Others Airgun Revisions HFT Challenger

[wolfmangreg]

Promised to do an amateur review of the new acquisition from @Airgun Revisions, & will update this thread as I progress with getting it set up & wrung out. It arrived today, ahead of schedule. Detailed my discussions & experience with ordering from Rich in another thread, but to reiterate- first class all the way! Was able to get some setup & first impressions tonight, though much more to follow.
It's a Hunter Field Target Competition Challenger, reworked from it's ~6 fpe Crosman version into the ~18-19 fpe Airgun Revisions product. AR also offers an ~11.5 fpe version.

Fresh out of the box, the rifle looks & feels like something with a higher price tag than it actually has. I love wood stocks (walnut in particular) as much as anybody, but the plastic one on this rifle is well done. And I really appreciate the ability to adjust it for a perfect fit. Didn't take long to get a rough fit, should only need minor adjustments if any once I get more time on the sticks. Shroud, trigger guard, action etc. all have a nice even finish.

Speaking of the shroud- it's clearly working well, as the rifle is very quiet. Have had a number of .177 rifles in this power range, & this one is definitely the most quiet out of the box. Had a couple that may have matched it, but only with a moderator attached. Quiet enough that the nice, unemployed .177/.22 moderator in my safe will stay there.

Trigger is excellent! Measured just under 8 oz on my scale, & very crisp. It wants for nothing, so I'm not going to mess with the adjustments. Side lever is smooth from start to finish.

Mounted an Athlon Heras 6-24x56 in Sportsmatch rings.

Ran a 10-shot string over the chronograph with both Benjamin Single Die 10.5 grain & Air Arms (JSB) 10.3 grain pellets:

BSD AA
1 892 914
2 891 911
3 891 912
4 890 917
5 889 913
6 888 909
7 891 916
8 892 912
9 885 911
10 886 911

AVG 890 913
FPE 18.5 19.1

Will get a full string, max fill to reg setting, once a winner is determined via accuracy testing. Hoping to get some range time tomorrow.

 

[pan60]

shes a beauty boss

 

[wolfmangreg]

shes a beauty boss

Agreed!

Scheming ways to add a little weight, it's very light. Which is not a black mark against the rifle (many will see it as a plus!), just a personal preference for some heft in my FT/EFT rifles. Should be very easy to do- it's got a UIT/Anschutz rail running the length of the forearm, the grip is hollow, and the stock has a few other openings that can be filled with something.

Have to confess I'm mildly rooting for the Benjamin pellets to win out. While not a huge difference, they do have a better BC. A little disgruntled with JSB quality too (take a number, right?). Have tested alternatives in .22 & .30, but despite better appearance & consistency in weight, none of them have panned out in the only criteria that really matters- accuracy.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

You should find the Benjamin pellets to run well out of that rifle. I know they run well out of all of the ones we have tested. Most of the guys on the Benjamin FT Team shoot a rifle with that breech and barrel. All of us are running the new Benjamin pellets. We ran them all last season and did very well with them.

That rifle was designed for the JROTC 10M competitions. Coaches pull the action out of the stock and add self-adhesive wheel weights to the inside of the stock.

 

[wolfmangreg]

Got out for a little while this afternoon, & @BenjeneerJohn called it- the Benjamin pellets did run well. In fact, they outran the AA/JSB pellets. 10 more tins on order. And thanks for the wheel weights tip!

The two 10-shot groups below represent the best & worst groups of the day with Benjamin pellets, all at 55 yards:




Only pellet testing today, didn't have time to start doping. Just as well, having decided I'd rather put a Sightron S-TAC 4-20x50 MH4 on her.



Shot cycle is docile, even for < 20 fpe. Gentle shot cycle, great trigger, quiet report, and personalized stock fit equals a very, very pleasant shooting experience.

As promised ran a chronograph string from full fill, here are the highlights:

Count	62
Average	896
Max	906
Min	888
ES	18
St Dev	4.7
FPE	18.7

 

[wolfmangreg]

Forgot to mention, Rich called today to see how the rifle was doing, & to offer some tips & tricks. Don't hesitate to do business with him if he has a product or service you want!

 

[wolfmangreg]

Added 1/2 lb worth of stick on wheel weights to various points within the stock today. Didn't peel & stick until finding the balance I want. In a nutshell, swapped ~7 oz above the barrel (due to the scope change) for ~8 oz below the barrel.
Rig is now at 9 lbs 7 oz. Could easily add another 1/2 lb of wheel weights while keeping them out of sight & not interfering with fit. Going to leave as is for now.
Forgot to attach a wheel pointer for the ranging wheel yesterday, so loosend the bubble level & installed, then fiddled the level back into agreement with scope & action.

 

[DJNA]

Great rifle, I got same one from Rich last year- Got mine for some 20yard chipmunks lol - they hate it, it does great job! HFT Challenger stacks pellets hole in hole - love mine. I don’t compete in HFT - but one day I might, that being said I’d like to get a different stock. There’s nothing wrong with it, I’d prefer a wood stock is all. And the new Benjamin 10.5 do work great in the gun as stated above - here’s pic of mine-

 

[wolfmangreg]

Great rifle, I got same one from Rich last year- Got mine for some 20yard chipmunks lol - they hate it, it does great job! HFT Challenger stacks pellets hole in hole - love mine. I don’t compete in HFT - but one day I might, that being said I’d like to get a different stock. There’s nothing wrong with it, I’d prefer a wood stock is all. And the new Benjamin 10.5 do work great in the gun as stated above - here’s pic of mine-

Agree on all counts- the stock is perfectly functional & very comfortable once adjusted to fit, but a wood stock with the same adjustability (& rail on the front) would be great. Of course that would come with a price increase, & make it tougher for JROTC & other shooting teams that buy in large numbers (the 6 fpe Crosman factory version, that is).

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Agree on all counts- the stock is perfectly functional & very comfortable once adjusted to fit, but a wood stock with the same adjustability (& rail on the front) would be great. Of course that would come with a price increase, & make it tougher for JROTC & other shooting teams that buy in large numbers (the 6 fpe Crosman factory version, that is).

Why I questioned that new 3362 crosman pcp on why not give it a target doptlor sight ( nothing fancy like the challenger but more budget like daisy). And have a more 4H, jrotc, youth club cost friendly option ..

 

[wolfmangreg]

If you're still following my misadventures, thanks! Also, might want to rethink your life choices.

Got my range wheel markings today. Not my favorite airgun activity, but must be done. Reckon I'll have to do it again when hot weather arrives- 45F with a nasty wind today. No bueno for zeroing & doping.

 

[wolfmangreg]

Too windy again to dope, but got a rough zero & shot off the sticks for awhile. Messed with the weights a little more while shooting- all set now, no more changes. 9 lbs 12 oz all up, & perfectly balanced for me. Have to cross that off the excuse list

Rationing Benjamin pellets until the new order arrives, so shot the AA. They do fine, just not as good as the BSD.

Trying to stay subdued but gotta tell ya, not finding much to complain about. Really enjoying the rifle.

 

[wolfmangreg]

THE NEW PELLETS ARE HERE!!!
THE NEW PELLETS ARE HERE!!!


I'm getting a BC of 0.034- very similar to the results @hameditor obtained.

 

[Dogowski]

Promised to do an amateur review of the new acquisition from @Airgun Revisions, & will update this thread as I progress with getting it set up & wrung out. It arrived today, ahead of schedule. Detailed my discussions & experience with ordering from Rich in another thread, but to reiterate- first class all the way! Was able to get some setup & first impressions tonight, though much more to follow.
It's a Hunter Field Target Competition Challenger, reworked from it's ~6 fpe Crosman version into the ~18-19 fpe Airgun Revisions product. AR also offers an ~11.5 fpe version.

Fresh out of the box, the rifle looks & feels like something with a higher price tag than it actually has. I love wood stocks (walnut in particular) as much as anybody, but the plastic one on this rifle is well done. And I really appreciate the ability to adjust it for a perfect fit. Didn't take long to get a rough fit, should only need minor adjustments if any once I get more time on the sticks. Shroud, trigger guard, action etc. all have a nice even finish.

Speaking of the shroud- it's clearly working well, as the rifle is very quiet. Have had a number of .177 rifles in this power range, & this one is definitely the most quiet out of the box. Had a couple that may have matched it, but only with a moderator attached. Quiet enough that the nice, unemployed .177/.22 moderator in my safe will stay there.

Trigger is excellent! Measured just under 8 oz on my scale, & very crisp. It wants for nothing, so I'm not going to mess with the adjustments. Side lever is smooth from start to finish.

Mounted an Athlon Heras 6-24x56 in Sportsmatch rings.

Ran a 10-shot string over the chronograph with both Benjamin Single Die 10.5 grain & Air Arms (JSB) 10.3 grain pellets:

BSD AA
1 892 914
2 891 911
3 891 912
4 890 917
5 889 913
6 888 909
7 891 916
8 892 912
9 885 911
10 886 911

AVG 890 913
FPE 18.5 19.1

Will get a full string, max fill to reg setting, once a winner is determined via accuracy testing. Hoping to get some range time tomorrow.




View attachment 5073

Very nice brother, she looks great!

 

[cavedweller]

Agreed!

Scheming ways to add a little weight, it's very light. Which is not a black mark against the rifle (many will see it as a plus!), just a personal preference for some heft in my FT/EFT rifles. Should be very easy to do- it's got a UIT/Anschutz rail running the length of the forearm, the grip is hollow, and the stock has a few other openings that can be filled with something.

Have to confess I'm mildly rooting for the Benjamin pellets to win out. While not a huge difference, they do have a better BC. A little disgruntled with JSB quality too (take a number, right?). Have tested alternatives in .22 & .30, but despite better appearance & consistency in weight, none of them have panned out in the only criteria that really matters- accuracy.

you will notice some hollow points top of stock towards the shoulder... being creative in these area you can add lead weights and glass beads as weight as needed with duck tape temporarily until you get the weight just so then cover with some clear silicone... see pic = just the scopes ocular adjustment.

 

[bchannell]

I have a stock Challenger 2021 that is pretty amazingly accurate. When I came upon the chance to buy an AR HFT version I jumped on it.
Wow! What a rifle! Crosman triggers can be tuned to be some of the best and add that to the AR conversion and you have a killer rifle.
This is one of my favorite.177 rifles.

 

[SILENT SQUIRREL]

Good morning
Great thread.
To the point:
I am considering one of Airgun Revisions' Challengers.
But must admit a concern about parts availability now that Crosman is about to live in Daisy's armpit.
FWIW
I'm not too concerned about service as I expect Rich's business will be around for a good long time
Just the parts.
Thoughts please!

Edward

 

[bchannell]

I would say a few things.
1) The Crosman design is a robust one that needs little maintenance
2) The design is shared amongst the other guns in their lineup, ie the Marauder, which has a long list of parts availability both factory and aftermarket
3) I doubt Crosman wants to cripple the sales of their best seller, the Marauder in this move.
4) There are so many of their similar guns out there, I can't imagine a time you couldn't buy another gun to use simply for parts.
5) The Crosman/Benjamin rifes are the air equivalent of the Ruger 10/22, creating an entire aftermarket industry. I doubt this will end any time soon. My guess is there are many times more Crosman/Benjamin rifles in use than higher priced pcps by an incredible margin, so this will ensure their continued existence.

So, cut to the chase, I just wouldn't worry about this issue. Most things we worry about never happen anyway. Buy, shoot and enjoy!

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

The CH2021 will continue to be available to the JROTC and will so be made in NY. Parts availability should not be a problem.

John

 

[SILENT SQUIRREL]

Thank you for the insight, Bob & @BejeneerJohn

Slight shift of gears
It is interesting that you have The Challenger & JROTC in the same sentence @BenjeneerJohn
My good friend & neighbor's daughter has just joined the ROTC Program at her college, and also has entered into The Marksmanship Program.
Shooting pistols and rifles I believe
According to dad, her classmates suggested getting an air gun for practice at the local range
And he was hoping I might be able to advise on a good choice
As I never give advice if my knowledge is not thorough and/or experience based, I suggested she ask within the program.
But also said I would see what could be learned in the forums
I have no idea how much she can spend

That said
Any ideas for her

Edward