Tominco's FX Streamline

@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

"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

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

@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...