Another Nova Freedom 22 Experience

[cclingma]

Received my Nova Freedom 22 on Friday and thought I’d share some of what I’ve seen and done with it.  With these rifles still being mysterious creatures of sorts I thought some pictures would be good too.

As others have I done I used the Chronograph to find that on high power I could get 8 shots from 2900psi to 2200psi averaging 811fps with a little under 2% spread shooting JSB 18.1gr pellets.  I also found that on low power I could get 20 shots with 6% or so spread using Crosman. 14.3gr pellets.  I didn’t adjust the hammer spring as I’m not really looking to pump this gun to any higher pressure for now.  I shot 20 yards indoors on low power to see which pellets it likes.  Seems to like JSB 18.1 but I was happy to see it group everything I tried pretty well.  10 shot groups on the pellet test white paper target.

Took it outside to try 50 yard grouping on two occasions.  The weather was far from great both times.  Some wind, a little drizzle, kinda yuck out.  First picture shows first two 50 yard groups and you can see on the right target where I used one shot to find holdover.  Second pic was the next day with a little worse conditions and a first shot where I forgot holdover.

I know I was really curious about the size of the rifle so here are some pics with my .25 Marauder and Blue Streak for reference.  Also a picture showing the range of motion it takes to pump it.  That faceless man pumping the gun is me and I’m about 160lbs 5ft 9in for reference.

A little more shooting and I began to believe I was having a shifting point of impact.  Seemed after a cycle or two of pumping the rifle I would have to zero the scope again.  This is a UTG 3x9x32AO scope that has served me well and a set of proven rings so I started looking at the rifle.  I haven’t shot enough more to be certain but I have a idea of what could be going on.  This gun uses a end plug like a ole Benjamin 312 where a set screw is used to hold the pump pivot pin in place.  My set screw was loose allowing the pin to rotate.  The pin has one end that is not perfectly round either from when it was cut or maybe it’s even peened a little to help hold it in place.  Whatever the reason it nots perfectly round and it runs through the front barrel band.  With my pin being out of round and being able to spin I believe it was applying varying pressure to the barrel band as it turned while I pumped.  I tightened it up but time will tell if it made any difference.  Tried to take a picture showing end plug setup.


WOW, I goofed on these pictures.  Trying to avoid Photobucket but this didn’t turn out so well.

[mentolio]

Those are some pretty good looking groups! As far as the pivot pin goes: is that a grub screw at the very end of the pivot? The little hole to the left of the pivot in the picture, I mean. If it is, it looks like it's purpose could be to capture the pivot pin and stop it from spinning? Anyway, thanks for posting! I'm really starting to like what I'm seeing in these guns.

[Wayne52]

Great groups and very good energy coming out of that gun for sure !!! It's definitely got the edge for the latest pumpers out these days

I gave up on photobucket a long time ago, I now use Flickr which seems to be doing a fantastic job!

[cclingma]

The little hole to the left of the pivot in the picture, I mean. If it is, it looks like it's purpose could be to capture the pivot pin and stop it from spinning?

It is a grub or set screw and it was loose allowing the pin to spin.  I tightened it up and the pin held for the few times that I pumped it after tightening.

[Back_Roads]

 Mine had a screw floating around in the packaging, I couldn't find a place for it, I better check there 

[cclingma]

Mine had a screw floating around in the packaging, I couldn't find a place for it, I better check there 

I had a floater screw too.  Mine can from the rear most trigger adjustment location.  Sear engagement I believe.  I think it’s going to get some vibratite.

I’m also trying to solve my shifting POI after pumping situation.  I have another idea but I’m troubleshooting and testing on a very limited time allotment.

[chwillbill68]

Are these guns regulated?

Thanks Bill C!

[cclingma]

Are these guns regulated?

Nope.  But, with the onboard pump it’s very convenient to self regulate.  Shoot a couple shots, pump a few pumps, and the air pressure barely ever changes therefore producing consistent velocity.

[Back_Roads]

 These are awesome guns " Just Git 1" LOL 

[chwillbill68]

Is american tactical the only one selling these guns?   Thanks Bill C!

[cclingma]

Doddssports has them listed but has always shown out of stock when I’ve looked.

[tkerrigan]

I've received two of these from Dodd Sports, both times I had to leave my email in the to be notified field and within two days both times I was notified they were in stock.  And it is a bit cheaper than ordering from American Tactical.  Regards, Tom

[Back_Roads]

 I think Dodd's drop ships from American Tactical aka "warehouse B"

[cclingma]

Free floated the barrel which I believe cured the shifting POI issue that this Nova Freedom had.  It appears that when the air cylinder is pressurized it pushes against the barrel shroud with force dependent upon tube pressure.  From the factory the shroud and barrel are fixed together by a bushing that goes over the barrel inside the shroud that is situated at the barrel band.  I took out the bushing and used one wrap of Teflon tape (not the plumbing type but still a Teflon material) around the shroud under the barrel band to keep it from clacking/rattling when pumping.  Anywho, shot these six groups at various times throughout the day today.  Slightly different conditions each time but pretty gentle winds nonetheless.  All are 5 shot groups at 50 yards and I had the pressure in the sweet spot as best I could.  I’m thinking in the hands of someone who routinely shoots good groups these rifles may really shine.