Atomic XR... A few more birds

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L.Leon

L.Leon

Member
Aug 29, 2018
8,603
9,662
NY, Ulster County, United States
First of the evening (starling) off the wire above, body on the ground below, off hand shot at 27 yards. Second, sparrow off the hood of my truck at 30 yards off far peak of roof in background. Then a few sparrows and starlings walking about. Took 8 recovered 6. Saw a nice woodchuck, but he saw me too! I set up on it but it was not coming out. Next time! I know where there are at least 4 chucks. Just have to have the time... 



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Guys it's an old truck... But I'm not about to shoot at it🙀! I should have worded that sentence differently... I will be setting up an over watch where I can glass two separate chuck locations. But will use my Bantam Sniper, because they will be at least 40 yard shots. There's one location where I can set up at 25 yards. I'll let the Atomic loose there, though it is capable, for chucks, I'm staying sub 35 yards with it. They can be tough critters. Thank you for your replies.
 
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@l-leon I am really tempted to pick one of these up. I have a question for you, if you are willing. Where I would primarily be using one of these is a barnyard about 5 miles from Lake Michigan and the landscape is flat as a pancake, so there is pretty much always some wind, from breezy to really whipping. Obviously, when it is really whipping, I wouldn't be trying to shoot sparrows, pigeons, and starlings, but how does the Atomic handle smaller, more reasonable wind? I wonder if I might be better off sticking to something with a little longer barrel, for a little more velocity, if my shooting will likely always be in some amount of wind.

I realize your answer may be difficult to gauge, but your thoughts would be welcome.

Thank you,

pg
 
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@puddleglum, it’s highly subjective, but here goes. Today the wind was gusting to at least 15 mph. I took 16 birds, none outside because of the wind. If the wind is sub 10 mph I have made kills with the Atomic up to 35 yards outside. It’s definitely not a long range (50+ yards) rig in the wind. In calm conditions I will shoot it out to 60 yards. Ninety percent of my kills with the Atomic have been sub forty yards. Hope that helps.
 
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@l-leon Thank you, that is very helpful.

Have you done anything with the power adjuster for a low power shot that could be used inside a barn, shed, etc?

I wonder if having access to the hammer spring adjuster, like on the Ranger, would make developing a low power, indoor shot easier. Might be able to work it out where I could close the valve and turn the hammer spring adjustment something like 1-1/4 turn for a fairly low power shot; wouldn't have to be the most accurate thing at the short ranges it would be used. Then turn the hammer spring back and open the valve back up to return to full power when the low power is no longer needed.
 
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@puddleglum, having easy access to the HS definitely allows for more tuning. I've done nothing other than using the TP adjuster. For example I had to finish off one of today's birds. I dialed the TP to its lowest level, lined up the bird with the board behind it and sent the pellet. I recently chronoed the Atomic XR with 14.3 grain Crosman Premier Domes at the highest and lowest TP settings. Here are the numbers I got for two, ten shot strings.

TP / high, 727 fps avg.

TP / low, 587 fps avg.


 
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