Benjamin Summit VS Jim Shockey Steel Eagle

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Hercule

Member
Nov 30, 2017
16
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Nevada
Im having trouble decicing which air rifle to buy. As shown in the title, both the Steel eagle and Summit are at similar price points but I can seem to find out which one is better. Which would you recommend ?
Things I look for.
- Power ( both average around 25FPE but I need the gun with more hunting capabilities)
-Accuracy 
Those two things are the most important, weight, recoil, noise etc. is not a concer.
Thanks guys !
 
Hmmm. What are you hunting and at what range? Those rifles will likely give you closer to 18fpe(800-900)fps in .177, a little slower in .22. I know what it says they are supposed to achieve in the specs for power but that's a bit of sales propaganda. What is your total budget including optics? Anyways knowing those three things there may be better/other options available.
 
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It would seem you have done all the work/research then as I did a quick search for a better deal and couldn't find one. Even at 20fpe the guns will be a bit rough to shoot, at least from the factory. If you can do a bit of trigger work and clean up the internals you should be ok with either gun. Of course shot placement will be key for the animals you intend to hunt as anything less than a head shot will likely make them suffer. You may not be happy with the accuracy but then again you may. One thing to remember is that if you buy direct from crosman there is coupon code from this forum for %25 off. Also if the gun isn't right for you their return/exchange policy is good as well. Oh one thing to consider with the power these guns manage would be to keep your shots inside 30yd for game of the size you intend to kill.
 
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Having been shooting the Summit for the past year, and having opened it up for a home tune (successful, thank God in Heaven) I'd have to say the Steel Eagle. The stock is superior with the soft-grip inserts on forearm and pistol grip, the NP2 action is virtually identical, and the quietness of the shrouded/baffled barrel remains the same. I love my Summit but have spent many hours working on the CBT/Clean Break Trigger to get it to hold the optimal 2-stage setting. I know the Shockey guns also have the CBT so be prepared to spend a little time first discovering the optimal set on the trigger break screw and then LOCKING THAT SUCKER DOWN with either hot glue or kitchen adhesive silicone. Something that 'can' be undone in a pinch but which keeps the screw set in place otherwise. Believe me, keeping that screw set so that a clear, clean 2nd Stage wall is apparent on each trigger pull is all the difference between 5" groups at 50 yards without, and consistent shots on 3/4" tops off of soda bottles at that distance. In short, getting the trigger break right makes either gun a 50 yard hunter of small game and small-medium pests - shot placement is king. For nothing more than the stock configuration, go with the Jim Shockey Steel Eagle in .22
 
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I had a Summit in .22. It is the same gun as the Shockey Steel Eagle, but without the rubber grip inserts and without the Shocky Branding.

If I were you, I'd save up for something better. Mine had the power I wanted (23 FPE) and it was nice and quiet, but the trigger was horrible, and the accuracy was only so-so. Better to hit your mark with 20 FPE than to miss with 23, so I sold that to a friend with lower standards and bought a used, tuned Diana 52 in .22. It's a better gun in every way, except weight (it's heavier) and noise. It's a smidge louder.

I did a review series on my Summit on YouTube. Here's a link to one of them. I think you can find the rest by searching under my user name:

 
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