Norica Omnia ZRS.
This report covers:
- The test
- JSB Exact RS
- RWS Superdome
- Trigger performance
- RWS R10 Match Pistol
- Crosman Premier 10.5-grain domes
- H&N Baracuda Green
- Discussion
- Summary
Today we start looking at the accuracy of the Norica Omnia ZRS .177 breakbarrel air rifle. I was all set to mount a scope before I realized that this rifle has open sights. So that’s where we’ll begin.
The test
Today’s test was shot from 10 meters off a sandbag rest. And, since the Omnia is recoilless, I rested it directly on the bag.
When an air rifle comes with open sights I assume it will be close to sighted in from the start — unlike a rifle I have to scope. So I start shooting from 10 meters, none of this 12-foot stuff. It took two shots to get the pellets hitting inside bullseyes on the 10-meter target.
I shot 5-shot groups today for two good reasons. First, I had no idea how the Omnia would shoot. This is such a novel and different air rifle that I had no clue how it would perform. And second, I wanted to test more pellets. With what I discovered during today’s little test I now see that I need to test other pellets. And, as I hope you’ll soon see, there was also a big clue about which pellets might be accurate in this rifle. Let’s get started.
JSB Exact RS
First up were JSB Exact RS pellets. Five went into 0.334-inches at 10 meters. It’s a nice, neat group that was just to the left of center on the bullseye.
The Norica Omni ZRS put five JSB Exact RS pellets in a great group at 10 meters. It’s 0.334-inches.
Okay, that success calmed me down. Apparently the Omnia is an accurate rifle. Now — is it pellet picky or does it shoot well with all pellets?
RWS Superdome
Next to be tested was the RWS Superdome. The Norica Omni ZRS put five of them into 0.447-inches at 10 meters. The group is open, but three pellets did land in a tight little 0.17-inch group. This is a hard one to call since I’m shooting with open sights, but I’m going to say the Superdome isn’t the right pellet for the Omnia. Maybe after I scope the rifle I’ll come back and try this pellet again. For now though, I’m going to move on.
The Norika Omnia put five RWS Superdomes into a 0.447-inch group at 10 meters.
Trigger performance
I will say that the trigger has a great first stage that stops solidly at stage two. Stage two still has a lot of creep but it’s light and manageable.
RWS R10 Match Pistol
Next up was the 7-grain RWS R10 Match Pistol pellet. This one was a real surprise! Five pellets made a 0.395-inch group at 10 meters, but four of them are in one tight hole that measures 0.128-inches between centers. Looking at this group I know two things. First, this pellet is great in this rifle and second — this Omnia can really shoot. The one “stray” pellet is so close to the others that I am sure it was caused by an aiming error.
The Omnia put five RWS R10 Match Pistol pellets into a 0.395-inch group at 10 meters.
Crosman Premier 10.5-grain domes
The fourth pellet I tested was the Crosman Premier 10.5-grain dome. Five went into 0.973-inches at 10 meters. You may have wondered about the Superdome pellets. I sure did. But I think there should be no doubt that this particular pellet is not for the Omnia!
The Omnia put five Crosman Premiers into a 0.973-inch group at 10 meters. Seeing this I don’t think there is any doubt that this pellet is not right for this rifle!
H&N Baracuda Green
The last pellet I tested today was the H&N Baracuda Green dome. This 6.64-grain pellet is one I haven’t tested a lot recently but it seemed to do okay in the Omnia. Five went into 0.504-inches but once more there was a teaser, and four of the five are in just 0.142-inches. This is definitely a pellet to try again, once the rifle is scoped.
Five H&N Baracuda Green pellets went into 0.504-inches at 10 meters with four in 0.142-inches.
Discussion
I hope you can see how accurate this Omnia rifle wants to be, because I sure can! But there is so much more to test. I want to scope the rifle and get back to 25 yards, because I think the aiming errors will go away. In today’s test only the Crosman Premier pellets were a positive no for the future. I think we have a lot more to see, coming up!
Summary
The Norica Omnia ZRS rifle is the strangest air rifle I have tested in my recollection. Based on its looks alone I wouldn’t have given it any chance to excel. And now it seems like it has fooled me completely. I sure hope so!
Norica — here is a message from me to you. You have apparently done quite well with this air rifle. I’m not ready to call it a winner just yet, but you are getting very close.
Tom,
It seems to prefer the lighter pellet weights (7-8gr) since only the Crosman Premier 10 gr domes was where the target opened up. The RWS Superdome seems to be already pushing the boundary between weight and accuracy.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
That was my assessment, as well.
BB
Can you say put a set of peep sights on it and it would be a good contender for the youth shooting program.
The styling would appeal to the younger shooters.
But it’s so close to the price of a used FWB 150 or 300.
And the FWB is easier on the eyes…..
But it does seem to shoot very well.
Way to go Norica!
Ian.
Ian,
I am with you on the Omnia ZRS. One could buy an FWB 300s for about the same price and have an air rifle that will keep its value, I think this might be a winner IF the MSRP were to be lowered by, ugh, $100.
Therefore, a used Omnia ZRS might end up being a good value, that is if enough get purchased new for used ones to show up online.
Michael
In Poland, you can buy it on sale for about $340. Maybe someday it will be cheaper.
Based on looks alone, I would also have said this rifle wouldn’t be especially promising, but guess it’s proof of the phrase ‘never judge a book by its cover’!
It seems capable of shooting well. I still think it is Bugly. For us old geezers, Norica should consider redressing this thing. They do have some nice looking ones.
RidgeRunner,
I agree. Looking at the other Norica rilfes, I see some with wood stocks. Wouldn’t that be nice on this one!
Doc
Probably anything would be better than what it is.
B.B.
I thought the open sights were unusable due to the stock design?
I guess you figured a way around that?
-Yogi
Yogi,
In Part 2 I said
“I mentioned that with the cheek piece installed I couldn’t see the open sights. I removed it and now I can see the sights fine — but only just. In my opinion, Norica didn’t research this point far enough.”
BB
Maybe that is why each group has a stray!
-Y
B.B., does it seem as though the first shot was the stray? That seems to happen to me when testing pellets. If so, you could watch the first couple of pellets settle in and then shoot your group of 5. Or, if you see a 5-shot group worth considering, follow that up with 10, to see if the consistency is there, before switching pellets. If this rifle seems to like lighter pellets, may I suggest you try H-N Green 5.25 gr. wadcutters or Predator GTO 5.5 gr. wadcutters?
This is an interesting rifle.
Notwithstanding the looks, it seems very functional. I especially like the concept of an adjustable stock. Would be great to have an accurate youth gun with an adjustable stock down below 12″ of pull.
Errata: caption in your first photo, what is “magnum” about JSB Exact RS pellets?
Roamin,
I fixed that caption. It was the JSB Exact RS pellet.
As for fixing the groups next time I plan to do what you suggest, only perhaps more than just 2 shots per pellet.
And, as for trying lighter pellets, I also plan to do that.
BB
When can the next part with the telescope appear?
szymolus,
Probably next week sometime.
BB
“I want to scope the rifle and get back to 25 yards…”
B.B.,
For sure that will tell us all a lot, but I’m already encouraged by the small groups you got.
This new gal can shoot! And if she’s accurate at longer ranges, her “looks” will matter less. 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
BB,
Well, only accurate guns are interesting, seems that the Omnia has interesting potential.
Being an old guy I have a strong preference for traditional wood and steel guns.
Being in my second childhood and young enough to still learn new tricks I’m willing to accept platforms outside of my usual preferences as long as the accuracy is there, the ergonomics are good and the trigger half way decent.
Figure that as long as it preforms well, how it looks is not important as you don’t see the gun when looking through the scope 😉
Chicken and egg… it may be that recent purchases have improved acceptance criteria; could be that improved acceptance criteria has lead recent purchases… whatever 🙂
Love innovation! Good time to be an airgunner!
Cheers!
Hank
B.B. and Readership,
I lost an entire reply to the NEW to me time-out feature!
So this is a reprise of it :^(
Crosman150 in a reply a few days after the Part 2 posted wrote: “Accuracy is hit/miss and I want to do some more testing, I have a utg 4-16×56 scope on rifle. It will fire 4 pellets in the same hole at 30 yards then throw one a inch somewhere else.”
I stand by my recoiless inconsistent Zombi air rifle only shoots to 4+ MOA as demonstrated above (excluding Crosman Premier pellet results) for now.
I’m hoping for more but….
shootski
R. G. put it very well
“Notwithstanding the looks” was my only hesitation when I tried to enable Tom to test it. I hate those plastic front sight assemblies; so much that I removed the one from my LGV as soon as I bought it. Along with the rear sight of course.
Anyway if accuracy is there to justify the technology put in it there’s a lot of potential regarding the looks. Norica has a nice satin finish on their beech stocks, along with a laminate option on some. Not to mention the adjustable comb.
I have the rifle scopes with a 4-16×56 scope. It has take. Some work and cleaning the barrel really good but the rifle is very accurate. I can get 5 shots inside a dime at 30 off of shooting sticks. Every once in a while it will it throw a pellet, but it is getting better the more I shoot. Not sure if I am going to shoot this or my tx200 in field target but I am really liking this gun. Shooting Air Arms domed 8.4 pellets around 900 ft/sec
Crosman150,
Are you, by chance, the one who wrote this review?
/product/norica-omnia-zrs-air-rifle?m=426#Reviews
“Shooting Air Arms domed 8.4 pellets around 900 ft/sec”
Accuracy plus 15 fpe…that’s a lot to like. 🙂
Good shooting to you,
dave
I am, also since I wrote that I found a screw on the back part of rifle inside of out action that was very loose. I think it could have had something to do with throwing some pellets. Shooting even better now. Inside of the rifle it is looks just like any other break barrel and SRS shell is on the outside. Very cool design and has potential.
Cool; that’s great info; thank you. 🙂
That would be over 20 Joules.
In Sweden i have to pay 865$ for it, NOT worth that kind of money, i can get a Tx200 in walnut for that money, or a HW98 with a great Hawke scope, or 1 Hw97 Black Line and a Hw30s and a scope, or 3 Hw30s in each caliber…
hope to see a report on the norica dream hunter .22