I have long had my eye on the Crosman Challenger 2009. Something about that rifle just seemed so... right... to me. After a couple of years into more serious air gun activities I realized that I'll never be an avid hunter or pester. Just not what I grew up with, nor what I can physically commit to now. The Challenger, on the other hand, checked so many boxes for me that I finally sold off other guns and bought one new. Very, very glad I did!
In the process of due diligence on that purchase I came across the announcement, from Daisy, of a new 3-position 10m rifle that looks to be a direct challenger to the Challenger, the Daisy 599 Competition. https://hardairmagazine.com/news/daisy-model-599-10-meter-competition-air-gun-details-announced/ . Sporter-style stock with the same butt and cheek adjustments, similar in weight and length, and of course a .177 shooting sub-600 fps (more or less). Biggest differences are a stock that is left looking like wood (Challenger is wood coated with a black finish) and a removable air tube. The latter is a huge feature in some eyes as it means a shooter won't have to wait in line for a fill at a range tank nor pump up again mid-match using a hand-pump. Even dependence on a pony-bottle top-off is eliminated.
Thing is, the Daisy is so new on the market that I haven't found any non-manufacturer reviews or videos of its use on the range. If I recall correctly it comes with a BSA hammer-forged barrel which implies good to excellent accuracy. Of course, with a 10m gun the barrel isn't the only thing requiring precision; the valving has to be spot-on and the sights need to be adjustable to the degree that precision can be obtained. That all remains to be proven in the Daisy.
Anyone else here on AGN have news or exposure to the new Daisy 599 Competition rifle? Any direct comparisons between the Daisy and other 3-position 10m rifles, e.g. the Challenger, AA T200, Airforce Edge (where allowed)? Wondering if Crosman's strong grip on the discipline, resulting from the large JROTC contract they have, is facing a real challenge based on price and performance?
In the process of due diligence on that purchase I came across the announcement, from Daisy, of a new 3-position 10m rifle that looks to be a direct challenger to the Challenger, the Daisy 599 Competition. https://hardairmagazine.com/news/daisy-model-599-10-meter-competition-air-gun-details-announced/ . Sporter-style stock with the same butt and cheek adjustments, similar in weight and length, and of course a .177 shooting sub-600 fps (more or less). Biggest differences are a stock that is left looking like wood (Challenger is wood coated with a black finish) and a removable air tube. The latter is a huge feature in some eyes as it means a shooter won't have to wait in line for a fill at a range tank nor pump up again mid-match using a hand-pump. Even dependence on a pony-bottle top-off is eliminated.
Thing is, the Daisy is so new on the market that I haven't found any non-manufacturer reviews or videos of its use on the range. If I recall correctly it comes with a BSA hammer-forged barrel which implies good to excellent accuracy. Of course, with a 10m gun the barrel isn't the only thing requiring precision; the valving has to be spot-on and the sights need to be adjustable to the degree that precision can be obtained. That all remains to be proven in the Daisy.
Anyone else here on AGN have news or exposure to the new Daisy 599 Competition rifle? Any direct comparisons between the Daisy and other 3-position 10m rifles, e.g. the Challenger, AA T200, Airforce Edge (where allowed)? Wondering if Crosman's strong grip on the discipline, resulting from the large JROTC contract they have, is facing a real challenge based on price and performance?
