Air Arms S510XS Ultimate Sporter with Laminate Stock.
Part 11 where there are links to all the previous reports
This report covers:
- Fill
- The test
- JTS 18.1-grain domes
- H&N 23-grain slugs
- JSB Hades hollowpoint
- Benjamin Single Die dome
- H&N Baracuda Match with 5.51mm head
- What I don’t like about the rifle
- What I like about the rifle
- Summary
Today we look at the accuracy of the .22-caliber Air Arms S510XS Ultimate Sporter with Laminate Stock with some premium pellets that have not yet been tried. I’m also going to tell you some of the things I like and some I dislike about this air rifle.
Fill
I filled the reservoir at the start of this report. I had not shot this rifle since April of 2023 — a full 16 months ago, so I scanned all past reports to see what pellets I’d shot and to see any of the rifle’s quirks. I do remember that I had left the Meopta MeoPro Optika6 3-18X56 scope on because this is my go-to .22 pellet rifle. I considered that it was still sighted in for 25 yards, so after filling I went straight to the test.
The test
I shot the rifle off a sandbag rest at 25 yards with the rifle rested directly on the sandbag. I shot five different premium pellets with each group containing 10 shots. The power was set on high except for the first group, when the power was set two clicks down. After reading the past reports I refilled the rifle after 30 shots.
JTS 18.1-grain domes
In the past JTS 18.1-grain domes were the most accurate pellet in the rifle so I started the test with them. In Part 11 the best group with this pellet was 10 in 0.113-inches, which is the best this rifle has ever shot. Most groups in the past have measured just over a quarter-inch. Today ten went into 0.294-inches between centers.
The Air Arms S510XS put ten JTS 18.1-grain domes into a 0.294-inch group at 25 yards.
H&N 23-grain slugs
Next up were ten H&N 23-grain slugs that measure 0.218-inches wide. For this group and for the remainder of the test the power was set on high. These slugs went into 0.619-inches at 25 yards, making it obvious that this is not a good pellet for the S510XS.
Ten 23-grain H&N slugs went into 0.619-inches at 25 yards.
JSB Hades hollowpoint
The third pellet I tested was the JSB Hades hollowpoint. These have been very accurate in other airguns in the recent past. The S510 put ten into a 0.316-inch group at 25 yards.
Ten JSB Hades hollowpoints went into 0.316-inches at 25 yards.
After this group I filled the rifle again.
Benjamin Single Die dome
Next to be tested was the new Benjamin Single Die domed pellet that I like to call the Benjamin Bullseye. So far these are accurate in almost all airguns. And the S510 is no exception. This was the most accurate pellet in today’s test and also the only one that grouped in less than 0.20-inches for 10 shots, with ten going into 0.187-inches at 25 yards.
The S510 shot ten Benjamin Bullseyes into a 0.187-inch group at 25 yards.
H&N Baracuda Match with 5.51mm head
The last pellet I shot was the H&N Baracuda Match with a 5.51mm head. I had tried the same pellet with a 5.50mm head previously, so this was something different.. Ten of these went into 0.598-inches at 25 yards, making this a non-starter for this rifle.
Ten H&N Baracuda Match pellets with 5.51mm heads made a 0.598-inch group at 25 yards.
What I don’t like about the rifle
I don’t like the Air Arms fill adaptor. Not only is it unlike any other fill adaptor, it is also difficult (for me) to attach to the rifle. The male Foster fill fitting used on other pneumatics is nearly universal and I wish Air Arms would get on board.
I don’t like the circular magazine. Yes, it never locks up at the end of the shots, but besides allowing you to lower the striker manually, it also causes you to shoot blanks or to count your pellets. Even while shooting a 10-shot group (the mag’s capacity) I removed the mag twice in five groups with a pellet still in the mag. Reader Yogi has a point about not wanting to count his shots.
The rifle is extremely difficult to load singly.
What I like about the rifle
I like the trigger. It’s two-stage, positive and crisp.
I like the power adjuster. It adjusts immediately — not requiring a shot to settle in at the new level.
The sidelever works smoothly.
The rotary magazine feeds many pellets smoothly and without disruption — meaning misaligned chambers. It also removes and installs easily.
The rifle is extremely quiet when firing. Even on high power it is just a whisper.
Summary
It was nice to shoot this old girl again. I have to figure ways to do it more often.
BB: Since the new Benjamin Bullseyes have been available, I’ve found them to be what most of my airguns like. Well, I’ve really only put them to the test in my TX200 against the JSB 15.89 gr. pellets. The Benjamin’s win out to 35 yds. My HW97K seems to prefer them as well. My question/concern is: will these new Benjamin pellets remain available following the seemingly inevitable closing of Crosman in NY? I still have 11 plus cans of their 250 pellet tins and plan to order another 8 tins over the Labor Day holiday using the 12% discount at PA, but is this enough? I go through about two tins every 10 days. Should I become a Benjamin hoarder? The JSBs are nearly the equal of the Bullseyes, so tell me, O Great Seer . . . Shall I pull the trigger (yes, stupid pun intended)? OK, last question, will corporate greed continue to kill off American businesses and jobs? So just maybe this last query may be a bit beyond even your ken, but tell me anyway. Orv.
Doc,
I don’t know. Crosman’s closing their American operations is going to have a big impact on the airgun market. If you really like the pellets I say get them now.
BB
Orv,
JTS is a Wang Po Industries company and from what I hear, they make some pretty good pellets. Maybe when Crosman opens up in Uncle Xi’s country, they just might hold onto the higher standards that you are dreaming about.
Hoppalong Doc,
How are you and your wife doing?
I hope things are progressing well.
shootski
Shootski: thank you so much for your interest, and prayers, I hope. My wife’s battle with what we all initially thought to be a simple cancer has turned out to be two different cancers that were misdiagnosed prior to surgery in January. Making the story as short as possible, after three surgeries, she is now cancer free, but being treated with chemotherapy just to be sure. Her eyesight in the right eye is significantly compromised, but still getting better. She will still require a cornea at a later date to be followed by a cosmetic surgery if she later chooses. She beautiful to me either way. Interestingly enough, the oncologist/surgeon who made the initial misdiagnosed surgery has left the large practice he was a part of and we have so far been unable to make contact. Our attorney is working on this. Anyway, to answer your question directly, my wife is doing well, she’s a bit ill following her chemo weeks, but God is good. Her current oncologist is optimistic. Most weeks she’s leading her normal, active life. As am I, by the way. Thank you for caring. Orv.
Hoppalong Doc,
Thank you for the update Orv.
You will both remain in my prayers.
Be well,
shootski
Orv,
Your last question is very interesting to me.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/your-money/corporate-greed-fed-study/
Personally i believe misguided COVID-19 government policies as well as the alarming percentage of our current taxes going to just keep up with the interest load on our National Debt is to blame. And yet, most of our politicians continue to push “investment” in all manner of Progressive social programs instead of what our Constitution actually ALLOWS them to legally SPEND your and my tax dollars on.
There is more and it revolves around the BIG elephant in the room…ENERGY policy failures in the face of ecological false theories, media darlings, “science” gods, fear mongers and CROOKS!
shootski
Shootski: Not all portions of our lives are preventable. It is how we respond (not react) to them that marks the individual’s future paths. Orv.
My word, when 10 shots into 0.598-inches at 25 yards is considered a non-starter, you know we’ve come a long way! Ain’t life good?
Bob,
These days a 0.598 is a good 50 yard group with a decent PCP and pellet. 🙂 Yes, we have come a long way!
Most of my PCPs will typically group under 3/8″ at 25 yards with pellets straight from the tin and 1/4″ groups with sorted pellets.
I think of 25 yards as springer territory and do 90% of my PCP shooting at 40 yards or further.
Hank
B.B.
What really confounds me about today’s report is when you said, “The rifle is extremely difficult to load singly.”
This should never be in a rifle as nice and expensive as this Air Arms is!
-Yogi
Yogi,
Another reason to stick with sproingers? 😉
Oh, I forgot. Gamo sproingers are quickly leading the sproinger industry away from the single load world.
Don’t sweat it dude. I am just pulling your chain. I am still a big fan of the single load sproinger myself. Something I have noticed over the years is many, if not all, of the magazine fed PCPs are not easy to shoot in the single shot mode. Even with single shot trays, they can be difficult for these big old digits to feed pellets into. There is just not much room in there for pellets AND fingers to fit.
That little flip out single shot tray is probably the best idea I have seen as of yet. Maybe I will have to look into that for myself.
Yogi,
The breech of a repeating PCP is designed to fit a magazine that’s designed to house the pellets. So it’s the pellet (slug) length rather than “finger access” that determines the size of the opening.
Single shot trays work well and, in a pinch, a rubber-band-in-a-tube pellet holder works pretty well when you are not using the magazine.
Like a pull-cord on an electric starter snowblower, single loading a repeater is an option rather than the intended operation.
Hank
Tom,
It looks like the Avenge-X is really going to give this rifle a run for it’s money.
Siraniko
Siraniko.
One of the reasons I have been most reluctant to own a Chinese made air rifle is that the Chinese tend to “cut corners” to increase their profit margin without intense oversight.
Having said that, it appears that Snowpeak, maker of the Dragonfly, etcetera and Nova Vista, maker of the Avenge-X, etcetera have learned that if they wish to compete long term in the USA market, it is very important to maintain a high level of quality control.
For other reasons, I would still take the S510 over the Avenge-X, though right now you could probably buy three Avenge-X for what one S510 will cost.
Siraniko,
Yeah, having owned/shot both I can say that the Avenge-X is a lot of gun for the money and an excellent starter PCP.
But in the overall experience of shooting both I can say that at 3 times the cost of an Avenge-X the S510XS is also excellent value for the money.
Cheers!
Your comment “I don’t like the Air Arms fill adaptor. Not only is it unlike any other fill adaptor, it is also difficult (for me) to attach to the rifle.” I would give the fill adapter a very close scrutiny as compared to ones that work well using calipers and 10x magnification. I suspect you would find the problem to be a tolerance issue or a sharper edge on the Air Arms adapter. If this is so a jewelers file should be able to smooth it out and make the fitting work easier.
Just my 2 cents.
Mike
bmwsmiley,
You could be on to something there. BB seems to do his absolute best to not use any tools on even the airguns he keeps.
Sometimes you can remove a sharp edge by just a few rubs with your fingers. But likely if the issue is a sharp edge a more aggressive method like 400 grit emery cloth will be required. If its dimensional off by more than 0.002 replacement will be far easier. Even if the new one is also off because then you can turn it in a lathe, drill press, or even a hand drill to get the fitting to the correct dimensions.
RidgeRunner,
But even you must admit he buys only the very best screwdrivers.
shootski
LOL! Maybe he does. But does he use them?
RidgeRunner,
You asking me! :^)
shootski
Mike,
You are right, my adapter needed a slight deburring to break the square edges. That and a touch of silicone grease on the o-rings once in a while.
IMHO the adapter is over engineered and a foster fitting would be preferable but, in its defense it mounts/dismounts easily and self-orients to minimize strain on the filler hose.
Hank
BB,
Maybe you should see about converting this air rifle over to a foster fitting? I know it can be done as I have heard of such before. You are not the only one who does not like the Air Arms fitting. Besides, if you do such, Air Arms just might change it. It would not be the first airgun manufacturer to listen to suggestions here.
I know that in the recent past that I have expressed my covetness of certain airguns to move into RRHFWA. The truth is I need some of these “gals” to move out and not more move in. I do not have the time to dance with the “old gals” who do live here now.
A prime example of this is I have two air rifles I have not even shot yet. I also have two old air rifles and three old air pistols that need some work on them before I can put them through their paces.
Now, if you think you have an “old gal” that just has to move into RidgeRunner’s Home For Wayward Airguns, let me know and we will see what can be done to accommodate you.
BB, relax. Although I have expressed my desire to have a couple of your airguns move into RRHFWA, they have a pretty good home right now. Although I have always wanted one of those K98’s or even another Edge, I have recently come to the conclusion that I can live without them.
On another note, I had not heard of Crosman shutting down their USA facility. I guess they to will be heading to China to help out Uncle Xi. It is apparently a good thing that I have not been a real big fan of the more recent Crosmans with the exception of the Maximus and the Marauder, which I am sure Ed had a lot of influence on their original designs.
I wonder where Ed will go now? AirForce?
Sharing this with FM’s S510SX-owning friend; don’t know what pellets he has been shooting in his but no doubt he’ll learn something from this article.
Yeah, better order some of those Benjamin Bullseyes for the three calibers gracing Casa FM; sad to see another legacy American company bite the dust; that’s a blow for the airgun community. Fewer choices + less competition never adds up to a good thing.
FM,
I would not sweat it too much as this company will probably open up a facility in Uncle Xi’s backyard. They would not be the first one to move over there and take advantage of slave labor and such. Besides, it will likely shorten their supply lines as many of their parts are already made over there.
FM be looking for other choices, then; Xi ain’t his Uncle.
JSB is pretty good. I seriously doubt they will fall in love with Uncle Xi.
If you want to single load an S 4/5 series Air Arms rifle, look into the Rowan engineering single loader. Rowan makes loader for several brands, I have one for a BRK and FX rifle as well. Well made and pleasing to use. CARM makes good ones also, I can vouch for the marauder style magazine single loader.
B.B. and Readership,
Believe it or not:
https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/business/crosman-corporation-leaving-ontario-county-facility-by-the-end-of-the-year/
A WARN notice is pretty conclusive.
Happy Labor Day!
shootski
Sad day for the airgun world and for the USA. Another legacy manufacturing concern gone.
Who knows, a new president may add an import tariff and discourage the move.
Bob M,
Who knows…how true Bob!
…the other candidate may well overstep Executive Constitutional authority and ban the possession of guns, knives, forks, hammers, bats, sharpened sticks and stones!
They are all known to be VIOLENT by the state of Commifornia!
shootski
B.B. and Readership,
I have rediscovered an ancient and simple method to fix leaking PCPs!
You all may remember my very early .177 Benjamin Discovery was slowly leaking down to 1/2 charge pressure. I instilled a drop or two of silicone chamber oil in the fill port with no effect. I next replaced the pressure gauge O-Ring but the partial deflation continued. What to do? B.B.s example of ordering parts and installation tools inspired me to order O-Rings/installation protection tool, valves, gauges, and some other parts for both my Discovery and Marauder.
As soon as the parts arrived my Discovery STOPPED LEAKING down! It has held a number of 2,000PSI air charges for periods as long as 96 hours with not even a hint of a leak.
This reDISCOVRED ancient and simple PCP leak repair can be easily performed by anyone with a credit card, payment app, or even cash!
shootski
PS: i also ordered a DonnyFL adaptor and a TANTO so i now expect the Discovery will become at least 10db quieter in the next few days all by itself ;^p
Shootski
Great! I’ll bite. What fixed the leak?
Deck
Decksniper,
I was implying that it was Magic created by simply ordering parts and tools to fix the leak down ;^)
In reality i haven’t got a definitive answer for you Deck.
I suspect it was simply more time for the chamber oil to soften/plump up one or both of the O-Rings (34B, pn 1761-005 O-Ring. #16) on the pressure gauge tube fitting (34A, pn 1761-016, Gage Port) on the Benjamin Discovery EVP.
I doubt this will be anything like a permanent fix.
It will, no doubt, start leaking at some point in the future since O-Rings have both a well documented exposed shelf life as well as an operational lifespan depending on the environment and mechanical stressors they are exposed to.
For now it is a fix that is working so my choice is to not do anything until it requires attention.
The parts are stored in double plastic bags with an Oxygen absorber in a cool dark place.
shootski
Shootski
It works with a balky golf putter. I threaten it out loud with being relegated to the closet. Many times it responds by holing a distance putt. Of course yours truly isn’t to blame!
Has anybody tried automotive transmission sealant on a leaking pressure gauge?
Deck
Decksniper,
Depending on the type of system the Manometer uses i doubt it would work.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Pressure Gauges and probably way more: https://www.boiswood.co.uk/blog/types-of-pressure-gauges
shootski
Hahah! FM subscribes to that repair method – gives you an excuse to order more “good stuff” in hopes of putting the Fear of Non-Function on your airguns. Sometimes one can trade an annoyance for something less annoying; case in point, our 2018 Subaru Outback had been experiencing “bumpy shifting” for months. Our good Japanese car specialists could not pinpoint the trouble so the FMs sorta learned to live with it since the erratic shifting was unpredictable but would clear up quickly and the car would drive as nicely as we were used to.
Then the tire pressure warning light started coming on – but no problems with the tires or tire pressures. Now the warning light is on constantly but the “bumpy shifting” problem has disappeared. The car did sit idle for three weeks while the FMs were on vacation so maybe a vacation for the transmission fixed that problem. We can live happily with a malfunctioning tire pressure warning light as we used to live happily before those annoying warning hoots, bells and whistles were imposed on us.
FawltyManuel,
You may have something there…”The car did sit idle for three weeks while the FMs were on vacation so maybe a vacation for the transmission fixed that problem.”
But it flys in the face of a proven Hangar Queen opposite effect. As a qualified post maintenance check pilot i really hated when i had to take a Hangar Queen out for a tour of the airfield and nearby environs it seldom went well. The worst one was a single engine aircraft that turned itself into a glider before reaching Low Key on the initial climb. The second worst was a 4 engine aircraft that became a single engine aircraft just before the emergency return to airfield touchdown.
I hope your inoperative tire pressure system doesn’t cause you to fail a safety inspection like it would here in the Commonwealth.
I wish they still built vehicles without the bells, whistles, and IDIOT lights…i miss my VDO Gauges!
shootski
You mean they’re that anal in the Commonwealth that “they” actually inspect for working “idiot” lights? Idiocy! Thankfully, Florida tries to be more like the “Commonsense State.” FM is staying put. Meanwhile, a good old pressure gauge and checking pressures weekly works quite well, as it always did before the “geniuses” added another complication to our already complicated vehicles.
I didn’t like the “banjo style” adapter on my many Air Arms pcp’s that I owned. I converted all of them to a simple foster fitting. Once you degass the pcp it’s about a 3 minute job. I bought my conversion kits from Best Fittings. They aren’t expensive even with shipping cost from the UK
Kevin,
Thanks for the tip.
BB