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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3 

Hatsan’s .30 caliber 135 QE Vortex is a large breakbarrel — both in size and caliber.

This report covers:

• The test
• Sight in
• JSB Exact 44.75 grain
• JSB Exact 50.15-grain
• Predator Polymag
• Next
• JSB domes at 25 yards
• Predator Polymags
• Polymags with the tips removed
• Summary

This Hatsan 135 QE Vortex .30-caliber pellet rifle is full of surprises and today is no exception. I scoped it in preparation for a 50-yard test. Today was confirmation at 25 yards.

I installed an obsolete UTG 4-16X56 scope in a pair of BKL 300 High Rings. The 135 has an adjustable comb that I raised about 3/4-inches to align with the eyepiece. It was very comfortable, shooting that way.

This scope had been shimmed for an earlier test, so it was very close to on target when the test began. I only fired one shot at 12 feet and one more at 10 meters to get on target. Then at 25 yards I refined the scope with two more shots. read more

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

A history of airguns

Part 1

Benjamin 700 repeating BB gun.
This report covers:

• How do they do it?
• BB………….average diameter
• Repeater
• First test
• Second test
• Discussion
• Next test — lead shot
• Trigger pull
• Safety
• Summary

Today is Part 2 of the Benjamin 700 test and Part 2 is usually a velocity test. I will do that, but the nature of this very different multi-pump presents some interesting challenges. The biggest of these is the fact that this gun was designed to shoot more than one shot per fill. That puts several wrinkles into the test.

How do they do it?

To understand what I am up against you have to understand how a multi-pump pneumatic gun is able to get several shots on a single fill. Someone once told me that these Benjamins must have a small reservoir attached under the stock, and that is where they store the extra air. Without thinking about it, I assumed that was true, but it’s not on this gun. Nor does it need to be. ANY multi-pump air rifle or pistol can be set up to get multiple shots from a fill of air! read more

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Crosman’s 105 is a .177 caliber multi-pump air pistol.

A history of airguns

This report covers:

• History
• Two variations
• Description
• Markings
• Power level
• Trigger and safety
• Cost
• Irony
• Reviving the pistol
• Summary

Today we start looking at an airgun I have owned for probably 10-15 years. I wrote about it 11 years ago, but that was just an overview. It has been laying around in my air pistol collection and I haven’t given it much consideration until recently. Once I started looking at it, though, things happened fast. That’s a story in itself.

History

The Crosman .177-caliber 105 and .22-caliber 106 “Bullseye” multi-pump air pistols were produced from 1948 until 1953. The “Bullseye” name was changed to “Target Pistol” about a year after introduction. The .177 caliber pistol came out first, followed by the .22 some time later. This was Crosman’s first foray into multi-pump air pistols. The pistols operate via an underlever pump that’s shaped like the finger lever on a lever-action rifle. In fact, some collectors have been fooled into thinking they are lever action spring-piston guns because of this. read more

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

This report covers:

• Why go to the effort?
• Ten shots in 0.2-inches at 200 yards
• So what?
• Other airgun breeches
• Always liked single shots
• Summary

I am writing this report for a number of reasons. The main one is because all you readers are interested in accuracy, and today’s topic is an important component of that. Yesterday reader Vana2, who goes by the name Hank, asked me if the Daisy 499 could be converted to a magazine. Here are both his comment and my answer.

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Question about feed mechanisms and accuracy on the BB guns…
The 499 billed as the most accurate BB gun and it is a single shot muzzle loader.
Considering that steel BBs are not likely to be deformed in the magazine and they are held in position with a magnet, would there be any technical reason that the 499 could [not] be magazine fed?
Just seems that muzzle loading is a little inconvenient.
Welcome to July… Happy Monday!! 🙂
Hank
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Hank,
That tight barrel is the reason for muzzle loading. Did you know that Harry Pope built his breechloaders to have their bullets muzzle loaded? It was for a different reason, but they were called muzzle loading breechloaders.
That said, I suppose a magazine would be possible. But target arms are typically single shot so I guess Daisy never saw the need.
If I hadn’t argued with them in the 1990s, they wouldn’t have ever sold the 499 to the public. They didn’t think people would pay the price, and were shocked by the response.
B.B.
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When I told him that, I figured it would raise some questions, so today I want to discuss bullet-to-barrel alignment and fit, which in our world is pellet-to-barrel, most of the time. read more