N/A My biggest aggravation in PCP guns ..so far..
- Thread starter DaleR
- Start date
One more quick POI story that falls into the “many factors” thing I talked about. I have been working on a Zelos for a week or so. Finally got it done but there is always my final phase of testing. I do it to all my guns after the big stuff is complete. It’s the couple cold shots a day over the chronograph at a target. The target is usually at about 50% of the max range I plan to use the gun for. This testing can go weeks if I feel it’s necessary. Well this little Zelos with a kinda FX barrel was a first four shots wonderer. So I went down to the shop and made a few mods that I’ve done to other FX barrels. The gun still was poking some random holes. As I sat there pondering, it came to me that this gun is partially a crude copy of another gun that has proven to be hold, or bearing down on it sensitive. So I changed the way I shot it and it’s been fine. But up until today, if a buddy would have walked in the door and wanted to buy it, I would have said it’s being a stinker with its POI.
So now I could say the little Zelos is not a possible POI issue gun. No, I would be lying. Here’s why. There is no way I could bear down or shoot my Taipan or my AGT’s that would mess with my POI. There is no flex in their chassis.
So now I could say the little Zelos is not a possible POI issue gun. No, I would be lying. Here’s why. There is no way I could bear down or shoot my Taipan or my AGT’s that would mess with my POI. There is no flex in their chassis.
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got a band comming ..Thanks!Before you totally give up, have you tried a barrel band from here, they are the only ones I use. https://blackartsdesign.com/ solid solution, especially for your Avenge X. They offer purpose-built bands that are engineered to reduce POI shift from bumps and moderator weight, and they’ve got versions specifically for both the tube and bottle variants of the Avenge X.
What Makes Their Bands Effective
- TPU bushings inside the band act like soft centering guides—similar to the floating concept you have mentioned They stabilize the barrel without rigid clamping, allowing it to return to neutral after a bump.
- No grub screws—instead, the band clamps securely to the air tube or bottle using internal captive nuts and steel screws. That means less chance of asymmetric pressure or twist.
- Carbon-filled PETG construction gives it a good balance of stiffness and vibration dampening.
For Your Setup
These are well-reviewed in the airgun community for exactly the kind of POI stability you’re after—especially when you want to lean the rifle against a window frame and still trust your zero.
- If you’re running the tube version of the Avenge X, they offer a $36 band that fits that profile.
- If you’ve got the bottle version, there’s a $42 model designed to clamp around the CF bottle without interfering with the barrel’s natural alignment. I have one on my AEA 357 challenger and I have never had a problem with keeping zero.
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But then how would the ladies know what your carrying around the yardThe brand name makes me laugh when I see it....I think I would have used a different name...
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I had POI issues with my first PCP, an FX. I did tons of research and went with RAW. No POI shifts. They are very solidly built.Bumping the barrel /shroud and having impact changes....
My first PCP was a simple Marauder. I noticed no issues with POI changes when handled. I bought a Diana storm rider for fun just to shot invasive birds close to the house. I noticed it would shoot a few inches left or right at 50 yards for no apparent reason. I finally realized if I bumped the barrel, it would go wacky. I got the band to attach to the tube and barrel. It was worse since it would bind and lock the barrel in whatever position it was bumped. Now realize. I am NOT taking a hammer to it. just leaning it up against a window frame or laying it on the carpeted floor. I bought a Avenge X next. Same aggravating issue.
Some will say, just shoot it to confirm zero. BUT, the main reason for an air gun is to shoot invasive birds off my purple martin housing at about 30 to 50 yards. I need it dead on at all times. If I shoot my sight in steel (near the martin housing), I will scare off the poop bird. If it is too far off, I might damage my martin housing which is worth 3x the air rifle!!
With my Aveng X; It was suggested to take off the band connecting the barrel/shroud and the tank. This works...BUUUUT eventually the recoil made the shroud slide past the little detent screw that hold it to the barrel!!! The *&%^ shroud is tight and I need to get it off some day with heat and more force. I am currently using a aftermarket band on the shroud and tank. It is ok, but I still am not confident on it holding zero.
I am looking to upgrade from the AVeng X. It is VERY accurate. need to shoot the 30 yard challenge. I think It could do ok. If I spend $1500 buck or so for a higher quality rifle and I end up with the "don't touch the barrel" bs I will throw it in the creek!!
Believe it or not I DID do a search on this topic. I see it appears to be a "thing" and I am not crazy. I would THINK a bullpup design that supports the barrel more would not have this issue...but I don't know if I like the looks of a bullpup. The RAW and guns like it with a skinny barrel hanging out there forever just worries me.
So my search is for a dead nut accurate .25 (.22 2nd choice) at 50 yards that can take a bit of bumping around. I would like it to be right up to or close to being used in accuracy competitions. I have won a few bench rest matches in the past with a powder burner, so I am drawn to the crap like a moth
I am fine with a used gun (leak free) looking at the FX Wildcat 2-3, FX Maverick. The huntsman but the barrel band scares me for bumpies. The FX DRS is intriguing, but I have not seen a lot of reviews yet.
Free for opinions.. Thanks
From my understanding Epic Airguns have a threaded barrel like you find on centerfire guns. That may be a good choice. I hear good things about the Daystate Huntsman also.
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It's cool that you really like the particular models that you have... Frederick has created a combo in a lot of his airguns that is very hard to beat. The weight, balance, appearance, potential accuracy, power, shooting experience ... they can be quite good...
Having been inside of hundreds of airguns, I've seen a lot of the best and worst designs. For myself, I look for engineering that includes simplicity and robustness. Now robustness may come at the expense of weight or sleekness, but doesn't have to. For those that never look inside, there are a lot of FX that could please, depending on your intended use. @Vetmx mentions some good points about lots of little parts(complicated) in critical areas... Of all their models I've owned and been inside of, only one stands out as desirable to me... the Cyclone. It was light and powerful enough, unregulated, with an incredibly well designed valve and few orings plus free floated LW barrel plus VERY simple and a simple but reliable mag. I just resealed a Royale and was freshly reminded of why I sold it... 15 or so orings and only 2 were the same size... plus some were the oddest sizes you could imagine. Is this good engineering ? Nope. It DOES shoot and feel good though, and is generally dependable.
In contrast, when I look at my EVOL, I can't think of anything that appears to be an afterthought. It ALL seems so carefully engineered for simplicity, weight, and shootability. I feel similar about my Theoben Rapid Mk1. Are they perfect... probably not, depending on your use... plus being manufactured and assembled by humans... but they are as well engineered for the intended use as any I can think of.
Similarly, as much as I REALLY like my Red Wolf, it has a couple of design flaws I don't care for BUT at least it is robust and simple and fills my needs quite well...
I guess the real thing here is to see how each manufacturer takes all the tradeoffs, including price, and manipulates them to give us a product...
Anyway, just my $0.02...
Bob
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8 years in with my Boss & Royale & I still love them. Royale has never even been serviced but for occasional clean & lube. Boss got a Huma reg a couple years ago. Very easy to do. Traded my Bobcat recently for an Edgun, r3 slug gun (.22). NEVER have any poi shift problems. My simple, robust & reliable guns give me everything I need & want from an airgun, above all, power, accuracy & repeatability. What's not to love?
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Whats pictured is a AEA challenger 357, l was using it for a example becose of it's long barrel and they make the bands for different makes.
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