wolfmangreg
HAM Ranger
Spoiler alert: It is awesome. Really, really wish I hadn't waited so long. Been threatening to get one for years, for indoor shooting during the winter. Ironically, it was this summer's heat (still 90s forecast in mid-September... yuck) that finally convinced me I needed an indoor option, pronto. As age increases, my tolerance for hot, humid weather is decreasing.
Considered two routes; getting a new Crosman Challenger 2021, or an older used model. Convinced I'd have been pleased as punch with a Challenger, but it's a light rifle & decades of experience have proven beyond a doubt that I simply don't shoot as well with them, especially offhand. Put out feelers to see what could be had in the used market at a reasonable price, and was surprised to get a very fast response. Better yet, from someone I've met at field target shoots, & trust. He had an older rifle that was still in very good shape, & would sell at a very good price. Did a quick search, and learned that this model was, for a brief time in the mid-80's, at the top of the 10 meter mountain. Closed the deal, & made arrangements to pick it up in person a few days later. We were both happy to skip the hassle of shipping!
Ladies & gentlemen, a German gem from the Reagan era- the Feinwerkbau 600 single stroke pneumatic.
All the metalwork is in excellent shape, and other than some minor dings & wear, the stock ain't bad either. She's had a little work done- adjustable Gehmann iris on both rear & front sights, and the original buttplate replaced by an MEC Contact. The irises are, in my opinion, a great upgrade. Can really sharpen the sight picture by adjusting them according to the lighting conditions. Had diopter sights on a CZ rimfire ~20 years ago, & forgot how enjoyable they are to use on bullseye targets.
First order of business was testing some pellets, benched of course. RWS R10 8.2 grain in 5.50mm were the winner, with H&N Match Finale 8.2 grain, 5.50mm a very close 2nd. Also tried some JSB 8.4 grain domes that were in my collection. Must be fairly old as they had a head size sticker on the tin, which I haven't seen on any JSB tins for years. They did well, though not quite on par with the wadcutters- the R10's were producing 5-shot groups the size of one pellet nearly every time, hard to beat that! As one of the test targets shows, there were no dogs in the bunch:
Final 5-shot group with the R10 to confirm zero:
For those unfamiliar with the official 10 meter target bull, the 10 "ring" is a dot, literally the size of a typewriter period. And this rig can center it, every time. Time to stand on my hind legs with absolutely no excuses; every time the 9 & 10 rings aren't replaced with a hole, it's my fault. No missed wind calls, no ranging errors, no holdover mistakes. Every hole on every bull traces directly back to my shot execution, or lack thereof.
And lawd amighty do I have some catching up to do. Was a pretty good offhand shot in my late twenties & early thirties, practicing regularly with rimfires. Unfortunately, offhand shooting is among the most perishable of skills. Practiced sporadically with airguns when shooting AAFTA style field target, then not at all for the last four years. So you can see where this is headed...
Shot my first two offhand cards Saturday night at Wyandot County Airgunners after a UFT match. They have a 10 meter setup in the clubhouse, so after the monthly club meeting, the match director & I set up some targets. Shot a 72/100 & 78/100. No great shakes but honestly, was happy as hell with those. Figured on 40-50ish & wouldn't have been surprised if they were lower than that.
Side note- Going to start a HAM 10-meter online match, will post something up in the next few weeks. Finalizing some ideas- will include traditional 10-meter standing with .177, but also at least one other, less physically demanding position, and scored with .22 plug so those without a .177 can join in.
Side note #2- Googled the sticker on the rifle. It's an airgun & rimfire shooting club in Switzerland, apparently still active (at least their website still is)!
Side note #3- If you've never shot a dedicated, high level 10 meter rifle, make it a point to do so if at all possible. Not necessarily buy one (though I wouldn't discourage you
), but at least handle & shoot one. Have been blessed to own some wonderful "sporting" air rifles over the years with excellent build quality, smooth actions, great triggers etc. But this thing... just wow. It's a different animal.
Considered two routes; getting a new Crosman Challenger 2021, or an older used model. Convinced I'd have been pleased as punch with a Challenger, but it's a light rifle & decades of experience have proven beyond a doubt that I simply don't shoot as well with them, especially offhand. Put out feelers to see what could be had in the used market at a reasonable price, and was surprised to get a very fast response. Better yet, from someone I've met at field target shoots, & trust. He had an older rifle that was still in very good shape, & would sell at a very good price. Did a quick search, and learned that this model was, for a brief time in the mid-80's, at the top of the 10 meter mountain. Closed the deal, & made arrangements to pick it up in person a few days later. We were both happy to skip the hassle of shipping!
Ladies & gentlemen, a German gem from the Reagan era- the Feinwerkbau 600 single stroke pneumatic.
All the metalwork is in excellent shape, and other than some minor dings & wear, the stock ain't bad either. She's had a little work done- adjustable Gehmann iris on both rear & front sights, and the original buttplate replaced by an MEC Contact. The irises are, in my opinion, a great upgrade. Can really sharpen the sight picture by adjusting them according to the lighting conditions. Had diopter sights on a CZ rimfire ~20 years ago, & forgot how enjoyable they are to use on bullseye targets.
First order of business was testing some pellets, benched of course. RWS R10 8.2 grain in 5.50mm were the winner, with H&N Match Finale 8.2 grain, 5.50mm a very close 2nd. Also tried some JSB 8.4 grain domes that were in my collection. Must be fairly old as they had a head size sticker on the tin, which I haven't seen on any JSB tins for years. They did well, though not quite on par with the wadcutters- the R10's were producing 5-shot groups the size of one pellet nearly every time, hard to beat that! As one of the test targets shows, there were no dogs in the bunch:
Final 5-shot group with the R10 to confirm zero:
For those unfamiliar with the official 10 meter target bull, the 10 "ring" is a dot, literally the size of a typewriter period. And this rig can center it, every time. Time to stand on my hind legs with absolutely no excuses; every time the 9 & 10 rings aren't replaced with a hole, it's my fault. No missed wind calls, no ranging errors, no holdover mistakes. Every hole on every bull traces directly back to my shot execution, or lack thereof.
And lawd amighty do I have some catching up to do. Was a pretty good offhand shot in my late twenties & early thirties, practicing regularly with rimfires. Unfortunately, offhand shooting is among the most perishable of skills. Practiced sporadically with airguns when shooting AAFTA style field target, then not at all for the last four years. So you can see where this is headed...
Shot my first two offhand cards Saturday night at Wyandot County Airgunners after a UFT match. They have a 10 meter setup in the clubhouse, so after the monthly club meeting, the match director & I set up some targets. Shot a 72/100 & 78/100. No great shakes but honestly, was happy as hell with those. Figured on 40-50ish & wouldn't have been surprised if they were lower than that.
Side note- Going to start a HAM 10-meter online match, will post something up in the next few weeks. Finalizing some ideas- will include traditional 10-meter standing with .177, but also at least one other, less physically demanding position, and scored with .22 plug so those without a .177 can join in.
Side note #2- Googled the sticker on the rifle. It's an airgun & rimfire shooting club in Switzerland, apparently still active (at least their website still is)!
Side note #3- If you've never shot a dedicated, high level 10 meter rifle, make it a point to do so if at all possible. Not necessarily buy one (though I wouldn't discourage you
), but at least handle & shoot one. Have been blessed to own some wonderful "sporting" air rifles over the years with excellent build quality, smooth actions, great triggers etc. But this thing... just wow. It's a different animal.
