Best 10 meter/Field Target gun for an old man starting out

Crosman challenger is probably the cheapest option but stupid accurate and made for 10 meters especially if you get the peep sight. 2000 psi fill is also very hand pump friendly and comes with very adjustable stock. No better value to start and honestly unless you spend 3-4 times the money you aren’t going to find “better” for 10 meters. not sure what you mean but the challenger isn’t up to par at 20-30 yards but it’s a laser to 50 yards and more. Obviously need a scope for anything pass 20 yards. Factory is 550fps and need a bit modification to get it to shoot in the 700FPS range to reach out to 50 yards a little easier. 


however if you want more power than 11 FPE ish then challenger isn’t made for that 

Have a look at this also short length of pull but very accurate and able to turn up power for field target

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Air_Arms_T200_Sporter_Air_Rifle_Target_Sights/2622

Wow! really? I was under the impression that it was only suitable for 10 meter comp. If it's capable of doing 50yds with no problem, then I am definitely leaning towards the Challenger. Thanks for the info.

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it can however it has power limitations so please keep that in mind. However most FT guns are sub 12fpe regardless. To increase power you need to experiment with different TP, think with a 1720 high power TP you can easily get to 700FPS but don’t try to go much higher because the cocking bolt isn’t secured well and will pop open if you crank up the power too much. 700FPS with crosman premier doomed pellet can easily reach out to 50 yards. I’ve actually headshot a squirrel(DRT) at 45 yards with crosman pointed pellet at 650FPS and even at 45 yards the drop isn’t that much. You will be surprised what lowly low powered .177 can do. 


maybe Odoyle can chime in, he has a few that are tuned differently. 

Have a look at this also short length of pull but very accurate and able to turn up power for field target

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Air_Arms_T200_Sporter_Air_Rifle_Target_Sights/2622

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that is a good one also and much nicer stock but no adjustments and that sale price is pretty darn good! 

Check out the civilian marksmanship program. They sell refurbished Daisy 853 for $105.00. I bought one for my dad who wanted something better than his red rider. Take a look and see if it interests you. Besides if you begin to like it more, you can give a kid a great air rifle when you buy a new one. Here is a link to the website. Sporter Air Rifles - Civilian Marksmanship Program (thecmp.org)

The Daisy 853 can't be beat strictly for 10 meter however the trigger is it's downfall even with its Pilkington trigger mods.

The Crosman Challenger can be made into a dual purpose 10 meter and sub 12fpe FT gun.

Tom Holland (NO! NOT SPIDERMAN) From Field Target Tech (xbowsniper here on AGN) had converted his Challenger specifically for FT and his tunes would likely be preferred over mine since I hunt and plink and target shoot with all of mine each configured at different power specific levels and don't even shoot FT at all.

The AA-CZ S200 is another good candidate for dual purpose 10 meter or FT and I have several of them too in different quick change "in the field" power levels just unscrew to swap out the air tubes for different power levels.

I organize the winter indoor air rifle league at our club. A couple of our club members have Challengers, which are fantastic for 10 meters/50 feet/25 yards indoors. One of our former club members had a CZ 200 and he shot it well too. I have shot both rifles a couple of times and either would serve for indoor shooting. The CZ200 was lighter and I prefer heavier, but that's me.

I don't know this first hand (someone will correct me), but I believe to modify the Challenger for higher power/outdoor shooting involves more of a permanent change than modifying the CZ200. I think the CZ200 can be adjusted between high and low power levels and back again relatively easily (see Odoyle's comment above). This may be a factor in your decision if you wish to shoot both indoors and outside with the same rifle. If you are trying to stretch the range out to 50+ yards, you will have a lot of wind and drop to deal with at low power (sub-600 fps).

Some really good info here. Still a tough decision between the Challenger ($888 w/tax) vs the smaller but more versatile Air Arms T200. ($535 w/tax) I'm a taller guy and the shorter LOP on the T200 is abit concerning although I see many say it's still very comfortable to shoot. Is it true that the overall length of the T200 is only 35.5"? That's a very small rifle but I've seen impressive accuracy from it via videos. Anyone here own or use an Air Force Edge? Worth looking into as well? ($786 w/tax)

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challenger is NOT 888 dollars, hell it’s cheaper on crosman website directly! Order the 500 dollar no sight version because you will need a scope pass 10 yards. Also crosman.com still isn’t charging tax yet AND shipping is cheap AND magical agnation code get one to your door for a little over 400 AND if you order directly if there is any issue they will pay for the return shipping to get it fixed! Can’t beat that at all! 

You can also check Champion's Choice. They list the Challenger with sights for $600 and the T200 for somewhat less. They carry the pump and other things you might need too. I would recommend getting the diopter sights with the rifle, even if you plan to scope it later.

Like Qball, suggested order directly from Crosman you can use the Agnation code for a sweet discount. And seeing you're in NY as is Crosman your delivery time should be short.

Lets be a voice of reason here ....

10 meter ( 33 feet ) shooting is near ALWAYS done with rifles in the @ 6-7 fpe range ( 550-580 fps ) Open sights and no optics

Field target in the 11-12 fpe range in the low power classes ( Most difficult ) and then at 18-20 fpe for the higher power classes ( >20 fpe max ) Scoped in ALL classes !



A 10 M rifle while one can shoot in FT, is NOT THE RIGHT GUN !!! Or is a 12 fpe or 20 fpe gun correct for 10M shooting.





As too the AA200 ... great "LITTLE" guns being they are youth size and if a big man, tall or long arms WAY TOO SMALL a rifle IMO.

Come to better decision on which sport you really wish to do first, our helping will be a lot more productive !



Scott S

I'm not sure where you are going with this. The FX Streamline (and I think the Dreamline) has a variable transfer port that will definitely span the power range from 10 m to FT. It has no sights, but it is threaded for a moderator. With an angle bracket and a front sight mount or riser block you could put together a mount for a front globe sight. The rear aperture sights are dovetail mounted, but there are different rail specifications and you would have to be careful to choose one that fits the FX rail. I have multiple sights and could try to check that for you. For FT you would mount a scope and turn up the power. This is the jack of all trades, master of none solution.

If you enjoy shooting with iron sights, there is the used market and the FWB 600 series rifles. These are SSPs and are essentially PCPs with a built in pump. They go for $600-$1000, depending on model and condition. When buying any of these older 10 m rifles make sure they can still be serviced! I believe common wear items for the FWB 600s are still available, but you may have to do the work yourself. Then you would have at least one rifle ideally suited to its purpose.

I just purchased the Champions Choice CZ200T. It has a wonderful target adjustable stock. Comes with spacers to adjust LOP, and the cheek riser. And a nice precision diopter sight setup. I put a 4x leupold on mine.

Out of the box shooting JSB 7.3 gr pellets @560 fps. I cranked in the hammer spring bringing it to 650fps. Gun is a lazer. They're not kidding about the accuracy of CZ barrels. Fun gun.

I added the AA multishot adapter with spare mags. This rifle gets 160 shots per fill even after upping the speed. Crazy efficient, and quiet. Could'nt resist all the Rowan Engineering bling either...bolt, trigger, barrel band, Muzzle break.

Pic with bling.



Pic before bling

All I did with my Crosman Challenger is added a wider .150 transfer port. I lengthened the hammer throw fully...striker flush to the hammer, hammer spring at it's factory setting, and that is all. My Challenger now shoots a 45 shot string with a 842 fps average @ nearly 17fpe with 10.54gr. Crosman Premiers. Dime size groups @ 50 yds. You need less power for field target?; I simply dial out the hammer striker 6 full counter-clockwise turns, and I am @ 690fps for about 11.7fpe. This tune will have you prepared to compete in both the low power and higher power field target classes. You need to get the fpe even lower for 10 meter?; from this tune, I dial back the hammer spring adjuster 5 full turns, go down to a lighter pellet like the 7.3gr Crosman Premiers...and I am @ 610fps at just about 6fpe.

Joe, that sounds good. How easy is it to get to the hammer striker adjustment on the Challenger? On my Daystate you have to pull the stock, and it still isn't easy. I always end up tearing it down to get to the hammer.