30-Yard Challenge

[EPG]

Date: 8/4/25
Target: 30-Challenge 200 16X
Rifle: Taipan Veteran 2 Standard (550mm)
Pellet: AEA 18.3g @ 919-926fps (FX Chrono)
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 SFP 10-40 @ 35X

The Taipan Vet 2 has been so accurate (and quieter) since I dropped reg pressure from 150bar to 128bar. This 200 tops the 199 that I had on the leaderboard.

It was the only card I shot with the Taipan yesterday. I was sad - needed a boost. Somebody hit my car while parked at a store lot yesterday - and took off. Quite a bit of damage - I love this Mazda3 and she is in great shape, I keep her very clean. Some people are just jerks - will cost me at least $500 (insurance deductible) if I decide to file a claim. Probably well over $1,000 if I decide to pay out of pocket.

I also did some pellet testing with Greg's @NAProf .177 380mm FX Crown barrel. I found a tin of JSB 8.44 - so I gave them a try at 30-Masters - 1st card was a "baseline" using the AEA 8.72s I've had much success with in this barrel. The stunning thing was that the JSBs had a higher velocity than the AEAs - even though the JSBs were HEAVIER. I did a lot of chronoing - the AEAs are longer than the JSBs, might have something to do with the increased drag/friction. In any case, the 8.44s did really well - Greg take note...

195 10X (AEA 8.72 @ 915-922fps)
198 11X (JSB 8.44 @ 940-945fps)
197 10X (JSB 8.44 @ 942fps)
196 11X (JSB 8.44 @ 922-932) dialed down the power wheel a click or two

The 198 tied my 30-Masters high with the .177 Crown this year.

-Ed

 

[NAProf]

Date: 8/4/25
Target: 30-Challenge 200 16X
Rifle: Taipan Veteran 2 Standard (550mm)
Pellet: AEA 18.3g @ 919-926fps (FX Chrono)
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 SFP 10-40 @ 35X

The Taipan Vet 2 has been so accurate (and quieter) since I dropped reg pressure from 150bar to 128bar. This 200 tops the 199 that I had on the leaderboard.

It was the only card I shot with the Taipan yesterday. I was sad - needed a boost. Somebody hit my car while parked at a store lot yesterday - and took off. Quite a bit of damage - I love this Mazda3 and she is in great shape, I keep her very clean. Some people are just jerks - will cost me at least $500 (insurance deductible) if I decide to file a claim. Probably well over $1,000 if I decide to pay out of pocket.

I also did some pellet testing with Greg's @NAProf .177 380mm FX Crown barrel. I found a tin of JSB 8.44 - so I gave them a try at 30-Masters - 1st card was a "baseline" using the AEA 8.72s I've had much success with in this barrel. The stunning thing was that the JSBs had a higher velocity than the AEAs - even though the JSBs were HEAVIER. I did a lot of chronoing - the AEAs are longer than the JSBs, might have something to do with the increased drag/friction. In any case, the 8.44s did really well - Greg take note...

195 10X (AEA 8.72 @ 915-922fps)
198 11X (JSB 8.44 @ 940-945fps)
197 10X (JSB 8.44 @ 942fps)
196 11X (JSB 8.44 @ 922-932) dialed down the power wheel a click or two

The 198 tied my 30-Masters high with the .177 Crown this year.

-Ed

View attachment 583760

View attachment 583761

Great shooting - it's not the arrows, it's the .... .
Cheers,
Greg

 

[EPG]

Great shooting - it's not the arrows, it's the .... .
Cheers,
Greg

Thanks Greg.

I "fixed" my .22 RTI Prophet today - the 0-ring in the foster fitting failed - once I knew the size I think I took 30 seconds to fix it - as I had taken the foster fitting apart once before.

I shot these two cards back-to-back - the wind conditions were excellent by my standards. Nothing for the leaderboard as I had shot a 198 11X 40-Masters with the Prophet on July 23rd. Actually, this is the first time I shot it since then... so back-to-back 198 11X 40-Masters... amazingly docile to shoot at 40+ ft/lbs.

Super happy with these 195+ 40-Masters cards. If you shoot our 40 challenges a lot, you know they don't some easy. I must have this Prophet tuned perfect with the MRDLs going 930fps.

If you think I always shoot 40 cards like this - earlier today I could not break 190 at 40-Masters with the Taipan and 18.3g AEAs - same rifle that I shot 200 16X at 30 yards the day before. The wind was up about 7-8mph and constantly switching directions... me and the Taipan were scratching our heads - we gave up after 2 cards, lol.

-Ed

 

[nomojo65]

Did some very ‘hazy’ shooting tonight (thanks Canada) 40yd master cards. 2- with the Thomas FT and one with old yell’er! Not making excuses for the Thomas but I do not have a lot of pellets it likes! I have the utmost confidence that this gun given the right pellets would easily score several 198-199’s! Anybody been around this game long enough will attest to that. And old yell’er shoots the same lot pretty well. EPG I submit these please.

 

[EPG]

Leaderboard Submissions:
Date: 7/30/25
Target: 30-Challenge 199 15X
Rifle: .22 Daystate Wolverine R HP (FX Hollow Moderator)
Pellet: JTS 22.07g @ 895fps
Scope: Sightron SII 36X fixed power target scope

Date: 8/1/25
Target: 30-Masters 195 13X
Rifle: .22 Daystate Wolverine R HP (FX Hollow Moderator)
Pellet: JTS 22.07g @ 888fps
Scope: Sightron SII 36X fixed power target scope

"Wolfie" seems to really like the JTS 22.07. I've managed to get the trigger on this Wolverine where I like it - about 6.8 ounces. I figured I'd try some at 30 yards and get my technique down for this rifle before moving back out to 40 yards.

This rifle has been a bit confounding. I've shot some incredible scores with it - and also a bunch of very average scores. It always shoots very tight groups at 40 yards, but then I shoot a 185 score right after printing sub 1/2 inch groups. It seems like it has huge accuracy potential, but I've struggled to find it at times. I think I've now figured out how to shoot it. I've dialed down the power from stock power level and removed the buttpad. The buttpad was catching on my clothing - ruined a few really good 40 yard cards that way.

 

[EPG]

Leaderboard Submissions:

Date: 8/7/25
Target: 40-Masters 196 13X
Rifle: Taipan Veteran 2 Standard (550mm)
Pellet: AEA 18.3g @ 920fps
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 SFP 10-40 @ 38X

Date: 8/8/25
Target: 40-Challenge 195 13X
Rifle: Taipan Veteran 2 Standard (550mm)
Pellet: AEA 18.3g @ 920fps
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 SFP 10-40 @ 38X

I moved the Taipan back out to 40 yards and have been getting great results with the AEA 18.3g ( The 195 13X card was the last of my AEA 18.3g, lol). I figured out a good trigger technique with the Taipan and I've been getting VERY consistent results at 40 yards over the past couple days:

40-Masters:
197 13X (can't submit)
196 13X
194 10X

40-Challenge:
194 11X
194 11X
194 9X
195 13X

The 197 I can't submit because of laziness. I shot the 1st two targets on a card and they were both low - needed to rezero scope. I was too lazy to walk down and put up a fresh target - so I just reshot the 1st two targets and continued on. As luck would have it, that was my best 40-Masters card with the Taipan. Lesson learned - put up a fresh target if restarting a card.

An old friend arrived to visit me while I had the Taipan set up to shoot. I thought of something to show it off - had not tried it before. I grabbed a match and walked him down to my 40 yard target stand and we set up the match on the stand. I walked back to my shooting table, sat down and took one shot - and shot the head off the match. My old college buddy was impressed.

-Ed

 

[JimD]

I ordered some AEA 18.3s earlier this week, they arrived today, and I shot a few. This is for my 22 caliber Bullshark. It shot a 198 with a little tin of JSB 18.1s I had so I got a 500 pellet tin of FX to try and it likes them. But the one 5 shot group I tried with the AEA 18.3 might be better. I also sorted some 14.3 grain Crosman HP and they tightened up nicely. I still don't think they will shoot with either of the others but it's closer than I thought it would be. Weather here has been highly unusual with rain almost every day and highs in the 80s instead of our usual 90s. More importantly for shooting the wind has been a little high (6-8 mph minimum). I also spent more time than it really required getting a free P35X to shoot. It is not very accurate but at least it's shooting now. It's a kind of pretty gun (at least for a SPA gun) but has been a big pain.

 

[tommyb]

Date: 8/4/25
Target: 30-Challenge 200 16X
Rifle: Taipan Veteran 2 Standard (550mm)
Pellet: AEA 18.3g @ 919-926fps (FX Chrono)
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 SFP 10-40 @ 35X

The Taipan Vet 2 has been so accurate (and quieter) since I dropped reg pressure from 150bar to 128bar. This 200 tops the 199 that I had on the leaderboard.

It was the only card I shot with the Taipan yesterday. I was sad - needed a boost. Somebody hit my car while parked at a store lot yesterday - and took off. Quite a bit of damage - I love this Mazda3 and she is in great shape, I keep her very clean. Some people are just jerks - will cost me at least $500 (insurance deductible) if I decide to file a claim. Probably well over $1,000 if I decide to pay out of pocket.

I also did some pellet testing with Greg's @NAProf .177 380mm FX Crown barrel. I found a tin of JSB 8.44 - so I gave them a try at 30-Masters - 1st card was a "baseline" using the AEA 8.72s I've had much success with in this barrel. The stunning thing was that the JSBs had a higher velocity than the AEAs - even though the JSBs were HEAVIER. I did a lot of chronoing - the AEAs are longer than the JSBs, might have something to do with the increased drag/friction. In any case, the 8.44s did really well - Greg take note...

195 10X (AEA 8.72 @ 915-922fps)
198 11X (JSB 8.44 @ 940-945fps)
197 10X (JSB 8.44 @ 942fps)
196 11X (JSB 8.44 @ 922-932) dialed down the power wheel a click or two

The 198 tied my 30-Masters high with the .177 Crown this year.

-Ed

View attachment 583760

View attachment 583761

Re. Your Mazda - Ed, check with store manager if they have/use Security cameras.

We have a 2016 Lexus NT in great shape which I dropped off for some routine maintenance, and when my wife Lucy drove it home, there was a big 1-2” dent in door panel. I called the owner of the auto shop and he found that a customer had hit my car after it was completed in their parking lot. Yep, he had security cameras, which after he reviewed, identified the customer in the act. Between grocery store bangs and scratches and other stores, I estimate that our cars have been hit, scratched or dented several times over the years in parking lots.

Great guy, as he is having his body work guy fix it next week on his dime. It’s worth a try.

 

[DaleR]

I had a nice day with light and variable winds, so I shot another target. I was curious to see how the AEA 33.9gr pellets would shoot in my BRK. It tended to show that it didn't like heavier pellets. I shot a tight test group and immediately shot a 30 yard challenge. I passed my goal of not shooting any 7's. No 8's even!! Sadly, I did not beat my 194 but I tied it. I improved from 9x's to 12x. I had one close one on target 12. my printer smeared the ink and I could not make out a nice clear line, but it was a 9. I had a few that were sooo close!! I didn't sort pellets. I might try that to see if it helps or is just superstitious!

I will take it! I won't post a target until I beat the 194.

BRK Sniper XR Sahara / Athlon Heras 15-60x56 at 60x) / AEA 33.9 pellets / 777 fps

I shows 13x but I re-plugged #1 and it is not a x. Same with #5. The 22 plug in a 25 hole can cause issues.

 

[EPG]

I had a nice day with light and variable winds, so I shot another target. I was curious to see how the AEA 33.9gr pellets would shoot in my BRK. It tended to show that it didn't like heavier pellets. I shot a tight test group and immediately shot a 30 yard challenge. I passed my goal of not shooting any 7's. No 8's even!! Sadly, I did not beat my 194 but I tied it. I improved from 9x's to 12x. I had one close one on target 12. my printer smeared the ink and I could not make out a nice clear line, but it was a 9. I had a few that were sooo close!! I didn't sort pellets. I might try that to see if it helps or is just superstitious!

I will take it! I won't post a target until I beat the 194.

BRK Sniper XR Sahara / Athlon Heras 15-60x56 at 60x) / AEA 33.9 pellets / 777 fps

I shows 13x but I re-plugged #1 and it is not a x. Same with #5. The 22 plug in a 25 hole can cause issues.

View attachment 584930

Great card Dale !

No 9s - now we’re talkin’ ! That means your 24 shots are we INSIDE a US dime at 30 yards .

 

[tommyb]

August 11, 2025
Taipan .22 caliber, 700 mm Long barrel
DNT Optics 7 X 35 X 56mm 2FP
AEA 21.9g pellets
Distance: 40Y Lazer’d
Wind: Light
Flags:1 near flag

No leaderboards. But, very close again to 200 with the Taipan .22 Long 700mm barrel.

 

[S_Gru]

Belgian reporting
Second attempt with the impact M3 with JSB 18.13's. Indoor at 30y. Scope: Discovery ED 3-15, speed at around 880 FPS

Only shot the impact once before so kinda happy with this result for now.
At what page could I find the 40yard challenge? Thx FOUND

 

[EPG]

Belgian reporting
Second attempt with the impact M3 with JSB 18.13's. Indoor at 30y. Only shot the impact once before so kinda happy with this result for now.
At what page could I find the 40yard challenge? Thx


View attachment 585650

Hi S_Gru, nice card - excellent shooting!

Can you also provide the scope make/model and magnification you were using. Also what velocity were you shooting the JSB 18.13s with your Impact?

We use the same target card at 40 yards for the 40-Yard challenge. The only difference is the title says 40 instead of 30.

All 4 versions of the card (30 & 40 Yard Challenge and Masters cards) are available for download on Post# 2232 in the thread :

Post in thread '30-Yard Challenge'
https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/30-yard-challenge.1214772/post-1723476

-Ed

 

[S_Gru]

Hi S_Gru, nice card - excellent shooting!

Can you also provide the scope make/model and magnification you were using. Also what velocity were you shooting the JSB 18.13s with your Impact?

We use the same target card at 40 yards for the 40-Yard challenge. The only difference is the title says 40 instead of 30.

-Ed

Thx, I edited my previous post, scope is a discovery ED 3-15 shot at +- 880fps.

 

[EPG]

Thx, I edited my previous post, scope is a discovery ED 3-15 shot at +- 880fps.

I edited my post - gave you a link to all 4 versions of the target card.

You may find that 15X may not be enough magnification at 40 yards…

 

[JimD]

I got a window of nicely low wind without rain for a few minutes this morning and tried the AEA 18.3s I got a few days ago. Unfortunately I did not really get the scope sighted in before starting. So cell 1 was a waste and I went back to it to try again to get zero'd. Still needs a few clicks right but I just shot most of the card sighting with the first tick mark. It also started shooting a tick low late in the card and I adjusted but then it came back. Excuses but the pellets shoot great. Not sure yet if they are better than JSB or FX but they are really good. Gun is my 22 Bullshark (which did a 198 with the JSB 18.1s so this is not for the leaderboard) using my Vector Sentinel set at 32 X. Pellets are going about 820 fps. If it wasn't sprinkling I would be out there trying to improve. 196 16X, might be my highest X count this year. Pretty cheap gun and scope but it will shoot.

 

[JimD]

This one is for the leader board. I think it is a 200 16X shot with my Stoeger Bullshark in 22 caliber using my Vector Sentinel 8-32 set at 32 X. I was shooting AEA 18.3 grain pellets about 820 fps. This is the third target I shot with exactly the same setup today, the first is above and the second one was a 197. In between I shot two with FX 18.1 grain, a 195 11X and a 193 11X. So the AEAs definitely shoot a little better. At least these tins of AEA and FX. I am quite pleased to finally get a 200 this year. The weather report says there was a 3 mph wind but it had shifted to coming almost straight east to west this evening. That is better for me because I am then shooting right into the wind. One of my wind flags was still moving around a bit but after a few shots going right were I was aiming I figured out I could ignore the small movements sideways. I never moved off the 10 ring so the shots were still OK.

This gun was a gift from another member. I think he got frustrated with it because he could not adjust the regulator from the gauge end of the gun. The locking nut would turn the adjustment screw because the threads were messed up. I spun the stem in the nut while I watched TV one night until the threads smoothed up. But I've been adjusting it from the other end because I can then measure the overall length which gives me an idea what the setting is. The regulator is set a bit low but it gives me easily two targets on a fill with extra shots for sighting in. At least 60 shots. Plus it is accurate and plenty powerful enough for squirrels. Nice gift. I shoot it in the cherry stock I used to use on the P35-22.

 

[tommyb]

This one is for the leader board. I think it is a 200 16X shot with my Stoeger Bullshark in 22 caliber using my Vector Sentinel 8-32 set at 32 X. I was shooting AEA 18.3 grain pellets about 820 fps. This is the third target I shot with exactly the same setup today, the first is above and the second one was a 197. In between I shot two with FX 18.1 grain, a 195 11X and a 193 11X. So the AEAs definitely shoot a little better. At least these tins of AEA and FX. I am quite pleased to finally get a 200 this year. The weather report says there was a 3 mph wind but it had shifted to coming almost straight east to west this evening. That is better for me because I am then shooting right into the wind. One of my wind flags was still moving around a bit but after a few shots going right were I was aiming I figured out I could ignore the small movements sideways. I never moved off the 10 ring so the shots were still OK.

This gun was a gift from another member. I think he got frustrated with it because he could not adjust the regulator from the gauge end of the gun. The locking nut would turn the adjustment screw because the threads were messed up. I spun the stem in the nut while I watched TV one night until the threads smoothed up. But I've been adjusting it from the other end because I can then measure the overall length which gives me an idea what the setting is. The regulator is set a bit low but it gives me easily two targets on a fill with extra shots for sighting in. At least 60 shots. Plus it is accurate and plenty powerful enough for squirrels. Nice gift. I shoot it in the cherry stock I used to use on the P35-22.

View attachment 585847

Jim, you did it!

Persistence pays off. Congrats on the 200 perfect score!.

It’s a great feeling when it all comes together.
Tom

 

[S_Gru]

My new highscore 197/200 - 9x's

Hoping I can get to a 200 by the end of the year Still figuring out my best position at the moment. I shoot semi-bench, with a bipod up front and my rear hand supporting the buttstock.

August 12, 2025
FX Crown .22 500mm
Discovery ED ELR 5-40x56 FFP
JSB 18.13grain straight out of the tin à +- 900FPS
Distance: 30y
Wind: none, indoor

 

[tommyb]

My new highscore 197/200 - 9x's

Hoping I can get to a 200 by the end of the year Still figuring out my best position at the moment. I shoot semi-bench, with a bipod up front and my rear hand supporting the buttstock.

August 12, 2025
FX Crown .22 500mm
Discovery ED ELR 5-40x56 FFP
JSB 18.13grain straight out of the tin à +- 900FPS
Distance: 30y
Wind: none, indoor

View attachment 585870

Hi S_gru . Great score!

For this challenge, two items will speed up your obtaining that ‘200’ score. A scope with higher magnification, but at least 24X. A rear Protektor bag instead of using your hand to rest the butt stock on while shooting. Those.22 Crowns are very accurate, as attested by Ed ( Epg) and Greg ( NAprof).

Those 10 rings are minuscule and any movement of your reticle as you are releasing trigger can result in unwanted 8’s and 9’s.

Tom