THE MOST IMPORTANT ACCESSORY

Written by: Der Luftmeister

If you could have only one accessory to complement your airgun, what would it be? Well, the logical choice would be an accessory that would help you shoot better. With that as the criterion, the obvious choice is a scope. A scope allows you to see the target more clearly which allows you to shoot more accurately.

When shooting with open sights, the shooter must try to focus on the target, the front sight, and the rear sight, simultaneously. This is not only impossible, it becomes more difficult for older shooters as the eyes lose their ability in this type of activity. The way around this difficulty is to add a scope to your airgun. It is true that there are some very expensive airgun scopes out there, but there are also some bargains. A perfectly satisfactory airgun scope need not be expensive, but it must be an appropriate model.

For use on air and CO2 guns that have little recoil, any scope will work. When a multi-pump, precharged, or CO2 powered rifle is fired, only gas moves to push the pellet. There is virtually no recoil. However, for break action air rifles, there is a strong pull on the gun as the piston slams forward. This motion yanks the rifle while the scope tends to stay stationary as a result of its inertia. Scopes for use on break action air rifles must be designed and constructed to withstand this motion which is opposite that of recoil. Not only must the scope be able to endure this motion of the rifle, so must the mount. Many break action rifles either come with a scope stop attached or are equipped so that one can be attached. The stop fits against the rear scope mount to keep it from sliding backward as the rifle lurches forward.

Parallax in a scope occurs when the position of the reticule on the target appears to move as the eye is moved across the field of vision through the scope. It is a principle of optics that a scope can be free of parallax at only one distance. Scopes designed for use on high powered rifles are adjusted so that there is no parallax at a distance of 100 yards which is a typical distance at which such rifles are used. Because rimfire rifles are often used at ranges around 50 yards, scopes for use on such rifles are parallax free at 50 yards. However, even 50 yards is a long range for most air rifles but there is only a small amount of parallax in such a scope when the target is perhaps 30 to 70 yards.

The best solution for a scope to be used on airguns is to have a provision to focus the scope on targets at varying distances which also corrects parallax. Generally, this means an objective (the front part of the scope) that can be rotated to focus the scope, and most airgun scopes can be focused at distances as short as 7.5 to 10 yards.

In recent years, there has been a trend toward using scopes of higher magnification that have large objective lenses. As a general rule, the larger the objective lens the brighter the scope. However, scopes of this type are large and heavy. This makes worse the situation with regard to the forward motion of a break action rifle tending to yank the rifle from under the scope. For many years, a 4X or 6X was more or less standard, and they are still satisfactory for general shooting and hunting. Specialized target scopes of 24X or 32X have their place, but a 3-9X has sufficient magnification for most uses. Moreover, a scope with an objective diameter 32mm or 40mm lets in enough light to shoot in most conditions.

The Tech Force scopes include models to meet any air gunning need. The line of hunting scopes includes fixed power models of 2.5X and 4X as well as variable power models. A 4X with a 32mm objective or a 3-9X with a 40mm objective will make accurate shooting easy, and the prices of these models are only $29.95 and $45.95, respectively.

For those who want a scope with a focusing objective, there are two series of Tech Force models available. The Bright Vision scopes are available in 4X, 3-10X, and 6-24X models with prices ranging from $59.95 to $110. Tech Force air rifle scopes also include a 4X focusing model that sells for $49.95 and a 2-7X version that sells for only $59.95 both with focusing objectives. The 3-12X model with a 44mm objective sells for $79.95. The Target series includes 3-12X, 4-16X, and 6-24X models that have either 40mm or 50mm objectives at prices that range from $74.95 to $115.95.

The Tech Force lineup of scopes makes it easy to select a scope for your favorite air rifle that will enable you to exploit its accuracy potential. Just be sure to select a mount that is suitable for the type of rifle that you mount the scope on. Although it is possible to do good shooting with open sights, only by the use of the most important accessory will you know just what your rifle is capable of.

THE CLASSIC CO2 SINGLE SHOT

Written by: Der Luftmeister

Have you ever thought about how certain designs become classics? They endure for many years in essentially unchanged form. Things just seem to be in balance. When it comes to classic designs in air rifles, one type that has been around for a long time is the single shot rifle powered by CO2.

Crosman pioneered the use of a compressed gas other than air to launch pellets. The gas chosen was CO2, and there are several reasons why it is a good choice. Carbon dioxide it is inexpensive, nontoxic, and essentially no corrosive. Moreover, it generates a high pressure at room temperature. This characteristic is necessary in order to generate enough gas pressure behind the pellet to give it a reasonably high velocity. Crosman introduced the 12-gram Powerlet® just about 50 years ago.

Over the years, Crosman has marketed numerous single shot rifles powered by CO2. Probably the most famous of those was the Model 160 which is still a highly prized rifle. This outstanding .22 caliber rifle was made of blued steel and wood, and featured an excellent trigger. I regret passing up an outstanding specimen a few years ago that was equipped with a factory peep sight. The current offering from Crosman is the Model 2260, but that is a subject for a later blog.

If you want a classic single shot that is virtually identical to the Crosman Model 160 look no farther. Compasseco started offering such a rifle a few years ago, and it is still available. That rifle, the Tech Force Model 78, is actually available in two versions, the 78 and the 78T. The standard Model 78 is an honest to goodness metal and wood rifle that features a fine bolt action that has a two way adjustable trigger. Measuring about 40 inches in length, the Model 78 weights a little over six pounds. Like the original Crosman 160, the Model 78 is powered by two CO2 cylinders. The cylinders are held in a tube below the barrel. The Tech Force 78 is available in both 177 and 22 calibers.

In addition to the standard model, the Tech Force 78T is available. This rifle is set up to utilize the larger 88 gram or nine ounce CO2 tanks. Other performance characteristics are the same as for the standard Model 78 that is powered by two small cylinders.

The Tech Force Model 78 is a 177 or 22 caliber that makes an excellent pest rifle. My brother has had one for several years, and it is a fine airgun. The open sights are adequate with the rear sight being fully adjustable. The advertised velocity for the 22 caliber Model 78 is 600 ft/sec while that of the 177 caliber version is 750 ft/sec, but I have not actually chronographed these rifles yet.

The velocities are typical of 177 and 22 caliber models that are powered by CO2. Because the gas pressure depends only on the temperature, virtually all models of rifles of the same caliber give about the same velocity. A 22 caliber pellet of normal weight has to be driven to about 615 ft/sec in order to give a muzzle energy of 12 ft lbs which is the commonly accepted threshold for a magnum airgun. The Tech Force 78 is a little short of that energy, but it is nonetheless a powerful airgun, especially in 22 caliber.

The classic single shot rifle powered by CO2 is not dead. Tech Force 78 and 78T rifles represent excellent values with the prices being only $89.95 and $99.95, respectively. If you want one of these fine rifles, Compasseco can fix you up pronto.

PISTOL PRACTICE

Written by: Der Luftmeister

Hunting with handguns is probably more popular today than at any time in the past. Species hunted include small game, varmints, and large game. Some states even have special handgun seasons, and numerous manufacturers offer special models of their products that are designed specifically for hunting. There several good reasons for the popularity of handgun hunting. Two of them are for the additional challenge when using a short range gun and the convenience.

Handguns used for hunting vary from conventional revolvers and autoloaders to specialized single shot models that are built on a rifle action and fire a cartridge normally used in a rifle. The latter almost always have long barrels, and are actually cut down rifles that have no butt stock. They are almost always used with a scope, some are equipped with bipods, etc. It is not this type of handgun that appeals to Der Luftmeister who prefers a handgun that could normally be used as a regular packing iron. No matter, the sport has room for everyone.

When it comes to dispatching pests and game with a handgun, the hunter owes it to the game and the sport to be a good marksman and to exercise sound judgment. But how does one find a place and time to practice with a handgun to attain proficiency? Right at home, of course. Available airguns include many handgun models that can be used indoors with a suitable pellet trap. Both handguns and pellet traps are available right here at Compasseco.

If you can set up a suitable pellet trap and get 20-25 feet away, you have the makings of a range for handgun practice. This is practice for hunting which is a slow, deliberate type of shooting, not rapid fire action. The first step is to select a handgun that matches as closely as possible the type you hunt with. For example, if you are a hunter who uses a revolver, pick a CO2 revolver as your practice tool. The Smith & Wesson Model 586 in 357 Magnum caliber is a popular handgun for hunting varmints and animals up to the size of deer. Fortunately, there is a CO2 gun, also known as the Smith & Wesson Model 586, that exactly matches the size and weight of the firearm. This means that you can practice indoors with a pellet pistol that matches the size and weight of your hunting firearm. The Model 357 from Crosman and the Model R77 from Gamo are other revolvers that could be used for indoor practice.

What if your favorite handgun is an autoloader? Outstanding pellet guns of this type carry names like Beretta, Colt, and Walther. Some of them even match the size and weight of the firearms that carry the same names. The pellet firing versions are excellent for practice to prepare for using the firearms in the field.

The handgun hunter who likes a single shot, bolt action model is certainly not left out. Several target pistons would serve admirably as practice tools. Among them are the Tech Force 35, the Avanti 747, the Crosman 1377 air pistols, and the CO2 powered Benjamin EB17 and EB22, and the Crosman 2240. All of these are single shot models that are capable of excellent accuracy. Some of them can even be fitted with a scope or red dot sight if desired.

All of the pellet pistols mentioned above are available from Compasseco so it is a simple matter to select a handgun for practice. Just pick a model that replicates as far as possible the firearm you are going to use on your next hunting trip.

My suggestion is to practice on targets having different shapes. The familiar sight picture used on a round bullseye does not work very well on a squirrel. I always adjust the sights so that the point of impact coincides with the top of the front sight. That way, I know that when the front and rear sights are aligned correctly and then aligned on the target, I can place the top of the post where I want the shot to hit. For hunting practice, cut out pictures of the animals you plan to hunt from magazines and tape them to your backstop. If you can hit the lethal zone in a small photograph of a coyote at 20 feet with your pellet pistol, you should find that hitting the life size animal at 50 yards is not too difficult. Be sure to practice shooting from the same positions that you are likely to use in the field.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned handgun hunter, practice with a pellet pistol can sharpen your skills. The nice thing is that you can practice any time you have a few minutes to spare without having to travel to a range.

THE BENJAMIN LEGACY

Written by: Der Luftmeister

Benjamin has been one of the most recognized names in airguns since the late 1800s. The first Benjamin was a multi-pump model that had a pump rod that was held below the barrel. Pumping action involved moving the rod in and out, but for many years, the Benjamin rifles have featured the familiar swinging forearm lever. Regardless of the action required to pump the rifle, the Benjamin name has been around a long time.

A few years ago, a Benjamin rifle was introduced that is a radical departure from the traditional Benjamin. Although it carries the revered Benjamin name, the Legacy is a break action! Moreover, it is produced in the U.S. by the parent company, Crosman, who acquired the Benjamin Sheridan company in 1992.

The Benjamin Legacy was initially introduced as a 177 caliber that was advertised to give 1,000 ft/sec, but a 22 caliber Legacy is also available. The Legacy is 43 inches long and weighs about 6.5 pounds. The nicely shaped hardwood stock is attractively checkered and has a cheek piece on the left hand side. Sights on the Legacy are at least functional although they are of the fiber optic design (for which Der Luftmeister has no love). The rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage by means of rotating dials, and the front sight has a fiber optic bar along the top of the post. The receiver is grooved for attaching scope mounts, and it has provision for a scope stop.

So far, the features of the Legacy sound comparable to those of many other 1,000 ft/sec break action rifles. However, one desirable feature of the Legacy is that the cocking force is only 28 pounds. I have several fine break action rifles that are of the same advertised power level, and the Legacy is the easiest to cock. Although the difference is not great in some cases, I can feel the difference if the shooting session involves a great many shots. The Legacy also weighs less than some of my other break action models of the same power class. These physical attributes of the Legacy make it a good choice for the pest hunter needs a rifle of convenient size that does not require a lot of work to shoot.

Like many other break action air rifles, the Legacy features an adjustable two stage trigger. I have not tinkered with the trigger on my rifle because I found it to be acceptable as delivered. The safety is a metal tab that protrudes downward inside the trigger guard in front of the trigger. Unlike some other break action rifles, the safety does not go on as the rifle is cocked.

I have tested almost a dozen break action 177 caliber rifles that are advertised to give 1,000 ft/sec. In every case, this claim is not met unless the pellets are of very light weight. With pellets weighting 7.9-8.0 grains, the velocity is about 880-900 ft/sec. Velocity with pellets weighing about 6.8-7.0 grains is usually about 940-950 ft/sec with most of my break action rifles. For example, the Legacy averaged 884 ft/sec with the 7.9 grain Crosman Premier and 939 ft/sec with the 7.0 grain RWS Hobby. The 22 caliber Legacy is advertised to give 800 ft/sec, but this is probably optimistic. Regardless, these rifles are in the magnum class, and a difference of a few feet per second has no detectable effect when the pellet reaches the target.

On thing that I did observe with the Legacy is that the velocities are very uniform right from the start. The standard deviation varied only from 1 to 5 ft/sec with five types of pellets and this from an almost new rifle. Most break action rifles that I have used tend to be somewhat erratic in terms of velocity during a period of breaking in.

I tested the Legacy with a 2-7X scope attached, and at 25 yards the groups with the 7.9 grain Crosman Premier averaged around an inch. Switching to the 10.5 grain Premier resulted in groups of about 0.7-0.8 inch. Under good conditions I am sure that this rifle is capable of better accuracy.

The Benjamin Legacy is a handsome, capable air rifle. I have not had the opportunity to test the 22 caliber version, but it should be an excellent pest rifle. With good looks, adequate accuracy and power, and relatively easy cocking action, the Benjamin Legacy is a welcome addition to the break action market. Also, our friends here at Compasseco offer this fine rifle for under $170.