The Gauntlet 2 precharged rifle from Umarex.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Meopta MeoPro Optika5 2-10X42-PA: Part 1
Part 4
This report covers:
- Remember…
- Today
- Meopta scope
- Four-shot group
- JSB King Heavy 8 shots
- Cocking is easier!
- The trigger
- Predator Polymag pellets
- Benjamin domes
- Verdict?
- Summary
Great test coming today! I have a lot of stuff to tell you, so refill your coffeepot.
Today I test the accuracy of the Gauntlet 2 from Umarex. Between the last report and this one I talked to Tyler Patner from Pyramyd AIR who told me that the Gauntlet 2 was probably influenced by the success of the Gauntlet at the 2019 Pyramyd AIR Cup 100-yard benchrest match. The Gauntlet that was modified for that competition made it into the final round, along with $4,000 PCPs! That says a lot, I think.
Remember…
No, I’m not Mr. Spock, but I do want you to remember that in Part 4 I sighted the rifle in at 12 feet. And then I said this:
“I dialed the scope down to 2 power and the parallax to 10 yards and sighted in at 12 feet. Shot one landed low and left, but it wasn’t that bad. RidgeRunner was right. Hey, a blind squirrel…
I adjusted the scope up and to the right. Shot two hit closer to the center and higher. A little more up and right on the scope. Shot three is about where I want it.
The center of the bore is almost exactly 2 inches below the center of the scope and the last shot is pretty close to the same place — two inches below the aim point. Of course I aimed at the center of the bull, but at 12 feet this is where I want the shot to go because of how far below the center of the scope line the bore line is. Next time I can back up to 25 yards and be close to on target.”
Today
So today I set up the rifle at 25 yards and fired the fourth shot from the 8-shot magazine with the rested rifle on a bag on the bench. I didn’t tell you in Part 4 but I am shooting JSB King Heavy pellets in this first magazine.
The fourth pellet hit the target a little less than an inch below the center of the bull and 1-1/4-inches to the left. I told you guys that this is how to sight in an air rifle, and here is the proof that this way works.
There is where the fourth shot hit the target from 25 yards. Go back to Part 4 and you will see those first three shots below this one. The aim point is the center of the top bullseye.
Meopta scope
This is another place where we get to see the quality of the Meopta MeoPro Optika5 2-10X42PA scope that I’m testing. I’m shooting from 25 yards and this scope has quarter-minute clicks. That means that 4 clicks moves the strike of the round about one inch at 100 yards, and at 25 yards you adjust the reticle 16 clicks to move the same inch.
I wanted to move the strike of the pellet up one inch, even though the last shot wasn’t that far below the center of the bull. I purposely did not want to hit the 10 dot because that was my aim point. So if all went as it was supposed to, my groups would be a little high.
The clicks on this scope are precise. I can’t hear them but I sure can feel them. So I did what “the book” says needed to be done. Pay attention readers because this is what a premium scope gives you that you often can’t get in a cheapie.
The pellet also needed to move about 1.25-inches to the right to hit the center of the bull. Once again, I didn’t want that because that little dot in the center of the bull is my aim point. Yes, you can see that dot through this scope when it’s set on 10 power. So I adjusted the reticle 16 clicks to the right. If the scope adjusts as it should my pellets should strike a little high and a little to the left of the center of the bull.
Four-shot group
Now I shot the remaining four .25-caliber JSB King pellets. Remember, the magazine holds 8 and I’m still on the first or sight-in magazine. These 4 shots went into a group that measures 0.251-inches between the centers of the two pellet holes that are farthest apart.
The Gauntlet 2 put 4 JSB King Heavys into a 0.251-inch group at 25 yards.
Did you notice that the pellets hit exactly where the scope was adjusted? That, my friends, is why this scope will not be returned to the manufacturer. I need all the quality scopes I can get!
JSB King Heavy 8 shots
But 4 shots isn’t what you paid to see, was it? The magazine holds 8 pellets, so now all the rest of the groups will have 8 — starting with this JSB King Heavy.
Cocking is easier!
As I was shooting I noticed that the Gauntlet 2 being tested now cocks easier than before. I said before that it just needed a break-in and that was apparently right.
This time eight King Heavy pellets made a group that measures 0.468-inches between centers, but you can see that third shot is off by itself on the right. I will explain the possible reason for that in a moment. The other 7 our of 8 shots are in a group that measures 0.237-inches between centers. That’s right, seven pellets are in a group that’s smaller than the previous 4-shot group.
Eight JSB King Heavy pellets went into a 0.468-inch group at 25 yards, but seven of them are in 0.237-inches.
The trigger
Here comes my rationale for that wide shot in the last group. This is a note to myself, but if you get a Gauntlet 2 you may encounter the same thing. I had already adjusted the trigger to a nice pull, but stage 2 still has some creep. However, the last thing it does before it releases is make a pinging sound. I can hear it through the bones in my face.
I noticed that sound while firing the last group, and from this point forward I intended to listen for it. As long as the trigger was squeezed smoothly, that was the cue the rifle was ready to fire. It tells me to get super serious and make certain the dot in the crosshairs is over the dot in the bullseye.
Predator Polymag pellets
Next I tried 8 hunting pellets from Predator Polymag. The trigger was still pinging, which allowed me to hold steady on the center of the bull, but with this pellet it didn’t matter. They made a vertical group that measures 0.672-inches between centers. It is the largest group of the test.
Eight Predator Polymag pellets made a 0.672-inch group at 25 yards.
Benjamin domes
The last pellet I tested today was the .25 caliber Benjamin dome. Eight of them went into 0.448-inches at 25 yards. The pinging trigger is helping me a lot!
Eight Benjamin domed pellets made a 0.448-inch group at 25 yards.
Verdict?
The verdict is — the Gauntlet 2 from Umarex is an improved air rifle. It cocks easier than the first Gauntlet, it’s accurate, the trigger is good, if not great, but I can now predict exactly when it will release.
Is this rifle as good as a .25 caliber Marauder? Who knows? Is toast as delicious as apricots? It seems to be just as accurate, and the pinging trigger tells me what I need to know to wring out the very best it can offer.
I can tell you this — this new Gauntlet can hold its own with any of the improved lower-cost PCPs we see on the market. It has the features everyone wants — save one. The high fill pressure keeps it from those who want to fill with a hand pump. I still have to conduct that test (fill to 3,000 psi and get a shot count), plus I want to shoot the rifle again for accuracy at 25 yards using the single-shot tray.
Summary
I am glad that I selected a .25 caliber for this test. And I am really glad that I have the Meopta MeoPro scope mounted. I know I’m giving the Gauntlet 2 it’s best chance to shine and it looks like the rifle is starting to sparkle!
BB,
Do you think Umarex has taken a lesson and had started tightening controls on barrel production, like taking the tubes before rifling?
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I really don’t know.
BB
BB,
It would be wonderful though if it came out that the manufacturer has already decided to pursue accuracy along with power, at a reasonable price.
Siraniko
Siraniko
My .177 caliber gen1 Gauntlet is one of my most accurate and dependable air guns.
Wonder where the Gauntlet barrels really do come from.
BB
Isn’t that cool when you find those little things to help you do something better. Now let’s hope your trigger don’t break in some more and you loose your ping.
Also you didn’t have to shim the scope did you?
And I wonder what 50 yards will bring with your gen2 Gauntlet. Bet it will be good.
50 would be a nice start. But, 100 is what separates the men from the boys…
-Y
Yogi
Agree. I have had several .25 caliber pcp’s and all have done well out at a 100 yards.
Definitely all for a 100 yard test with the .25 caliber gen2 Gauntlet.
Yogi,
100 may “…separate the men from the boys…” but 100 is so last decade…LOL!
The new decade is all about 200 and out.
More folks need 20 and 30 MOA Picatinny rails however.
Luckily I get to shoot on longer ranges my best is a shade over 700 with the DAQ .458. Not even close to 2 seconds TOF but It feels like FOREVER before the 495 grain Spitzer smacks the paper…or not!
shootski
B.B. and Readership,
My apology!
I should have been more careful with my notation; the 100 and 200 are in yards and the 700 is feet. It would have been more correct to have stated it as 245 yards.
Although someone did shoot a DAQ .458 out to over 700 yards but it takes a small cliff face to mount the Point Of Aim (POA) over the target.
32’/sec/sec is a killer on holdovers!
shootski
GF1,
No, I didn’t shim the scope. That was the “blind squirrel” remark I made in Part 4.
BB
BB
Oh seen that. Didn’t even catch that.
Gunfun1,
Slightly off topic but still .25 caliber:
The ? You asked last night: it was a loopy trajectory out to 25 yards with a light 20 grain dome, Diana Magnum was what Dennis recommended for the stock valve and 12gram powerlet.
With the three times larger custom (gas hog) valve and the DAQ BULK Fill adapter that held at least 50 grams of liquid CO2 the 40ish grain bullets could make it out beyond 50.
I need to get that pistol out and use the LabRADAR to get some solid numbers on the thing at some recorded temperatures!
shootski
Shootski
I almost built one a couple different times. And there was some good pcp conversions back when I was going to build one.
I should of built one before they went away. But I kept thinking about trajectory and all that stuff back when .25 pcps was just starting to happen.
At that time .22 caliber and .177 caliber was the stuff.
But I did find out later that the .25 caliber pcp’s was really the stuff.
Someone is going to like all the time you have spent with this rifle. If I did’t already have a 25 cal., I would put my name on the list for this one if/when you are done and send it back to PA. What a deal! Trigger adjusted,broke-in a little, which pellet to start with and at a great price too.
rk,
Believe me, I’m thrashing around with those same thoughts.
BB
BB,
You do not have a .25 do you?
RR,
Yes, my Marauder is a .25 and I might have a .25 barrel for my Condor.
BB
I’ll take the Condor.
This rifle has shown us some amazing things for the price.
I have never owned a .25 air rifle before, and the more I read, the more I think this one would be the one I want.
But for some reason, I have been drooling over the Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup in .25 caliber.
But I wonder if the trigger has suffered from the bullpup configuration.
The only downsides to the Avenger pup I can see so far from the marketing materials is the placement of the cocking lever, and like the Gauntlet 2, the high fill pressure not being hand pump friendly.
Hmm.. before this one goes back, maybe we can get an Avenger pup in the house and have a 50 yard and 100 yard battle of the PPP .25’s?
And just to be fair, using the same amazing new scope on both guns.
Ian
Ian,
This costs more than the G2, but this is the .25 you need.
/product/airforce-condor-ss-pcp-air-rifle-spin-loc-tank?m=3063#5929
RR
Got one and the .25 Marauders in gen1 and 2 did just as well.
Remember the .25 Condor SS only has the 18 inch barrel. The regular Condor with the 24 inch barrel would probably top the Condor SS and the Marauder. But those 24 inch Condor barrels are loud unless you silence them. That’s the other beauty of the Condor SS and Marauder in .25 caliber.
GF1,
There are silencers that will fit on the end of the Condor SS, allowing you to insert a 24 inch barrel. That is where I would go with one.
RR
I would rather just have the shrouded Marauder and Condor SS and not have to deal with that silencer red tape.
I had a condor in .22, with the long barrel, and an R&L suppressor.
I liked it for a while, but eventually parted with it as I didn’t use it as much as my sub 12ft lb .22 Gunpower Stealth.
I want a Avenger in .22..
But a “refurb” Gauntlet 2 from PA. that Tom Has done our legwork for is priceless..
Bravo
I think you would be happy with a gen2 .25 caliber Gauntlet. I would be. Anyway let us know what you end up doing.
That’s right, you live up in Yankee country. I forgot. No problem with airgun silencers down here.
RR
To be more precise the wonderful state of Illinois. And I can go right next door about 20 miles away in Missouri and silencers are legal. So yep not all Yankee land is silenceless. Go figure.
Ian
I have a very good .25 caliber pcp right now. But I do have plans to get a .25 Gauntlet 2 in the future.
I think they will be killer guns. Hopefully BB will keep proving that.
Gunfun1,
Up a few posts you said, “But I did find out later that the .25 caliber pcp’s was really the stuff.” Not enough people, even today, understand the ballistic advantage of the .25 in airguns just like it took a long time to get firearm shooters to understand the smaller bores advantages in ballistics at long range.
It is all about the projectile’s shape (Form Factor) and Sectional Density. The .25 caliber (6.5mm) requires a different shaped pellet to do better then the .177, .20, and .22.
We will see more bullets (slugs) and proper shaped for .25 pellets as airguns like the Gauntlet 2 find success.
They are certainly not urban/suburban plinkers but can really shine on the 100+ range or larger plots of private land. For hunting the .25 caliber is still the best for airguns and will remain so until higher pressures become everyday easy. Yes I hunt with everything up to .575 caliber but the equivalent firearms are still way more practical for all but a few of us hard core practitioners.
Time will tell but I think the next decade will be just as revolutionary for airguns as the last.
shootski
Shootski
The .25 caliber factory shrouded pcp’s are indeed urban plinkers. Do I need to say quiet. Yes I do. And I’ll say it again. Quiet.
They are powerful no doubt. But with a proper target stop they are back yard friendly. They are usually very accurate at 50 yards and in. At almost 50 yards they are like a 10 meter competition gun. They ain’t getting started till like 70 yards. Hmm. Let’s see. Accuracy makes safety
And yes they shine at the longer distances too.
Hmm maybe .25 caliber is the new .22 caliber. BB should know what I mean by that.
And I don’t know about the next decade. This covid bull has definitely put the world in reverse.
B.B.,
This quarter-inch group you shot at 25 yards says it all…sweet! 🙂
Appreciating you for all you do for the sport of airguns,
dave
I know some of you have been wondering what to give to RidgeRunner for Christmas. I am indeed a hard one to get a gift for. Probably the only person who would have no trouble with such is BB.
For you other people out there I am going to try to make it easy. I would really like to have this particular air rifle.
/product/airforce-texan-lss-457-cal-w-carbon-fiber-tank?m=5054#10144
I truly enjoy long range shooting and big bore. This air rifle has it and more. Being able to change the caliber from .257 up to .50, at present, is a distinct advantage to someone such as myself who enjoys experimenting.
I know that this is an expensive gift for someone to give to me, that is why I am willing to defer some of the cost to you to do such. If someone was to send me this particular air rifle for Christmas, I would send them my RAW HM1000X in .357 with gray laminate sporter stock. It is one of the early models that only put out 80-100FPE without tinkering with the regulator. I have been talking to Martin Rutterford who built these air rifles before AirForce bought them and he says he can change this to a regulated 165FPE and an unregulated .357 air rifle to well over 200FPE.
As is, this air rifle will place five 81 grain JSB pellets in a one inch CTC group at 100 yards. I know this as I have done this. If you would like to have an absolutely gorgeous air rifle to impress everyone at the range with, this is it.
Now you know what to get me for Christmas.
Hey RidgeRunner, I’d love to help you out…but the cost of getting you that rifle (in my case) would be in the tens of thousands of dollars…perhaps even more than that after the divorce lawyers laid on their huge fees, LOL!!! =)~
Dave,
I do understand. That is one of the reasons I would give up the HM1000X. Those attorney’s fees are killer.
“Those attorney’s fees are killer.”
Roger that! LOL 🙂
RR,
You can’t change those big bore barrels like the smallbores. They are mated to their valves. It might be possible to make some caliber changes, but the .50 is standalone.
BB
BB,
Well, fiddle dee dee! I could go with swapping out bottles with calibers. I would want to play with the .257, .30 and the .357 mostly. It is really funny how the AirForce airguns have always been a tinker’s dream come true.