Air Venturi Avenge-X classic wood.
Link to Part 12 of the Avenge-X wood stock report series where all other parts are linked
This report covers:
- I’m off!
- Not the worst pellet
- Boost the reg
- What I haven’t yet done
- Only one pellet
- Fill
- High power
- Low power
- Discussion
I’m off!
Here I go! I’m going to tune the .22 caliber Air Venturi Avenge-X. But I have a lot of questions before I get started. If you read my series on tuning the .177-caliber Avenge-X or 45Bravo’s report on tuning his Avenge-X Tactical you know what we both went through to “tune” our rifles. Tune is in quotes because we may never know if what we’ve done is the best.
I told you at the time that neither of us will live long enough to see if our tunes were “right” or the best or whatever else you want to say about them. They simply changed the rifles from what they had been to what they became. We tested them before and after the tune and knew that there had been improvement, but whether that was the very best that could be done we had no idea.
Not the worst pellet
And now I face the same challenge with the .22 rifle. I sort of know how good it is right now because I shot it for accuracy in Part 12 of that series. And, thank the Lord, I had the good sense to put boundaries on what I hoped to learn. Because I don’t even know if the 14.3-brain Benjamin Single Die pellet that I call the Benjamin Bullseye is the best pellet for this rifle in .22. What I do know is it’s probably not the worst. Look at what I said at the end of Part 12 of the Avenge-X series.
“The Avenge-X magazines work well.
The reg pressure is probably too low for .22.
The CARM magazine is not an advantage — yet. That one needs more testing.
The current fill pressure of 4100 psi is good.”
“Next I think I need to tune the rifle for consistent velocity with this pellet. [The Benjamin Bullseye.] If I wasn’t writing reports but testing this for myself I would want to shoot many other pellets before moving on, but that will get boring, so I’ll run with this pellet.”
Boost the reg
What I will do then is boost the regulator pressure. To what level? How should I know? I will just boost it far enough up that we can see it is different. That may seem arbitrary to many readers and indeed it is, but this air rifle is so absolutely accurate that you almost can’t make it shoot poorly. At least I hope that’s the case. I hope by saying that I haven’t jinxed myself!
I will then adjust the hammer spring tension until the shot-to-shot variation becomes very small. Following that I’ll test the rifle for accuracy again.
For accuracy testing I plan to use the same factory rotary magazine that I proved was good in Part 12. But by increasing the reg pressure I will also have increased the velocity, and that means I can test the LARC rotary magazine again. That mag did poorly in the Part 12 test, but I said it could have been that the pellet was traveling too slowly. What I want, then, is a significant boost in velocity for this pellet.
What I haven’t yet done
I converted the Avenge-X from .177 to .22 caliber. I then remounted the scope that had been used for the .177 tests and started shooting groups with .22-caliber pellets. What I DIDN’T do yet was test the velocity of the rifle with the pellet that will be used in the tune — the Benjamin Bullseye. I have read over Parts 10 through 12 and nowhere can I see where the velocity of this pellet was recorded. That’s fundamental for tuning because we need to know where we have been to know how far we have gone after adjustments. So that’s what I will do now.
Only one pellet
We have constrained the test of the .22 rifle to the Benjamin Bullseye pellet, so velocities of other .22 pellets don’t matter. Nor do I need a shot count because it’s just going to change after tuning. All I need to know now is the High and Low power velocity for this one pellet. Let’s establish that.
Fill
I filled the rifle to 4100 psi (282.67 bar) with the RovAir Portable air compressor and shot two strings — the first on the High power setting and the second on Low power. I will show all shots in each string.
High power
Shot……….Vel.
1…………….1065
2…………….1038
3…………….1038
4…………….1038
5…………….1030
6…………….1032
7…………….1032
8…………….1038
9…………….1036
10…………..1029
The average for this string is 1038 f.p.s., but as you can see, the first shot is high and out of the range. It made the extreme spread 36 f.p.s. which we know is way outside what an Avenge-X should give. The next 9 shots vary by only 9 f.p.s.
Am I still filling too high or is the regulator just not settling down after the fill? The reg was reading 2400 psi before the fill and I didn’t read it after. After all today’s shooting it reads 2100 psi/144.79 bar that is where it was set when the .177 caliber barrel was on the rifle. I will read it before I start tuning the rifle, to see if the reg pressure is creeping up over time.
Low power
Shot……….Vel.
1…………….815
2…………….810
3…………….806
4…………….810
5…………….812
6…………….812
7…………….810
8…………….806
9…………….809
10…………..809
The average for this string is 810 f.p.s. and the spread is 9 f.p.s. The first shot is still the fastest shot recorded in the string. Ignore it and the spread drops to 6 f.p.s.
Discussion
In Part 12 it seemed that the High power setting was more accurate than the Low power setting. Now that we know what velocities those settings give, would a velocity of around 925 or so be good? Hard to say at this point but if I lower the fill pressure a bit and increase the reg setting to perhaps 2400-2500 psi/165.47-172.37 bar, maybe I can adjust the hammer spring for a tight spread. I learned from 45Bravo’s report that changing the hammer spring by as little as 1/16-turn can make all the difference.
I might get my targeted (or hoped for) velocity on the Low power setting. It’s something to watch.
B.B.
Now the hammer spring…..it never ends.
Guys at the range tune for highest BC. They have one of those fancy cronies that tell you everything.
Is highest BC the most accurate at distance? Is this the proper rabbit hole to climb down?
-Yogi
Yogi,
Is the highest ballistic coefficient (BC) the most accurate at distance?
GOOD QUESTION and the topic of tomorrow’s report!
Thanks,
BB
ROTFWL! We just thought the Marauder testing went on forever!
I have to give it to the Chinese. They seem to have figured out how to get into the airgun market here.
For me, the question becomes will they still be functioning or at least easily rebuildable one hundred years from now?
RR,
Why do you ask? Do you plan to be around in 100 years? 😉
BB
He already has been…what’s another 100? No sweat!
;o)
BB,
Of course I do.
RR,
Right on buddy.
Live on!
🙂
B.B. nice report. Somehow you have me still engaged after 13 reports. I am cheering for you to print some eye-popping groups at 50, even 100 yards with this puppy. Then try a slug.
BB,
If the regulator is working properly the fill pressure (within safety limits) will have minimal affect on the tune – that’s its job.
For the pellet you have selected, there is one optimum velocity (hammer spring setting) for each regulator setting to tune the power plant for best efficiency.
Best efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean best accuracy (but it is a good starting point) as there’s other factors like harmonics that come to play.
To figure out where the tune is and where you want to be you need to “fingerprint” the PCP (systematically find the optimum hammer settings for a variety of regulator pressures) while watching pellet flight/stability and noting the muzzle report. This will give you a good idea of where the PCPs happy place is then fine tune from there.
Fingerprinting the PCP is a lot faster (and more practical) than randomly trying different settings hoping to find something that works.
I had hoped to do the Avenge-X fingerprinting for you but, unfortunately, my Avenge-X was defective and I had to return it.
Hank
Hank,
Now you’re writing my report for me!
BB
BB
Why not dismiss the first shot as a wake up shot? This also applies to the first shot after a pellet type change, a fill, after any adjustment to reg, hammer spring, or hi/lo power. If the out of range velocity had occurred at shot 4 or 5 or 6, etc, that would be a concern. I shoot targets informally and always look to see where the first pellet lands. If it is the only flier in a 10 shot group I dismiss it and shoot shot #11 for score. I shoot all types of airguns almost daily and this “first pellet flier” event happens almost as often as not.
Deck
Decksniper,
“Why not dismiss the first shot as a wake up shot?”
You most certainly could/should if you are shooting at paper targets.
But if you are hunting, or even pesting, you owe it to yourself and the target to have a “Cold Bore” shot that is COMPLETELY RELIABLE.
Just my opinion ;^)
shootski
I would agree with that, shootski. One caveat, if your pcp is absolutely consistent with that first shot outlier, why not dry fire it into a oatmeal carton or a coffee can full of rubber mulch to blow off the first shot before inserting the mag for hunting or pesting?
Roamin Greco,
You certainly could…but how long does it take to have your airgun return to “Cold Bore” and more to the point can you afford the time/noise to do that when hunting or pesting?
shootski
PS: With a Firearm the Cold Bore shot is what you train for for practical shooting.
Shootski
Understood and agree. If a rocket ship is carrying people into space the initial attempt has to work. But we are talking about target shooting and even serious competitors get to wake up their airguns as I understand it. If airgun hunters shoot an out of range pellet it seems unlikely it would make a difference unless one is shooting dangerous game.
Deck
These AvengeX rifles are tinkerer’s delights and make for very interesting reports. I am learning a lot as we go. Thanks BB!
Team
It must be me, but I keep wondering why it feels like I need a PhD to shoot one of these airguns. I think I will stick to the child-like simplicity of a multi pump. . Seems like a lot of work to replicate the characteristics of a standard 22 Cal rifle or am I missing something. I’ll admit, I’m new to the game but I’m trying to understand.
Any insight is appreciated
jda001
jda001,
I knew this would happen. I am taking my time to explain tuning things IN GREAT DETAIL for those readers who are interested. You don’t need to do any of the things I’m doing to have fun with this airgun.
Just because you own a Corvette doesn’t mean you have to drive fast.
BB
Understood and thank you
Kind Regards
jda001
jda001,
Don’t feel bad, this is not a beginner’s airgun and growing into one of these ultimate, state of the art, airguns over time is totally normal.
You will appreciate the adjustability and advancements much more after shooting air rifles that only offer basic limited shooting options over a period of time. Especially if you get caught up in, almost said addicted, to this shooting sport.
Bob M
Bob
Thanks, appreciate the guidance. Guess its hard to understand the journey, especially since its early on for me. Right now its KISS for me.
Kind Regards
jda001
jda001,
It’s all about having fun and enjoying the sport. You may have already figured out there are a lot of extremely knowledgeable airgun enthusiasts here with many years of experience but don’t let that intimidate you. We were all where you are now, and you will find nothing but support and any advice you may seek without any criticism. We are here to help and share knowledge.
BB, Tom Gaylord, has made this a very enjoyable meeting place for air gunners to share experiences and continue to learn. I think you are fortunate to find this Blog early on. There is a tremendous amount of information in all the past blogs and airgun reviews by simply using the search option or asking. The people at PyramydAir are the best when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Airguns, pellets and even bb’s have evolved into some highly technical and expensive items, but they still exist in simple low-cost forms. You should be able to find information from both sources to help you decide what type of airgun could fill your needs best.
Have a fine Airgun Day !
Bob M.
jda001,
Trust me you don’t need to have a PHD to start shooting a PCP. KISS is how i survived my first PCP purchased in 1990. Since then i have purchased only a few interesting airguns with the other powerplants; i’m a shooter and accuracy trumps nostalgia.
Most PCPs will outshoot most of the other powerplants as long as the owner doesn’t tinker. And if you do without knowing and carefully DOCUMENTING the change being made and the result…you will rue the day sooner than later!
Yes you must have a quality Chronograph that you know how to use well. Or follow a cookbook style recipe and hope for the best result. Just twirling knobs will get you in trouble as will listening to many other’s “guidance” on how they got max this and highest that. In the end the target doesn’t lie: borrowed with RESPECT from Gunfun1 wisdom.
shootski
Shootski,
Thanks my friend. 🙂
BB,
I hope I did not get too political, tried to avoid any reference to any political affiliations, sticking to personal beliefs. I did state earlier that if I found the supporting information I found someplace I would submit it. It showed up last night on a TV news channel.
Will stick to airguns.
BB,
On second thought, lets avoid any problems. Go ahead and delete my off-topic comment. That TV show just happened to remind me.
I was going to put any M1A refund toward payment for an Avenger-X Tactical but decided to keep it as spare parts and possible caliber swap. A simple linkage swap. Avenger-X going on order right … NOW!
Bob,
Done.
BB
Avenger on order. $185. in FREE Bullseye Bucks made the decision much easier. Will need to reread these Avenger Blogs. I will be looking into customizing it a little. The tactical version looks a little too much like a bare bones item. It is a little lighter, not much.
Chalk one up for the Great Enabler.
B.B. and Readership,
The latest OUTRAGE from IT and WORD DISTRESS:
I was responding to RidgeRunner on the 9 July Blog, The HW 97K underlever spring-piston rifle: Part Two, and then wanted to move to today’s Blog…WELL instead by clicking on the link, as usual, on that page for today’s Blog i wound up on some BOW BLOG titled Going Traditional.
Be Careful Out There!
Minefields are being laid EVERYWHERE!
shootski
I am wondering how the reg will hold up at such high fill pressures. I do see the advantages of a two regulator system.
On another topic, these highly adjustable PCPs make me question what I thought I knew about selecting the best pellets for a gun. Is there a pressure / barrel length / shape of air blast / etc., etc. that will let most good quality pellets to be the “best” pellet?
The only variable that stays the same from the past is fitting the pellet diameter to the barrel.
David Enoch
Hey all,
Going to try to keep this short so it doesn’t sound like I’m babbling on.
But what I have found throughout time is things seem simple at first but the more you do something and the deeper you dig the more complicated things can be.
As I always say simple but effective is what I’m after. As it goes simpler said than done.
Just remember stay safe and have fun.
B.B.,
Gunfun1’s post above got me thinking…
In a regulated PCP the volume of the plenum relative to the bore volume is very much related to the performance of the airgun.
What is the volume of the Avenge X plenum?
Yes you can make up for a mismatch with regulator output pressure to a point but since the .177, .22 and .25 caliber barrels have a large difference in volume i’m wondering if you have the plenum capacity you need to work with?
There are formulae/rules of thumb that have been bandied about to get in the ballpark.
But i have not been able to find a plenum volume advertised for the Avenge X. It is my guess that the plenum is buried in the receiver or simply is the valve volume (which is likely too small for the larger calibers.) since the pressure tube can be replaced by a Carbon Fiber bottle.
shootski