Stoeger Leaning to the XM1 Scout

[slugdug]

New to PCP guns, but learning a ton. I'm getting closer to deciding on what gun to buy. I'm down to the Avenge-x carbine and the XM1 Scout, both in .22. My shooting will be more in line with pest control inside 50yds with occasional longer shots. I like the idea of having ability to make adjustments externally. For those with the XM1 I have a couple questions: 1. Can the regulator be externally adjusted? 2. How is Stoeger when it comes to warranty and parts support?

Maybe I'm making too much of the ability to adjust the regulator? The more I dig it appears that the hammer spring adjustment works in balance with the regulator prx. Is this correct? My guess is that once I get this gun set up for my needs with a heavy pellet/slug, I'll leave it alone and just use it.

I also have no compressor. Sounds like both of these guns will be too much for hand pumping?

Bang for the buck it appears that the XM1 takes the cake, however I don't know what I don't know being new to this dance.

 

[Florida_Man]

The XM1 has to have the air cylinder removed to adjust the reg. It’s easy and fast once you do it a few times.

If you buy a XM1 , buy it from Rich at Airgun revisions. It’s the only way you know you’ll get support. Don’t buy on amazon, you won’t get anything in the universe Rich will provide

 

[Florida_Man]

Part 2 Don’t worry about adjusting the reg straight out. Call Rich and explain you’re new to PCP. He’ll probably test the rifle and let you know what pellet it likes. I’ve had a good number of 22 cal rifles, I’ve never had one that didn’t shoot 15gr JSB’s well. Usually the Air Arms 16gr are the best, but the JSB’s and FX always do well. Just saying, I’d start there

 

[slugdug]

Thanks much! I did see a post from Airgun Revisions and checked out his site. I was impressed and I'd rather support someone with ties to the sport for sure!

 

[Struckat]

He is factory authorized for Crosman, I have bought an Mrod refurb from him and couldn’t be happier. It’s far better than a new gun.

 

[JimD]

My 3 P35s had their regulator set to a relatively high regulator setting like I need for heavy for caliber pellets. On the 22 and 25 it was about as high as the hammer spring can handle. I think the Scout is likely to be set where you need it since you want to shoot heavy pellets.

I have an Avenger and I agree it is easier to adjust the regulator but it's a little harder to adjust the hammer spring and I do that much more often. It takes me about 15 minutes to adjust my P35s regulator. I will readily accept that downside for the better build quality of my P35s. I don't like the plastic shroud end caps and mid support of the Avenger. I also worry about the Avenger receiver materials and it's trigger mechanism materials. I am not sure how much my P35 experience applies to a scout but I still would bet it is better made than an Avenger. (I also think the Avenger has great features for the price, I just think some corners were cut on the materials)

 

[slugdug]

I've watched vids showing 873fps with 18gr pellet = 30fpe. Does that ring true for what you guys are seeing? Seems pretty respectable from a shorty barrel, with plenty of power to knock down small critters. As long as I have enough reg prx to push heavy pellets fast enough to keep the delivered energy high enough, I wouldn't need to adjust the reg prx. Is that correct?

Ok so it sounds like the hammer spring gets much more adjustment then. Trying to wrap my brain around all these new concepts. Is it adjustment of the dwell time the port is open that is changing when adjusting the hammer spring?

 

[MongooseV8]

I've watched vids showing 873fps with 18gr pellet = 30fpe. Does that ring true for what you guys are seeing? Seems pretty respectable from a shorty barrel, with plenty of power to knock down small critters. As long as I have enough reg prx to push heavy pellets fast enough to keep the delivered energy high enough, I wouldn't need to adjust the reg prx. Is that correct?

Ok so it sounds like the hammer spring gets much more adjustment then. Trying to wrap my brain around all these new concepts. Is it adjustment of the dwell time the port is open that is changing when adjusting the hammer spring?

My little Gamo Urban can anchor a pigeon at about 60yds with good shot placement, and it is way under 30fpe. I had it doing 15.9g Atomics at 800-830fps, and it took down a lot of ground squirrels and tree rats over the years.

As far as reg/hammer adjustment this can be a very complicated topic, sometimes difficult to explain through a forum post. But essentially the hammer strike and the valve/reg settings need to be balanced for best performance. In a regulated pcp the reg does most of the power deciding, while the hammer works in a range at any given reg setting. In a non-regulated pcp the valve design and air cylinder pressure determine the best hammer strike. Here is a good video to watch through if you havent already:

 

[Bngen3]

Start at page 4 for tests on pellets. It shot everything I had decent but hades WON out

Other - Stoeger XM1 Ranger and Scout are AWESOME

hey guys is there any directions with that stoeger to adjust the regualtor. thanks nothing in the manual , im afraid.

www.airgunnation.com

 

[slugdug]

Thanks for that link MongooseV8. Now my head hurts, but it's getting a little better. Sounds like a real science project. Once you guys get set for a certain load, do you leave everything alone? Seems like a lot of work. Does running the gun at a lower reg prx save wear on the parts or not really?

 

[MongooseV8]

In my experience if you find a combo that really clicks, dont touch it. Some guys play around tuning all day because that is what they enjoy doing, which I understand.

Typically the lower the settings the easier it is on parts. The harder the hammer strike needed the more you will wear things out. But that isnt really something you need to worry about on the lower power pcps. It can be trouble on the 100fpe plus FXs though. The thing you really want is an efficient balance of hammer strike and valve/reg setting. That will get you more shot count, less noise, and almost always more accuracy.

 

[JimD]

I've never changed the regulator on my P35-22. It has a 450mm barrel and I got about 875 fos with JSB 18s when testing a variety of pellets for accuracy. It is very accurate with H&N Baracuda Match pellets which are 21 grain and shoots them at about 825 fps. All 10 squirrels I've shot with it were through shots and dead right there (DRT). I also killed a 8 lb raccoon with it. I prefer my P35-25 for raccoons, however.

To tune a new PCP you need a chronograph. I use inexpensive Chinese ones. You adjust the hammer spring tension to find the peak velocity for the regulator setting and then reduce the hammer spring to a velocity 3-5% lower to improve efficiency. Takes a few minutes but I find it fun.

 

[marquette]

If you like the XM1 don’t forget to look at the Diana Stormrider. Made by Snowpeak. I think it has a lot of common parts with the XM1. I have a Stoeger break barrel with what they call their TAC stock. Awesome ergonomics. So if the XM1 has the same design team I’m sure it will be a comfortable gun to shoot.

 

[MOhunter]

I don't own either one: Avenger or Scout. BUT just reading 'stuff' about each on this site for a few years, I've been in the market for another gun and they've both been on my radar. I've thought about the Avenger (X) etc as there are a ton of others who own them and you'll probably always get parts. But with Stoeger's 5 year warranty and the excellent reviews, I'm going to buy a .25 scout next chance I get. For what it's worth, That is only my 2c.