JTS Airacuda PRS Max Air Rifle Test Review .25 Caliber

VALUE FOR MONEY​

Let’s start with price. At just $549.99, the Airacuda PRS Max is extremely attractively-priced for a dedicated, benchrest “chassis gun”. It is a new version of the existing Airacuda Max incorporating an Aluminum chassis.

The result is a PCP that will be an attractive proposition for many who are starting to tip their toes into benchrest and PRS-style competitions. It’s available in a choice of .22, .25 and .30 calibers, with the latter two, in particular, being attractive for long-range shooting.

I can see many of these guns being fielded by benchrest competitors at the 2026 Pyramyd Cup!

Finally the chassis itself is available in a range of colors. “Our” gun is red, but there’s green, silver and good old black finishes available, too.

For this review, we installed a JTS Shadow Series 2-16 x 50 riflescope. As a result of a recent price drop, this scope is now selling at $479.99. Again, that’s a very attractive price for an optic of these specifications.

BUY FROM PYRAMYD
JTS Airacuda PRS Max PCP Air Rifle 0.22 ​

SPEED AND ACCURACY​

The Airacuda PRS Max tested by Hard Air Magazine achieved a maximum Muzzle Velocity of 967.7 FPS with 19.91 Grain H&N Field Target Trophy pellets. Interestingly, we were not able to achieve a result with our standard GTO Alloy Pellets as they would not load correctly into the breech and jammed. Out with the cleaning rod!

However the standard lead pellets in the HAM test suite all performed well.

The maximum Muzzle Energy achieved was 51.51 Ft/Lbs. That was 826.5 FPS with 33.95 Grain JSB King Heavy Mk II pellets. These were also the most accurate in our testing.

Pellet	Average Muzzle Velocity	Average Muzzle Energy	Accuracy
Predator GTO Alloy 16.54 Grain	N/a	N/a	N/a
H&N Field Target Trophy 19.91 Grain	967.7 FPS	41.41 Ft/Lbs	Excellent
JSB Exact King 25.39 Grain	902.67 FPS	45.95 Ft/Lbs	Excellent.
Predator Polymag 26.0 Grain	897.05 FPS	46.47 Ft/Lbs	Excellent.
Benjamin Lead Pellets 27.8 Grain	869.70 FPS	46.70 Ft/Lbs	Excellent.
JSB Exact King Heavy 33.95 Grain	826.50 FPS	51.51 Ft/Lbs	Excellent. Best Tested

A 10-shot group at 25 Yards gave a vertical CTC of 0.475 Inch, together with a horizontal CTC of 0.285 Inch. This was excellent shooting by the gun, pellets and HAM Tester Doug Wall, especially in the bitter 40 degree temperature. Trust me, it felt MUCH colder at the time!

TRIGGER AND COCKING EFFORT​

The Airacuda PRS Max is equipped with a two-stage trigger that is adjustable for first stage travel and sear engagement by means of two externally-adjustable screws.

The metal trigger blade is nicely-shaped and pleasant to operate. There’s a short first stage that’s followed by a fairly clean break.

As received, the trigger pull averaged 3 Lbs 1.3 Oz. While this felt fine for general-purpose shooting, it’s likely that benchrest shooters will want to lower this pull weight for long-range competition.

The manual safety is located in front of the trigger blade. It operates crisply and offers an obvious tactile indication to the shooter’s trigger finger when set to safe.

The side cocking lever springs out pleasantly when the shooter’s fingers begin to pull it back. Continuing, the action is quite light and pleasant on opening and when pushing back to close.

This is quite a long lever, so the mechanical advantage inherent in that helps to ensure the easy – if not completely buttery – operation.

The cocking lever is located on the right side and is not convertible to left-side operation. However this is not unexpected at this price point.

COMPARISON TO MAKERS CLAIMS​

Here – again – the .25 caliber JTS Airacuda PRS Max tested by HAM stacked-up well against its published specifications.

The maximum claimed Muzzle Velocity is 920 FPS. HAM recorded 967.7 FPS with H&N Field Target Trophy pellets.

The maximum Muzzle Energy claim published on the Pyramyd website is 48 Ft/Lbs. HAM recorded 51.51 Ft/Lbs with JSB King Heavies.

The final manufacturer’s claim for the PRS Max is “up to 30 shots per fill” of HPA.

As can be seen in the following chart, HAM recorded 20 consistent shots per fill. True, 30 shots per fill were achieved on test, but the Muzzle Velocity had fallen by 100 FPS by shot 30. In our opinion, that is not an acceptable spread for a claim.

Could the consistent shot count be higher, if the hammer spring were appropriately adjusted? Maybe…

But it’s also important to remember that it’s not realistic to have one gun achieving the maximum velocity, power and shot count all at the same time. In our opinion, the PRS Max tested exceeded the manufacturer’s claims for velocity and power, while giving an acceptable consistent shot count. That’s not at all bad.

CONSISTENCY​

The .25 caliber Airacuda PRS Max tested by HAM gave an excellent Standard Deviation of just 3.01 FPS across the range of HAM test pellets.

This level of consistency is confirmed by the following shutdown chart. As can be seen, precisely 20 consistent shots were achieved from one complete fill of High Pressure Air at 3,200 PSI. That’s convenient as the owner knows to refill after shooting two complete 10-shot magazines.

The trigger pull weights recorded ranged from 2 Lbs 15.0 Oz to 3 Lb 4.9 Oz. That means just a couple of Ounces either side of the 3 Lbs 1.3 Oz average. That level of variance will be un-noticed by the vast majority of owners.

Another very positive aspect of consistency is that the Airacuda PRS Max tested by HAM was definitely NOT pellet-picky.

Yes, HAM Tester Doug Wall’s results point to the King Heavies being most accurate. But it was a close-run thing and all the other HAM standard lead test pellets all promised to give good grouping.

However it must be said that any shooter choosing to campaign at long (100-Yard) ranges will obviously expect to run extensive individual pellet testing to determine the absolute best projectile for each individual gun. That applies to the PRS Max as much as for any other air rifle.

NOISE LEVEL​

In a word, it’s loud! But that’s why JTS provides the 1/2-Inch UNF threads (M18-1 for the .30 caliber model) so that a dedicated, airgun-only silencer can be installed where legal.

But of course it’s fair to say that we never expected this .25 caliber gun producing over 50 Ft/Lbs Muzzle Energy to be exactly backyard-friendly. Particularly as there is no built-in silencer!

SIGHTS AND SCOPE​

The JTS Airacuda PRS Max is equipped with the expected Picatinny top rail for scope mounting. This was sufficiently long that no difficulty was experienced mounting the scope with appropriate eye relief for the HAM testers.

To complete the rig, we mounted a JTS Shadow Series riflescope. This 2-16 x 50 scope has a massive eight times zoom range from minimum to maximum magnification. That is – I believe – the largest zoom range I have personally encountered.

Windage adjustment range is +/- 9 MRAD, while the elevation range is usefully larger at +/- 14.5 MRAD – a benefit for long-range shooting. The turrets also incorporate a zero-stop mechanism that can be set to user requirements through partial dismantling sequence that’s well described in the scope’s user manual.

For more details, check out this comprehensive overview of this scope that was published in a previous post.

However, it should be noted that the magazine is loaded from the left side of the action. That may cause issues with a side wheel-fitted riflescope unless the shooter uses the supplied single shot tray.

Another feature of the chassis is that it incorporates a built-in bubble level. Holding the gun level can be an important part of on-target consistency and this feature helps the shooter to accomplish this task.

However, we found that the bubble level sat a little low for easy observation without moving the shooter’s head.

If this were our gun, we would make a small riser to bring the level up closer to the scope eyepiece level. That would be a nice little 3D-printing project for the owner, or an enterprising aftermarket accessory manufacturer…

SHOOTABILITY​

Particularly for benchrest use, a minimum configuration would comprise the gun, a powerful scope and a bipod. So equipped, the PRS Max rig shown here with a Leapers UTG Goliath bipod weighs-in at a substantial 13 Lbs 6 Oz.

You’re not going to be shooting this baby offhand!

Of course, weight – more of it – is a benefit for benchrest use, so the PRS Max is not intended to be a general-purpose configuration. There’s the standard wood-stocked version of the gun if you want to hunt, plink or shoot other disciplines.

The chassis of the JTS Airacuda PRS Max provides additional strength and stability compared to a regular wood stock. It also provides the opportunity for extensive customization.

The PRS Max chassis includes an AR-style grip. That means that there’s a wide variety of aftermarket alternatives, should you prefer and they are easy to install.

The buttstock is length-adjustable. It also incorporates a height-adjustable cheekpiece. JTS says that it can be swapped for an alternative buttstock, should the owner choose.

But the company also says that their buttstock has a patented adjustment method. It’s that button in the buttpad and it works well. As with many collapsible M4-style buttstocks, this one is a little rattly, but not to an objectionable level.

In addition, the chassis incorporates an adjustable bridge. This bridge has M-LOK-style slots so that weights – for example – can be added. The bridge can be moved longitudinally for balance adjustments, as can be seen from the photograph below.

The gun is supplied with one short Picatinny mount that screws into the chassis. We mounted a Leapers UTG Goliath bipod here – you’re going to want a serious bipod to manage the JTS Airacuda PRS Max!

As can be seen, the chassis is provided with multiple M5-threaded screw holes. The intention here is to provide a wide array of fixing positions so that the accessories common in benchrest and PRS competitions can be mounted as desired.

However it has to be said that the HAM Team were unable to find many accessories that could be attached using M5 screws and the provided hole spacings. Perhaps this will be another opportunity for a creative aftermarket manufacturer.

The standard position for both pressure gauges is in the underside of the stock. However, the main tube pressure gauge can be rotated to be visible above the edge of the chassis – should the owner require that. Removal of the stock and complete de-gassing of the gun will be required in order to achieve this, so it’s a “one time only” type of change.

Finally, it should be noted that hammer spring tension is externally adjustable. Although the stock must be removed to make alterations, that’s not an onerous job. However the regulator is not externally-adjustable.

APPEARANCE AND FINISH​

As ever, appearance is in the eye of the beholder. However the HAM Testers agree that the design of the JTS Airacuda PRS Max is appropriately stylish, particularly with the contrasting red chassis.

Machining, fit and finish of all parts is quite high. It’s very difficult to argue with this level of external quality at the price being asked.

BUYING AND OWNING​

As a specialist product, it’s unlikely that you will find the JTS Airacuda PRS Max at a local sporting goods store. However they are readily available online from all the usual suspects, including Pyramyd and Airgun Depot.

Two magazines, a single shot tray and a reseal kit of O rings are supplied with the gun. This is good. Additional magazines are also available if required.

The magazines and single shot tray supplied with the PRS Max are metal and re-assuringly robust in feel.

However HAM Tester Doug Wall observed that he would prefer a clear plastic cover plate to observe that the mag was fully loaded. Fortunately, if that’s an issue for you, standard plastic JTS magazines will also fit the gun and these have the appropriate clear cover plate.

One feature that will appear to some owners is the low – 3,200 PSI fill pressure. This means that filling could be in range – just – of a strong and healthy owner using a hand pump. The HAM testers used a compact electric compressor. Either way, it’s good to see that the fill connection is a standard 1/2-Inch NPT quick disconnect and not a probe.

The owner’s instruction manual is reasonably comprehensive and well-illustrated. However it is available in English only.

One of the few downsides that we found to the PRS Max is the limited one-year warranty. Although not uncommon, it’s still well below the 3-and 5-year warranties that are found on some competing air rifles.

TEST TARGETS​

BUY FROM PYRAMYD
JTS Airacuda PRS Max PCP Air Rifle 0.22 ​

This entire article including scoring, test targets etc is Copyright Hard Air Magazine and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the publisher.


The post JTS Airacuda PRS Max Air Rifle Test Review .25 Caliber appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Billm]

Definitely looks like it has potential. I only have one possibly two burning question: was there any tuning done prior to shooting the test targets and if so what kind of tuning?

 

[hameditor]

Definitely looks like it has potential. I only have one possibly two burning question: was there any tuning done prior to shooting the test targets and if so what kind of tuning?

@Billm , no tuning. We always shoot our review guns "straight out of the box", rested, of course. Our thinking is that our results represent what "the Average Joe" might expect to achieve. Those owners who want - and are capable of - tuning the gun, will undoubtedly do better than us.

Whenever we make any tuning in a review, it's always clearly stated. Like this:

Air Venturi MicroStrike Tuning Techniques And Data - Hard Air Magazine

MicroStrike tuning is a big part of the product attraction. You can easily change the regulator setting and hammer spring tension settings.

hardairmagazine.com

Hope that helps

 

[Billm]

@Billm , no tuning. We always shoot our review guns "straight out of the box", rested, of course. Our thinking is that our results represent what "the Average Joe" might expect to achieve. Those owners who want - and are capable of - tuning the gun, will undoubtedly do better than us.

Whenever we make any tuning in a review, it's always clearly stated. Like this:

Air Venturi MicroStrike Tuning Techniques And Data - Hard Air Magazine

MicroStrike tuning is a big part of the product attraction. You can easily change the regulator setting and hammer spring tension settings.

hardairmagazine.com

Hope that helps

I really like to hear that. I’m sure you’re aware of why I’m asking and I’ll address it elsewhere rather than polluting your thread. Needless to say, admirable results for an out of the box sub $600 rifle. Hopefully someone will post some 100yd .30 results.

 

[hameditor]

I really like to hear that. I’m sure you’re aware of why I’m asking and I’ll address it elsewhere rather than polluting your thread. Needless to say, admirable results for an out of the box sub $500 rifle. Hopefully someone will post some 100yd .30 results.

I have to tell you that we didn't even clean the barrel. I just filled the air and Doug started shooting!

No specially-selected pellets either. We just open the tin and shoot whatever's there.

So I agree with you that this gun gave admirable results. It definitely shows potential...

 

[Pumacarl]

There's tuning, and there is checking for safety reasons. I think that shooting these guns out of the box is dangerous unless the retailer already checked it. When I originally received my P15, almost all of the screws inside the block were loose. I have seen that on other price point guns too. As far as cleaning goes, Joe Average is going to have to clean his gun like everybody else eventually, so he really should do it before he starts shooting his gun. The barrels of imports are commonly stuffed with cosmoline. If someone I know gets an airgun, springers too, I have them bring it to me and we clean the bore first, and I check that all the screws are tight. Just shooting it out of the box is a bad practice that I do not condone at all. If someone doesn't want to do it they should buy from someone who will do the initial work for them. Just winging it and hoping that everything works out, and allowing for, and accepting that behavior as reasonable, or to be expected from Joe Average needs to change. They put messages on the sides of cigarette packages about the dangers, so maybe they should put a message on the side of airgun boxes to inspect and clean the gun before using, too. Everybody has been talking about expectations lately, well lets stop putting forth the expectation that you don't have to do anything when you get an airgun, that you can just rip it out of the box and start shooting. Just my opinion on it, and what I do. What do you all do for yourself, and around your family and friends?

 

[Billm]

There's tuning, and there is checking for safety reasons. I think that shooting these guns out of the box is dangerous unless the retailer already checked it. When I originally received my P15, almost all of the screws inside the block were loose. I have seen that on other price point guns too. As far as cleaning goes, Joe Average is going to have to clean his gun like everybody else eventually, so he really should do it before he starts shooting his gun. The barrels of imports are commonly stuffed with cosmoline. If someone I know gets an airgun, springers too, I have them bring it to me and we clean the bore first, and I check that all the screws are tight. Just shooting it out of the box is a bad practice that I do not condone at all. If someone doesn't want to do it they should buy from someone who will do the initial work for them. Just winging it and hoping that everything works out, and allowing for, and accepting that behavior as reasonable, or to be expected from Joe Average needs to change. They put messages on the sides of cigarette packages about the dangers, so maybe they should put a message on the side of airgun boxes to inspect and clean the gun before using, too. Everybody has been talking about expectations lately, well lets stop putting forth the expectation that you don't have to do anything when you get an airgun, that you can just rip it out of the box and start shooting. Just my opinion on it, and what I do. What do you all do for yourself, and around your family and friends?

I think a magazine reviewer should be able to take an air rifle out of the box and safely review it without tuning it and I think they did that with the review.
I’ve never once said that a new gun shouldn’t be inspected for basic integrity. It’s sad, but what you’re saying is so true. One of the airguns I recently purchased had loose screws rolling around in the box and I had to reinstall them before shooting. Another has a permanent marker stripe where the max fill is, which makes me think it’s used . That prompted me to look it over before trying it. Unfortunately the average buyer of their first PCP probably doesn’t have anyone to guide them through the process.
My sole point is that every airgun should have an “inherent” level of accuracy out of the box. Inherent being used in its literal sense: “characteristic attribute”. That inherent accuracy should be commensurate with its cost to a certain degree. Simply put: a more expensive rifle (measured in $100’s) should perform better out of the box than a rifle that costs $100’s less. Keeping it on topic, the review in my opinion showed the rifle shot very good groups out of the box and now it’s up to the shooter to tune it to its max tune desired. Whether or not an airgun is safe as-is out if the box is another story.

 

[Pumacarl]

Bill, manufacturers put preservative in barrels to protect them, and it's a good thing for it to be there. The barrels should be cleaned out of this preservative before firing, period. It should say that on the box. If the buyer isn't willing to do it, then they need to get someone else to, or not bother with shooting at all. If it's a reviewer pulling it out of the box then they should be showing that when you pull yours out of the box, clean the barrel first. Some reviewers do actually show and say this, Nate does, good for him. Cleaning the barrel is not tuning, it is basic maintenance and gun prep for just shooting, anything. Reviews are not meant to be lessons, I'm aware, but it is a good lesson to teach. Nobody should be firing a new barrel stilll filled with the original factory grease in it. Reviews should not even be started at all until the guns are fit to shoot, which means cleaning the gunk out of the barrel. Just because some guns shoot well dirty doesn't justify leaving it that way.

And to be clear, I'm talking about the "shooting the gun right out of the box" reviews, not yours or anyone else's lately. And in my opinion bad habits are unsafe themself, so to me, I don't believe that a reviewer should just be able to pull a gun out of a box and review it by firing it. I would never stand by and let someone I know do this.

 

[Billm]

Bill, manufacturers put preservative in barrels to protect them, and it's a good thing for it to be there. The barrels should be cleaned out of this preservative before firing, period. It should say that on the box. If the buyer isn't willing to do it, then they need to get someone else to, or not bother with shooting at all. If it's a reviewer pulling it out of the box then they should be showing that when you pull yours out of the box, clean the barrel first. Some reviewers do actually show and say this, Nate does, good for him. Cleaning the barrel is not tuning, it is basic maintenance and gun prep for just shooting, anything. Reviews are not meant to be lessons, I'm aware, but it is a good lesson to teach. Nobody should be firing a new barrel stilll filled with the original factory grease in it. Reviews should not even be started at all until the guns are fit to shoot, which means cleaning the gunk out of the barrel. Just because some guns shoot well dirty doesn't justify leaving it that way.

And to be clear, I'm talking about the "shooting the gun right out of the box" reviews, not yours or anyone else's lately. And in my opinion bad habits are unsafe themself, so to me, I don't believe that a reviewer should just be able to pull a gun out of a box and review it by firing it. I would never stand by and let someone I know do this.

Fair point. I did that with the Alpha. I polished the barrel before shooting it. The first patches came out brown with Cosmoline or whatever.

 

[hameditor]

OK maybe a little explanation would be in order.

You will notice that when we review an airgun in HAM there will previously have been a shorter post giving an overview of the product. We check over the gun at that stage.

So when we undertake a review we know that the gun is in a safe condition. We're not stupid!

But we shoot it "out of the box " in the sense that we do not tune the gun or undertake any special technical preparation. We also shoot unselected ammo. The intention is to give a review that is as representative as possible of the product. If the user manual supplied with the gun gives any special advice, we follow that to the letter.

 

[Pumacarl]

OK maybe a little explanation would be in order.

You will notice that when we review an airgun in HAM there will previously have been a shorter post giving an overview of the product. We check over the gun at that stage.

So when we undertake a review we know that the gun is in a safe condition. We're not stupid!

But we shoot it "out of the box " in the sense that we do not tune the gun or undertake any special technical preparation. We also shoot unselected ammo. The intention is to give a review that is as representative as possible of the product. If the user manual supplied with the gun gives any special advice, we follow that to the letter.

I know, we have actually had this conversation before. Twice. I still think that cleaning the barrel is not an option to exclude. That's all. it is my adamant opinion, and offered as such.

 

[Franklink]

Whether the reviews are initial, "out of the box" assessments, or much deeper, "let's see what this baby is capable of" deep dives, somebody can find something to complain about.

 

[Billm]

Whether the reviews are initial, "out of the box" assessments, or much deeper, "let's see what this baby is capable of" deep dives, somebody can find something to complain about.

I thought about buying the .30 version. But, I’d like it to have a little more power. Not for knockdown, just more latitude to play with. But, yes a deep dive would be appropriate/appreciated.

 

[Pumacarl]

Whether the reviews are initial, "out of the box" assessments, or much deeper, "let's see what this baby is capable of" deep dives, somebody can find something to complain about.

You know, I'm really big on praising people when they do well too. I don't hold back on my genuine opinions. It may seem like a whiny complaint to some, but I only want what I believe to be the best outcome for all of us.

 

[Franklink]

You know, I'm really big on praising people when they do well too. I don't hold back on my genuine opinions. It may seem like a whiny complaint to some, but I only want what I believe to be the best outcome for all of us.

It was a general observation.

There's merit to Archer's box opening, OEM-state type reviews. And there's merit to the really deep dives, where people are modifying and experimenting and spending months wringing out every ounce of potential performance.

Both require effort and time. Both seem to be generally underappreciated.

And yes, Im a bit salty about all the time I've spent on the BW review, only to get folks pissing and moaning about all the shared information. Lots and lots and lots of time and effort spend shooting, documenting, editing, and formatting into enjoyable reports. My only payment is knowing that folks enjoy it. And all the complaints remove even that small incentive.

Anyway, great review of this JTS offering @hameditor, THANK YOU for taking the time and effort and being willing to share it.

 

[Scriv]

It was a general observation.

There's merit to Archer's box opening, OEM-state type reviews. And there's merit to the really deep dives, where people are modifying and experimenting and spending months wringing out every ounce of potential performance.

Both require effort and time. Both seem to be generally underappreciated.

And yes, Im a bit salty about all the time I've spent on the BW review, only to get folks pissing and moaning about all the shared information. Lots and lots and lots of time and effort spend shooting, documenting, editing, and formatting into enjoyable reports. My only payment is knowing that folks enjoy it. And all the complaints remove even that small incentive.

Anyway, great review of this JTS offering @hameditor, THANK YOU for taking the time and effort and being willing to share it.

But, but everyone loves to piss, and moan. Especially when they haven't been the one doing the work.

 

[Franklink]

But, but everyone loves to piss, and moan. Especially when they haven't been the one doing the work.

Yep.
I really get a kick out of the complaints about a particular model of gun from people who don't own one, nor have they ever shot or even touched that model.

It's almost as absurd as complaining about a review when someone has put in the effort to thoroughly document a gun, sharing the results openly.

 

[Pumacarl]

My point was that the simple work of cleaning the barrel wasn't done, and no review can be considered thorough, if the barrel wasn't even cleaned. Unless you actually never intend to clean the barrel. Seriously, what do you guys do? What do you want to see done, and how? Let's talk about it. That's what forums are for. I don't like to see out of the box reviews, from anybody, period, because I would never shoot one that way or let anyone I know do it. I am not taking a dump on the HamEditor and all the work he puts in, I just don't think that it's a good example to show new airgunners what they can expect if they don't want to do what they really should do, when they get a new gun.

What should I do, say nothing and act like I'm alright with it? Well I'm not. If you are, then thumbs up the review and carry on. Just think about how you do things and if you can square up not cleaning a new barrel, or tell someone else not to bother either. after reading your stuff, I highly doubt it.

Forget it, I'm done talking about this.

 

[Spit-in-Lead]

So coming back around to the original post, it's great to see this platform offered at a price point that encourages people to take up BR shooting. The chassis looks to have a well thought out build and in calibers we all like. I feel like manufacturers at this stage of the game need to keep upping the ante so to speak by making features like the external reg a standard - ease of tuning is a must have. I understand that to keep pricing at this level you must make concessions. Nice job JTS with the offering.

 

[Franklink]

My point was that the simple work of cleaning the barrel wasn't done, and no review can be considered thorough, if the barrel wasn't even cleaned. Unless you actually never intend to clean the barrel. Seriously, what do you guys do? What do you want to see done, and how? Let's talk about it. That's what forums are for. I don't like to see out of the box reviews, from anybody, period, because I would never shoot one that way or let anyone I know do it. I am not taking a dump on the HamEditor and all the work he puts in, I just don't think that it's a good example to show new airgunners what they can expect if they don't want to do what they really should do, when they get a new gun.

What should I do, say nothing and act like I'm alright with it? Well I'm not. If you are, then thumbs up the review and carry on. Just think about how you do things and if you can square up not cleaning a new barrel, or tell someone else not to bother either. after reading your stuff, I highly doubt it.

Forget it, I'm done talking about this.

My comments aren't an attack on you.

As someone who does reviews, we're in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.
Do everything possible to make it shoot to its potential and someone is upset that it wasn't shot as-is, straight out of the box. Shoot it straight out of the box and people get mad about that.

I guess it's about what I should expect for a hobby so predominantly enjoyed by grumpy old men just looking for something to gripe about.

I haven't shot the BW for two weeks because the next logical step is to lapp and polish the factory barrel, and I just KNOW we're gonna get bitching about however that works out on the target paper. So to avoid listening to the complaints about the results of polishing it and seeing effects it has, I simply....haven't. When/if I do get around to it, I may just keep the results to my airgun buddies that I know are going to enjoy it for the educational value. As opposed to throwing pearls to the swine.