RAW Micro Hunter.
Part 1
P8 prismatic optic P8-Part 1
Part 2
P8 prismatic optic P8-Part 2
Part 3
This report covers:
- Sight-in
- JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy
- JTS Dead Center
- H&N Baracuda 18
- H&N 0.218-inch 23-grain slug
- JSB Exact Jumbo Monster
- Discussion
- Summary
Today I do an accuracy test of the RAW MicroHunter at 25 yards. This will be the first 25-yard test because there are many things to be tested. Not all of them will be done today.
This will also be the first real accuracy test of the MicroHunter, because the test at 10 meters was too close to tell much of anything.
You will remember that at 10 meters the MicroHunter was surprisingly accurate — way better than I expected since I was shooting the Lucid P8 reflex sight. It’s more of a dot sight than a riflescope and the 2-mil dot makes it less precise than a crosshair — at least when I’m the shooter.
The JTS pellet gave us a 0.079-inch group of five. That was better than I expected. So today’s 25-yard test will determine whether the P8 will remain on the rifle for future testing.
Sight-in
I fired 20 shots sighting the P8 in. The first 10 pellets grouped just above and left of the bull. The group was pretty large with 4 stragglers. I noticed that the P8 was sitting too far forward for me. So, after the first group of ten pellets I slid it back about an inch and tried again. Because the scope wasn’t positioned correctly is why I’m not showing that group.
After the scope was repositioned the first six pellets didn’t show on the target. I didn’t have a spotting scope because I expected the shots to be close to where they had been before the scope was moved. When I didn’t see any holes in the paper I assumed they were going into the bullseye. After six shots, though, I realized that I was being unsafe, so I stopped shooting and went downrange to examine the target. The pellets had all hit the top of the rubber mulch box the target was taped to. I used the remaining four shots to adjust the P8 scope down and into the bull I was aiming at.
JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy
I sighted in with JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy pellet, so I shot the first group with them as well. Ten pellets made a 0.741-inch group at 25 yards. I think this pellet should be more accurate in the MicroHunter at this distance, but it will take a scope that parallax-adjusts down to 25 yards to do it. Not being able to focus on the target and using a dot that covers more than a third of the bullseye (it’s a 2 MOA dot that covers one-half-inch at 25 yards) makes it difficult to sight with precision. No doubt a deer would be in trouble at 100 yards with the P8, but perhaps not the 0.5mm ten ring on a 10-meter airgun target.
The MicroHunter put 10 JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy pellets into a 0.741-inch group at 25 yards.
JTS Dead Center
Next I tried the 18.1-grain JTS Dead Center pellet. This is the one that was the most accurate at 10 meters. At 25 yards the MicroHunter put 10 into 0.554-inches between centers. I didn’t adjust the sight before shooting this group because a different pellet might go to a vastly different place than the one shot before.
Ten JTS Dead Center pellets made a 0.552-inch group at 25 yards.
H&N Baracuda 18
The next pellet I tested was the H&N Baracuda 18. The MicroHunter put 10 in 0.445-inches at 25 yards. It’s the smallest group of the test.
Ten H&N Baracuda 18s made a 0.445-inch group at 25 yards.
H&N 0.218-inch 23-grain slug
Next up was the H&N 0.218-inch 23-grain slug. I was surprised that these held up well at 25 yards. Ten went into a 0.556-inch group. Given how the other premium diabolo pellets have done with this rifle and sight combination, that’s respectable.
The MicroHunter put 10 H&N 0.218-inch 23-grain slugs into 0.556-inches at 25 yards.
JSB Exact Jumbo Monster
The last pellet I tested was the 25.39-grain JSB Exact Jumbo Monster. This is not the Redesigned version of this pellet. Ten of them went into 0.765-inches at 25 yards.
Ten JSB Jumbo Monsters made this 0.765-inch group at 25 yards.
Discussion
This was an interesting test. I discovered why the Lucid P8 is not the right sight for shooting groups at airgun distances. The 100-yard parallax adjustment just makes shooting closer with precision too difficult to do. On the other hand, I think the P8 will make a wonderful hunting sight.
My plan is to run this same test again with the UTG Bug Buster Accushot Pro scope mounted. That’s the one with the Integrix DNA. I owe it to the MicroHunter to use a scope that’s capable of airgun precision at airgun distances.
I will consider mounting the P8 on a big bore airgun for hunting. That’s the sort of thing it is made for and as sharp as the image is, I’m sure it will do well.
Summary
I have great hopes for the MicroHunter, once a precision scope is mounted. I will get to that soon.
I can’t wait to see the test with the ACCUSHOT PRO, that rifle deserves that optic.
It is also good to see the JTS pellets are still holding their own against other premium pellets.
Ian.
Ian,
That was my thought, as well.
BB
B.B.
All your groups are one hole. Some holes bigger than others.
Now you need to stretch the Micro Hunter out till there are two or more holes. Maybe 50 yards, maybe even more…
The new scope should help.
-Y
Yogi, hunting guns like this DEFINITELY need to be tested at 50, 75, and 100 yards.
Convince Tom!!!
I’m not sure how far his range goes. Even though, everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas!
-Y
B.B.,
Your Bullet (SLUG) in airguns bias is showing:
”I was surprised that these held up well at 25 yards. Ten went into a 0.556-inch group. Given how the other premium diabolo pellets have done with this rifle and sight combination, that’s respectable.”
If you shoot them at 50, 75, or 100 yards you may be EVEN more surprised at how well they hold up even with the 2-mil dot! Especially in how much more energy they retain out were MOST air gunners FEAR to tread.
Photograph Caption:
Ten H&N Baracuda 18s made a 0.445-inch group at 10 meters.
Didn’t you shoot them at 25 yards?
shootski
shootski,
I sure did. Good catch. Thanks,
BB
Tom,
That sentence “No doubt a deer would be in trouble at 100 yards with the P8, but perhaps not the 0.5mm ten ring on a 10-meter airgun target.” should reinforce that the sights should be paired to the purpose the airgun will be used for. I know this rifle is for hunting but at the realistic range this is going to be effectively used I don’t think a dot sight is best for it. The Lucid P8 was given a good intro though with it being mounted on this rifle. Admittedly the Lucid P8 looks good when mounted on this small rifle.
Siraniko
There is a time for 100 yards test. 🙂
I was also surprised testing first time H&N slugs. Amazing at a long distance. There is nothing better than more engine displacement and more on BC!
Tomek,
“There is nothing better than more engine displacement and more on BC!”
Only if it comes with better or at least similar accuracy.
shootski
Fully agree! There is a hit with 7FPE and there is a miss with 100FPE. Which one makes more fun? 🙂
At 20-ish fpe, I am not sure that anything more than 50 yards is really worth testing. The pellet trajectory drop will be excessive and wind effects will really throw everything off “literally”. At 10-50 yards, I would expect 1MOA groups.
Cloud 9,
If the posted information on the PAIR page is accurate…
Max. velocity: 790 FPS (.177), 818 FPS (.22), 701 FPS (.25)*
* – Using 10.34gr ammo for .177, 13.43gr for .22, and 25.39gr for .25
and,
Max. energy: 14 FPE (.177), 23 FPE (.22), 28.4 FPE (.25)**
Using 16gr ammo @ 671 FPS for .177, 21.1gr @ 705 FPS for .22, and 33.95gr @ 614 FPS for .25
The RAW MicroHunter probably won’t be benchrest ready (a known hard crowd to please!) but could-might just workout hunting to 100 out of a Pick-em-Up truck ;^)
shootski
B.B.,
I think the redesigned JSB monster pellets may do better. I would give them a try. Good shooting.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/jsb-redesigned-monster-pellets-22-200-ct?p=1420
I wish the gun came with a carbine barrel along with the short barrel. I do not see any benefit in the short barrel on a hunter gun.
Don
Benji-Don,
The only logical reason is why Dennis Quackenbush made 20″ barrels for his Outlaw Rifles. Some folks from Texas wanted rifles short enough to not take out the windshield in their pick-em-up trucks! Not my style of hunting; but who am i to question other’s needs and wants ;^)
I suspect you could get a custom barrel of 17″ or even 25.5″ to replace the 8.5″ long barrel hidden in that shroud. They might even make a matching shroud for some extra $$$ and longer wait time. Might even make it powerful enough in .22 or .25 to be effective on song dogs!
shootski
Shootski,
I should of said (for myself) on that last sentence. Shooting a long gun in most cramped conditios just takes practice and deliberate moves. It is like carrying a fishing pole through the brush. Just don’t try it on a motorcycle, I know how that ends.
If the Avenger was a little more quiet it would be my choice for a hunting air rifle in .22 of .25 you can’t beat the price.
Don
What do you all think about a first PCP for someone looking to dip their toe (perhaps it does not work that way) into the dark side? I remember Ridgerunner liking the Discovery, and I have my sights on a used one, but perhaps a brand new one would be best for a first gun? Thoughts?
P.S. I am not giving up on springers…danced with the TX200 last night with my new practice “gunslinger” target
Here’s the target. What an amazing rifle.
Roamin Greco,
If you can get a Discovery in mostly good condition that is a great PCP pond toe dip! Many OEM parts are available as well a aftermarket IF you need them. Hand pump is all you need to run the thing.
You have a CHRONOGRAPH…right!
Great reads on this blog with DISCOVERY search: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/07/discovery-barrel-to-glue-or-not-to-glue/
That one blog covers most of the things NOT to do! It also contains good info from Tom.
Then you need a Marauder.
AND WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE!
shootski
The Marauder has been in the back of FM’s mind – what there is of it – for some time. Credit the Maximus for getting him into the “Dark Side.” Maybe will do some table “sniffing” at the NC Airgun Show coming up and find another fun shooter to add to the PCP and springer family.
Thank you, Shootski. I still have lots and lots of breakbarrels and co2 guns to shoot, and I did not win the auction yet, but it may be too good a deal to pass up. We shall see. Thanks for the link. And yes, I have a chrony, and I am in the works to get an upgrade, so I’ll have the “two is one” theory covered.
This three-part report on the accuracy test of the RAW MicroHunter at 25 yards is highly informative. The detailed analysis of different pellets, including JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy, JTS Dead Center, and H&N Baracuda 18, provides valuable insights into the rifle’s performance.
desperatemeasure,
Hi. I will re-run this same test with a precision scope that you will read about Monday.
BB