Sonoran Random Thoughts On the BRK Sonoran

[Billm]

I thought I’d start a thread focused on some general musings about the BRK Sonoran. The type of stuff that is just general conversation about the gun and not tuning specific. I just got one of those YouTube notifications stating there was a new comment on a video that I had commented on. It was in reference to the AOA video of Lauren demonstrating the Sonoran. The comments were calling out that AOA was claiming 90fpe and yet the fpe in the video doesn’t come close. I’ve shot a lot of pellets and probably 200+ slugs with the Sonoran over the last 10 days. Possibly 1000 plus shots. I don’t think I’ve ever surpassed 86fpe. I believe I’ve reached the max power my rifle is capable without any mods. But, I’ve never launched a projectile heavier than 52gr. There are several options that are heavier that would hit 90fpe. In my mind there’s no issue with stating that the Sonoran is capable of reaching 90fpe. The comment that triggered the notification stated that the Sonoran was a good looking gun with some thump, but that there is no way it could even place at RMAC. I have no experience with modern airgun competition. The Sonoran is the most accurate airgun at 100yds that I own. I suspect that the accuracy is a combination of the Sub-MOA barrel, the rifle and the caliber. What would make it unworthy of 100yd competition? I’m just hoping to generate some conversation.

 

[hameditor]

I thought I’d start a thread focused on some general musings about the BRK Sonoran. The type of stuff that is just general conversation about the gun and not tuning specific. I just got one of those YouTube notifications stating there was a new comment on a video that I had commented on. It was in reference to the AOA video of Lauren demonstrating the Sonoran. The comments were calling out that AOA was claiming 90fpe and yet the fpe in the video doesn’t come close. I’ve shot a lot of pellets and probably 200+ slugs with the Sonoran over the last 10 days. Possibly 1000 plus shots. I don’t think I’ve ever surpassed 86fpe. I believe I’ve reached the max power my rifle is capable without any mods. But, I’ve never launched a projectile heavier than 52gr. There are several options that are heavier that would hit 90fpe. In my mind there’s no issue with stating that the Sonoran is capable of reaching 90fpe. The comment that triggered the notification stated that the Sonoran was a good looking gun with some thump, but that there is no way it could even place at RMAC. I have no experience with modern airgun competition. The Sonoran is the most accurate airgun at 100yds that I own. I suspect that the accuracy is a combination of the Sub-MOA barrel, the rifle and the caliber. What would make it unworthy of 100yd competition? I’m just hoping to generate some conversation.

Personally I think that the Sonoran could be at lest competitive to reach the 100 Yard finals at Extreme Benchrest.

Team Umarex has used .30 caliber Gauntlets in this competition and have definitely not looked bad for doing so.

 

[Billm]

Personally I think that the Sonoran could be at lest competitive to reach the 100 Yard finals at Extreme Benchrest.

Team Umarex has used .30 caliber Gauntlets in this competition and have definitely not looked bad for doing so.

Kind of what I was thinking.

 

[Pesty3782]

Well the rifle can do it, but it will be the person behind the trigger making the shots. I will be shooting mine in Sportsman class at RMAC…..Now if it only had a name

Tigger, my 30 ghost is going as backup and Thor, my Bushbuck carbine will be shooting big bore…

Tony P.

 

[Billm]

Well the rifle can do it, but it will be the person behind the trigger making the shots. I will be shooting mine in Sportsman class at RMAC…..Now if it only had a name

Tigger, my 30 ghost is going as backup and Thor, my Bushbuck carbine will be shooting big bore…

Tony P.

Good luck at RMAC, I’m sure you’ll do well. I’ve never named any of my guns before. I’ve been thinking of names , it’s not easy LOL.

 

[Solo1]

In my opinion the best wind reader, and shooter with a good gun will win. The best gun in the world can’t do it by itself. A gun that would be setup to shoot at the push of a button and hit the bull every time in a enclosure couldn’t win because the wind is the wild card.

 

[Pesty3782]

I agree.....The wind caught me off guard today a few times which cost me a lot of points....When the Sonoran and I are on, we are on....

Tony P.

 

[Pumacarl]

Considering that an Avenge-X with a factory barrel has already beaten all comers at a 3 card match, I have zero doubt that a Sonoran can too. It all comes down to the shooter these days, and a spot of luck. It always has.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

In my opinion, rounding up from 80ish FPE and marketing it at 90 is very reasonable. There are a number of things that can change from rifle to rifle when you make 1000 of them. These d l changes could easily net you some FPE. Standard tolerance on the hammer spring is +/-10%.

If I purchased a right claiming 90FPE and "only" got 85, I wouldn't be upset in any way.

John

 

[duchunter007]

I thought I’d start a thread focused on some general musings about the BRK Sonoran. The type of stuff that is just general conversation about the gun and not tuning specific. I just got one of those YouTube notifications stating there was a new comment on a video that I had commented on. It was in reference to the AOA video of Lauren demonstrating the Sonoran. The comments were calling out that AOA was claiming 90fpe and yet the fpe in the video doesn’t come close. I’ve shot a lot of pellets and probably 200+ slugs with the Sonoran over the last 10 days. Possibly 1000 plus shots. I don’t think I’ve ever surpassed 86fpe. I believe I’ve reached the max power my rifle is capable without any mods. But, I’ve never launched a projectile heavier than 52gr. There are several options that are heavier that would hit 90fpe. In my mind there’s no issue with stating that the Sonoran is capable of reaching 90fpe. The comment that triggered the notification stated that the Sonoran was a good looking gun with some thump, but that there is no way it could even place at RMAC. I have no experience with modern airgun competition. The Sonoran is the most accurate airgun at 100yds that I own. I suspect that the accuracy is a combination of the Sub-MOA barrel, the rifle and the caliber. What would make it unworthy of 100yd competition? I’m just hoping to generate some conversation.

Tomorrow will be the first day shooting my Sonoran that I picked up this week, brand new and never shot except at AoA I got the scope mounted today and my Pellets arrived as well. I can say that my Sahara XP Sniper Magnum in .25 cal. and it is very accurate! Looking forward to shooting tomorrow!!

 

[Bladebum]

Critics gonna critique accuracy is accuracy , doesn't matter the platform. If it lands on target straight, it can win a competition. And as far as power goes, im not sure what kind of paper these guys are all shooting but I feel like 80-90 ft lbs should do it. Im certain anything close to that will kill good size critters so probably will take down angry charging paper targets too.

 

[Pesty3782]

Tomorrow will be the first day shooting my Sonoran that I picked up this week, brand new and never shot except at AoA I got the scope mounted today and my Pellets arrived as well. I can say that my Sahara XP Sniper Magnum in .25 cal. and it is very accurate! Looking forward to shooting tomorrow!!

Run a few patches through the barrel before you start shooting. A pull through will work fine for this first cleaning. Remember if you pull the barrel off you better have a bunch of 1X11 O rings ready. and don't forget the breech O ring 1.5X5

Tony P.

 

[duchunter007]

Run a few patches through the barrel before you start shooting. A pull through will work fine for this first cleaning. Remember if you pull the barrel off you better have a bunch of 1X11 O rings ready. and don't forget the breech O ring 1.5X5

Tony P.

Thank you, was planning on running some patches before heading out this morning!

 

[Pesty3782]

Tomorrow will be the first day shooting my Sonoran that I picked up this week, brand new and never shot except at AoA I got the scope mounted today and my Pellets arrived as well. I can say that my Sahara XP Sniper Magnum in .25 cal. and it is very accurate! Looking forward to shooting tomorrow!!

WELLLLLLLLLLL

 

[duchunter007]

WELLLLLLLLLLL

Sorry, I'm a little behind on this. I've been busy buying barrel tensioner kits, LOL.
I shot the Sonoran on Sunday and was truly happy with the gun, the reg pressure was set at 160, and then shooting on the second click of the dial with 50.1 grain pellets, I was averaging 853.5 FPS and 81 FT-LB, accuracy was good at 35 yards and 75 yards, the guy behind the gun needs to work on the 100 yard targets. I then ran some 45.15-grain pellets, and they achieved 895.9 FPS at 80.4 ft-lbs, which was better in terms of accuracy. Still need to do some more shooting and take better notes. Happy with the gun though! I'm going to dial the reg up to 175-ish and see how that goes this weekend!

 

[Billm]

Sorry, I'm a little behind on this. I've been busy buying barrel tensioner kits, LOL.
I shot the Sonoran on Sunday and was truly happy with the gun, the reg pressure was set at 160, and then shooting on the second click of the dial with 50.1 grain pellets, I was averaging 853.5 FPS and 81 FT-LB, accuracy was good at 35 yards and 75 yards, the guy behind the gun needs to work on the 100 yard targets. I then ran some 45.15-grain pellets, and they achieved 895.9 FPS at 80.4 ft-lbs, which was better in terms of accuracy. Still need to do some more shooting and take better notes. Happy with the gun though! I'm going to dial the reg up to 175-ish and see how that goes this weekend!

That’s interesting, on my Sonoran, the second highest position on the power selector never really differs by more than a foot or two from the highest position. So I mostly use the second or third position. I’d have to look again, but I think I’ve maxed out at around 915fps with 45gr and about 870 with 54gr. I,e had the reg anywhere from around 140 bar to 185+ bar. My rifle tops out at around 180 bar. It’s at 185 right now, when I shoot it down, I’ll prob reduce the reg some.

 

[Solo1]

That’s interesting, on my Sonoran, the second highest position on the power selector never really differs by more than a foot or two from the highest position. So I mostly use the second or third position. I’d have to look again, but I think I’ve maxed out at around 915fps with 45gr and about 870 with 54gr. I,e had the reg anywhere from around 140 bar to 185+ bar. My rifle tops out at around 180 bar. It’s at 185 right now, when I shoot it down, I’ll prob reduce the reg some.

When you do turn down the reg just for the hell of it turn it down a lot and see what velocity you get then work up 5 bar at at time firing 3 shots at each reg setting till you get to 915 with 45’s or more.

 

[Billm]

When you do turn down the reg just for the hell of it turn it down a lot and see what velocity you get then work up 5 bar at at time firing 3 shots at each reg setting till you get to 915 with 45’s or more.

I can do that.

 

[Solo1]

I can do that.

Just make sure your first shot comes out. It would suck to have a couple slugs stuck in the barrel. Shoot at short range so you know you hit paper or not.if the first 1 gets stuck just push out with a rod and look closely at slug to see how deep the rifling is and if the rest of the slug is touching barrel you will see tiny scratches

 

[Billm]

Well I’m well versed in one aspect of the Sonoran. I spent five hours shooting and adjusting in 113f heat index. I shot almost 70 AEA .30 52.2gr slugs from 70 bat to 175 bar in 3 shot groups. It was fun, but brutal in Florida humidity. I started by shooting a slug into stuffed box so that I could retrieve the slug and examine it. I started at 25yds and moved to 51yds. About 50 shots I was surprised that I couldn’t hit over 800fps. Then I realized that I never changed the power selector to max lol. So I know I know how the lower power setting is affected by the regulator. I did shoot some small groups at a relatively low power. I’ll probably post the info anyway and try it again at max power.