Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology Deep Dive

Today we’re taking an Air Venturi Ascent specs and technology deep dive.

Why? Well, it’s because of the considerable amount of interest that there is in this new air rifle, together with its unusual configuration of being a PCP with its own built-in High Pressure Air pump. Note that, as we covered in a previous article, the Ascent is a “generation 2” version of a model originally sold as the ATI Nova Freedom.

For ease of reading, I have put much of the information into tables. However some key points are called-out with additional explanation.

And – before going further – I would like to recognize the input from Tyler Patner, Air Venturi’s Product Manager. Tyler was very helpful in answering my questions and providing additional background.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Price And Performance​

The most remarkable thing here is the price. In 2018, the Nova Freedom sold for $380 – and that was a bargain compared to the only other PCP available with a built-in pump! That other model was the FX Independence which was selling for around $1,500 at the time near the end of its production life.

In 2026, the Air Venturi Ascent is selling for $300. Oh, OK, $299.99 to be precise.

Clearly that’s a much-reduced price. However we need to also take into account the significant inflation that has happened in that period. In fact that $380 price would be no less than $507.14 in today’s Dollars!

So comparing the prices in 2026 Dollars, we see that the Ascent’s 2026 price is actually an amazing 40% less than the original Nova Freedom. And that’s combined with more power and more shots per fill WOW!

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Price	$380 ($507 in 2026 Dollars)	$299.99
Muzzle Energy .22 Cal	30 Ft/Lbs	38 Ft/Lbs
Shot Count .22 Cal (no intra-shot pumping)	13 to 25	29 to 39
HPA Tube Volume	120 cc	170 cc
.25 Cal available	No	Yes
Interchangeable Calibers	No	Yes
Full Range of Spare Parts Available	No	Yes
Weight (no scope)	8 Lbs 1 Oz	8 Lbs 6 Oz

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Duty Cycle​

Undoubtedly the largest impact on performance has been the onboard HPA capacity. The Ascent’s HPA tube has a 40% increase in volume compared to that of the Nova Freedom. In fact, it’s a very similar part to the long tube of the HAM Gold Award-winning Air Venturi Avenger.

The larger air tube allows the shooter to make more shots without the need to pump again. However, you need to pump more to return to the original pressure…

That larger HPA tube is shown in the photograph below.

In addition – as Tyler explains – the larger tube also allowed for the internal parts to be enlarged and generally beefed-up. Air Venturi confirmed this with a 5,000-shot life cycle test.

In .22 caliber, this took 177 cycles of pumping from empty to 3,650 PSI. No less than 38,000 pumps! “And the gun still functions and pumps as it should after the final cycle,” Tyler told me.

Oh, and the hero who undertook the majority of that testing was Cory from Air Venturi. He shows you how it’s done in this video…


I’m going to add that – if you operate the Ascent in “human regulator mode”, making four or five pumps between each shot – it’s also a certainty that the built-in pump will give an even higher duty cycle compared to the 220 pumps per fill as in the Air Venturi test.

Heat build-up is the enemy of HPA pumps and making fewer at one time keeps the pump’s internal temperature down.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Usability Improvements​

In addition, the Ascent incorporates a number of changes from the Nova Freedom. Most of these are improvements, particularly the much-improved location of the HPA fill port. Now it’s considerably more convenient to fill the Ascent from a HPA tank or compressor.

The Hi/Lo power transfer port switch of the Nova Freedom was obviously no longer necessary with the improved shot count and power characteristics of the Ascent.

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Transfer Port Switch	Yes	No
Pump Lever Lock	In Receiver	In Pump Hndle
HPA Fill Port	Under Pump Handle	In Side of Action
Open Sights	Yes	No
Bundled Scope	No	Yes
Scope Rail	Dovetail	Picatinny/Dovetail Combo

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Serviceability​

Now I would like to say something about parts availability and potential future repairs. That Air Venturi testing indicates the Ascent will be a very reliable air rifle.

The Ascent is also supplied with TWO kits of spare O rings. In addition, as we noted above, the Air Venturi Ascent has a complete range of spare parts available. You can find them online, in stock and ready to order at Pyramyd Air.

Also provided on that web page is a series of excellent, detailed parts diagrams.

This level of support is outstanding and – in my opinion – a benchmark for the entire airgun industry!

However I am going to advise you NEVER to try to repair the Ascent yourself, except for very minor changes such as repairing bolt probe O rings, for example. I can tell you that – in spite of my strong level of PCP airgun knowledge – I would definitely not try to make repairs myself.

But why? There’s actually two reasons. Firstly the Ascent is a very complex air rifle. Second is the fact that the gun still has considerable internal HPA pressure in the tube EVEN WHEN THE GUN HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DE-GASSED!

Huh?

The reason is that the Ascent includes a very clever internal system that contributes strongly to the remarkably flat shot curve demonstrated by both the Nova Freedom and Ascent. (You will also find it in the Umarex Origin, another Gold Award-winning unregulated PCP with a remarkably flat shot curve).

In simple terms, the HPA air tube has a pre-set “counter pressure” at one end. This is filled and set at the factory to a pressure in the region of 2,000 PSI.

There’s a “balancer” in the HPA tube (Part 116 and associated O rings) that moves back and forth within that tube as the HPA fill pressure changes. This increases the air volume shown to the firing valve as the remaining HPA pressure drops, giving a more consistent shot-to-shot Muzzle Velocity.

I think of it as something like an air spring mechanism. It could also be regarded as a type of regulator. It’s the reason that the FPS remains quite consistent until it drops like a stone at the end of the shot string.

The point to understand is that this significant “counter pressure” is always in the gun. Even when you have degassed the Ascent (or Nova Freedom) and the pressure gauge shows zero, that “counter pressure” (~2,000 PSI) is still there! It cannot be released without a special tool and jig that are not available for purchase.

Clearly that gives the potential for any repair attempts for the Ascent to become very dangerous very quickly! Again, I strongly urge that you do not attempt to repair the Ascent, in the unlikely event that a problem occurs.

My strong recommendation is that you add Pyramyd Air’s two-year Service Contract when buying your Ascent. That lets you leave any repairs to the professionals. In my opinion, it’s a bargain at $35.99!

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Don’t Reduce The Hammer Spring Tension​

As another part of my pre-review investigations, I tried reducing Ascent’s hammer spring tension. In fact, I backed-out the setting screw by 1 1/2 turns – right out. The result is shown in the graph below.

Compared to the factory setting, we see that the change increases the “full to empty” shot count by 10 – making a total of 39. Yes, the FPS was reduced, but not by much. And the total power (sum of individual Muzzle Energies in the string) for one fill of HPA was increased, as expected.

So is this worth doing?

My answer is no. In spite of the reduced FPS, I still needed five pumps between shots to retain a consistent velocity – the “manual regulator” in action. So there’s no improvement there. Plus, the Standard Deviation (shot-to-shot variability) was worse than with the factory setting.

Also at minimum hammer spring setting the Aspen generated a loud ringing noise – like a bell – whenever the test gun was fired. I didn’t like that at all!

Here’s a case where I believe it’s best to leave well alone, just as they set it at the factory.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – What’s The Same?​

So here’s the key features and technology that have NOT changed between the two iterations of this design. They show the basic soundness of the original product concept.

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Built-In HPA Pump	Yes	Yes
Balancer System	Yes	Yes
Fill Pressure	3,625 PSI	3,625 PSI
Degassing Screw	Yes	Yes
Burst Disk	Yes	Yes
2-Stage Adjustable Trigger	Yes	Yes
10-Shot Rotary Magazine (.22 Cal)	Yes	Yes
Sidelever Cocking	Yes	Yes
Manual Safety	Yes	Yes
Adjustable Hammer Spring	Yes	Yes
Length	43 Inches	43 Inches

I liked the original Nova Freedom, but the “gen 2” Ascent builds on that and seems (so far) even better. Full HAM review to follow…

BUY FROM PYRAMYD
Air Venturi Ascent PCP Air Rifle 0.22​

The post Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology Deep Dive appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Air Hunter 521]

Today we’re taking an Air Venturi Ascent specs and technology deep dive.

Why? Well, it’s because of the considerable amount of interest that there is in this new air rifle, together with its unusual configuration of being a PCP with its own built-in High Pressure Air pump. Note that, as we covered in a previous article, the Ascent is a “generation 2” version of a model originally sold as the ATI Nova Freedom.

For ease of reading, I have put much of the information into tables. However some key points are called-out with additional explanation.

And – before going further – I would like to recognize the input from Tyler Patner, Air Venturi’s Product Manager. Tyler was very helpful in answering my questions and providing additional background.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Price And Performance​

The most remarkable thing here is the price. In 2018, the Nova Freedom sold for $380 – and that was a bargain compared to the only other PCP available with a built-in pump! That other model was the FX Independence which was selling for around $1,500 at the time near the end of its production life.

In 2026, the Air Venturi Ascent is selling for $300. Oh, OK, $299.99 to be precise.

Clearly that’s a much-reduced price. However we need to also take into account the significant inflation that has happened in that period. In fact that $380 price would be no less than $507.14 in today’s Dollars!

So comparing the prices in 2026 Dollars, we see that the Ascent’s 2026 price is actually an amazing 40% less than the original Nova Freedom. And that’s combined with more power and more shots per fill WOW!

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Price	$380 ($507 in 2026 Dollars)	$299.99
Muzzle Energy .22 Cal	30 Ft/Lbs	38 Ft/Lbs
Shot Count .22 Cal (no intra-shot pumping)	13 to 25	29 to 39
HPA Tube Volume	120 cc	170 cc
.25 Cal available	No	Yes
Interchangeable Calibers	No	Yes
Full Range of Spare Parts Available	No	Yes
Weight (no scope)	8 Lbs 1 Oz	8 Lbs 6 Oz

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Duty Cycle​

Undoubtedly the largest impact on performance has been the onboard HPA capacity. The Ascent’s HPA tube has a 40% increase in volume compared to that of the Nova Freedom. In fact, it’s a very similar part to the long tube of the HAM Gold Award-winning Air Venturi Avenger.

The larger air tube allows the shooter to make more shots without the need to pump again. However, you need to pump more to return to the original pressure…

That larger HPA tube is shown in the photograph below.

In addition – as Tyler explains – the larger tube also allowed for the internal parts to be enlarged and generally beefed-up. Air Venturi confirmed this with a 5,000-shot life cycle test.

In .22 caliber, this took 177 cycles of pumping from empty to 3,650 PSI. No less than 38,000 pumps! “And the gun still functions and pumps as it should after the final cycle,” Tyler told me.

Oh, and the hero who undertook the majority of that testing was Cory from Air Venturi. He shows you how it’s done in this video…


I’m going to add that – if you operate the Ascent in “human regulator mode”, making four or five pumps between each shot – it’s also a certainty that the built-in pump will give an even higher duty cycle compared to the 220 pumps per fill as in the Air Venturi test.

Heat build-up is the enemy of HPA pumps and making fewer at one time keeps the pump’s internal temperature down.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Usability Improvements​

In addition, the Ascent incorporates a number of changes from the Nova Freedom. Most of these are improvements, particularly the much-improved location of the HPA fill port. Now it’s considerably more convenient to fill the Ascent from a HPA tank or compressor.

The Hi/Lo power transfer port switch of the Nova Freedom was obviously no longer necessary with the improved shot count and power characteristics of the Ascent.

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Transfer Port Switch	Yes	No
Pump Lever Lock	In Receiver	In Pump Hndle
HPA Fill Port	Under Pump Handle	In Side of Action
Open Sights	Yes	No
Bundled Scope	No	Yes
Scope Rail	Dovetail	Picatinny/Dovetail Combo

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Serviceability​

Now I would like to say something about parts availability and potential future repairs. That Air Venturi testing indicates the Ascent will be a very reliable air rifle.

The Ascent is also supplied with TWO kits of spare O rings. In addition, as we noted above, the Air Venturi Ascent has a complete range of spare parts available. You can find them online, in stock and ready to order at Pyramyd Air.

Also provided on that web page is a series of excellent, detailed parts diagrams.

This level of support is outstanding and – in my opinion – a benchmark for the entire airgun industry!

However I am going to advise you NEVER to try to repair the Ascent yourself, except for very minor changes such as repairing bolt probe O rings, for example. I can tell you that – in spite of my strong level of PCP airgun knowledge – I would definitely not try to make repairs myself.

But why? There’s actually two reasons. Firstly the Ascent is a very complex air rifle. Second is the fact that the gun still has considerable internal HPA pressure in the tube EVEN WHEN THE GUN HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DE-GASSED!

Huh?

The reason is that the Ascent includes a very clever internal system that contributes strongly to the remarkably flat shot curve demonstrated by both the Nova Freedom and Ascent. (You will also find it in the Umarex Origin, another Gold Award-winning unregulated PCP with a remarkably flat shot curve).

In simple terms, the HPA air tube has a pre-set “counter pressure” at one end. This is filled and set at the factory to a pressure in the region of 2,000 PSI.

There’s a “balancer” in the HPA tube (Part 116 and associated O rings) that moves back and forth within that tube as the HPA fill pressure changes. This increases the air volume shown to the firing valve as the remaining HPA pressure drops, giving a more consistent shot-to-shot Muzzle Velocity.

I think of it as something like an air spring mechanism. It could also be regarded as a type of regulator. It’s the reason that the FPS remains quite consistent until it drops like a stone at the end of the shot string.

The point to understand is that this significant “counter pressure” is always in the gun. Even when you have degassed the Ascent (or Nova Freedom) and the pressure gauge shows zero, that “counter pressure” (~2,000 PSI) is still there! It cannot be released without a special tool and jig that are not available for purchase.

Clearly that gives the potential for any repair attempts for the Ascent to become very dangerous very quickly! Again, I strongly urge that you do not attempt to repair the Ascent, in the unlikely event that a problem occurs.

My strong recommendation is that you add Pyramyd Air’s two-year Service Contract when buying your Ascent. That lets you leave any repairs to the professionals. In my opinion, it’s a bargain at $35.99!

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Don’t Reduce The Hammer Spring Tension​

As another part of my pre-review investigations, I tried reducing Ascent’s hammer spring tension. In fact, I backed-out the setting screw by 1 1/2 turns – right out. The result is shown in the graph below.

Compared to the factory setting, we see that the change increases the “full to empty” shot count by 10 – making a total of 39. Yes, the FPS was reduced, but not by much. And the total power (sum of individual Muzzle Energies in the string) for one fill of HPA was increased, as expected.

So is this worth doing?

My answer is no. In spite of the reduced FPS, I still needed five pumps between shots to retain a consistent velocity – the “manual regulator” in action. So there’s no improvement there. Plus, the Standard Deviation (shot-to-shot variability) was worse than with the factory setting.

Also at minimum hammer spring setting the Aspen generated a loud ringing noise – like a bell – whenever the test gun was fired. I didn’t like that at all!

Here’s a case where I believe it’s best to leave well alone, just as they set it at the factory.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – What’s The Same?​

So here’s the key features and technology that have NOT changed between the two iterations of this design. They show the basic soundness of the original product concept.

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Built-In HPA Pump	Yes	Yes
Balancer System	Yes	Yes
Fill Pressure	3,625 PSI	3,625 PSI
Degassing Screw	Yes	Yes
Burst Disk	Yes	Yes
2-Stage Adjustable Trigger	Yes	Yes
10-Shot Rotary Magazine (.22 Cal)	Yes	Yes
Sidelever Cocking	Yes	Yes
Manual Safety	Yes	Yes
Adjustable Hammer Spring	Yes	Yes
Length	43 Inches	43 Inches

I liked the original Nova Freedom, but the “gen 2” Ascent builds on that and seems (so far) even better. Full HAM review to follow…

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Air Venturi Ascent PCP Air Rifle 0.22​

The post Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology Deep Dive appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

I Just purchased the Air Venturi Ascent 22 cal. as well as a better more high power mill dot scope. I have sighted it in and shot more than 50 rounds through it and find it to be highly accurate and consistent placing shots almost in the same hole at 50 yards. You can keep your maximum pressure by pumping about 5 rounds per shot without losing performance or accuracy, although it is a bit heavy to pack, it is a all day it is a performer. The beauty part of this is you don't have to pack a pump or tank to refill, you never run out of optimal air pressure if you keep it pumped up after shots. Some may not like the pump right there option but I do and with the barracuda hunter extreme pellets it is death to squirrels and varmints. The scope that comes with the gun isn't that good, so I suggest a much better scope preferably a good mill dot.

 

[hameditor]

I Just purchased the Air Venturi Ascent 22 cal. as well as a better more high power mill dot scope. I have sighted it in and shot more than 50 rounds through it and find it to be highly accurate and consistent placing shots almost in the same hole at 50 yards. You can keep your maximum pressure by pumping about 5 rounds per shot without losing performance or accuracy, although it is a bit heavy to pack, it is a all day it is a performer. The beauty part of this is you don't have to pack a pump or tank to refill, you never run out of optimal air pressure if you keep it pumped up after shots. Some may not like the pump right there option but I do and with the barracuda hunter extreme pellets it is death to squirrels and varmints. The scope that comes with the gun isn't that good, so I suggest a much better scope preferably a good mill dot.

Thanks for your input and welcome to the HAM Community!

I'm delighted to hear that the Ascent is working well for you too.

 

[Madhatter]

The high low switch on the Aspen/freedom just wasted air. All you needed to do is lower your HS tension.

 

[passenger]

Today we’re taking an Air Venturi Ascent specs and technology deep dive.

Why? Well, it’s because of the considerable amount of interest that there is in this new air rifle, together with its unusual configuration of being a PCP with its own built-in High Pressure Air pump. Note that, as we covered in a previous article, the Ascent is a “generation 2” version of a model originally sold as the ATI Nova Freedom.

For ease of reading, I have put much of the information into tables. However some key points are called-out with additional explanation.

And – before going further – I would like to recognize the input from Tyler Patner, Air Venturi’s Product Manager. Tyler was very helpful in answering my questions and providing additional background.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Price And Performance​

The most remarkable thing here is the price. In 2018, the Nova Freedom sold for $380 – and that was a bargain compared to the only other PCP available with a built-in pump! That other model was the FX Independence which was selling for around $1,500 at the time near the end of its production life.

In 2026, the Air Venturi Ascent is selling for $300. Oh, OK, $299.99 to be precise.

Clearly that’s a much-reduced price. However we need to also take into account the significant inflation that has happened in that period. In fact that $380 price would be no less than $507.14 in today’s Dollars!

So comparing the prices in 2026 Dollars, we see that the Ascent’s 2026 price is actually an amazing 40% less than the original Nova Freedom. And that’s combined with more power and more shots per fill WOW!

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Price	$380 ($507 in 2026 Dollars)	$299.99
Muzzle Energy .22 Cal	30 Ft/Lbs	38 Ft/Lbs
Shot Count .22 Cal (no intra-shot pumping)	13 to 25	29 to 39
HPA Tube Volume	120 cc	170 cc
.25 Cal available	No	Yes
Interchangeable Calibers	No	Yes
Full Range of Spare Parts Available	No	Yes
Weight (no scope)	8 Lbs 1 Oz	8 Lbs 6 Oz

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Duty Cycle​

Undoubtedly the largest impact on performance has been the onboard HPA capacity. The Ascent’s HPA tube has a 40% increase in volume compared to that of the Nova Freedom. In fact, it’s a very similar part to the long tube of the HAM Gold Award-winning Air Venturi Avenger.

The larger air tube allows the shooter to make more shots without the need to pump again. However, you need to pump more to return to the original pressure…

That larger HPA tube is shown in the photograph below.

In addition – as Tyler explains – the larger tube also allowed for the internal parts to be enlarged and generally beefed-up. Air Venturi confirmed this with a 5,000-shot life cycle test.

In .22 caliber, this took 177 cycles of pumping from empty to 3,650 PSI. No less than 38,000 pumps! “And the gun still functions and pumps as it should after the final cycle,” Tyler told me.

Oh, and the hero who undertook the majority of that testing was Cory from Air Venturi. He shows you how it’s done in this video…


I’m going to add that – if you operate the Ascent in “human regulator mode”, making four or five pumps between each shot – it’s also a certainty that the built-in pump will give an even higher duty cycle compared to the 220 pumps per fill as in the Air Venturi test.

Heat build-up is the enemy of HPA pumps and making fewer at one time keeps the pump’s internal temperature down.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Usability Improvements​

In addition, the Ascent incorporates a number of changes from the Nova Freedom. Most of these are improvements, particularly the much-improved location of the HPA fill port. Now it’s considerably more convenient to fill the Ascent from a HPA tank or compressor.

The Hi/Lo power transfer port switch of the Nova Freedom was obviously no longer necessary with the improved shot count and power characteristics of the Ascent.

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Transfer Port Switch	Yes	No
Pump Lever Lock	In Receiver	In Pump Hndle
HPA Fill Port	Under Pump Handle	In Side of Action
Open Sights	Yes	No
Bundled Scope	No	Yes
Scope Rail	Dovetail	Picatinny/Dovetail Combo

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Serviceability​

Now I would like to say something about parts availability and potential future repairs. That Air Venturi testing indicates the Ascent will be a very reliable air rifle.

The Ascent is also supplied with TWO kits of spare O rings. In addition, as we noted above, the Air Venturi Ascent has a complete range of spare parts available. You can find them online, in stock and ready to order at Pyramyd Air.

Also provided on that web page is a series of excellent, detailed parts diagrams.

This level of support is outstanding and – in my opinion – a benchmark for the entire airgun industry!

However I am going to advise you NEVER to try to repair the Ascent yourself, except for very minor changes such as repairing bolt probe O rings, for example. I can tell you that – in spite of my strong level of PCP airgun knowledge – I would definitely not try to make repairs myself.

But why? There’s actually two reasons. Firstly the Ascent is a very complex air rifle. Second is the fact that the gun still has considerable internal HPA pressure in the tube EVEN WHEN THE GUN HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DE-GASSED!

Huh?

The reason is that the Ascent includes a very clever internal system that contributes strongly to the remarkably flat shot curve demonstrated by both the Nova Freedom and Ascent. (You will also find it in the Umarex Origin, another Gold Award-winning unregulated PCP with a remarkably flat shot curve).

In simple terms, the HPA air tube has a pre-set “counter pressure” at one end. This is filled and set at the factory to a pressure in the region of 2,000 PSI.

There’s a “balancer” in the HPA tube (Part 116 and associated O rings) that moves back and forth within that tube as the HPA fill pressure changes. This increases the air volume shown to the firing valve as the remaining HPA pressure drops, giving a more consistent shot-to-shot Muzzle Velocity.

I think of it as something like an air spring mechanism. It could also be regarded as a type of regulator. It’s the reason that the FPS remains quite consistent until it drops like a stone at the end of the shot string.

The point to understand is that this significant “counter pressure” is always in the gun. Even when you have degassed the Ascent (or Nova Freedom) and the pressure gauge shows zero, that “counter pressure” (~2,000 PSI) is still there! It cannot be released without a special tool and jig that are not available for purchase.

Clearly that gives the potential for any repair attempts for the Ascent to become very dangerous very quickly! Again, I strongly urge that you do not attempt to repair the Ascent, in the unlikely event that a problem occurs.

My strong recommendation is that you add Pyramyd Air’s two-year Service Contract when buying your Ascent. That lets you leave any repairs to the professionals. In my opinion, it’s a bargain at $35.99!

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – Don’t Reduce The Hammer Spring Tension​

As another part of my pre-review investigations, I tried reducing Ascent’s hammer spring tension. In fact, I backed-out the setting screw by 1 1/2 turns – right out. The result is shown in the graph below.

Compared to the factory setting, we see that the change increases the “full to empty” shot count by 10 – making a total of 39. Yes, the FPS was reduced, but not by much. And the total power (sum of individual Muzzle Energies in the string) for one fill of HPA was increased, as expected.

So is this worth doing?

My answer is no. In spite of the reduced FPS, I still needed five pumps between shots to retain a consistent velocity – the “manual regulator” in action. So there’s no improvement there. Plus, the Standard Deviation (shot-to-shot variability) was worse than with the factory setting.

Also at minimum hammer spring setting the Aspen generated a loud ringing noise – like a bell – whenever the test gun was fired. I didn’t like that at all!

Here’s a case where I believe it’s best to leave well alone, just as they set it at the factory.

---

Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology – What’s The Same?​

So here’s the key features and technology that have NOT changed between the two iterations of this design. They show the basic soundness of the original product concept.

ATi Nova Freedom	Air Venturi Ascent
Built-In HPA Pump	Yes	Yes
Balancer System	Yes	Yes
Fill Pressure	3,625 PSI	3,625 PSI
Degassing Screw	Yes	Yes
Burst Disk	Yes	Yes
2-Stage Adjustable Trigger	Yes	Yes
10-Shot Rotary Magazine (.22 Cal)	Yes	Yes
Sidelever Cocking	Yes	Yes
Manual Safety	Yes	Yes
Adjustable Hammer Spring	Yes	Yes
Length	43 Inches	43 Inches

I liked the original Nova Freedom, but the “gen 2” Ascent builds on that and seems (so far) even better. Full HAM review to follow…

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Air Venturi Ascent PCP Air Rifle 0.22​

The post Air Venturi Ascent Specs And Technology Deep Dive appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

I purchased the .25 Ascent and really like it, neat tech. I also purchased the .22 barrel kit. I have to use heavy .22 pellets to keep them subsonic. 21gr(s) average 960fps. I see the .177 Ascent is now available and I am considering buying but don't know if it is possible to keep any weight .177 pellet within a reasonable velocity.

 

[pan60]

@passenger
Welcome to HAM

 

[Adrian Q]

Passenger makes a good point - I was wondering that too. Does anyone know if Tyler (Pyramyd air and Air Venturi person) would have the answer to that? Or perhaps someone else knows?

I am still enjoying mine in .25 and in order to get the best out of it i have started tracking strings of shots with an Athlon Chronograph. I saw that its FPS had dropped from its initial 850-870 to 820-830.

After a little reading, I decided to turn the hammer spring in. It was easily accessible from the top of the stock - facing you as you hold the gun in aiming position. I turned it in a half turn and then tested it. It moved the speed to an average of 850. The screw itself moved easily. Had the hammer screw unscrewed via vibration or had it just weakened a little as it wore in? I don’t know.

Here’s a funny thing. I bought this gun because I wanted to test out long range field target and didn’t want to buy a compressor if I wasn’t sure I liked it. I wasn’t expecting this gun to be so accurate, and so much fun to shoot. So I’ve ended up buying a compressor to fill a pump up gun. It’s a slippery slope.

 

[passenger]

Passenger makes a good point - I was wondering that too. Does anyone know if Tyler (Pyramyd air and Air Venturi person) would have the answer to that? Or perhaps someone else knows?

I am still enjoying mine in .25 and in order to get the best out of it i have started tracking strings of shots with an Athlon Chronograph. I saw that its FPS had dropped from its initial 850-870 to 820-830.

After a little reading, I decided to turn the hammer spring in. It was easily accessible from the top of the stock - facing you as you hold the gun in aiming position. I turned it in a half turn and then tested it. It moved the speed to an average of 850. The screw itself moved easily. Had the hammer screw unscrewed via vibration or had it just weakened a little as it wore in? I don’t know.

Here’s a funny thing. I bought this gun because I wanted to test out long range field target and didn’t want to buy a compressor if I wasn’t sure I liked it. I wasn’t expecting this gun to be so accurate, and so much fun to shoot. So I’ve ended up buying a compressor to fill a pump up gun. It’s a slippery slope.

What shoots well for you? The JTS Dead Center .25 29.32gr are the best for me so far though most pellets shoot well. I start at 3000 PSI and do 10 pumps after each shot.

 

[Adrian Q]

I am shooting the JSB Heavy Kink MK2. I confess I haven't tried any others because these group well across all ranges. You are getting better SD than I am - my SDs are around 5 as I recall - I pump it to 3500 and shoot down to about 2500. I find that I get about 15 or 16 shots good shots.

 

[passenger]

I am shooting the JSB Heavy Kink MK2. I confess I haven't tried any others because these group well across all ranges. You are getting better SD than I am - my SDs are around 5 as I recall - I pump it to 3500 and shoot down to about 2500. I find that I get about 15 or 16 shots good shots.

The numbers for above are for an 8 shot mag. The SD should stay good as long as I continue to pump back to 3000 after each shot. But the 80 pumps required for each mag is a little tiring.

 

[Adrian Q]

I agree. It's a fantastic concept, but it is a lot of pumping. You'll be so strong! ;-)