Gamo Hunter Extreme.
This report covers:
- The test
- JSB Exact Monsters
- FX 10.3-grain dome
- H&N Baracuda Match with 4.52mm head
- Trigger
- Clear image a plus
- JSB Hades
- Two pellets failed — Rabbit Mag and FX heavy
- Predator GTO lead-free domes
- Ten-shot group
- Summary
Today I back up to 25 yards and shoot the Gamo Hunter Extreme with pellets it has never shot before. In fact all but one of the pellets I’ll shoot today are pellets I have never shot before. I toyed with the thought of trying them out in the recently tuned Diana 34 EMS, but since that barrel is going away when the Vortek barrel replaces it, I thought why test it for accuracy? We already know that barrel is accurate, and pretty soon it isn’t going to matter anymore.
The test
I shot from 25 yards and all groups but the last one were five shots as I had seven new pellets to test and I wanted to shoot the best one ten times, as well. I used the artillery hold after trying the deer-hunter hold several readers advised. With that hold the pellets went off the target box, so the artillery hold it is. My off hand rested on the sandbag with the forearm of the stock resting on my palm out about halfway up the cocking slot.
JSB Exact Monsters
The first pellet I tested was the 13.43-grain JSB Exact Monster. Five landed in a 25-yard group that measures 1.887-inches between centers.
The Gamo Hunter Extreme put five JSB Exact Monsters into a 25-yard group that measures 1.887-inches between the centers of the two shots farthest apart.
FX 10.3-grain dome
The second pellet I tested was the FX 10.3-grain dome. I thought I had a winner when the second pellet went into the same hole as the first. But shots three through five opened the 25-yard group up to 1.21-inches between centers. It is the second-smallest group of the test, but when you see the smallest you’ll understand why I didn’t pursue it.
Five FX 10.3-grain domes made a 1.21-inch group at 25 yards.
H&N Baracuda Match with 4.52mm head
The third pellet I shot was the H&N Baracuda Match with 4.52mm head. While it is true that I shot H&N Baracuda Match pellets in the Hunter Extreme before now, those had a 4.50mm head and these were 4.52mm. So I counted them as new pellets.
Five went into a 1.607-inch group at 25 yards. Like the FX pellet, two of these went into the same hole and that told me the rifle needs to be held as lightly as possible. Given the size and weight of the Hunter Extreme that is very difficult to do.
The Gamo Hunter Extreme put five pellets into a 1.607-inch group at 25 yards.
Trigger
The trigger is still stiff but it feels like it’s breaking in. At least now I usually know when it’s ready to fire.
Meopta scope a plus
The Meopta Optika5 MeoPro 2-10X42 scope still provides a clear view of the target. The huge exit pupil is sharp and clear, making it easy to acquire the target. This will probably be the last time I mount this scope on the Hunter extreme because I have too many other air rifles that need great scopes.
JSB Hades
I have shot the JSB Hades hollowpoint pellets before but only in .22 caliber. Today marks my first test of the .177s. The Hunter Extreme put five Hades into a 1.603-inch group at 25 yards.
Five JSB Hades pellets went into a 1.603-inch group at 25 yards.
Two pellets failed — Rabbit Mag and FX heavy
Two new pellets were not fully tested because they failed to stay on the target paper. One of them, the FX 13.4-grain dome, hit the stand where the target box was sitting — on its third shot. It missed the aim point by at least 12 inches. The H&N Rabbit Magnum also spread out wide and was the one pellet that wouldn’t chamber completely.
Predator GTO lead-free domes
The last pellet I tested was the Predator GTO lead-free dome. Five went into 0.853-inches at 25 yards. Finally — a pellet that shoots sort of okay in the Hunter Extreme! This had to be the pellet I selected to shoot a 10-shot group.
Five Predator GTO lead-free domes went into 0.853-inches at 25 yards.
After seeing this target I adjusted the scope down several clicks to get the pellets on the bull. Then I shot a ten-shot group.
Ten-shot group
Ten Predator GTO lead-free domes made a 1.55-inch group at 25 yards.
Ten Predator GTO pellets went into 1.55-inches at 25 yards.
Summary
This Gamo Hunter Extreme is no tack-driver, that’s for sure! But it seems to respond to a super-light hold. The problem is that the size and weight of the rifle make such a hold extremely difficult.
Today’s test wasn’t about the Hunter Extreme. It was about testing new pellets that several readers said needed to be tested. This was just a first test. More will follow.
The Hunter Extreme will now be retired to the position of scope-tester. I will use it to test any scope whose ruggedness we question.
B.B.,
“The Hunter Extreme will now be retired to the position of scope-tester. I will use it to test any scope whose ruggedness we question.”
Speaks well for the Meopta Optika5 MeoPro 2-10X42 scope.
Wonder if it would prove true for all the lines of Meopta scopes. They haven’t, as yet, answered my email (months ago) about my Meopta Optica6 and Magnum Springer warranty coverage.
It will stay on my DAQ .308 for now. I did want to compare it to the SIG WHISKEY3 on my ASP20s.
Thank you for the testing.
shootski
Although this one is certainly to be retired I still think that a test of the epitome of Gamo magnums is necessary for general knowledge. Swarm Magnum Gen3i in.22.
Bill,
Why is everybody so hung up on this “magnum” thing? You would think by now that those who hang around here would have learned in general, the more “powerful” a sproinger is, the more hold sensitive it becomes. It also drastically increases the cocking effort involved.
I know it is a personal thing, but I like my sproingers to be 12 FPE or under. If I need more power, I pull out one of my PCPs.
RR
I am the first to admit that I have learned a lot, if not the most, about airguns from this blog, actually shooting them aside.
That’s why I cherish my 12 fpe LGV as my best shooting airgun along with the Tau 7.
The thing is that I don’t want to be snobist, excuse my English please, and I like to give a chance to anything/anyone trying to be the best they can be. And I also try to keep my biases under control.
That’s why I try to get some info from someone I trust (BB) about a gas piston repeater capable of 30 fpe. And if they could agree with Norica to use the recoiless system, now that would be the real epitome.
Anyway I think BB is not going to agree with me so I will have to remain an “eclectic collector” if I ever get one.
Pity, we all need any real world knowledge we can get.
Bill,
Okay eclectic collector. You have a Swarm Magnum Gen3i in.22.? Give me a guest blog.
I do what I can, but from time to time I stray off the path. Remember the Norica Titan?
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2023/10/norica-titan-breakbarrel-air-rifle-part-three/
That isn’t an air rifle I would ever remotely look at, but someone on the blog (you?) asked for it and I reviewed it. It turned out the way I expected and nobody really cared after they saw what it could and couldn’t do. I suspect the same for the Gamo Swarm Magnum Gen3i in.22. I see it as a gimmick. But you want to see it tested. If you have one you are proud of, let’s see it. If you don’t, tell me what there is that fascinates you.
Anyone else wanna see this one tested?
BB
BB
No the Titan was never my call. You may call me the enabler for the ZRS Omnia. I urged you to it because of the innovation, regardless of the outcome. One more time I try to have some dependable info about a promising system. Repeater, inertia fed, gas ram, silenced, 30 fpe, no pumps just some arms strength. See the pattern? As for getting one, I might, but only after reading the Godfather’s opinion, if you may.
Thank you in advance
Bill,
It was the ZRS Omnia that I meant. There are so many airguns around here that I lost my place and picked the wrong Norica. I wrote six reports about that one. Didja buy one? If so, why? If not, why?
That one shot better than I expected. But still — I think it’s a gimmick!
Thanks for telling me why you want to see the Swarm Magnum Gen3i in.22 tested. You know Gamo doesn’t even come to the SHOT Show anymore, so all I know about that rifle is what I see advertised online. I think it’s a gimmick, but I will probably look into it for you.
I looked at the listing and it doesn’t look too good — 1300 f.p.s. with .22 pellets? Are we going for the land speed record or are we wanting to hit something with this rifle? Please forgive me for being snarky, Bill, but didn’t I just do something similar today?
BB
BB
I didn’t buy the Omnia because of my budget. When that HW 35E, Nickel plated, appeared in front of me I HAD to get it. Along with the aftermarket Vortek kit it has been hard on my pention…
Anyway although we don’t believe in the advertising hype there might be some good in that Gen3i. After all there are hunters in the audience not just 0.10″ group bench rested marksmen. No?
Bill,
Believe me — I understand the budget thing.
Okay — IF this rifle can shoot well enough to be a hunter, then yes, it’s worth a look.
That is a big if, though.
My brother-in-law, Bob, shoots a Umarex Synergis repeater because his neuropathic hands find loading single pellets to be a problem. That would be a reason for this Gamo, if it’s accurate.
BB
And who is going to take that big if out of the equation but you Tom?
Bill,
Okay, I ordered it. But RidgeRunner chimed in and I mistakenly ordered the rifle he linked to. Instead of the Swarm Magnum I ordered the Swarm Bone Collector.
Both rifles are Swarm 10X Gen3i, so I suppose one review will suffice for the other. I do realize that the Swarm Magnum shoots faster but I hope you were serious about using it to hunt with and not just to break speed records?
BB
BB,
I know this seems a bit much for me, but I really am curious about this one.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/gamo-swarm-bone-collector-10x-gen3i-multi-shot-air-rifle?m=5539
It is a bit gimmicky, but maybe Gamo has learned a little over the years, most especially since they took over BSA and now Daisy. The wood stock may help it a little. Who knows, maybe you can hit the broad side of a barn from inside with it.
RR
That Bone Collector stock makes it the most beautiful Gamo rifle. Still I want to know about the limit of their potential that’s why I urge BB to test its big brother.
By the way I remind you that the term eclectic collector is yours and I had warned you (asked permission) that I would use it.
Bill,
The term “eclectic collector” is not really my term. BB pronounced it of me a long time ago.
I think he uses this term to refer to those who collect to experience for themselves what it is like to shoot some of the “old gals” that they collect. I myself am curious about how certain issues with airgunning were overcome, mostly in the past.
To me, so many of these issues and their solutions seem to have been forgotten. One such is the power / velocity race with sproingers. Why was the UK limit of 12 FPE chosen? Could it be that accurately shooting of sproingers above that power level is most difficult anyway? Yes, there are new advances that make such possible. There is an increased cost involved though.
As has been pointed out in past blogs, a good quality sproinger for under $200 is still illusive. Gamo has not figured it out yet. They just keep adding fancy dodads to what they are already making. I suspect their US sproinger market has plummeted.
Just my free opinion. That is probably all it is worth.
I’ve probably chronographed more shots from a Gamo Magnum Swarm 3i than from any other gun.
I was trying to figure out why the velocities I was getting from it were so inconsistent, with up to 150 fps of variation between shots. I ultimately isolated it to the autoloader system. I would blame it on the magazine, but I ordered two additional magazines and found I had the same problem with all three of them, although not all to the same degree.
Gamo Swarm magazines have each position in the magazine numbered, and what I found was that on #10, (10 shots remaining), the velocity was pretty good, but on #9 and #8 it got better, then #7 would drop back to about the same velocity as #10. Every shot after #7 it would get progressively worse and all three magazines exhibited this same behavior.
Removing the autoloading mechanism, (which is very easily done), both remedied the problem and increased the peak velocities by about 20 fps.
When you examine the autoloader and see how it operates you’ll likely be amazed that it works at all. When you cock the rifle the magazine rotates 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical, a probe comes out and seats the pellet and retracts and the magazine then rotates back 90 degrees from vertical to horizontal. Maybe Weihrauch could have successfully pulled it off, but Gamo chose to make both the magazines and loader almost entirely out of plastic and if it did work properly it would be amazing.
The rest of the rifle is surprisingly good. It’s very lightweight for a super magnum springer and less hold sensitive than I would have expected. Mine does well with 18.1 grain JSB’s and 2.5″ groups at 50 yards are normal. Yes, I have shot tighter groups as well, but I wouldn’t bet money on it shooting tighter groups than that. The last string I chronographed averaged 823 fps and 27.2 fpe. Cocking effort is the heaviest I have ever experienced with any rifle. It’s significantly harder to cock than either a Hatsan 130 or a Beeman Kodiak.
At this point, I’m convinced that the magazine system is the weak link in an otherwise decent, budget priced rifle. It’s not just a bad idea due to its overly complicated mechanism and shoddy construction, but also due to its likelihood of being dry-fired. When all you have to do to fire the next shot is cock the barrel it’s just too easy to overlook the chamber being empty when you cock it. And then you have the cleaning issue.
SB
Thank you for your post. It’s really almost everything I need to know about the rifle, though not in detail. From what I understand BB or RR will provide detailed information on the Bone Collector that is the same system but more beautiful and probably easier to use, with less power off course.
SB,
Yes, thank you for this comment! I have a Swarm Bone Collector on order for testing.
BB
Bill,
From one eclectic collector to another, I have learned so much here myself over the years. Do not be ashamed of your grasp of the English language. I wish I knew it well enough to communicate so well.
I also wish I had a fortune so as to shoot the various airguns I have dreamed about. Finding this blog has helped me to learn so much about this world, far more than all of the videos so many post out there on YouTube.
I used to own a Gamo CFX. it was my first air rifle. I learned so much from fiddling with it. I put a custom trigger on it. I put a gas spring in it for a very brief time. I tried many different holds on it. I launched hundreds of pellets through it. I took that air rifle as far as I could and then I passed it on to someone else. I have a few more that at some point I will pass on. There are a few that will be going nowhere except to my Grandson. It is my hope that he will carry on and cherish them as I do.
I am done rambling now.
RidgeRunner,
NOT Bill but…what motorcycle you ride? Honda 50?
Or even a BSA 250?
IIRC, you ride a Harley Davidson.
Oh yea…Tom rides/has ridden one or more of that brand too! Can’t just be the bugs in the teeth smile since B.B.’s has got a big wind screen; yours?
Lol!
shootski
I am afraid that I have the bug stains as I do not have a windshield.
As for the Beezer, I would really like to have one. More likely the 650 though. I am a little too big for anything smaller.
RidgeRunner,
The 250 kept me alive while i learned how to ride a motorcycle and dodge the bugs.
My Starfire MkIV certainly was more fun but too late and quite frankly just not enough to save BSA from the Japanese bikes flooding the USA.
I’m just a car guy these days…love my old AERO and Viggen.
shootski
Ever wonder if we should also be testing pellets of various head diameter for accuracy in any given air gun?
Bob,
Well, yeah. I’ve been doing that for about the last ten years. 😉
BB
Bob M,
You have to pay real close attention to BB. He will state when a pellet, usually H&N, gives the head diameter on the tin.
Once upon a time, I used to own a Gamo CFX. It was very pellet picky and extremely hold sensitive. If I used H&N FTT 4.51mm pellets and held it just a certain way, it would put ten shots under a dime at 25 yards. It did not like H&N FTT 4.52mm pellets.
Bob M,
Now if we can just get the manufacturers to put them all in the same tin as marked…LOL!
Maybe same weight(within 0.2 grain) too…Na…that would be asking for way to much with how little they make us pay for them.
shootski
I don’t why they insist on making Uber magnums in 177. They’d be better off in .22 or .25. I think the only hope for this rifle is if you could find a .22 or .25 barrel that would fit.
Brent,
A .22 barrel would most definitely help. A better trigger system would also improve it some. Perhaps even a lighter spring.
The problem with all of this is that it would no longer be a serious contender in the “velocity wars”.
Brent,
My SIG ASP20 in .177caliber has proven more precise compared to my .22caliber with the pellets and bullets (Slugs) i have shot out of them so far. Both are equipped with the identical WHISKEY3 Scope.
The only difference is the .22 has a Synthetic stock and the .177 is wooden. I really cannot tell stock material difference when shooting them with gloves on.
Shootski
BB,
“The Hunter Extreme will now be retired to the position of scope-tester. I will use it to test any scope whose ruggedness we question.” I have never owned one, but I have heard the Webley Patriot may also be a good candidate for this position.
I think Brent was on to something when he suggested changing this to .22 if possible. It would probably also benefit from a Charlie Da Tuna trigger. If my Gamo CFX had been the wood stock version, it may still be here.
Then again, you can only do so much with a sow’s ear.
The Hatsan/Webly Patriot has been known to shear the forward 7mm diameter stock mounting bolt. I wouldn’t put a scope I care about anywhere near a Patriot.
Derrick,
Yes — the Patriot is the all-time best scope killer. But I don’t have one, so the Hunter Extreme will have to do.
BB
So I hear. That sounds just exactly like what I want.
B.B.
What a hunk of junk!!!
Send it to RidgeRunner!
Not even accurate enough to hunt with.
First time I will say this, those pellet deserve a better barrel. Usually the barrel deserves better pellets.
-Y
Yogi,
Tomorrow it will make more sense.
BB
BB,
I’m looking forward to what tomorrow’s news brings regarding the Gamo Hunter Extreme. I was thinking that this one might be destined to your out file for the next trade show. Not to be a killjoy, but considering that you have a reasonable supply of splendid air guns, what are the odds that someday you’ll decide to pick this harsh shooter up and give it another go just for fun? It’s a mystery. We do all sorts of things. Maybe you found how to work it? We’ll see! 🙂
Happy New Year All!
Will
Will,
Not sure what you are asking/saying. tomorrow’s blog will not be about the Hunter Extreme.
BB
BB,
Sorry, my misunderstanding. I was out of synch with the dates, my fault, never mind.
Will
This summer I bought the Gamo Hunter Extreme Pro as bigger pests started showing up in my backyard to eat what my wife was gardening. Problem solved.
Now, this beast of an airgun utilizes a gas spring and is a .22 caliber. The shot is very composed. It’s not hold sensitive and it is slightly more accurate than my HW95. I shoot it with a red dot and get the same under half inch group I get with my scopped HW. I’ve heard BSA barrel making magic might be responsible for the accuracy. Or, maybe I got lucky this time. Favorite food – H&N Field Target Trophy .22 Cal 5.53 mm Head. The
gas spring could also be helping with accuracy but I have tried one of Gamo’s offerings in the past and dinner size plate groups were hard to achieve. Ergonomics are very good. You need to be in good physical condition to cock this thing but for what I use it for, it’s not a problem.
This whole Hunter extreme series keeps shoving me back into the strange corner I’m in. I still have what I guess is the first model of one of these. Again it is the one made in England.
I want so badly to put it through its paces with the pellets I have…… Just under the presumably flawed theory
It might somehow be as good as I remember from a much more naive Time, air gun education wise.
Perhaps one of my healthier friends will assist me one afternoon by being
My Springer attendant LOL
I bought mine new but lost in inventory about 14 years ago. The shot count is certainly under 200.
To further tease me I have a couple examples of the original Blue ribbon scopes… Made in seiki City Japan.
In theory if anything can handle the abuse it would be them.
Until I buy some 177 slugs, I am limited to pellets that Max at 11 grains.
There was a time I left it cocked and safely stored for a month and a half.
Just to see if I could sneak it under the sound barrier.
Frank Balistreri,
Get out of that corner!
Call a Boy Scout Troop and ask for someone having problems getting their shooting badge.
shootski
PS: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/rifle-shooting/
Frank
Do you happen to remember if the trick of leaving the spring cocked made any difference of some kind?
I may forget exact numbers my friend,….
But thanks to a decade and a half of Tom’s mentorship I most certainly remember my expectation not being met.
With the general consensus of Internet research one would expect approximately 10% less after a month.
Spring fatigue extra scrag…. Whatever the cause.
In this case that would have dropped me below the speed of sound with a CP heavy at 10 and a half grains.
That did not happen! Maybe all the ridiculous preload?
Anyway still clearly ripping a hole in the atmosphere
Frank,
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2022/03/how-long-can-you-leave-that-mainspring-cocked/
BB
BB,
It’s kind of a shame to be immortalized on your blog for doing something so dumb, LOL!
But then again, perhaps it will remind others to check that springer before you put her away! 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
Although I have bigger fish to fry right now….. The air gunner in me has been shopping on pyramid to look at all the slug offerings and extra heavies in 177.
Kind of like and dirty Harry I gots to know…..!?
I have a diana model 48 brutal kicker on scopes no matter what hold I used it was horrible. so I got 3 5/4 x 6 boards one flat other 2 upright screwed to the flat one. drilled a set of holes across from each other got a paint roller (spacing of the uprights sized for roller) stuck 1/4 ” steel rod thru the roller and holes where the roller could spin. laid the rifle on the roller held it so it would slide back turning the roller and shot tiny groups. only way it could be shot so no hunting with that rifle. I bet there is a good chance it would work with the gamo
Mildot52,
If you have some extra shekels laying around, you might try one of those Diana ZR (Zero Recoil) scope mounts that Pyramid sells. It turned my Diana 54, a known scope killer, into a tack driver!
Brent