BB nails a 3-foot steel plate at 960 yards with a 6.5 Creedmore.
This report covers:
- Dry Fire Mag
- Tactical Grit
- Leapers/UTG
- Umarex
- Umarex Komplete
- Summary
Industry Day at the Range can be summed up in one word–COLD! A 26 mph wind blew 35-degree air at us while we walked the firing line. Any time a guy from South Dakota says he’s cold you know it’s chilly! And in that wind Ian McKee and I both hit the 3-foot steel plate at 960 yards multiple times with a 6.5 Creedmore rifle mounted on a new UTG Goliath bipod and scoped with an Integrix 6 to 36 scope.
Dry Fire Mag
In a booth on Vendor’s Row we saw Dry Fire Mag–a new innovation that allows you to practice with your firearm and feel the actual trigger pull. And you can shoot without racking the slide each time– just like you were shooting live ammo. The only thing that’s not there is recoil and sound. There is even one with a laser that allows you to see where you hit after the draw. I hope to test one of these for you this year!
A Dry Fire Mag training device is in a P365. If only BB knew someone who carried that sidearm.
Tactical Grit
Down from the Dry Fire Mag booth we saw the Tactical Grit booth, whose slogan was Get The Lead Out. They make a product called GSR-X-Out for firearms shooters, but since airgunners handle many times more lead than firearms shooters, I knew I had to find out about this stuff! This is a product Pyramyd AIR needs to carry! They gave me a sample that I will try, but I don’t know how best to test it for you. But I’ll find a way!
Leapers/UTG
Our next stop was at the Leapers/UTG booth on the long range firing line. They were showcasing their new Integrix 6 to 36 scope on a 6.5 Creedmore rifle that was also mounted on their new Goliath bipod. Ian will tell you more about that bipod on Friday and I hope both he and I can report on the new scope this year. I will say this–at 960 yards it was possible to see every strike of the 6.5mm bullet against the 3-foot steel plate!
Umarex
Umarex was the only airgun company I saw at Industry Day. First rifle I tried was the Zelos. That was a mistake because I’m now jealous of Ian who is reporting on the rifle while all I get to do is read his reports like all of you! The Zelos is one serious air rifle! To quote what Ian told the Umarex guys:
They understate the capabilities and features of the rifle. They state 24 foot pounds, Ian’s getting 34-35. It has an adjustable hammer spring that they don’t mention; it has an adjustable butt pad they don’t mention. At 55 yards with the right pellet it’s a one-hole airgun.
Ian squares off with the Umarex Zelos.
Umarex Komplete
I also got a chance to shoot the Umarex Komplete that uses nitrogen cartridges. Justin Biddle, the Umarex vice president of marketing says this is a person’s chance to get their feet wet in the PCP world without spending a lot of money.
BB prepares to fire an Umarex Komplete.
Summary
I know this is a short report but like I said, Umarex was the only airgun company at Industry Day. Tomorrow we visit the SHOT Show where everyone is. Hope to see a lot more!
“…in that wind Ian McKee and I both hit the 3-foot steel plate at 960 yards multiple times with a 6.5 Creedmore rifle …”
BB,
It sounds like you guys may have watched Quigley Down Under more than once. 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
P.S. “…Leapers/UTG…They were showcasing their new Integrix 6X36 scope…”
I look forward to your review of that scope.
BB-
The Integrix is a 6-36 (x56 mm), not a 6×36.
6-36 indicates the image is magnified 6 to 36 times and it has a 56 mm objective lens.
6×36 would indicate a scope that magnifies the image 6 times and has a 36 mm objective lens.
Dry Fire Mag DEFINITELY sounds interesting. Still haven’t picked up a Komplete yet, part of me wants it to get much warmer!
Thanks for the excellent report, even if it does make me jealous. 😉
When you get a chance, I would like to hear more about the 960-yard target hits in that kind of wind. More on the details of wind direction, compensation for the wind, etc. That’s some fine shooting!
Looks like y’all are having a blast! (Pun intended)
Elmer,
Bullet drop about 300 inches. Flight time was about 1.8 seconds. The rifle had been pre-sighted for the wind which was quartering, left to right. A spotter watched through a spotting scope for the splash on the steel.
BB
Elmer Fudd,
https://ammo.com/ballistics/6.5-creedmoor-ballistics
Tom’s cartridges must have been loaded for SLOW flight…
shootski
PS: a good link to comparison of .308 to the 6.5 Creedmoor
Shootski, the Hornady BC calculator indicates (if by quartering left to right he meant the wind was coming at him from about a 10:30 direction) a muzzle velocity of around 2800 fps should be about right. It appears to me that the 26 mph wind does make a significant difference. But the time of flight BB indicated does still seem a little longer than what the calculator shows???
Elmer Fudd,
We don’t have all the information need to know what happened; environmental, gun, and projectile DATA. We don’t even know who the cartridge manufacturer is; and likely not Hornady. How did Tom decide it was: “…about 1.8 seconds.” TOF? Unless they had a Doppler Radar WITH FULL RANGING like a prosumer LabRadar or a professional Doppler RADAR it would just be a pretty good estimation by B.B. in tough conditions.
shootski
Yep, I was just experimenting with the calculator trying to come close to the 300-inch bullet drop and seeing what some of the other parameters might possibly be like. That’s how I learn things sometimes. 🙂
BB,
Well, pooky. I have always wanted a Zelos. Now, I would really like one. Maybe it will bring down the price of those overly expensive European air rifles? I can dream.
As far as the temperature goes, I also dream of the day when it is that warm around here. This morning my heating system says it is about 10 degrees outside. Global warming?
FM’s bro-and-sis-in-law are getting snow in the FL panhandle – here in the “pan” part the temperature is a balmy 67F – sorry for the cold pain some of you are suffering, but glad not to be experiencing it. Happy to see Tom and Ian having a nice time – looking forward to future, potentially tempting/enabling reports and reviews.
FawltyManuel,
Back in the 1970s it snowed at Pensacola Beach. They may break the record one day total set in the 19th Century (1893) and for total snow depth in 1964. It actually snows more often than most folks realize in parts of Florida.
It just usually melts because of warmish surface temperature before most of them get up in the morning.
shootski
FM experienced The Great Miami Snowstorm of 1977 – hyperbole here, it was no snowstorm though it was very unusual. The FMs got trapped in Jacksonville, FL end of ’89 because a coupe inches of snow shut down roads N of the city; Mrs. and Mr. were headed to NC but had to wait a couple of days for things to thaw out enough for the roads to be usable. That’s what happens in latitudes not prepared for the white stuff.
We had a couple of inches of dry snow in NW Houston. Not the first time, but quite unusual.
Henry
RidgeRunner,
I’ve heard your zeal for the Zelos before. It seems to be a really good PCP. I may have it wrong, but didn’t you get tired of shooting the RAW and passed it on because it was so boringly accurate?
Regards,
Will
Will S.,
That is indeed so. I pulled it from the box, mounted and zeroed a scope (2-7X32 Hawke) and almost immediately shot a one-inch group at one hundred yards.
There is another reason for my passing it on. I could not up the power much without seriously modifying it and the caliber was too small to hunt deer and such where I live.
If you want to just punch holes in paper at long ranges, it is superb. I am one of those that if I want to plink, there are geegobs of feral soda cans around here. For you folks I do on occasion sit at my shooting bench, but for me that is not what I want to do.
Yes, I have been guilty of wanting a Zelos to play with. Would I buy one for myself? Not likely. My “collection” is pretty much complete. In fact, it is most likely going to become smaller over the next few years. Why? I can only shoot so many airguns at a time and let us all face the fact that sooner or later we are likely to be passing these “toys” on to the next bunch. A long time ago I came to the conclusion that “he who dies with the most toys, still dies.”
Yes, there are many of these airguns that I would like the pleasure of shooting. Then I would like to hand them back and pick up a new one to play with for a bit. Own them all? I am doing good to take care of the ones I have.
RidgeRunner,
Well said.
shootski
PS: I need to get the SIGs out for some exercise later today. I’m exercising spouse and me at Noon with a HIIT Workout.
Back in the infancy of my airgun Rennaisance, I toyed with the idea of an airgun, mail order “library,” where one could order an airgun, play with it for a time and then return it for someone else to play with. When I borrowed the Diana 50 from you, I had a very good experience. However, when I borrowed the Barakuda from the late, great Frank Ballistieri, which he allowed me to borrow before shipping it on to B.B., the economics proved to be…unfavorable. However, for some of those very high priced PCPs, it may be worth reviving the concept.
RG,
I’m in!
Roamin Greco,
That is what the Copy Cat airgun range would do for us.
And, without all the shipping company risk.
shootski
“He who dies with the most toys, still dies.” You oughta copyright that, RR and sell bumper stickers and t-shirts displaying that brilliant statement. Then you can make money and buy more airguns. Guaranteed.
FawltyManuel,
But with the correct TOY choices made along the way even the Undertaker would find it impossible to wipe the SMILE off my face.
shootski
RidgeRunner
Air Venturi’s new OmniStorm claims it is an adjustable power gas springer and unlike Weihrauch HW90 and Whiscombe it sells for under $200. Also saw where Crosman will introduce another pumper at the Shot Show.
Think you have expressed interest in both at one time or another.
Deck
Deck,
In the HW90, yes. The Whiscombe to me is made of unobtainium. This cheap Chinese imitation of an HW90, we’ll see.
RidgeRunner
Guess I’m a pushover for different design airguns. I got a Komplete which is an accurate home run. At least mine is. Also got a Synergis Elite which isn’t.
The OmniStorm could find a home here if it is accurate. An adjustable power air springer that is accurate and without the rainbow sights at a price under $300 would be the cat’s meow.
Deck
Deck,
I have long been a proponent of variable pressure gas sproingers. There are just too many folks out there that are of the opinion that the more power, the better. Over the years I have learned it is just not so.
I do have three primary concerns about the OmniStorm. One is the sights. I do not care for glowy thingys as I am sure is well documented here. The next is the accuracy. As this will likely be a make or break concern for many, it is very important. The third is the trigger. I am way too old to be pulling on crappy triggers. There are too many nice triggers on nice airguns out there.
RidgeRunner
Yes on the trigger. For $300 it may be possible. That another $100 for trigger.
Deck
RR
I have a different take on tools and guns(PBs, air rifles, MLs). I have only ever sold one pistol ( which I still regret) and loaned or gifted two airguns. I figure that whoever happens to be my heirs will sort them out.
It’s that way with moving, too. I have accumulated so much “stuff” that the thought of packing it up or throwing it out is also going to be left to my kids.
Ed
edlee,
I am in the process of building a new garage. It will be smaller than the previous one AND I would like to be able to actually park a vehicle in it. I would also like to have a working shop in it to do a couple major projects I have put off far too long. That means getting rid of a lot of “stuff” I have accumulated over the years. I will likely be having a massive “yard sale” and trash haul off this Spring. With the help of Mrs. RR, I should be able to get rid of everything I have no real use for very quickly.
RR,
Better sew your name and address in your underpants, so you can be returned.
BB
Knowing her, maybe I should.
I eagerly await your upcoming reports from the Shot Show. They are always among my favorite blog posts for the entire year! Thanks.
B.B.,
Cant read the name on the side but…
You are shooting a BARRETT MRAD? Nice
I want one in .338!
shootski
I don’t understand the Tactical Grit product. I looked at their website and the demo video, and their protocol is to apply the product to contaminated hands and rub until dry. So then what? Does the lead simply disappear? That would be impossible. They do a test using swabs that change color if a chemical on the swab reacts with lead, before and after using the product. I suspect that their product reacts with the lead so that such a test kit won’t detect it, not that the lead actually went anywhere. If that is so, then I’ll call “scam”.
BB, if you do test that product, may I suggest to send your before and after hand-wipe samples to a legitimate lab that tests for lead in paint, soil, industry, etc., by spectroscopy and not by a color-change kit.
Oh and awesome shooting, BB and Ian!
Mike
Mike,
Thanks for this comment!
BB
Berserkeley Mike,
Yup!
Lots of snake oil is sold when money is to be made. This stuff may or may not work but soap and water and wipes are proven to work.
https://www.techtransfer.nih.gov/tech/tab-3391#:~:text=The cationic surfactant and weak,damage or irritate the skin.
Lots of good information to evaluate indoor range hazards:
https://www.med.navy.mil/Portals/62/Documents/NMFA/NMCPHC/root/Industrial Hygiene/Indoor_Firing_Facilities_Technical_Nov2022_221121.pdf
shootski
Berserkeley Mike,
Also totally agree with you on this “…by spectroscopy…”
With my Scientific & Technical Analyst background i found that indirect corroboration gives some of the most valid, uncompromised and therefore trustworthy results.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/20/10477
Some interesting factual and scientific findings on Gun Shot Residue (GSR) on humans that shoot.
B.B. should get in touch with a crime lab ;^)
shootski
Also keeping the lead off of the skin may be as simple as covering the skin https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Exam-Gloves/b?node=8404645011
Still washing hands after is always a good idea.
Mike
I skimmed their interview video on youtube (just audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw0CaO1jm8s
(cue ~6:05)
and they describe the product as (1) a chelator that binds the lead, (2) which then falls off onto the ground, (3) is prevented from being absorbed through the skin, and (4) are rendered harmless with no health risks.
Hmm, let’s see… (1) yes, chelators are a thing, they can bind to heavy metals such as lead, and can aggregate small particles into big particles which may be more likely to fall off (2). But (3) the lead particles were not going to be absorbed through the skin anyway; the risk is from ingestion, from eating it. And (4), I can’t find any data that says chelated lead is not toxic when eaten, and I’m reasonably good at looking for that kind of thing. One reason for a lack of data is that nobody eats chelated lead, usually they eat lead from some other source and then are given chelators as a treatment to bind to the lead and help the kidneys excrete it. I don’t know what would happen if someone ate chelated lead to begin with; in general chelated metals are poorly absorbed so it might reduce absorption. So, “unknown to maybe” for #4.
But my gripe with their color change test is still valid. If that is how they tested for the lead disappearing, and the chelator blocks the lead from reacting in the color test (which would be consistent with what chelators do), then it might look like the lead “fell off” the hands (did they test the ground under the hands to see that lead now appeared after using the product?), when actually the lead is still there on the hands but unreactive. That would give a false sense of security that the hands are clean. Spectroscopy would be the more definitive test as the chelator won’t block the lead signal.
Well, now I’m curious.