in the crazies – not to allow them as seems to be happening. The language of a well-ordered use implies this pointedly. The crazies included those who would be monarchs as well as the village lunatic at the local level.
As an avid shooter, I am concerned that we, the sound citizens of good character need to get arms under control. There is no one right answer, but we need to strive to bring order to bear with arms possession! We all know that there are certain people who should never be allowed around arms – even a sharpened stick. While efforts to responsibly regulate arms will never be perfect, we who use them appropriately should advocate for those things that deter their unregulated and criminal use.
If we do not defend the well-regulated “rights of Englishmen,” that is, the responsible ownership of arms by the householder, then people who know nothing about arms will provide the legislation and we’ll have rule by ignorance. I don’t know what needs to be done, but yammering about the II Amendment isn’t the point and will backfire on all of us.
LFranke,
I understand where you are coming from, thank you for your detailed comment!
Hank
Halfstep,
I agree with your analysis. We had a mass shooting here in Kalamazoo, MI a couple years ago. A guy went berserk and drove around shooting innocent people he didn’t even know. When he was finally caught and arrested, it turned out that he was mad at his girl friend and was high on drugs and alcohol. He shot six people as I recall. It took two years for his case to make it through the court system. He’ll probably be out in 20 years, or less. I think Dirty Harry had the right idea. No trial, no reports to file.
Halfstep,
I’ll take a fullstep forward to say how right you are!
shootski
Yup…we have a saying, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns”. How many crimes are committed with legally registered guns? Another thing, as most have seen, we have had a real increase in mass shootings. Why is that? People look at the root cause as being the availability of GUNS! The ones committing these mass shootings are severely mentally impaired. We did away many of the mental hospitals and now these folks are homeless, living on the streets. Then crime ensues, and everybody wonders why.
Too bad we can’t find some politicians with something between their ears. Idiots are prolific. That’s my rant today.
Geo
Geo791
I completely agree with the issue of inadequate care for the mentally impaired. And it undoubtedly plays some role in the epidemic of mass shootings, here in the US. I don’t think, however, that there have been any mass shootings by a homeless person, so far. A little different issue, I’d say.
We have to remember that it is we who elect these idiots, so if there are regulations or laws enough of us disapprove of, we can correct them. It is often a difficult thing to remember that this is the reason we cut the federal and state budgets in the areas that most affected this care. Because we wanted lower taxes and this was the bone we were thrown.
Sorry,, not really the place for a political rant.
B.B.,
That’s some great shooting! It’ll be really interesting to see how she does with a scope. A few years back, a bought a .22 caliber Stoeger S20X from PA. I messed with it for a while, but in my hands, it was just an OK gun; I gave it to a friend with a lot of land and too many squirrels (and by all accounts it’s working great for him…he is a much better shot than I am =>). But with this rifle it sounds like Stoeger has been listening to customer feedback (good for them!), and has worked out a smooth-shooting, accurate, affordable rifle. Would that more manufacturers do likewise! Thanks for another great report. =>
Take care & God bless,
dave
B.B.,
I enjoy all of your reports. Just wondering if there another test of the FX Dreamlite in the pipeline? – Don425
Don,
Not really. I am not taking it out to 50 yards because it only works well (as far as I have tested it) with one lightweight pellet. It’s a nice gun but too pellet-specific.
If I was going to test it again, what would you want to see?
B.B.
Don,
Oh, well — phooey! I just read Part 4 and saw that I still wanted to test it farther with different pellets. So I guess I’ll do that.
B.B.
B.B,
Thanks. I wonder how accurate a quality lead free pellet (sig, predator), having a snug fit with skirt harder than lead and at a stable velocity, would perform. Also if you could try a larger transfer port setting with both the best current pellet (for baseline) and a heavy lead pellet to see if you can get the advertised power and be accurate. – Don425
Hi all I have an off topic question , I am in the process of buying a very lightly used tx200 hunter carbine and I am wondering what rings/ mount folks recomend for this airgun? I have a 4-16×44 AO FFP discovery scope I would like to use as I already have it unless this scope would not be suitable? The scope has a 30mm tube. I am in canada so hopefully I can find something up here but am willing to order from the states as well if need be.
RBF,
You can go the 1 pc. 11 to P/W mount adapter. The BKL mounts you have to actually spread/jack apart,… so you are not just relying on bolt compression. They usually have 4 screws plus P/W rings. The UTG drooper mount is another option. The P/W rings won’t move. Or,.. a set of good 4 screw per cap 11 rings and make sure the rear mount has a stop pin. Either should work fine when properly mounted.
Chris
RBF,
The cheek piece is quite tall on the standard TX200 stock. I have a 3-12×44 scope on mine and ended up going with a set of high rings to to get the correct eye alignment. Like Chris, I am fond of the BKL mounts.
Here is a Canadian distributor that sells a variety of scope mounts – they are in BC…
https://dlairgun.com/
and another in Ontario…
https://www.airgunsource.ca/us/scope-optics/scope-mounts/
Enjoy your TX200!
Cheers,
Hank
Thanks for the info , my concern is that a rail adapter plus rings would be too tall ( past experience…an unfortunate fiasco with a droop mount for my diana 24) I have picatinny rings but I think a one piece mount is to be preferred on a spring piston air rifle? I want a good quality mounting system that will be secure and not mar the gun if it can be avoided. This is by far the most premium airgun I have ever owned and I want to treat it right! I actually have been looking at both those web sites I’ll take a closer look at the bkl mounts
RBF,
Agreed – the TX200 is one beautiful rifle. They are heavy but that contributes to their stability – awesome shooter they are!
I wouldn’t use a rail adaptor, I’m using standard rings that clamp directly to the dovetail on the rifle and they have never given me any trouble.
Suggest that you measure how high your eye is over the receiver and go to the BKL site ( https://www.bkltech.com/ ) and check the heights of the mounts to find the right one.
It looks like all the Canadian retailers I am aware of are mostly out of stock on 30mm bkl mounts but I can get utg poi rings on amazon has anyone used them on a springer with success?
I’m not familiar with the UTG rings so I can’t comment.
As far as the BKLs you can try ordering them directly from a US source or, you can check with Oshoot ( https://www.oshoot.ca/en/ ). Oshoot is a Canadian distributor of for many of the products that PA sells.
Hank,
Since you and I have the same MCM gun rest,…. I thought that I would pass along a couple of modifications,……..
1) You already know about the glued in riv-nuts, bolts, cap head knobs,… to raise the rear if needed.
2) I added a longer eye bolt to the front lock screw to make it easier to grasp.
3) I took the screws that held the front rest,.. lengthened them and added some plastic tubing for gun scratch resistance. (front stability)
4) Likewise,…. I put two 1/4″ thick pieces of rubber at the rear rest that also steady the gun (grabs the rear stock). They stick above the rear rest profile.
Bottom line,… all of these mods. made the rather cheap front/rear rest more friendly and versatile. I have a hard time posting pics,…. but I am quite sure that you get the main idea(s).
The rest is good,…. but will not hold a gun super steady,…. especially if you bump it or the table by accident.
Chris
Chris,
Thanks for the details – I might incorporate a couple of them. Up until now I have taken the lazy route and use a wedge cut from a 2×4 to shim the back as needed.
Find that rest to be light and convenient but it’s not rigid enough for me. Was thinking of filling the inside with urethane foam to stiffen it up a bit.
I have a birthday coming up (again – already!!!) so I might suggest a Cadwell (sp?) rest if my wife asks for ideas.
Cheers,
Hank
Hank,
I have thought some of the same. Bottom line,… you do not want your rifle tipping out from a simple bump. By the way also,…. I put a Velcro strap on it that I can anchor just ahead of the loading port/under scope/over the rifle. I release any tension when shooting. Even without the mods,…. that locks things down pretty well.
Eventually I will get one of the all metal rest set ups. Whatever I get,… I want to walk away from it and know that the rifle will not tip out at any time,… for any reason.
Thanks,………. Chris
Red Beard Forge,
I’m afraid I don’t have a recommendation for you, but I would like to ask a favor of you. When you get the gun set up and start shooting, would you try resting the cocking arm on the bag ( assuming that you will be testing from a sand bag rest). I just bought a Browning Leverage underlever spring gun and have gotten some early indications that it is most accurate for me, shooting it that way. It seems crazy, so I thought you might try it with a different underlever like the TX200 and compare notes with me. If you think it’s a goofy idea, I understand, but we could discover something earth shattering, well maybe not earth shattering but interesting at least.:-)
Half
I will try to remember and get back to you … I usually use my super tactical shooting socks for sighting in so that shouldn’t be an issue
I love the Beeman R1 that I found in the pawnshop. The Record trigger and accuracy still amaze me. I just wish they made a thumb hole stock for it. My first springer was a Benjamin Titan XS nitro piston with a thumb hole stock in .177. I guess if I find another in good shape for the right price, I’ll get it. May even try to fit the scope to the R1.
Brent
Stock