Tominco's FX Streamline

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Tominco

Tominco

Member
Apr 1, 2015
3,072
429
Colorado, United States
FX Streamline in .22 Caliber. 
Walnut stock
11 shot magazine
High rings
Athlon Argos 6-24x50
JSB Exact 18gr pellets
Here it is! 






And with a huggett installed. I like it a lot and it makes it ridiculously quiet! It's very comparable and may even be more silent than a Marauder. 


Here's a few pics of the action. VERY similar in design to the Royale series. 



I'll post up a video after I finish editing it. 

A few questions that have come up...
Mine came with a moderator and thread protector. It is a standard 1/2" thread on the end
The trigger is adjustable although I have not touched mine. 
3 power settings
11 shot magazine
Royale single shot loaders will work in it. 
Royale magazines will work with it. However, My Athlon scope sits a little too low for the Royale mag to work. My Hawke dressed in Sports Match ATP66 rings allows it to fit with about 1/16" clearance. 
The Streamline mag will work in the Royale. There is about a 3/16" height difference between the two. 
Fill to 230 bar for ~50 shots in the 890's fps

My thoughts...
My Streamline came with a beautiful Walnut stock. This was a pleasant surprise that I was not expecting. I like the sleek simple traditional design very much. I am used to the Royale series so, I felt very comfortable with the action. I do like that they lengthened the bolt handle. The trigger feels nice to me and I will probably leave it right where it is. If anything, I might lighten it up a touch. 
There is not much material to work with (about 5/8") on the front of the stock to attach a rail to. It's just enough to get the job done. I opted to use a bottle clamp and use my Harris bipod. This rifle seems to be about simplicity and that's what the Harris is, simple. The bottle clamp lines up with the bottom of the stock so, the Harris is able to use the front edge of the stock for support. 
The rifle shoulders nicely and the checkering grips your hand and fingers very well. 
The magazine loads just like the Royale series. I see why they stick with this design but, I find it to be tedious to load. I recently found a new design on the single shot tray that I like a lot. I find myself using this more and more often over the magazines. 
I noticed there is no FX logo on the stock. This might be one of the ways FX was able to keep the price down. Another way might be the trigger guard. Many of FX's rifles have a trigger guard molded into the stock. The Streamline has a nice metal wide trigger guard that is also used to assist in holding the stock in place. 
The chronograph showed mine shooting in the 930's and 950's. This is too fast. I'm not sure why it was shooting so fast since my paperwork shows it shooting around 911. Still a little fast in my opinion. Luckily, the hammer spring adjustment is easy to get to - Remove the stock, back of the block, lower hole, 5mm allen wrench. 
After a little back and forth I was able to calm the rifle down to shooting in the 890's This is where it seems to be happy as far as the numbers are concerned. I ran 2 shot strings over the chrony. Here are the results...

string 1
44 shots from 230b
Avg - 885.9
StDev - 4.7
Min - 876
Max - 896
Spread 20

string 2
50 shots from 230b
Avg - 891.4
StDev - 3.2
Min - 887
Max - 903
Spread - 16

Personally, I pay very close attention to StDev. 3.2 is excellent! I can already see the rifle settling into its own. Between the two strings, the SD and Spread both went down, which is good, even though the velocity went up slightly. (I got the entire second string on film as well.)
Accuracy, Shooting at 930-950 it was all over the place. (But, read this to the end) I think I was also using a bad batch of JSB's and it was gusting wind like crazy. The rifle would give about 3/4-1" groups and then suddenly have an incredible poi shift. So much so, that I thought I might be clipping. I spun the power wheel down to level 2 which gave me shots in the low 700's. Immediately, the groups shrank down. I shot group after group while adjusting the hammer spring down to give me 890's. Then, I let it sit overnight to let a little blue lock tite settle. Today, I shot the two strings above. I had to adjust the hammer a little more as well. The accuracy has dramatically improved. I'm getting about 1/2 to 3/4" 10 shot groups at 50 yards. I have higher expectations out of this rifle but, I think the barrel is still breaking in. Time will tell. Also, I found out that I was indeed using a bad batch of bent out of shape pellets. I switched over to some recently washed ones and the groups shrank yet again. Am I stacking pellets at 50 yards? Yes and no. Yes, I'll stack pellets one on top of another. Then, I'll stack pellets one on top of another about 1/4" away. Then, maybe it'll go high and I'll stack there for a few. Of course, a gust of wind is going throw off a shot here and there as well. That's why I think this barrel is still settling. When it stacks them, it stacks them. 
Streamline vs (my) FX 400 - I don't think this is a fair comparison. My 400 is the most accurate rifle I own and it is a well broken in competition rifle. The Streamline is a brand new rifle, fresh out of the box, that needs some more time to settle into its own. I'm also very used to the feel of my 400 whereas the Streamline has a different feel for me to get used to. The 400 wins easily when you take all this into consideration. 
Streamline vs AA S-510 - It's been a long time since I broke out the ol' AA. It was nice to see it was holding air just fine. My groups were very similar for the two rifles. I couldn't say, without more testing, which one shoots tighter groups at 50y. 
Expectations - I expect my groups to shrink over time. I'd be happy if my fps and SD stay where they are. I'd be really happy if the SD dropped even more but, I can't ask for much more than a 3.2.

Time will tell whether or not this rifle stays in my collection. I like the way it handles, the way it shoots, the value for the $, the simplicity, the weight, the feel, the looks. I'll probably pick up a Huggett or Clague for it since it made such a dramatic improvement. I'd like to see them add at least 1 extension to the package that is being sent out. 

Please leave + accuracy if you feel I deserve it. :)

As always, Happy Shooting! 
Tom
 
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@cahil_2 I like it a lot with the Huggett! In fact, I'm going to end up buying one for this. It really makes it stupid quiet! :)

@PreCharged Your quite welcome! :) Yes, I have plans to try it without any moderator, and then with the factory mod, and then with the Huggett. 

@bobseagles The last string was shot down to 100 bar on the rifles gauge. I had just started to watch the fill needle move when I remembered to check the rifle. see below for power adjustment comments...


I called AoA about some other orders I have pending and got to chatting about the Streamline. They said that my results are really surprising/odd and that all the Streamlines they have tested have been tack drivers. They were also very surprised at the fps numbers I was initially getting (930's + 950's). I trust the individual I talked to at AoA very much. I do not think my experience with the fps and grouping will be typical based on his reactions. 

Magazines = $89 ea (on backorder as of writing this)
Moderator extensions $25 ea

Tom
 
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Tom,
Could the HIGH fps possible be due to the fact that Phoenix area is only at an altitude of around 1000 feet and you are in Colorado at a much higher altitude? Less air resistance? What about the temp difference between Phoenix area vs Colorado? You are probably much cooler, but I would think that the cold air would be denser, thus a little more air resistance? Probably not enough difference to make up for the thinner air at altitude in Colorado? Hmmm. Just something that makes one think....Hmmm? Have fun and thanks for the review, the FX Streamline looks like a real winner! Enjoy.
 
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"Goodtogo"Nice work on the review Tom! Just makes me buy one while I wait on you to sell me that ol rough rifle of yours with that pretty stock!
And I notice your accuracy is at 99. Someone give the poor ol boy one more point......... LOL ;)
Click to expand...
@ Goodtogo Thanks. You should see the other stock I have lying around. It's even nicer than what my 400 is wearing! I'm going to give "the treatment" to the Streamline stock once I stop shooting it for a while. 
Tom
 
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The accuracy issues I've been chasing are due to me being at a brand new home range that I have not gotten used to yet. I'm shooting right next to tree branches and across a steep cutout from an old stream. My 75 yard target actually has me threading the needle between two tree branches and the tree trunk. My old home range, I could feel the wind and compensate for it pretty easily. The downside to that was that I would freeze by butt off in about 5 minutes. This new range has me sitting inside a building shooting through an open window. It's much more pleasant but has taken away the ability to feel the wind. Today, I brought out my wind flags to see just what was happening out there and was pretty surprised at the different directions and strengths of wind that dance across my shooting lane. The streamline will give very solid groups at 50 yards. I won't put a number on it until I have a windless day to shoot. 
After a night and day of shooting I am getting closer to a conclusion for the Streamline. I think it's a hit! 
Value for the dollar is what FX was after and I think they nailed it. It's a well made, light weight, accurate, looks good, feels good, pick up and shoot style rifle. 
Could it be quieter? Yes. I think they should add 1 extension to the package. Of course 2 would be better. But then the price might go up. IMO, 1 extension could be absorbed into the current price.
Could there be an adjustable butt pad? Yes, but that adds $. I'd rather see the price stay where it's at. 
Could it have a thumbhole stock. Yes, but that adds $. I'd rather see the price stay where it's at. 
When I put it up against my 400 it tries to keep up. That's saying a lot for a $1100 rifle (Walnut). Since it is based off the 400 action, there's not much comparison to the way they work and feel. I think I get better accuracy out of the 400 because I'm so used to it and it's a heavier rifle which makes it stick to the shooting table a little better. I will also add that I think the regulator in the Streamline is spanking the one in my 400! My chrono-to-phone cord broke but, I was checking the numbers as I went along and they look just as steady as I posted above! I know some shooters were concerned that this might have been an area that suffered with the reduced price tag. I am experiencing quite the opposite. Also, it comes off the regulator very smooth. So far, I can't tell where it's set at because it doesn't bump up in velocity before falling off again. It just falls off at about 100b. 



Streamline vs AA S-510. These two are priced exactly the same (for what I have pictured). I'll list some differences, who I think is the winner, and then why.
Accuracy - FX - It's hard to tell with the winds I'm dealing with but, when it's on, the Streamline is almost stacking them at 50 yards.
Weight - FX - The numbers are what they are. 6.1lb vs 7.55lb
Length - FX - 38.75 vs 42.52
Shot count - FX - I'm seeing 50 consistent shots per fill. I have not pushed this much farther because that's at 100b and I don't want o shoot it below that pressure. AA = 40 shots for the best consistency.
Shot consistency. - FX - It's a no brainer here when you're comparing a regulated rifle to a non-regulated rifle. I get very low SD's with the Streamline vs. the AA which has a bell curve pattern. 
Maintenance - FX - I've adjusted the hammer spring tension and had the barrel off already. Easy to do. With the AA, I don't know where to start. 
Trigger - FX - By far a better trigger. Nice and crisp when compared to the AA. 
Cocking effort - FX - Feels like it is less effort on the Streamline. 
Cocking feel - FX - Smooth and clean on the way back and just a few spongy bumps on the way in as the pellet makes its way out of the mag, over O-rings, and into the breech vs. the AA which has an almost gritty feel to it while pulling it back and moving it forward to load the pellet.
Stock design - AA - The poplar stock on the AA has elegant lines and checkering patterns. Also, the angle of the grip is a little easier on the wrist. 
Stock overall - TIE - While the AA has more elegant lines, it limits itself slightly for putting on a front accessory rail due to the curves. Personally, I'd rather have Walnut over a Poplar wood. The AA is available with a Walnut stock but, it is limited to right hand only. The AA checkering is a bit shallow whereas the Streamline checkering is deep and grips your hand very well. While the Streamline may not be as elegant, it still looks good and allows for easy installation of a front rail. I noticed that the very front of the stock on the Streamline has just a bit of R-L play to it. It's possible they spec'd out just a tad too much material to be taken out for the air tube. This is nothing critical and can easily be remedied with some sticky back felt. I liked how easy the Streamline action was to remove from its stock. Both actions look to be centered in their stocks without any areas of wood that seem ridiculously thin. 
Power Adjustability - TIE - The AA power adjuster is infinitely adjustable within it's range and easy to move. Whereas the Streamline had 3 specific power levels and the wheel can take some effort to turn. I say "TIE" because the AA knob sticks out a bit and could get bumped off it's setting without much effort. Whereas the Streamline's power wheel is 1/2 hidden by the stock and would take a lot of effort to bump off it's setting.
Dovetail rail - FX - While the Streamlines rear rail is shorter than the AA's, its front rail is twice the length of the front rail on the AA. This allows for easier scope setup. 
Magazines - AA - The 10 round AA magazines are less expensive, easier to load, and have no dependency on a wound spring to cycle. The Streamline's new 11 shot magazine is close to double the cost of the AA, can be tedious to load, and must be done in a certain order. Neither design will stop the possibility of a double load. Also, the AA magazine is easier to load into the rifle as it slides along a flat surface until a small metal latch catches and holds the mag in place. The Streamline relies on a small O-ring that is compressed, while inserting the magazine, to create friction in order to hold it in place. The AA magazine has a red dot that you could utilize to know how many shots you have left. The Streamline mag will block the probe from moving forward again once you run out. 
Noise level - FX - Without the moderator on, the Streamline is much louder than the AA. But, with the moderator, it is very comparable. The Streamline might be just a touch louder. I gave this one to the streamline because 1) the moderator can be extended ($25 per section) which should quiet the rifle down, 2) The Streamline, with moderator installed, is shorter that the AA by about 3" for a very comparable sound level, 3) The Streamline uses a common 1/2UNF male thread at the end of the barrel shroud vs. the AA which uses the same but is female. 
Filling - FX - You're probably going to need a Foster male adaptor for either system unless this is your only rifle. The Streamline uses a probe that is inserted into a hole on the front of the rifle. It's pretty easy to see why they used this system instead of plumbing in a male Foster and cutting the stock out around it. However, the AA uses a cap? with a slot in it that has to line up with a post. Then, a slight twist will lock it in place. Although it is a safer system that would be nearly impossible to bump off, It's a pain in the butt to use and I see no reason why AA has not changed this to the common Foster fitting. 

That's all for now! Hope you are all enjoying my review and find it helpful. 
Happy Shooting!
Tom
 
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@rwsmike - I think it's the same balancing act you see with a lot of things. Small or precise - not both (gauges). Quality or cheap - not both (Harbor Freight). Suppression takes up space so, you can have shorter or quieter - not both. I like the length of the Streamline as it sits. Once I add on an extension or two, it should be quieter than the AA and probably very close to the same length. Also, I think adding a $25 extension will make a difference. I already have 2 on order and will let you all know the difference I experience. 

@Cliff_Allen - + Right back at ya! I think it was your post that gave me the idea to put these two up against each other. :)

@Sam63 JSB 18g

Some after dark shooting 50y. I think it's 5 shots...
 
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Tom - By looking at closeup photos of the Streamline and Royale 400 the shapes of the receiver/exterior of the action is different. I'm wondering if that's just cosmetic or is the Royale substantially different or better quality than the Streamline? What I'm trying to ask is are they essentially the same gun with a different stock and pressure tube/bottle made to capture a different segment of the market? Maybe there's less profit margin on the Streamline but they hope to make that up in volume. You've compared the AA to the Streamline - how does the Streamline compare to the Royale? The CF bottle is one obvious reason for the higher price, but are there others that you can identify?
 
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Thanks for the great review I have added a + for you. I really wonder if this is an evolution to the royale, or a replacement, or something different. The way that FX keeps the price down on these is with the help of their new "mass production" manufacturing plant. I want to know though if they are the same quality of parts or if they are lower quality allowing them to reach the price point that they have. It would be a no brainer right now for someone getting into airguns to just buy this. I would say this is probably a better investment than a marauder as it's accurate right out of the box and you won't have to fiddle with it. I would rather spend the extra money for this over a marauder, but I know some people on here might have a different opinion, which if OK. I hope FX can continue to put out better quality year after year.
 
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