Dreamline for hunter division field target opinions wanted

[Aimright]

Before COVID19 hit, I was seriously thinking about purchasing a new rifle for field target, and for the moment I have put that on hold until things stabilize with this pandemic. But in the meantime thought I would do a little more research and be ready when the gates open! Anyway...I haven’t seen any threads about using the Dreamline Classic or possibly the Tac version for field target (hunter division) and am looking for opinions. Got a few other guns I am thinking about but will probably start new posts for those later.

 

[davecole]

I see no reason not to as long as it is under 20 FPE and meets the rules in AAFTA.

I'm going to try an FX Wildcat because I shoot so much better in the forced positions with a bullpup config. 

I shot at the Nats in Baton Rouge last year and saw just about every brand and every model of gun. Know that it's not the gun choice that wins (albeit choice does influence success) it's the shooter and his ability to learn how his guns performs.

 

[Kdog]

I would not buy any FX .177 rifle for Field target. They for some reason haven't got the .177 barrels figured out.

 

[Guest]

I shoot with Brian VanLiew(sp) and he regularly posts high score with a bobcat shooting 18fpe. Shutik started with a modded disco, then used a wildcat for a few matches abd settled on a RAW. So there's two examples, one is a success the other a failure. If your current rig shoots well invest in a new scope or more pellets.

 

[Exitpupil]

I have one of the early .177 ST bbls imported circa 2009. At the time the .177 had a reputation for poor accuracy. The bbl was basically a "free" throw in on a bare action I purchased for a project. I was stunned when I first inspected the bbl and it appeared to be smoothbore! The crown was very bad. After recrowning that bbl placed 8th at World BR Championship HV class. My son later won the FT Hunter Class National Championship with that same bbl on an Evanix Rainstorm I built. Now my grandson occasionally competes with the ST Rainstorm when he can. It still shoots great.

IMO what has held FX back in FT has been lack of a legit match trigger on their guns.

 

[bvan]

I shoot with Brian VanLiew(sp) and he regularly posts high score with a bobcat shooting 18fpe. Shutik started with a modded disco, then used a wildcat for a few matches abd settled on a RAW. So there's two examples, one is a success the other a failure. If your current rig shoots well invest in a new scope or more pellets.

You got it right John. But my FX400 177 in a FT stock has been my main FT rifle for the past few years. I also have a 177 Bobcat that is right up there and some other FXs in 177 that would be very competitive. I will say I haven’t dabbled in trying the newer models. Too many adjustments for my taste at this point in time.

Brian 

 

[Aimright]

Thanks for the replies - I see the jury is still deliberating on FX .177 caliber barrels, but probably leaning towards finding not guilty. Hopefully some others that own a Dreamline will add to the discussion. Searching the FT match results on AGN doesn’t show many Dreamlines but I did see one was used at the 2019 California State Championship meet in hunter division and placed middle of the pack. 

 

[Motorhead]

I would not buy any FX .177 rifle for Field target. They for some reason haven't got the .177 barrels figured out.

Agree ... we almost never see FX guns being used in FT on the West Coast, not saying you can't .. just no one does.

 

[Keith Rush]

I to have been looking at the Dreamline in the FT edition and the Wildcat. Has anyone seen the FX's shooting the newer X barrels? Wander if they are more accurate than the original Smooth Twist barrel. Also, it doesn't seem like the bullpup is a popular choice either, but I think with a few stock mods, adding a nice butt plate, it could be pretty nice. 500mm barrel seems plenty long enough too. I have ideas in my head of what it would look like, but just can't get it on paper. Is there a target weight that is prefered for a FT rifle? I'm stationed in Bahrain and really want to get into field target when I get back, but deciding on a gun to start with is difficult when I haven't shot any of them.

Keith 

 

[Guest]

I think a bigger barrier than the barrel is the various and seemingly many parts in an FX. When you experience a temperature shift of 20+ degrees or more in a match the simpler the gun the better. This is because different thicknesses and materials expand/contract at different rates depending on temperature. So the smaller and more intricate parts that make up many of FX's current lineup are susceptible to this type of movement. Which will have you chasing your zero throughout the match. 

There are FT guns on the market, in the FX price range that are purpose built and far better for a beginer. The one thing you don't want to worry about while learning the game is if your gun is working properly. There will be plenty of other things to be concentrating on. 

Air Arms is a solid brand to look into, as is Daystate, HW, and BSA. There are lower priced options but they made need a little work to shoot well. There are also a couple of more expensive guns on the market as well. Though to start any of those four brands guns shooting less than 20fpe won't let you down right out of the box.

 

[Aimright]

I think a bigger barrier than the barrel is the various and seemingly many parts in an FX. When you experience a temperature shift of 20+ degrees or more in a match the simpler the gun the better. This is because different thicknesses and materials expand/contract at different rates depending on temperature. So the smaller and more intricate parts that make up many of FX's current lineup are susceptible to this type of movement. Which will have you chasing your zero throughout the match.

I believe this is the first time I have heard about the above average temperature shift issue with FX guns and would like to hear more about that from other FX users. My only experience with an FX gun is with my son-in-law’s Crown for target shooting and hunting and but don’t recall that being problem, but also don’t recall the exact temperature ranges. In Arizona wide temperature shifts are the norm though.

 

[Guest]

It's not an issue specific to FX, but to all overly complicated platforms. Steyr, Anschutz and FWB can suffer from the same issue resulting in an increase or decrease in fps, as well as frame movement. The fps change is managed with a chronograph and hammer spring adjuster if caught before the match. As for frame warpage/movement a very sturdy bridge is used to help with frame flex. So those fancy risers on the brands mentioned are more for platform stability than getting the scope up for proper eye relief.

P.S. You're not likely going to hear much from FX users about temp shifts as from what I can tell most are shot from under a covered bench and when pesting a shift won't be as noticeable or simply chalked up to wind.

A good test is to start by shooting 10 single bulls at three different ranges(10yd, 30yd, 55yd) in the morning with the gun at a "stable" temperature. Then put the gun in the sun and let it get hot. Set it in the sun for an hour. Shoot the same course of fire, let the gun cool and do it a third time. This will also be a good test of how much your scopes poa, and ranging might change with temperature as well. Oh, chronograph use is mandatory in this experiment as well.

Of course if all you want to do is shoot and have fun then ignore this. But if you get frustrated missing shots that shouldn't have missed you may want to look into it.

 

[chasdicapua]

That's one reason I like, and stay with my RAW TM1000 for FT. Proven accuracy in .177 and very simple, build like a tank.

Definitely hefty to lift for the off hand shots though!!

Chas

 

[Guest]

Definitely hefty to lift for the off hand shots though!!

Chas

TRT Chas. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[Aimright]

It's not an issue specific to FX, but to all overly complicated platforms. Steyr, Anschutz and FWB can suffer from the same issue resulting in an increase or decrease in fps, as well as frame movement. The fps change is managed with a chronograph and hammer spring adjuster if caught before the match. As for frame warpage/movement a very sturdy bridge is used to help with frame flex. So those fancy risers on the brands mentioned are more for platform stability than getting the scope up for proper eye relief.

P.S. You're not likely going to hear much from FX users about temp shifts as from what I can tell most are shot from under a covered bench and when pesting a shift won't be as noticeable or simply chalked up to wind.

A good test is to start by shooting 10 single bulls at three different ranges(10yd, 30yd, 55yd) in the morning with the gun at a "stable" temperature. Then put the gun in the sun and let it get hot. Set it in the sun for an hour. Shoot the same course of fire, let the gun cool and do it a third time. This will also be a good test of how much your scopes poa, and ranging might change with temperature as well. Oh, chronograph use is mandatory in this experiment as well.

Of course if all you want to do is shoot and have fun then ignore this. But if you get frustrated missing shots that shouldn't have missed you may want to look into it.

Yea, I probably can be placed in that having fun category! So far I have been just using my .22 Marauder and figuring things out in a few FT matches. I did get some minor ranging scope shifts in it at some lower temps early in the morning but never did have time to do more testing, and by match time everything seemed back to normal.


I do eventually want to get a .177 but hope to stay ~$1000, new or used. Some of other guns I am thinking about are the Daystate Regal, the Daystate Wolverine R (used), or another Marauder but with the LW barrel. The Dreamline is intriguing to me for its versatility though, but I am not sold on it quite yet.

 

[Guest]

Fair enough. You should be able to get a good deal in that price range used. I've seen plenty of non electric daystates do well on the lanes.

While I'm not an FX fan it's not because of some forum beef. I've simply yet to see a consistent enough product from then able to handle the rigors of a two or three day field target event. If they can break that barrier I'll adjust my position. 

 

[DrPutz]

I bought a Dreamline Tactical for my wife when they first came out, thinking that it would be the best lightweight platform. Unfortunately, I had multiple problems with it, the first one being accuracy and parts stuck. The second one, the valve pin screw fell off in the plenum. FX USA was awesome to deal with and did all the repairs, but it was in the shop for a couple of months in total. I ultimately upgraded to her to a Crown VP.

The problem with the Dreamline is that it is set up for higher power and that causes accuracy issues. If you could lower the hammer weight and reg pressure, it would probably be better. You also need to add orings to the barrel liner to make sure that it does not move in the outer barrel. The trigger, if tuned is pretty awesome and truly a two stage. 

Anyway, a good used FX Streamline is a great platform. My daughter's is dead on after 3 years of use in FT.

Daniel Putz 

 

[Aimright]

I bought a Dreamline Tactical for my wife when they first came out, thinking that it would be the best lightweight platform. Unfortunately, I had multiple problems with it, the first one being accuracy and parts stuck. The second one, the valve pin screw fell off in the plenum. FX USA was awesome to deal with and did all the repairs, but it was in the shop for a couple of months in total. I ultimately upgraded to her to a Crown VP.

The problem with the Dreamline is that it is set up for higher power and that causes accuracy issues. If you could lower the hammer weight and reg pressure, it would probably be better. You also need to add orings to the barrel liner to make sure that it does not move in the outer barrel. The trigger, if tuned is pretty awesome and truly a two stage. 

Anyway, a good used FX Streamline is a great platform. My daughter's is dead on after 3 years of use in FT.

Daniel Putz

Thanks Daniel, appreciate hearing your experience with the Dreamline. From reading other posts on the Dreamline it seems like barrel droop is a common problem. FX has now added a plastic barrel sleeve to its new units and just recently has come out with an accessory aluminum barrel band to apparently further address the issue. I think the Dreamline for now has fallen off my list of potential FT rifles. Will have to do some research on the Streamline. Is your wife using her Crown for FT?

 

[DrPutz]

Unfortunately, the Dreamline was in the shop all Fall last year during our big shoots, so she borrowed my daughter's Streamline.



During my setup of the Crown this winter, I tried it at a benchrest match. I watched the first translate right shot after shot, then down, then back to center. A bit disappointing, but the target is only 2mm at 25 yards. I stripped it down after that shoot and discovered that the barrel liner orings had shifted and there were only two. I think that was the problem and reinstalled 3 with an extra thick one at the end. I used duct tape to make a shelf to keep the orings in place. I have not had a chance to try benchrest out again, although backyard testing looks good. We'll see, if FT starts up this year.