Ok, so maybe I should have said "dipping my toe." I picked up a 357 Challenger from Bintac. The long stock version, and not the "Big 9." I mainly wanted to give it a go and get back into casting bullets. Best results so far are with Lee 9mm 125 Tumble Lube molds. I found out it does like to be cleaned. Noticed my groups were spreading out a bit, (left target) and ran a couple dry patches, (center target). Thought if a little is good, more is better, so ran a couple patches with Ballistol and more dry patches, (right target). I know it's been said here before, guess I had to experience before putting into practice! 
AEA Diving into "Big Bore"
- Thread starter EddieG
- Start date
Big bores like to be clean!!! If your already casting give powder coating a try...It helps with leading.... Looks like you have a shooter
Upvote 0
That's a good question. I wasn't really keeping track, definitely under 50, maybe under 30. If the weather cooperates I should get in some good playtime this weekend and can provide a better report.
Upvote 0
Boy you're not kidding! I started the pneumatic adventure with an Umarex Origin, which I really like. A month or so ago it developed a slow leak so I sent it in for warranty repair. Great customer service by the way. Anyway, the next week a new gun shows up. It's still sitting in the box 3 weeks later. I just love shooting the Challenger 9. Hardly ever shoot anything else!
Upvote 0
I had tried powder coating and didn't have much luck before I discovered the miracle of cleaning. Got some PC pellets back out and shot a decent group at 50. Then tried the 75 yard plate. 5 straight hits, but I couldn't see where, so I got the yellow paint and scored a perfect panda!Big bores like to be clean!!! If your already casting give powder coating a try...It helps with leading.... Looks like you have a shooter
Here's the 50 yard group. Hatsan Strike pellets, shake and bake style. 
I've been getting 5 shots on the regulator with 81 grain pellets at 935 fps. Wanted to get 8 in the 850 range. The magazine holds 8 so you should get 8 shots right? Adjusted about an eight of a turn and now get 8 shots at 860ish. The more I shoot the more impressed I am with this gun. If there's a better value on the market, I haven't seen it!
Upvote 0
Hey, thanks! I think my issues with PC had more to do with barrel cleanliness. Also found the action bolts have to be checked periodically. The PC slugs and pellets look great. I'll play with them some more after I finish exploring a couple other rabbit holes.
Upvote 0