Although I tested a buddy's .22 Ranchero a decade ago and have owned just about every other air pistol worth owning, somehow, inexplicably, I'd never owned a Ranchero until last week. When I recently learned that not only had the Ranchero been discontinued, but the WALNUT-stocked model was discontinued some time ago, I kinda freaked out and decided to keep my eyes open for one at a decent price. Found the right one a couple weeks ago on the AGN classifieds (at the right price, too), and jumped on it.
With enough powerful .22 PCP pistols already, thankfully my new/used .177 Ranchero has an FX chamber-tube extension and a custom aluminum muzzle extension (to extend beyond the longer chamber, and return more shots per charge). All these things "hit the spot" for pistol field target competition. However, the trigger action left something to be desired for serious competition.
After cleaning up evidence of some ham-fisted gunsmithing in the trigger area, installing a lighter trigger spring, and making proper trigger adjustments to my two-stage preferences, it's breaking very consistently at 10 ounces. Chronographing showed a 180 BAR fill returns a 29 shot bell-curve power-band like this- Low= 775, Hi= 801, ES= 26, SD= 7, Avg= 778 FPS/11.6 FP; perfect for field target work!
Upon installing my favorite 4-12X PFT rifle scope, I couldn't resist taking her out to 50 yards despite more wind conditions than I will usually bother shooting an
air pistol to such extreme distances. When the first five--shot group measured just .68" c-t-c, I had to shoot another... that measured just .65" c-t-c! Though the winds were getting up, I couldn't not complete my five consecutive groups accuracy-testing protocol. The average for all five groups was .71" c-t-c; impressive enough in still conditions, but outstanding performance given the variable winds. So at this point I feel compelled to repeat myself.
How did I live without an FX Ranchero all these years?
Can't wait to see what she'll do in STILL conditions.
With enough powerful .22 PCP pistols already, thankfully my new/used .177 Ranchero has an FX chamber-tube extension and a custom aluminum muzzle extension (to extend beyond the longer chamber, and return more shots per charge). All these things "hit the spot" for pistol field target competition. However, the trigger action left something to be desired for serious competition.
After cleaning up evidence of some ham-fisted gunsmithing in the trigger area, installing a lighter trigger spring, and making proper trigger adjustments to my two-stage preferences, it's breaking very consistently at 10 ounces. Chronographing showed a 180 BAR fill returns a 29 shot bell-curve power-band like this- Low= 775, Hi= 801, ES= 26, SD= 7, Avg= 778 FPS/11.6 FP; perfect for field target work!
Upon installing my favorite 4-12X PFT rifle scope, I couldn't resist taking her out to 50 yards despite more wind conditions than I will usually bother shooting an
air pistol to such extreme distances. When the first five--shot group measured just .68" c-t-c, I had to shoot another... that measured just .65" c-t-c! Though the winds were getting up, I couldn't not complete my five consecutive groups accuracy-testing protocol. The average for all five groups was .71" c-t-c; impressive enough in still conditions, but outstanding performance given the variable winds. So at this point I feel compelled to repeat myself.How did I live without an FX Ranchero all these years?
Can't wait to see what she'll do in STILL conditions.
