On an octagon table that I built from recycled redwood decking!
An Air Arms S-510 F.A.C. in .22
An FX Verminator Extreme MKII in .22
A vintage Co2 powered Crosman 180 in .22
A multi-pump Benjamin 392 in .22
An FX Wildcat in .25
The Air Arms S-510 F.A.C. is a terrific rifle! It has proven itself against more expensive rifles time and time again. It's got a decent weight, easy to carry, easy to shoot, it's pretty quiet too. 10 shot mags or single shot tray. The adjustable trigger is a bit stiff straight from the factory, but it has a nice crisp 2nd stage. The action is a little "gummy" but, I think that's more my fault for lack of maintenance. I've had a few jams over the years but, nothing serious. Usually the jam is due to the magazine index not being happy.
The best thing about this rifle is that it is steady! What I mean is that I can count on it to be on target every time. It's my go to rifle when the new wears off of the other ones. It has a power adjust knob that I just don't mess with much at all.
Accuracy - I won't comment on groups at yardages because that's the shooter, conditions, pellets, and rifle all adding up to the group result. But, I will say that it's a $1300 rifle that can hold its own against much much more expensive rifles.
In my opinion, the AA S??? series of rifles are among the most underestimated rifles out there. They are an excellent step up from the entry level bargain PCP's or a great first PCP!
The FX Verminator MKII Extreme. What a great setup! It's a regulated TAKEDOWN PCP rifle that can also shoot arrows! It comes in a case that has spots for the rifle, bottle, barrel, shroud, arrow barrel, and FX 6-18 Scope, a Hawke cross-bow scope, 12 shot .22 magazine, and 4 arrows. But it's going to set you back a few shackles at $2500. The bottle also acts as a stock as well. I have tested the accuracy retention on this rifle by shooting a group, taking the whole thing apart and putting it back together again, then shooting another group. It holds zero, PERIOD. The trigger is VERY light and smooth. The action is silky smooth. The magazines are a chore to load. You have to twist the faceplate around and then load a pellet skirt first from the backside of the mag. Then, twist the faceplate back to each of the rest of the slots and load each pellet. If you don't get the pellets loaded all the way you risk moving the slots and losing the "anchor pallet" and then you've got to re-twist and reload it backwards again. This is the biggest let down of the FX line, for me. There is also a single shot tray available for it. This rifle also seems LONG. It's basically a bull pup in sheep's clothing but, when you put the shroud on, it just seems so long. In actuality, it's only about an inch longer than the AA S-510, about 45 or 46" (38.5 without the shroud). It's just the way the barrel sticks way out front all alone and unsupported that makes it look so long. While its shape is a little odd, it handles quite well. The balance point for walking is right where the bottle screws into the rifle. For me, when shooting bench-rest, I can feel myself "lock in" to this rifle like no other! The bottle must be filled through the rifle (as far as I know). There is a male foster fitting at the front of the stock. When you take the bottle off the rifle, it does NOT and should NOT be drained of air. It will hiss a bit while unscrewing it, but it will hold the air. It's a bit off angle screwing it into the rifle but, once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. With a rifle like this, with so many options and such innovation, you have to give some concessions. It acts like a bull pup but is a bit awkward in shape and seems quite long. Well, it's a freaking TRANSFORMER that shoots pellets and arrows and does both VERY well! What the heck do you want?!
Accuracy - TOP of the line! This thing is a freaking laser beam! What I said was.... this thing is a FREAKING LASER BEAM! Outstanding performance! Shooting this at 50 yards really gets boring, to be honest. Even with the arrow shooting, I have put arrow next to arrow, to the point of almost touching, at 50 yards standing shooting offhand. I'm actually afraid to shoot more than one arrow at my target for fear of splitting one of them! If my prey animal is within 50 yards, it's as good as dead. It's almost unfair. This is with 18gr JSB's form the tin. I'd have to say that this may be the most accurate air rifle I've owned to date. If it isn't, than it's #2. Ted's got some great slow motion video footage of some arrow hunting with small game heads (devastating!). There is some recoil involved when shooting arrows. It's a gentle push back like someone is lightly pushing on your shoulder with their fingertips.
Mine shoots 18gr JSB's a little hot at 938fps +/- for about 55 shots(I've seen it over 1000fps but, that might have been my chrony acting weird). Oh and it's got 2 power levels that you change with the simple turning of a wheel! Low power shoots around 850's or so (I rarely use it). It shoots 300gr arrows at 268fps (I think that's 45 or 47 FPE?)
Switching from pellets to arrows is easy. Unload the weapon, put the safety on, unlock the thumb set screw, twist the barrel off, twist the arrow barrel on, lock the thumb set screw, swap out the scopes. The scopes both come with thumb set screws as well, which makes changing them a snap!
The FX Wildcat in .25! There's plenty of reviews on this rifle (including my own) here...
http://airgunnation.dev/topic/a-review-of-the-25-fx-wildcat/?view=all#post-12948
Also, it's quite new so there are no long term thoughts on it yet.
I will reiterate this... THANK YOU FX! Thank you so much for changing the magazine style! I love it! It is so easy to load and, with this rifle, you can actually load it while shooting!
The Benjamin 392 multi-pump rifle. She's a little sweet heart. I got this for some fun can plinking form time to time. 8 pumps max and single shot. So, it's not going to be rapid fire by any stretch of the imagination. (*Private joke*... Probably not the best to use in a speed silhouette competition! ) At $170 it's an inexpensive fun rifle to have with the quality you'd expect from a low priced Benjamin model. Pyramid Air says up to 685fps I'll post the chrony results below with the other rifles. There are scope mounting kits available for it as well but, I wouldn't count on it being a 100yd contender without major surgery. I've had it for 2-3 years and it's not holding air for very long anymore so, I think it's time for a rebuild. That should be a great learning experience for me!
I'm happy with it for what it is. Again, I bought it for fun can plinking and nothing more. So, I don't ever intend on putting a scope on it or pushing it past 25 yds at the most. There's something very enjoyable about shooting with open sights. Try it and see if you agree! Last time I used this rifle I went on "Safari" around my house using animal crackers! What great fun!
The vintage Co2 powered Crosman 180 in .22. Why vintage? Because it belonged to my Grandpa Arlo (R.I.P.). It's old, it's scarred, it's not incredibly accurate, the safety "kind of" works (if you know how to use it), trigger leaves a lot to be desired, who knows when the Co2's going to run out, I think the sights point in the general direction the pellets going to go, single shot, bolt action, really light weight! Compares to the Sheridan 2260MB in looks. Don't judge the 2260MB on this! I'm sure they've improved the design over the years. I'll have to search my records or run another chrony string for this one.
I hope you all enjoyed this mass rifle review and that it helps someone out there better understand one or all of these rifles.
Chrony results
AA S-510 F.A.C. Unregulated PCP. 18gr JSB's
849 @ 180bar
859
865
849
851
858
858
886
883
882
876 @165b
862
899
897
909
911
916
919
918
924
918 @ 150b
908
927
924
929
928
928
925
923
925
925 @ 140b
920
918
916
914
909
905
905
900
896
895 @130
-----------------------------------------------------------
FX Verminator Extremem MKII 18gr JSB's
861 @ 215bar
857
850 Oops, low power! Switching to high...
941
942
943
934
947
940
941
942 @ 195b
943
940
935
939
940
939
942
938
934
933 @ 185b
942
932
935
936
934
938
937
930
933
942 @ 170b
931
942
940
938
932
935
934
933
930
932 @ 160b
934
928
941
941
935
928
935
932
933
939
937
933
943
941
942
942
945
950
948
954 @ 140b
---------------------------------------------------
FX Wildcat .25 25.4 JSB's
914 @ 225bar
915
920
922
922
921
917
921
921
920
918 @200b
921
927
923
923
926
924
923
920
916
917 @ 180b
923
922
920
922
923
922
921
921
921
917 @ 160b
923
922
923
925
925
919
924
921
926
919
924
921
926
919 @ 145b
924
921
920
916
915
912
909
908
907
----------------------------------------------
Benjamin 392 multi-pump
8 pumps 18gr JSB's
552
558
561
561
563
560
563
557
566
569
6 pumps
519
519
515
515
514
513
514
520
518
516
4 pumps
453
443
447
436
453
449
450
441
448
447
2 pumps
337
322
326
339
333
338
339
335
328
337
1 pump
239
229
239
234
240
230
223
223
234
215
Impressively steady, especially for a low priced pump up rifle! In my opinion.
If you're ever in Colorado and want to give one of these a try, shoot me a PM!
Happy safe shooting!
Tom
An Air Arms S-510 F.A.C. in .22
An FX Verminator Extreme MKII in .22
A vintage Co2 powered Crosman 180 in .22
A multi-pump Benjamin 392 in .22
An FX Wildcat in .25
The Air Arms S-510 F.A.C. is a terrific rifle! It has proven itself against more expensive rifles time and time again. It's got a decent weight, easy to carry, easy to shoot, it's pretty quiet too. 10 shot mags or single shot tray. The adjustable trigger is a bit stiff straight from the factory, but it has a nice crisp 2nd stage. The action is a little "gummy" but, I think that's more my fault for lack of maintenance. I've had a few jams over the years but, nothing serious. Usually the jam is due to the magazine index not being happy.
The best thing about this rifle is that it is steady! What I mean is that I can count on it to be on target every time. It's my go to rifle when the new wears off of the other ones. It has a power adjust knob that I just don't mess with much at all.
Accuracy - I won't comment on groups at yardages because that's the shooter, conditions, pellets, and rifle all adding up to the group result. But, I will say that it's a $1300 rifle that can hold its own against much much more expensive rifles.
In my opinion, the AA S??? series of rifles are among the most underestimated rifles out there. They are an excellent step up from the entry level bargain PCP's or a great first PCP!
The FX Verminator MKII Extreme. What a great setup! It's a regulated TAKEDOWN PCP rifle that can also shoot arrows! It comes in a case that has spots for the rifle, bottle, barrel, shroud, arrow barrel, and FX 6-18 Scope, a Hawke cross-bow scope, 12 shot .22 magazine, and 4 arrows. But it's going to set you back a few shackles at $2500. The bottle also acts as a stock as well. I have tested the accuracy retention on this rifle by shooting a group, taking the whole thing apart and putting it back together again, then shooting another group. It holds zero, PERIOD. The trigger is VERY light and smooth. The action is silky smooth. The magazines are a chore to load. You have to twist the faceplate around and then load a pellet skirt first from the backside of the mag. Then, twist the faceplate back to each of the rest of the slots and load each pellet. If you don't get the pellets loaded all the way you risk moving the slots and losing the "anchor pallet" and then you've got to re-twist and reload it backwards again. This is the biggest let down of the FX line, for me. There is also a single shot tray available for it. This rifle also seems LONG. It's basically a bull pup in sheep's clothing but, when you put the shroud on, it just seems so long. In actuality, it's only about an inch longer than the AA S-510, about 45 or 46" (38.5 without the shroud). It's just the way the barrel sticks way out front all alone and unsupported that makes it look so long. While its shape is a little odd, it handles quite well. The balance point for walking is right where the bottle screws into the rifle. For me, when shooting bench-rest, I can feel myself "lock in" to this rifle like no other! The bottle must be filled through the rifle (as far as I know). There is a male foster fitting at the front of the stock. When you take the bottle off the rifle, it does NOT and should NOT be drained of air. It will hiss a bit while unscrewing it, but it will hold the air. It's a bit off angle screwing it into the rifle but, once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. With a rifle like this, with so many options and such innovation, you have to give some concessions. It acts like a bull pup but is a bit awkward in shape and seems quite long. Well, it's a freaking TRANSFORMER that shoots pellets and arrows and does both VERY well! What the heck do you want?!
Accuracy - TOP of the line! This thing is a freaking laser beam! What I said was.... this thing is a FREAKING LASER BEAM! Outstanding performance! Shooting this at 50 yards really gets boring, to be honest. Even with the arrow shooting, I have put arrow next to arrow, to the point of almost touching, at 50 yards standing shooting offhand. I'm actually afraid to shoot more than one arrow at my target for fear of splitting one of them! If my prey animal is within 50 yards, it's as good as dead. It's almost unfair. This is with 18gr JSB's form the tin. I'd have to say that this may be the most accurate air rifle I've owned to date. If it isn't, than it's #2. Ted's got some great slow motion video footage of some arrow hunting with small game heads (devastating!). There is some recoil involved when shooting arrows. It's a gentle push back like someone is lightly pushing on your shoulder with their fingertips.
Mine shoots 18gr JSB's a little hot at 938fps +/- for about 55 shots(I've seen it over 1000fps but, that might have been my chrony acting weird). Oh and it's got 2 power levels that you change with the simple turning of a wheel! Low power shoots around 850's or so (I rarely use it). It shoots 300gr arrows at 268fps (I think that's 45 or 47 FPE?)
Switching from pellets to arrows is easy. Unload the weapon, put the safety on, unlock the thumb set screw, twist the barrel off, twist the arrow barrel on, lock the thumb set screw, swap out the scopes. The scopes both come with thumb set screws as well, which makes changing them a snap!
The FX Wildcat in .25! There's plenty of reviews on this rifle (including my own) here...
http://airgunnation.dev/topic/a-review-of-the-25-fx-wildcat/?view=all#post-12948
Also, it's quite new so there are no long term thoughts on it yet.
I will reiterate this... THANK YOU FX! Thank you so much for changing the magazine style! I love it! It is so easy to load and, with this rifle, you can actually load it while shooting!
The Benjamin 392 multi-pump rifle. She's a little sweet heart. I got this for some fun can plinking form time to time. 8 pumps max and single shot. So, it's not going to be rapid fire by any stretch of the imagination. (*Private joke*... Probably not the best to use in a speed silhouette competition!
) At $170 it's an inexpensive fun rifle to have with the quality you'd expect from a low priced Benjamin model. Pyramid Air says up to 685fps I'll post the chrony results below with the other rifles. There are scope mounting kits available for it as well but, I wouldn't count on it being a 100yd contender without major surgery. I've had it for 2-3 years and it's not holding air for very long anymore so, I think it's time for a rebuild. That should be a great learning experience for me! I'm happy with it for what it is. Again, I bought it for fun can plinking and nothing more. So, I don't ever intend on putting a scope on it or pushing it past 25 yds at the most. There's something very enjoyable about shooting with open sights. Try it and see if you agree! Last time I used this rifle I went on "Safari" around my house using animal crackers! What great fun!
The vintage Co2 powered Crosman 180 in .22. Why vintage? Because it belonged to my Grandpa Arlo (R.I.P.). It's old, it's scarred, it's not incredibly accurate, the safety "kind of" works (if you know how to use it), trigger leaves a lot to be desired, who knows when the Co2's going to run out, I think the sights point in the general direction the pellets going to go, single shot, bolt action, really light weight! Compares to the Sheridan 2260MB in looks. Don't judge the 2260MB on this! I'm sure they've improved the design over the years. I'll have to search my records or run another chrony string for this one.
I hope you all enjoyed this mass rifle review and that it helps someone out there better understand one or all of these rifles.
Chrony results
AA S-510 F.A.C. Unregulated PCP. 18gr JSB's
849 @ 180bar
859
865
849
851
858
858
886
883
882
876 @165b
862
899
897
909
911
916
919
918
924
918 @ 150b
908
927
924
929
928
928
925
923
925
925 @ 140b
920
918
916
914
909
905
905
900
896
895 @130
-----------------------------------------------------------
FX Verminator Extremem MKII 18gr JSB's
861 @ 215bar
857
850 Oops, low power! Switching to high...
941
942
943
934
947
940
941
942 @ 195b
943
940
935
939
940
939
942
938
934
933 @ 185b
942
932
935
936
934
938
937
930
933
942 @ 170b
931
942
940
938
932
935
934
933
930
932 @ 160b
934
928
941
941
935
928
935
932
933
939
937
933
943
941
942
942
945
950
948
954 @ 140b
---------------------------------------------------
FX Wildcat .25 25.4 JSB's
914 @ 225bar
915
920
922
922
921
917
921
921
920
918 @200b
921
927
923
923
926
924
923
920
916
917 @ 180b
923
922
920
922
923
922
921
921
921
917 @ 160b
923
922
923
925
925
919
924
921
926
919
924
921
926
919 @ 145b
924
921
920
916
915
912
909
908
907
----------------------------------------------
Benjamin 392 multi-pump
8 pumps 18gr JSB's
552
558
561
561
563
560
563
557
566
569
6 pumps
519
519
515
515
514
513
514
520
518
516
4 pumps
453
443
447
436
453
449
450
441
448
447
2 pumps
337
322
326
339
333
338
339
335
328
337
1 pump
239
229
239
234
240
230
223
223
234
215
Impressively steady, especially for a low priced pump up rifle! In my opinion.
If you're ever in Colorado and want to give one of these a try, shoot me a PM!
Happy safe shooting!
Tom
