30-Yard Challenge

[EPG]

Well I think I finally got a 200 with my new Caiman X tonight. I just started my third order of 1000 pellets through it. Plus others figuring out what it likes. Takes me awhile. I'm also attaching two other very recent targets so I can tell my story. But the 200 15X is what I'm submitting for the leader board. It was shot today in very low wind with my Caiman X which has an Arken EPL-4 6-24 set at 24X and shooting H&N Baracuda 18 pellets at about 910 fps.

I spent significant time over the last couple weeks sorting the Baracuda 18 pellets this gun likes and had myself convinced it did not like the 18.3 grain pellets. I only found 18.0, 18.1, 18.2 18.3 and 18.4 grain in the two tins I measured. I also checked head size and found three but could not see any difference in how they shot. Two small tests of the 18.3s suggested they were giving me 50% 10s. But in sorting the second tin I generated enough 18.3s to shoot a target and it was a 194 or 195 but more significantly the last 10 shots were all 10s. I think that was the target I let the gun go off reg which cost me at least 2 shots so it should have been better. Anyway, that brings us to the 197 target shot yesterday. On it I noticed my 9s were predominantly going a little high so I adjusted my point of aim to just under the 10 ring which I used on the subsequent 198 and 200 today. On the 198 I noticed my 9s were mostly to the right of the bull. So I clicked a couple clicks to compensate. After the first 4 shots on the 200 I took one of those away, I think I over compensated. I shot the last 20 targets with the same scope setting and aim point. I bring this up in case it may help somebody. I looked for a more complicated "solution" in pellet sorting when my big problem is my gun was not precisely sighted in. I went right past the simpler more basic requirement. Anyway, I'm glad I finally got a 200 out of this gun - after 4 199s, two with 17Xs. I also think it is a little ironic the 200 15X score matches my only other 200 which I shot last year with my P35-22. Another little goofy thing is the 197 17X is the most Xs you can have on a 197 target. I shot as many as 18 Xs last year with my P35-22 so I don't know why when I finally get a 200 it has to be 15Xs. But I will take it. Leaves room for improvement.

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JimmyD! Congrats on the 200!! Looks like you got that Caiman shooting consistently over 195 with those ‘Cuda 18s!!!

-Ed

 

[beerthief]

for the last few weeks i have been trying to duplicate my best 30 yard challenge target of 240 with a springer . It is like the target gods laugh and and say " See that last row of bulls ? Think your going to shoot all X's ? HAHAHAHAHA ( in a loud voice) .And even louder HAHAHAHAHA , sound trailing off into the sunset .

 

[JimD]

I do not shoot many Masters targets because I know I am not good at consistency. 8 or 10 shots may be good and then I will goof up. So I do a lot better on the challenge targets. While I'd love to shoot a 240, or a 200 on the Masters card, it is unlikely to happen any time soon. It's fun to try, however. If it stops being fun, I switch guns or do something else. Pushing harder doesn't seem to help.

 

[EPG]

Brought out the Huntsman Regal on the 75 degree beautiful sunny August day in New England.

Shot a 193 10X 30-Challenge on 1st card - breezy conditions- using FX 15.89g.

Shot this 197 14X (!) 30-Masters on the second card (same fill - zero sighters on Masters, lol).

Thought it was a 30-Masters leaderboard submission with Huntsman, but I already posted a 198….

…wait … my 30-Challenge leaderboard entry with Huntsman was only 195… so I’ll submit this Masters card for the 30-Challenge leaderboard.

The later in the year it gets, the tougher it gets to shoot a leaderboard submission!

-Ed

 

[tommyb]

Brought out the Huntsman Regal on the 75 degree beautiful sunny August day in New England.

Shot a 193 10X 30-Challenge on 1st card - breezy conditions- using FX 15.89g.

Shot this 197 14X (!) 30-Masters on the second card (same fill - zero sighters on Masters, lol).

Thought it was a 30-Masters leaderboard submission with Huntsman, but I already posted a 198….

…wait … my 30-Challenge leaderboard entry with Huntsman was only 195… so I’ll submit this Masters card for the 30-Challenge leaderboard.

The later in the year it gets, the tougher it gets to shoot a leaderboard submission!

-Ed

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Crazy good 30Y Masters card for the Revere.

Ed, how did you get the gun shooting the 18.1 g at 870 FPS? That’s really pushing that Spring.. I have my Revere turned up to 845 FPS with that pellet.

Your 870 velocity is about 30-40 FPS faster than the recommended Daystate factory setting for the JSB 18.1. Heck, your 15.89 must have been flying at 915-920 FPS.

 

[EPG]

Crazy good 30Y Masters card for the Revere.

Ed, how did you get the gun shooting the 18.1 g at 870 FPS? That’s really pushing that Spring.. I have my Revere turned up to 845 FPS with that pellet.

Your 870 velocity is about 30-40 FPS faster than the recommended Daystate factory setting for the JSB 18.1. Heck, your 15.89 must have been flying at 915-920 FPS.

Good catch Tommy. Both 30 yard cards were with 15.89g at 870fps range.

I then shot a 186 10X 40-Challenge card with the Regal using the 18.13g. Since I’ve slightly turned down power (to increase shot count) my 18.13 velocity is 825-830 fps.

I might try the 15.89s at 40 yards soon with the Regal. It shoots the 18.13s slightly better (your results actually got me to try the 18.13s in my Regal), but the extra velocity may help at 40. Compared to some of my other rifles, it seemed to take a while for those 18.13s going 825fps to get to the 40 yard cardboard, lol.

 

[EPG]

I have a Leaderboard submission that I shot today:
40-Challenge: 197 13X
Rifle: RTI Prophet Performance v1 (.22 LR barrel)
Pellet: JSB 20.83g MRD Lights
Velocity: 911fps197
Scope: Sightron SIII 45X fixed power

The Prophet shoots the new 20.83g JSBs better than my other rifles. Still, these pellets always throw one or two “flyers” per card – a least it just feels that way to me.

I don’t know about you guys but its getting hard to shoot a leaderboard submission. I’ve been shooting well the past week, wind has been good, and these cards did NOT make leaderboard submissions:

40-Challenge: 197 14X with FX PowerPup on 8/30
30-Masters: 197 14X with Daystate Huntsman Regal on 8/30
40-Challenge: 199 15X with FX Crown Mk2 on 8/22 (yeah, I had already shot a 200 40-Challenge with the Crown)


I going to make an effort to keep shooting the rifles I shoot best this year – instead of trying to get every rifle I have up as high as possible on leaderboards.

Enjoy the holiday weekend – and get some lead downrange !

-Ed

 

[TheAirgunnero]

It is very nice to see that everyone’s improving. I’ve been away for some time and I miss shooting these challenges which has helped me a lot.

Today was a rainy day and I had an opportunity to shoot 1 card (haphazardly) and managed to get a decent score using Philippine made JMS Pro unsorted pellets which range from 18.17 - 18.58gr inside a tin (needs to weighed individually and skirts sorted for dents)

Rifle: GCMAG Magnum Gen 2 made in the Philippines
Barrel: GF1000 made in the Philippines
Pellets: JMS Pro made in the Philippines
Scope: Vector Optics Sentinel X @40X
Front/rear rest: Protektor standard front bag and Protektor rabbit ear rear bag

40 Yard Video Challenge Master Class
Score: 197 12X

Video:

 

[tommyb]

Shot a couple of 30Y Masters cards last Friday. A bit windy for 40Y cards.

A pair of 192 cards. Scores are good, not great. But, I like the way the Revere is shooting the 18.1g at 845 FPS. I may try the 15.89 FX Atomics next time with this tune at 40Y.

Only a couple of 8’s and too many 9’s.

 

[JimD]

I haven't shot well the last couple days. It's been windier but I think it was me too. Best was a 191 at 30 yards. I'm mainly shooting my P35-177 which did a 197 earlier this year. I shot one with the P35-22 and it was a little better but still not higher than it's best this year, also a 197. I will probably shoot less in the last part of September through March 1. Shooting targets seems to scare off the squirrels and I enjoy taking a dozen or so from October 1 until March 1. I won't quit entirely. It's too much fun.

 

[EPG]

Looking for your guys input…

I have this Daystate Renegade .25 HP. It is basically new, only about 500 pellets through the barrel. It is unregulated.

I shot a 31 shot string today - filled to 240bar (230 is recommended max).

Using big 34g pellets, Shot string rose quickly from 840fps to a max of 933fps - then back to about 900fps by shot 31. Basically it gives 20 shots between 900fps to 933fps back to 900fps. Not great for target shooting.

It seems capable of 1/2” edge-to-edge groups at 40 yards with this power level. I’m thinking I’d like to see it shooting the 25.4g at 890-900fps and getting 40+ shots - that seems more useful for target shooting.



I’d like to turn it into a “target” rifle. It has an electronic trigger that runs off a 9 volt battery- nothing else is electronic on the rifle. It has Daystate’s Harper Valve/ Slingshot Hammer system. The trigger breaks like glass at 2.8 ounces - it 2-stage and insanely nice - original owner told me that is the way it arrived from Daystate.

I have a Huma Regulator for it. Would you drop in the reg or try a lighrter hammer spring first? There is no hammer spring pre-load adjustment. If you want to adjust length of hammer throw (like on Huntsman) it requires that you disassemble the rifle and take hammer out to make an adjustment - not very practical from a tuning perspective. It would be easier to keep snipping some small length off the hammer spring and retesting.

Insanely awesome target trigger, awesome build quality and smoothness - just need a simple way to detune power level to something that would increase usability for target work… your thoughts of where to start?

[edit] Shot another 30 shots at 2nd paper plate - testing various .25 cal pellets. Damn - barrel is “leading in” or I’m getting better with it - it really likes the 34g.

So perhaps set it up with regulator to shoot 34g at around 900fps?

-Ed

 

[tommyb]

Ed

I looked at all your groups. Clearly, the FX34g shoot the best at 40y.

I have had three Daystate rifles. A Regal XL, Safari and a Revere. Daystate does not make it easy to tune them for sure.

I would try installing the Huma and it looks like 900-910 FPS range does very well. Alternatively, you can post a separate thread under tuning category for the Renegade for some owner input.

Scott Schneider (Motörhead Tuning) and Bob ( Arzrover)) also may be able to suggest some ideas. Bob works or did some work for Daystate on the Red Wolf and set up my Safari and test fired at 100 y. Both are excellent and may have some good ideas. You would be better served PMing either or both.

 

[tommyb]

Good day today at the Range.

Shot my RAW HM1000X .22 with JTS 25.39 pellets at 946 FPS. These pellets are shooting very well.

New Leaderboard submission for September. 200-13X, 30Y Challenge.

Also shot some 40Y Challenge and 30Y Masters cards. Threw away the 40Y, too windy.

 

[tommyb]

Went out and shot 30 and 40Y challenge targets yesterday.

Light wind, low humidity.

RAW TM1000X .177
Sightron 36X Fixed
JSB 13.4g RD and FX 13.4g
Randolph front rest, rear Protektor

I started with 40Y and after three cards, moved up to 30Y Masters, where I improved. I am noticing that the 40Y distance and even very light wind seems to move the 13.4g a lot more than at 30Y. I could try cranking up HST to 850 FPS and see how it shoots.

I have a new leaderboard submission for September for 30Y Masters: 198-15X.

 

[beerthief]

40 yards is a real challenge .

 

[tommyb]

40 yards is a real challenge .

It is Stan. Could not agree more.

 

[EPG]

@tommyb - congratulations on the awesome 30-Masters Tommy.

I shot 4 forty-yard cards yesterday - in the wind. I shot 190+ on all 4 cards. I used Taipan Vet 2 .22 using heavy MRD 25.4g pellets. There is no question that the heavy pellets fare better in wind than the 18.13g.

You are really “Challenged” at 40 yards shooting 13.4g .177s. We have seen from Greg, Marvin, Airgunnero and Beerthief that you can shoot huge scores at 40 yards with .177 - if the wind conditions are very mild.

Yesterday, we lost our legendary hound dog “Hoover” after 15+ years… so I was shooting the Taipan despite the wind - just to keep my mind off the ole hound.

Oh, Becky & I got married Saturday - but I still got a 191 40-Challenge card in with the Crown on our wedding day - to occupy my mind before the ceremony, lol.

-Ed

 

[tommyb]

@tommyb - congratulations on the awesome 30-Masters Tommy.

I shot 4 forty-yard cards yesterday - in the wind. I shot 190+ on all 4 cards. I used Taipan Vet 2 .22 using heavy MRD 25.4g pellets. There is no question that the heavy pellets fare better in wind than the 18.13g.

You are really “Challenged” at 40 yards shooting 13.4g .177s. We have seen from Greg, Marvin, Airgunnero and Beerthief that you can shoot huge scores at 40 yards with .177 - if the wind conditions are very mild.

Yesterday, we lost our legendary hound dog “Hoover” after 15+ years… so I was shooting the Taipan despite the wind - just to keep my mind off the ole hound.

Oh, Becky & I got married Saturday - but I still got a 191 40-Challenge card in with the Crown on our wedding day - to occupy my mind before the ceremony, lol.

-Ed

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Ed,

Congrats on your wedding day! Those pictures tell the story as you both look terrific! Are you taking your air rifles on the Honeymoon?

I am very sorry to hear about Hoover, your dog. 15 years is a good long time to build great memories with your dog. They really do become our best friends in life!

This really hits home for Lucy and me because we had to go to our long time vet yesterday with Ellie ( our 3rd Golden Retriever) who is 12 this October. She had two infected cysts removed and then she got a biopsy for a baseball sized lump underneath her front paw arm close to her chest. The Vet looked under the microscope and saw suspicious cells. Doesn’t look good but we are praying for a miracle. I would be totally lost without her. Cancer is extremely prevalent in the larger dogs, as we lost the other two both due to cancer of the heart.

It’s amazing how attached we become to our pets. So many of us can relate.

Yep, 40Y is tough with any gun, but the 13.4g light pellets makes it that much harder.

Again, congrats on your big day!

 

[JimD]

Congratulations on the wedding. Sorry about the hound. My late wife was afraid of dogs so when she was with us we did not have any. Both kids got married after she went to heaven and we all now have dogs. They are members of the family. Both my kids dogs are getting older now. We will all be sad when their time is up.

I know nothing about tuning Daystates but my P35-25 became significantly more accurate when I got the speed of the MKII JSB heavies up around 800 fps. I suspect more would help further but it won't currently do it. Not enough hammer spring for a higher regulator setting. I don't know what the best speed is but I always start out trying for something like 880. You seem to have the power to drive them faster but tuning to 880 or even 850 would give you more shots. I don't shoot these targets often with my only unregulated airgun, my Prod, but it is similarly limited in shot count. I find I need to aim a little high at the start and end of a target. It has a 30 or 40 fps ES over 24 shots. Doesn't seem to affect accuracy but does seem to affect trajectory a little. I think unregulated guns are fun but regulated guns consistency is helpful for target work.

 

[NAProf]

@tommyb - congratulations on the awesome 30-Masters Tommy.

I shot 4 forty-yard cards yesterday - in the wind. I shot 190+ on all 4 cards. I used Taipan Vet 2 .22 using heavy MRD 25.4g pellets. There is no question that the heavy pellets fare better in wind than the 18.13g.

You are really “Challenged” at 40 yards shooting 13.4g .177s. We have seen from Greg, Marvin, Airgunnero and Beerthief that you can shoot huge scores at 40 yards with .177 - if the wind conditions are very mild.

Yesterday, we lost our legendary hound dog “Hoover” after 15+ years… so I was shooting the Taipan despite the wind - just to keep my mind off the ole hound.

Oh, Becky & I got married Saturday - but I still got a 191 40-Challenge card in with the Crown on our wedding day - to occupy my mind before the ceremony, lol.

-Ed

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Ed,
Sorry about Hoover. I always think of it as the end of an era when a great dog passes. They are joy and love machines who make our lives better.


Congrats to both Becky and you! She must be a good sport to put up with you and all of your "big boy" toys!

Cheers,
Greg