Nova Freedom Technical Review

[toine]

I focus more on pellet testing and some chrony numbers in this review than in most, and will be doing a more generic review in the future for certain. I just really found the whole concept behind this rifle intriguing and starting getting a bit too into the weeds to include this depth of information in one of my standard reviews, so here is a more in depth and technical review than I had planned.

BTW - I am not a fan of how this one came out, but the data is too good not to share.

https://vimeo.com/airgunsarp/novafreedom

[skorec]

Thanks for sharing ----   Max3600 PSI and hamer spring preloading ability are good featers.
I am just  thinking  why the  max  power   ( 30 FPE/.22/18.3gr )     is able to  reach  only at so high 3000 PSI air presure.
 Air transfer port/way should be verry small and barrel should be verry short  because at another PCP is able to reach  at 2000 PSI  or less 

[toine]

It may indeed be capable of more than 30fpe, but that's as far as I tried so far. I'm keeping this rifle, so I'll be doing some more with it I'm sure.

[makoda]

It appears that your group sizes are mostly affected by variance in fps.  Accuracy wise it may be on par with the .177, but the .177 seems to hold together better due to less variance in fps over the course of a handful of shots.

[toine]

It appears that your group sizes are mostly affected by variance in fps.  Accuracy wise it may be on par with the .177, but the .177 seems to hold together better due to less variance in fps over the course of a handful of shots.

I agree, to an extent. I want to take the shroud off and take a look at the barrel crown to rule that out, as I have a suspicion that this rifle has a rough crown, something common with many rifles targeted at the entry market. I will say shots 1, 2 and 10 do seem to be most affected by velocity differences.

The 50cc cylinder I think is what is making this difficult to deal with HOWEVER, in the field, I'd just be comfortable knowing I can get 3-5 great shots, then know when i have to repump to keep riding that curve. Having the built in pump requires a different mindset than a traditional PCP to me.

[Dairyboy]

Excellent review! I really enjoy mine and is a keeper to me. If there carried by someone with PayPal I will likely buy one in .22 as well as it's a fun gun and I'm very happy with the performance as well.

[Back_Roads]

Excellent review! I really enjoy mine and is a keeper to me. If there carried by someone with PayPal I will likely buy one in .22 as well as it's a fun gun and I'm very happy with the performance as well.

Hmmm pay pal a member or friend you trust and they can have it shipped to you ?

[skorec]

It appears that your group sizes are mostly affected by variance in fps.  Accuracy wise it may be on par with the .177, but the .177 seems to hold together better due to less variance in fps over the course of a handful of shots.

I agree, to an extent. I want to take the shroud off and take a look at the barrel crown to rule that out, as I have a suspicion that this rifle has a rough crown, something common with many rifles targeted at the entry market. I will say shots 1, 2 and 10 do seem to be most affected by velocity differences.

The 50cc cylinder I think is what is making this difficult to deal with HOWEVER, in the field, I'd just be comfortable knowing I can get 3-5 great shots, then know when i have to repump to keep riding that curve. Having the built in pump requires a different mindset than a traditional PCP to me.

Typical hunting scenario is one or two shots only.

[travelbike]

To maintain the desired tank pressure and hopefully maintain a flat FPS, do you think pumping after every shot (maybe 1, 2 or 3 depending on power level))  will be better ?

[toine]

To maintain the desired tank pressure and hopefully maintain a flat FPS, do you think pumping after every shot (maybe 1, 2 or 3 depending on power level))  will be better ?

I would say the best way to use it would be to first determine what your desired power level/shot count is, then work from there. For instance, I know that to get 5x 32FPE shots with the JSB 18.13gr pellets required I believe 24 pumps. I think that was around 2800PSI, but would need to double check with the production rifle to be certain. Knowing that, I would agree with you about taking a few shots, then re-pumping as necessary.

[cclingma]

If I’m calculating properly I see a 20 shot (2 mag) string on low power there that has less than 4% deviation.  Dropping off the first and last three shots.  In my limited experience that seems great for only 50cc air.

[Nomadic Pirate]

Seems like a very versitale rifle indeed.

[toine]

Seems like a very versitale rifle indeed.

Is does, and I  was just informed that a wood stock variant is in the works as well.

[Back_Roads]

 I got to play with mine today, pumping is a breeze, I prefer it to using a hand pump even. Found holding it like a pair of garden lopper shears pointed upwards, and use a scissors action , moving the pump handle and the gun stock equally works best for me.

[oldpro]

 Man I want to order one so bad but must pay the tax man.

[toine]

I got to play with mine today, pumping is a breeze, I prefer it to using a hand pump even. Found holding it like a pair of garden lopper shears pointed upwards, and use a scissors action , moving the pump handle and the gun stock equally works best for me.

I think your description is 100% spot on as to what I found to be the most natural way for pumping this rifle. One thing I do want to stress, is that it is indeed on the easy side to pump. The manufacturer says an average 24lb of force is needed to pump the rifle, and I that seems right to me. One thing I do want to share is I currently and in PT for an injured/possible torn rotator cuff, and I had no problems whatsoever pumping this rifle.

[toine]

Man I want to order one so bad but must pay the tax man.

I'll have a few videos over the course of the weekend tearing mine down. I took the stock off tonight, and will be working on the rest as time permits. The wood stock variant has me intrigued. I was chatting with the owner of American Tactical yesterday via email, and he shared that the wood stock will have some checkering on it. Really curious as to how that will look.

[Grabber73]

Finally got to shoot mine today. It has been raining since it came in so had to squeeze in some rounds in between. During the down time I took the forearm stock off to see what was possible to make it more tactical (ie rails etc). I can tell you there is nothing on the market that I have found that will work without a ton of modification and fabrication. During my inspection of the barrel shroud I found that the barrel is about 4.25" short of the shroud end cap. The crown was totally flat. I should say there is a lack of a crown. The positive side is that the barrel shroud end cap is threaded and easily removed to easily see the end of the barrel.

I don't have a chrony so most of my info is based on trial, shooting, and currently 3/4" plywood. 10 pumps gave me 2 High Power (HP) shots and 4 Low Power (LP) shots. 20 pumps gave me 5 full HP shoots. I did make the cocking spring heavier by 3 full turns. I can tell you that on the HP setting using 17.2gr Ruger Superpoint pellets  that a 3/4" piece of plywood is not enough. My shoots went cleanly through the plywood, ricocheted off the dirt and penetrate 1/4" into a standard wood fence board at 20yrds. On low power these same pellets almost go through the 3/4" plywood at 20yrds. Once I get better weather I will pump it full and do a phone book test.

So far I am thoroughly impressed with this gun. Sights are spot on right out the box. Easier to pump than my son's Daisy 880. Plenty of power even on the LP setting. My one issue is the plastic stock. It is plastic. For something like this it would have been nice to have actual composite. Not sure how the wood stock would be weight wise. The gun weighs in at 8.7lbs already which is about the same as an M4 with a loaded 30rd mag. However, this gun is very front heavy. A wood stock may balance that out more but adding to much more weight might make it uncomfortable to shoot from a standing position for a length of time.

I would add pictures but I am to new to the forums currently.

[mentolio]

I enjoyed your review, thanks for sharing it. Now you've got me trying to figure out how to afford one of these. I can't believe I'm saying this (because I prefer .22), but I might be in Nomadic Pirate's camp in liking this gun in .177.