30-Yard Challenge

Leaderboard submission with Reximex Daystar .177 (unregulated). 30-Challenge of 197 14X beats previous 197 12X with this rifle.

Mounted new Athlon Argos 10-40x56 scope - sighting in it shot an insane 5-shot group of .25” edge-to-edge at 30 yards. Despite the 13-28mph winds.

This rifle won the barrel lottery. It’s been a laser since I acquired from AGN member who bought it for his wife and she didn’t like it. It was oversprung and loud when I received it, but I know exactly how to tune these rifles. Basically a .177 Benjamin Cayden - its got a 24” .177 barrel - interesting setup.

I wanted to see how well I could shoot .177 in the gusty wind. At least that’s what I told myself - I really just wanted to shoot a Challenge card with new scope. Its the only SFP variable power scope I have - and I’m really impressed - great thin reticle and clear glass for a great price.

I stunned myself by shooting the 197 14X 30-Challenge and 196 12X 30-Masters for the 1st two cards with new scope. I missed a few wind reads or they could have been higher scores - but I’m amazed how well the .177 rifle shot in the wind.

IMG_5608.png


IMG_5604.jpeg


IMG_5614.jpeg


IMG_5610.jpeg


IMG_5609.jpeg


IMG_5616.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimD
I find the masters targets significantly more difficult than the challenge targets. It's probably just in my head. Knowing I cannot throw any shots out just adds a little pressure, I guess. So I think 193 with an unregulated reasonably priced airgun is really good.

And a 197 with another unregulated 177 is even better. Really nice wood in the stock of that Reximex too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tommyb
Leaderboard Submissions:
Benjamin Akela .177
FX 10.3g @ 880fps
Arken EPL-4 6x24 @ 24x

30-Challenge: 197 13X
30-Masters: 197 13X

I made a tweak to the Akela. I thought I had removed the baffles and spring in the shroud, but at some point earlier this year, I must have reinstalled them.

I was getting mild PoI shifts and the Akela was shooting low 190s. Then I shot the Akela on a cold day - and shot 185 - the PoI shifts were noticeably worse.

I thought to myself , damn that seems like what used to happen when the stock spring and baffles were in the shroud … so I took the shroud off and those parts fell out. I have no idea why I reinstalled - maybe to just get them off a table that Becky wanted cleaned off, lol.

In any case, as soon as I got rid of the “tensioned” barrel components, the Akela started shooting high 190s.

Just a reminder to everyone that a free floating barrel is usually best for accuracy. Also a reminder that the cold weather has a noticeable impact on these PCP rifles.

-Ed

IMG_5636.jpeg


IMG_5634.jpeg


IMG_5639.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimD
Good conditions the past couple days, so I got in lots of shooting with many rifles.

This is a leaderboard submission:
30-Masters: 198 15X
Reximex Daystar .177
FX 10.3g @875fps
Athlon Argos Gen2 10-40x56 @32X (SFP)
Mild wind conditions - fading light.

Wanted to see how new scope did in lower light so I ran out with Daystar after filling to 205bar. Scope looked great. I took ZERO sighters - just started shooting the card from the 1st shot. Gotta love unregulated rifles 1st shot. No regulator plenum pressure to creep.

I wish I could let all you guys try this Daystar - it is so sweet to shoot!

Other good cards:
47-Masters with FX Crown: 193 11X
40-Masters with Crown: 197 13X
40-Challenge: 196 9X with FX Power Pup
40-Masters: 192 9X with Power Pup
40-Masters with RTI Prophet: 190 5X (20.83g @ 900fps)
40-Masters with RTI Prophet: 189 10X (18.13g @ 963fps)

The cards with the RTI were an experiment using my 20.83g “tune” with 18.13g. The .22 LR barrel seems to keep the 18.13s stable even at 963fps.

Hope you guys are getting to shoot as much as me - had a blast. Took my Harley out for a ride too - awesome day.

-Ed

IMG_5660.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: RCope and JimD
Leaderboard Submission:
30-Challenge: 200 16X
Rifle: Reximex Daystar .177 (unregulated)
Pellet: FX 10.3g @ 837fps
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 10-40x56 SFP @ 40X

I misread the wind resulting in the only 9 out of 24 shots. Only took one sighter - it was an X so I started the card.

I chronoed the Daystar today - as it is shooting so well. Found out that its at 840fps vs. the 875 I thought I was using.

I may try it with the little 10.3g at 40 yards tomorrow.

-Ed

IMG_5686.jpeg
 
Hi Guys,
Shot this card the other day but just now getting to posting it. A 199-12X with the good ole FX Crown Mk II Green Mountain. Just 1 shot better than my best this year, but I will take it. Might have to try tomorrow to match Ed's run with his Daystar:)!
Cheers,
Greg

Leaderboard Submission:
30-Challenge: 199 - 12X
Rifle: FX Crown MkII GM w/ 500mm barrel .177
Pellet: FX 13.4g @ 813fps
Scope: Falcon X50FT 10-50x60 @16X
30 yd Challange 10-18-24.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tommyb
Daystar at 40 yards…

I tried the Reximex Daystar at 40 yards today.

Early this morning I had nice mild wind conditions - so I shot a 40-Challenge and 40-Masters.

At lunch it was very breezy and switching directions – so I tried another 40-Masters in the tougher conditions.

Scores:
40-Challenge: 191 10X (super happy with this in great wind conditions)

40-Masters: 189 11X (started great on 1st two rows, then modest breeze started moving pellets around – but 11X is great)

40-Masters: 185 6X (switching tough wind. I’m super happy with my wind calls on #10 where I shot a 20XX with one hold on the 7-ring and then the next target I held on the 10-ring!!)

This Daystar is an excellent shooting .177 with the 10.3g. It shot good scores at 40 yards – in both still, mild and breezy conditions across 3 cards. The modest velocity of 840fps along with the 10.3g weight makes the wind a real challenge to manage at 40 yards, but hey – that’s what practice is all about, lol.

-Ed

IMG_5690.jpeg


IMG_5691.jpeg


IMG_5689.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: tommyb and JimD
Leaderboard Submission:
30-Challenge: 200 16X
Rifle: Reximex Daystar .177 (unregulated)
Pellet: FX 10.3g @ 837fps
Scope: Athlon Argos Gen2 10-40x56 SFP @ 40X

I misread the wind resulting in the only 9 out of 24 shots. Only took one sighter - it was an X so I started the card.

I chronoed the Daystar today - as it is shooting so well. Found out that its at 840fps vs. the 875 I thought I was using.

I may try it with the little 10.3g at 40 yards tomorrow.

-Ed

View attachment 505963

That’s a boat load of ‘X’s.’ Seeing a lot of 200 scores this year! Nice Ed, and even nicer with a .177.
 
I find the masters targets significantly more difficult than the challenge targets. It's probably just in my head. Knowing I cannot throw any shots out just adds a little pressure, I guess. So I think 193 with an unregulated reasonably priced airgun is really good.

And a 197 with another unregulated 177 is even better. Really nice wood in the stock of that Reximex too.

No, the Masters are harder for me as well Jim.

No mulligans does get into a shooter’s head, especially if you are unfortunate and make a mistake or misread the wind early on, in shooting the card. Ie., start out with a couple 8’s or worse. The opposite is true also. Get on a 10 parade and then choke at the end.

Plus, a 190+ card at 30Y Challenge ( or 30Y Masters) is still very good outside with wind. You still need to hit a lot of 10’s and/ or X’s with a very small ‘10’ ring.
 
Hi Guys,
Shot this card the other day but just now getting to posting it. A 199-12X with the good ole FX Crown Mk II Green Mountain. Just 1 shot better than my best this year, but I will take it. Might have to try tomorrow to match Ed's run with his Daystar:)!
Cheers,
Greg

Leaderboard Submission:
30-Challenge: 199 - 12X
Rifle: FX Crown MkII GM w/ 500mm barrel .177
Pellet: FX 13.4g @ 813fps
Scope: Falcon X50FT 10-50x60 @16X
View attachment 505992

Excellent shooting Greg.

I was away for a bit and I’m seeing a lot of vg scores with .177’s at 30 and 40y.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NAProf
Well I shot a better 30 yard Masters target today with my Caiman X. I think this is a 195 with 16Xs. I was using my Arken EPL-4 6-24 at 24X and H&N Baracuda 18 pellets going about 900 fps. Wind was low, like maybe 3 mph. I'm submitting this for the leader board, I think it is several points better than my previous efforts. I only shot the one sighter and it looked OK so I then shot the card backwards. Got lazy about adjusting the monopod and shot block 10 first and then on up the card.

195 16X Masters with Caiman.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: NAProf and EPG
It's another nice low wind morning so I couldn't resist trying out the P35-22 on the Masters target. I am submitting this for the leader board even though it is not great. I don't think I have this gun on the leader board for this target yet. I scored it a 192 13X. My P35-22 uses a Vector Veyron 6-24X SFP set at 24X for this. I shoot H&N Baracuda Match pellets about 810 fps. I shot it in reverse order again and aimed just under the 10 ring on the first 10 targets and then right in the center for the last 10. I think the center hold was better. I have the Caiman set up to hold just under the 10 ring which works well. This scope is not quite as clear, however but it still works pretty well for this. The 7 was not the scopes fault.

192 13X masters with P35-22.jpg
 
Beautiful morning, zero wind.

Brought the HW100 .22 with Midas Tac 6X24x50mm FFP.

FX Atomic 15.89 started at 795 FPS and then average 805 FPS when it warmed up. Trigger perfect at 6oz break. Shot 5 cards 190 or better.

30Y Masters - Leaderboard submission for 196-12X

View attachment 507326

View attachment 507327

That is seriously great shooting Tommy !
 
  • Like
Reactions: tommyb
Had some time with good but windy weather. Tried a few different pellets with my new-to-me Red Wolf HP .22. Took @tommyb advice and tried the 25.4 at 970ish fps. Indeed, the JSB and JTS were excellent at that speed. So were the JTS 21.5 (@950) and the 18.1 (at 1030!). Only had one card (too lazy to print up more) so shot this one, 9A and 11A were premature, I really need more time to figure out the release with this light trigger. And I just got a bunch of AEA pellets to try...Cheers!
IMG_5720.jpg
IMG_5718.jpg