The Umarex Notos.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
This report covers:
- Big magazine
- Feeding was almost perfect
- But
- No groups today
- Notos is holding air
- Big mag a success
- Next
- Summary
Today we return to the Umarex Notos to look at accuracy once more. In Part 6 I told you that I mounted a UTG 2-7X44 Accushot Scout scope on the rifle to replace the UTG Accushot 4-16X44 SWAT scope. Well that proved to be a mistake. The reticle on the scout scope is too small for me to see against the bullseyes at 25 yards, so in the next report I’ll switch back.
Big magazine
The scout scope did permit me to try the largest CARM magazine I have — a 13-shot one. That one is special for a couple reasons I will address today. Let’s now look at those CARM magazines.
The big CARM magazine allows for easy loading and for inspecting all the pellets after loading. Look at that hinky one at the 8 o’clock position!
But there is a drawback to the big mag. It may not fit under your scope. Look how high it sits.
The 13-shot magazine sits high in the Notos receiver. This may be because of how the scope is mounted, so if you want to use this CARM magazine be careful how you mount your scope.
Feeding was almost perfect
I did have one blank shot in thirty shots but that may have been my fault. All I know is I did shoot one blank. But the rounds did feed well and the mag is new so it may be stiff. I’m not sure but I have no qualms about using it again.
But
The scout scope reticle is too small for me to shoot precisely. I know that sounds like a bad thing except for something great that happened. I sighted in quickly but my first group of ten JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy pellets that were the best in the last test really didn’t group well. And that is when something that may be wonderful happened.
I tried the H&N 0.218-inch 23-grain Slug next. Ten of them also grouped poorly if you look at all the shots. But I adjusted the scope as I shot and five of the ten are in about 0.375-inches. They went where I wanted when I REALLY concentrated on that too-small-to-see reticle. What would they do when I can see the reticle clearly all the time? We shall see because I hope to try them again.
No groups today
As a result of what I’ve just told you I’m not showing any groups today. It’s not fair to the Notos that I’m starting to suspect is a LOT more accurate than I saw in my first test.
The first group of ten JSB Exact Jumbo Heavies at the bottom is not that good. Above it is the group of ten H&N 0.218-inch 23-grain Slugs. The two shots on the right were the first two, and then I adjusted the scope to the left a LOT! The next eight are in the right place and five are in a very small group. I need to try this pellet again.
Notos is holding air
Remember what I did to stop the rifle from leaking? It worked. The pressure gauge today when I started was where I left it six days ago.
Big mag a success
That large CARM magazine allows for pellet inspection after loading. It is also made to handle slugs and I had no problems with them.
Next
I need to remount the 4-16 UTG scope and sight in again. Hopefully it will allow the big CARM magazine to be used, because I really want to try that H&N Slug when I can see the target and reticle clearly.
Summary
I came to the Umarex Notos because so many people told me how wonderful it is. I’m starting to see what they meant. I have a LOT more testing to do with this rifle, plus there is a host of accessories and modifications to be done. We’re going to have fun for a long time!
Looking forward to the rest of the series, B.B.!
Tom,
When I watched the video on YouTube even at 1080p quality I cannot appreciate the numbers that you scratched onto the magazines. Maybe YouTube is keeping the quality down since it only has a few views. I’ll try viewing it after a few hours have passed by, hopefully it won’t be grainy and will be clear.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
No, that was my fault. The scratches are light and I really didn’t get good images of them. Sorry.
BB
Tom, have you tried using the scout scope with the reticle illuminated? The link to the scout scope you posted appears to show a scope with illumination. I think I have the same scope and I typically use illumination at one of the lower power levels which keeps the reticle looking thin but gives a good contrast against the black target so it is easy to see.
Also, I hope you will try the JTS Dead Center 18.1 grain pellets.
Looking forward to the next report!
Elmer,
Yes, I tried it illuminated because I could not see the reticle when it was dark.
BB
Thanks, I was just trying to make sure that I understand the problem. It appears to me that you are shooting at 10-meter rifle sized targets but at a distance of 25-yards. If so, (and my math is correct) the targets would appear to be less than half the size (about 44-percent) that they appear to be at 10-meters. And therefore hitting any part of the black portion would be the equivalent of hitting the 7-ring or better at 10-meters. I did this exercise for my own benefit. But wanted to share the information because I believe that that’s very good shooting on your part. Especially if you are having problems seeing well.
As many have become aware, I am a single shot kinda dude. Now, would everyone out there in LaLaLand please sit down before I proceed any further.
I have every intention of contacting CARM in the near future.
My twist on this matter is I do not have a single shot tray for my BSA R10 SE and would really like to have a well-made one. Quite frankly, I have been impressed by what I have seen so far. I want a top shelf single shot tray for my top shelf air rifle. I might even take it out to the range one day. 😉
This is looking good for the little carbine. With mine, I had to mount the scope (a Bugbuster) rather high over the receiver to keep my head vertical. I don’t like it too much esthetically, but it works and gives plenty of clearance for the magazine. I will try to post a picture later.
Hope it works well for you too.
Henry
This is another post for all you folks out there in LaLaLand. I am in need of some .20 pellets. It would be great to get my hands on some of the old Sheridan pellets, but I am really more interested in the newer Benjamin pellets.
I picked up a .20 Condor at the NC show and I would like to give it a good going over. I have some JSB and H&N pellets, but I am looking for the old “ash can” type to give it a try with those. I know they are probably not a real good pellet. What I do have is probably much better.
I know some of you folks out there are probably hoarding a bunch of these pellets as you are well aware of the waning interest in this caliber and also have come to the conclusion that many out there will end up regretting such in the future. Ah well, not all can be the bright light in the chandelier.
Back to the subject at hand. If any of you would be willing to part with some of these, I am sure something can be worked out. Just so you folks know, I have already started my little blurb about this air rifle. Stay tuned for my upcoming episodes. Yeah, I know. Blame it on BB. He keeps putting these up.
RidgeRunner. I recently won a whole box of miscellaneous airgun-related stuff that came alomh with something else I was interested in. There may be some .20 pellets in there. I have no .20 airguns, so I’ll look to see what I may have.
RG,
Please do.
As for all you other folks out there. Do not rely on his coming through for me. Let me know if you have any of those old Sheridan or Benjamin .20 pellets that you would like to work something out on.
Oh, I’m not reliable enough for you? ;o)
RG,
It is a good thing you smiled and winked.
There is something totally unrelated to this I do wish to communicate with you. Would you be so kind as to send me an email (I seem to have lost our previous communications)?
Sent.
Got it.
RidgeRunner, I have hit a mother lode. If I every find a Sheridan Model A Super Streak, I will be good for .20 pellets for a while. But I will share a few with you.
Here’s one picture for you to whet your appetite:
Here’s a baggie with I would guess at least 500 wadcutters, if not more.
Here’s another kind called Beeman Silver Bear, but they look like HN hollowpoints.
Here is a better picture of the hollowpoints.
Here are some pointed pellets called Beeman Silver Stings
Here’s another ponted pellet called HY-Score Penetrating Pointed Pellets. Both of the Pointed pellets are about 5.07 – 5.08 mm diameter at the head, but the HY-Score are labeled 11.49 grains and the Silver Stings are marked 12.1 grains
And a drum roll, please, Sheridan ash cans as requested! Unfortunately, only about 1/4 of a box remains.
RG,
You did indeed hit the “mother lode”. Now, if you were to send me all of those .20 pellets, you would most definitely be reading about what they were doing in my Condor. Of course, I would most certainly understand if you were to hang on to those “just in case”.
Now, if they were to show up here, I would do my best to make it worth your while. You might have to get you a round tuit though. 😉
Those were just the .20 (5 mm) caliber pellets….
Of course, some of those projectiles are rebranded and may still be made today, but they may be using new dies nowadays, and may perform differently.
Here is the high scope mount I mentioned. I went a bit too far, so I get some lower rings next.
Henry
Or lower cheekbones…. ;o)
LOL!
Would the single shot loader enable a proper scope to be mounted?
-Yogi
Yogi,
I’m pretty sure it would.
BB
BB,
I am a fan of the pistol carbine. I have an LD pistol with a wire stock made by Mike Reames, two custom PP700 pistol carbines, and a Marauder pistol carbine with a TKO butt stock. I have wanted to buy a Notos but seem to have the category covered pretty well.
A friend from church got a thermal scope last Christmas for hog hunting but promised his wife that he could also use the scope to control a rat problem they were having. Since I am the air gunner at church he asked me for a recommendation for a budget airgun. I suggested the Notos and a hand pump. My friend has killed about 30 rats this year and is loving his Notos.
David,
Thanks for your comment. Rat-killing is exactly the kind of task the Notos is ideal for.
BB