Outdoor Trip in Vanderbilt, Michigan

I recently had the opportunity to spend a couple days in Vanderbilt, Michigan. The secluded and private parcel was over 300 acres and home to three small cabins. 

We spent hours just walking around the groomed trails and through the scenic woods. These established trails made for easy and quiet stalking.

The FX Royale 400 performed well in the woods - light - short - quiet - accurate repeater, what more could you want.  I went the extra mile and had mine hyro graphic camo coated.

 After a day of being fully submersed in acres of woods, we enjoyed just kicking back by the beautiful lake, having a cold drink, and trying to catch some pretty amazing bass and trout. What's the best outdoor trip you've taken? What has been your favorite gun to take on weekend trips?

Dryden Hunting Trip

My buddy Cake Dave and I frequent hunting trips together but this particular day we found a nice little hickory stand.

As we trekked through a wooded area of Dryden, I discovered some great squirrel activity in the hickory stand we were hunting in this fall season. I was in the zone and feeling particularly on my A-game, having already dropped two grey's out from a tree approximately 27 yards away. When a red squirrel got spooked from all the action and ran away, Dave chased after it. Of course, lucky for me, this turn of events only presented a third grey who rummaged on the ground up from a hill about 50 yards away. 

I had no trees to lean on and figuring it was far for an off hand shot, shouldered the rifle. That squirrel made a fatal mistake when he climbed a tree nearby and perched himself on a small nub, displaying that classic squirrel profile we all know and love. 

Setting the parallax at what I believe to be 50 yards and raising the rifle, steadied out the cross hairs on the top edge of his head and thought to myself, "I think I can make this shot." 

I touched the trigger, instantly heard a whack as the squirrel rolled out of my scope view and hit the leaf covered ground. 

Based on that noise and the fact that I saw zero movement on the ground, I knew it was a good, clean kill. While you can't really see in this picture, the JSB 18G pellet smacked perfectly in the center of his head, right behind his eye. Doesn't get much better than that my friends. 

Cake Dave eventually and empty-handedly returned back from his squirrel chase and we made the walk back with a few new and knocked out little friends. Better luck next time Cake Dave and better luck next time grey squirrels. 

Custom Marauder

Ron is a local customer, who is an Avid Airgunner.  He typically mod's and improves most of his airgun purchases.  Here is Ron's latest stock modification to his Benjamin Marauder .25cal.  

 

NEW from FX - Whisper 400

New Whisper 400 from FX.  This new version features an Ambi Synthetic Stock with adjustable butt pad.  Quick Fill and Gauge are standard, as is a 400cc bottle.  The Whisper 400 is a bolt action repeater using a standard FX 400 rotary style magazine. Weighting in at 6lbs 10oz and just shy of 40" this rifle is shooting 28fpe with JSB 18g.  Expected shot count is 60+ shots per fill.  The Whisper 400 is alot of gun at a good price point.  I shot a couple of 50 yard 5 shot groups, average wind conditions. Nice to see dime size groups at 50 yards.
$1,295.00

Memorial Day Postal Shoot

Monday - May 27, 2013 Memorial Day and what a better way to spend it, then by participating in a Postal Bench Rest Shoot.  Shawn Henn a local shooter headed up the event.  Precision Airguns provided the range. And a good time was had by all!

Our team name is the Postal Warriors.  

For those not familar with Postal Bench Rest, here is a brief summary: 

Benchrest International Postal Matches (BIPM).

The BIPM is not an organisation or federation, nor is it aligned with any shooting  body. It is run by shooters, for shooters who are interested in the sport of air and rimfire benchrest.

They arrange several international postal matches over the course of a year, these are either 25yd/m or 50yd/m for both air rifle and rimfire. The matches ultimately leading to an overall ranking table.

The rules are kept to a minimum and all that wish to compete, showing honesty & integrity,  may do so. Entrance to the competitions are free and medals will be provided for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in both air and rimfire (medal sponsors are the UKBR22 and BRItalia)

For more information onf Postal Bench Rest - Here is the link to the postal site.  http://www.benchpostal.com/index.html

 Of the 33 shooters that participated around the world here is how our shooters ranked:

Shooter	Ranking	Rifle	Caliber	Joules	Score	X's
Jim Stanis	8th	TM1000	0.177	16	734	22
Jim Hutchinson	11th	Air Arms MPR	0.177	16	730	16
Adam Denz	16th	Marauder	0.177	16	720	14
Mark Mahar	24th	Steyr LG-110	0.177	16	713	16
Rick Broughton	25th	Steyr LG-110	0.20	16	711	8
Shawn Henn	27th	TM1000	0.177	16	707	17

I shot the high score of the group, so lucky me, I get to proudly displace the High Shooter's Special Award!  Sadly, this helmet will get passed on to the high shooter of the next event.  Kind of like the Stanley Cup, only it's not made of brass with a wood base and quality finish, but it does have some plastic bone and a little fuzzy ring on one of the antlers.  Pretty Cool - So there ya go!

via email Shawn states:

Congrats again to Jim for being the first to wear the Postal Warrior helmet!!! Much like Ralphie’s dad said about the Leg Lamp “It’s indescribably beautiful”  

Lots of information is also posted on Benchrest Central http://benchrest.com/forumdisplay.php?19-Airgun-Benchrest this is how Shawn originally found out about these matches.

Jim

Shoot Safe, Shoot for Fun, Shoot an Airgun

The Perfect Saturday - Airguns All Day

What a Great Saturday!  I did something I rarely get the chance to do, play with airguns all day.  From a Bench Rest Event at WWCCA, Saturday morning, to an afternoon on the range with various airguns.

WWCCA hosted their third airgun bench rest competition   Finally temperatures in the 70* as opposed to the 30*'s we encountered in the last two events.  Winds were still fairly strong and irratic, but that did not stop Dave Goldstein (Grumpy) from shooting a 740 7X, and winning the event.  Great Shooting David!  David was shooting a Steyr AZ Tuned Hunter in .22cal .  Jim Hunchison came in second place with a 739 - 8X another fantastic score as he was shooting in light varmint class with a 12fpe Air Arms MPR.  Yours truly came in third with a 738 - 12X shooting a .22cal RAW BM500.

Mark Maher - local avid airgunner and friend joined me on the outdoor range back at Precision Airguns.  I asked Mark if he had some time to help me to complete some basic research and testing on some of the newer airgun models I've not had time to check out.  I started with a .30cal FX Boss.  The solid reputation of the FX Boss has been well established and the quick sales have not allowed me to set up a demo gun to have here in the shop.  

FX Boss

Mark Marher's groups
.375 center to center

Hoping to power through the afternoon winds, we starting shooting with the .30cal FX Boss. Using the 46 grain JSB pellets, the rifle gets 30 - 40 shots, is fairly quiet and extremely accurate.  The obtainable accuracy is even more amazing when you consider this rifle is putting out 870fps (feet per second) or  77fpe (foot pounds of energy). 

After mounting a Niko Stirling 10-50x60  scope with BKL mounts and zeroing in the gun @ 50 yards, my second group of 5 shots could be covered with a dime. This test was done resting on a single center sand bag.  Handing the gun off to Mark, with a sophisticated rest system, he shot a couple of great groups.  The best with a single ragged hole and the fifth just to the left. Measures .375  Awesome!

Jim's first group on right
second group on left with the Boss

Jim's first group on right
second group on left with the Boss

Slapping 1" spinner @ 50 yards
was no challenge for the Boss

Steyr Magazine included with Rifle

Time to bring out the Seyr Hunting 5 in .177cal.

Steyr Hunting 5 - .177cal

  Excellent air rifles, excellent build quality and one of the fastest firing repeaters on the market today.  Steyr Rifles now feature a factory quick fill option that retains the use of the factory air gauge.  Retro fits kits for existing Steyr air tubes will be available soon.  The rifle weights 7lbs 3oz and measures 40".  Includes two - five shot stick magazines. I mounted a Leapers Accushot SCP3-UG832AOIEW IE Mil Dot Reticle 8-32x56 Scope.  This is Leapers newest version of the 8-32x56, features glass etched reticle and excellent quality glass.  At a price of $329.97, this is a great value for the money.  The scope also proved to be accurate to range find with.  It locked in sharply on focus right on the 50 yard mark.  Firing three shots with JSB 10.3's over the Chrony: 888, 890, 888.  Puts this Steyr at exactly   18fpe, which is the factory specified setting for this caliber.  As suspected the wind had a greater effect on  the .177 caliber groups, trying to power through did not work.     With the  three different wind flags, usually going in four different directions, mostly left to right was the issue, it became a waiting game.  But patience paid off  and the third group, I was able to place five shots in a .350 center to center.  Very Nice.  

KalibrGun Cricket was the next rifle on the range.  This  skeleton style stock is light weight at 6lbs 1oz and is 27” long.  The bull dog version stock typically weighs approximately one pound more.   Rifle includes two fourteen shot magazines.  This model in .22cal was shooting 18G JSB’s @ 898fps.  Putting the FPE at 32.5  Mark shot a five shot .470 @ 50yards.  My best was a .380 center to center.  It is worth noting that this rifle has a fairly quiet shot cycle. 

Kalibr Cricket

Last but not least the Brocock Specialist Bull Barrel Carbine Rifle.  

Brocock Specialist

Brocock Specialist Magazine Included

We found this to be a handy, fun to shoot little carbine. 

 With a Leupold 3-9 scope and rings mounted the rifle weighs 5lbs 14oz.  Measuring 34” in length.  It has a synthetic stock with adjustable butt plate. Shooting JSB 13.4's @ 795fps/18.8fpe. 

Most of our shooting was aimed at 30 yards, however one group was shot at 50 yards using JSB 14.3's, five under a dime with one  pellet out.  

Mark Marher

What a great time to be an airgunner.  With the long summer days which usually bring nice calm evenings coming, I look forward to much more precision paper punching.

Special Thanks to Mark Maher for providing the pictures.  Without his contributions this Post would not have been possible.  

Brocock New Bull Barrels-Contour Super Six Rifle and Grand Prix S 6 Pistol

Brocock has introduced a shrouded repeater version of their popular Contour and Grand Prix Models. The Brocock Grand Prix S 6 Pistol and the Brocock Contour Super Six. The Bull Barrel makes for a much quieter shooting experience.  The slick little six shot magazine allows for quick follow up shots.

Contour Super Six Rifle

Shooting at 680+fps (13.7fpe) with .22cal 13.4 JSB pellets

Length: 32"

Weight: 4lbs 7oz

Fill Pressure: 200 Bar

$789.00 includes one magazine

Brocock Grand Prix S 6

Shooting at 640+fps (12.3fpe) with .22cal 13.4 JSB pellets

Length: 18"

Weight: 3lbs 1 oz

Fill Pressure: 200 Bar

$669.00 includes one magazine

RAW HM1000

The highly anticipated RAW HM1000 has arrived.  In stock and ready to accompany you on your next hunt.  I test fired a .22cal regulated, shooting JSB 18G @ 850fps, which is just under 30fpe.  The trigger is a fully adjustable sporting version with an added safety catch.  The HM1000 features an adjustable butt pad, a stippled hand grip, built in dovetail rail system and duel scalloped receiver for easy left or right hand single loading.  

While testing the rifle, my head cold and blowing rain kept me on the indoor range. Dropping the gun on a single bag, I fired a couple of groups at fifty feet.  My first group was actually the best group, just a ragged hole the same size as the pellet.

A Great Sporting Rifle from RAW, at a respectable price point.

TM1000 Regulated: $1,550.00
TM Non-Regulated: $1,450.00

February Indoor Bench Rest Results

                                          The Top Three Shooters

1st/Jim Hutchison - 2nd Shawn Henn - 3rd/Rick Broughton

February 21, 2013 Precision Airguns hosted an Indoor Bench Rest.  We always look forward to the great group of guys that show up for a fun filled evening.  Typically local area shooters join in the event.  Shawn Henn usually receives the long haul award coming from the Lansing area which is approximately 80 miles away. This particular Thursday, Shawn was beat out by Phil Eakley who drove in from the Chicago area, a mere 5 1/2 hours each way.  Thank you Phil, we were glad you could join us!

Jim Hutchison accomplished Center Fire Bench Rest Shooter took first place with his AirArms .177 MPR with a score of 750/25X.  A close second was Shawn Henn with a 750/21X shooting his FX Royale 400 .22.  Rick Broughton takes third place with a 750/18X shooting his Steyr .20 Hunter.

I like to experiment and try to shoot something different at each event.  This time I used a stock Daystate Air Wolf MCT .22 with Huggett System.  JSB's out of tin were working very well, until I loaded two in the barrel at the same time and didn't realize it until it was too late.  The shot made a nice hole, but obviousness hit a little lower that I anticipated.  A 248 put me out of the running, but the rifle was still able to shoot 26X's, which shows with the proper jockey, this horse had the ability to win the race.

Phil Eakley finishes with a 748/18X shooting his FX Royale 400 .22cal

Mark Maher and his Daystate Grey Shadow finish with a 747/13X

Adam Denz with his .25cal Marauder takes home a score of 737/12X

Dave Goldstein shooting his Steyr .22cal Hunter, starts with a first great card of 250/7X, went to a 247/5x, however, hand cramps left him unable to finish his third card.

Dave Goldstein

Adam Denz

Phil Eakley

Mark Maher

                                           

                            Thank you to everyone who came out that night.  

Shoot Safe - Shoot for Fun - Shoot an Airgun

Cold Woods vs Warm Range

 This Sunday morning a couple of airgun buddies, Mark, Rick and myself headed out to try Michigan's mid-winter squirrel hunting. Temperatures in the single digits allowed the squirrels to use more common sense then us, as they stayed in their nice warm homes, while we on the other hand roamed the woods, freezing our tails off and did not see a single squirrel.  Oh well, you never know unless you try.

Back at the Shop on the indoor range, Mark and I set up to do some indoor bench rest. This gave me the opportunity to test the latest batch of JSB 18G pellets that just arrived.  Using a Daystate Air Wolf with Huggett system installed, Burris 4.5-14, I shot a perfect 250 13X, well almost...  My shooting buddy Mark needed air for his 40FPE Huntsman XL .22cal, so on shot 18, called a Cold Line while Mark was filling his rifle.

Daystate Air Wolf MCT .22

It was at this point that my attention was drawn to the tv which was airing the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader tryouts.  By the time Mark came back to his bench and the shooting commenced, the visual distraction had caused me to forgot I was using one dot down on the Burris reticle as an aim point   Using the center of the reticle shot number 18 of course hit low.  Firing a second shot and using the proper aim point  I was back on target.  Proving, it was my lack of concentration and not the  Daystate/JSB combination that caused the miss. "Dang those Cheerleaders".   In relaying this story to my wife Nancy, she showed no compassion for the situation and simply said "Good for ya"

Honesty, based on how this rifle/pellet combination performed, I think I'll try using this at our next indoor bench rest.  We will keep you posted on the date of the next event.