New Rifle in the stable

[Dick Tracey]

I will post pictures tomorrow.  This has been a whirlwind 2 days.  It started Sept 28th Sun. I was perusing my iPad before going to sleep and went to my wish list on Amazon.  WOW!! A Crosman Challenger Used like new for 275.00 and 8.89 Shipping sold by big blue wholesale.  Description said it looked like an open box situation.  I bit on it and bought it.  Mon got email it had been shipped.  Today Tues Brown rang the door bell and left package on door step.  Now I live in East TN and Big Blue Wholesale is in KY.  That is about the cheapest and fastest delivery I have ever experienced. 

With great concern I examined the box and opened it.  It was not double boxed, however the box was in good shape.  Upon opening the box I found a 2009 Challenger in pristine shape.  All paper work is there and the Degasser tool and two allen wrenches.  All looks good.  There is no air in the rifle but the bolt does work and will cock the rifle.  Dry fire shows that the trigger works.  Quick get the air tank and air it up.  Connected the tank and cracked the valve.  I can hear the hissssing sound of air escaping  somewhere.  Looked up and noticed the papers on the bench in front of the barrel are being moved by air flow.  I decided to open the tank valve a little more and I heard the familiar M-Rod click and the air stopped hisssing and the gauge started to show air pressure.  I filled up to 2,000 PSI stopped and let cool down and refill to 2K PSI.  closed tank valve, released air bleed and removed the hose.  Gun gauge holding steady at 2K.  Even though it was Dark Thirty out I loaded a pellet and pointed at target 35 feet away.  Almost audible ping and thwak of pellet hitting target.  Tried again, ping...thwak.  Hey this thing is really accurate.  Now I need sights or scope and daylight.

So far it looks like I got a very good deal.  Now lets see I beleive there are some posts about more POWER from these Rifles.

I will try to get some Chrono data andpics tomorrow.  Ever since the Better Half retired I have been on the go.  Good news is the honey do list is getting smaller.

DT

[Ddgrego]

Sounds great and we like pics! lol

[BillK]

Good score Dick.  Enjoy....

[CarsonRatSniper]

You got a great deal!
I bought the Challenger powertrain with Mrod trigger for $125. No breech, barrel or stock.
Its a Discovery with a roughly 2.5" longer pressure tube at the rear to accommodate the transfer bar assembly.

I put a 27" TJ's 25 ACP barrel on mine and after some tweaking and refining of the factory valve (SIMPLE mods!) I'm averaging 70 ft lbs with cast bullets.
I converted mine with a Crosman steel breech only using my drill press to drill 1 hole in the breech to use an 8-32 machine screw to secure the breech to the top hole in the transfer bar inside the tube.
Its the most bomber breech install I've seen and its only held on with 1 screw. It not worthy transfer port poly washers right down to crush them into place for zero leaks.

Here's mine:



Here's what I did for a breech. Its a rear cocker now and it loads separately from cocking.



I've heard its fantastic in 177 and gets around 100 shots per fill.

DO NOT cock the bolt back if you remove the top end - 2 ball bearings hold your bolt in place and you will lose them.
Turn it upside down to remove the top end.

Anyway, if You want to make her scream PM me and I will send you detailed 'how to'.

Enjoy!



BTW - I have a new 2260 stock I modified to fit the Challenger into while I was doing R&D and waiting from my Double tube stock & kit. Its got a small rail on the bottom of the forend to attach a light to.
If you want a beater stock for hunting $50 shipped and includes attachment hardware.
PM for pics if you're interested.

[kj]

excellent find, some guys get all the luck--or at least more than me.

peace
kj

[Dick Tracey]

As promised here are pictures







I have found a problem though  it appears to have a slow leak.  I putti up last night pumped to 2K and this morning it was at 1K.  I pumped it up again to 2K and about 5 hrs later it was at 1K.  I might call Crosman tomorrow to see if I can get seal kit under warranty.

DT

[Topend Yobbo]

Very nice air rifle mate , nice find.

[Dick Tracey]

OK,  accuracy test.  Since the rifle came sans sights, I took a used eBay purchased scope (a 3 - 9 x 32 Tasco).  Mounted the scope and zeroed it in. After putting a full 2K PSI charge in it.  I started shooting the 10 meter target and soon got bored I would start a new hole and then shoot at that hole for about 10 shots.  Usually a ragged hole with maybe one or two fliers which I seemed to pull to the right.  OK change to the 20 yard target  scope still seems to be holding the zero.  Shot at the 20 yard target for quit a while same results.  OK boredom surfaces again,  started shooting the leaves off the trees behind the 20 yard target.  This is getting a little more challenge to it.  It took about 2 or three shots to hit the leaf stem.  Was successful in shooting the leaves so I went back to the 10 meter target.  I shot about 45 mins to an hour and still had about 1.2K Charge left.  I was using CPHP pellets during this test.  One last shot and when I was loaded I looked at the 10 meter target and saw this.



This might help explain the noise level of the rifle.  lol
Actually the squirrel was standing on the pellet trap.  Here are a couple more pics.  Apologies for the poor quality using my iPone 5 zoomed out to the max and hand held.





Once he went to the back of the yard towards the 20 yard target I took careful a little to the left and squeezed the trigger.  Poof, the nut in his mouth disappeared.  Exactly what I was aiming for.  The poor nutter just stood there for about 2 mins shaking his tail and then he took off.

At this time I decided to quit while I was ahead.  I also ordered the Crosman match sights from PA to put a challenge in the shooting.  This rifle is probably more accurate then my .25 MRod but it is also slower.  I will try to get some Chrono numbers tomorrow.  I LIKE THIS RIFLE !

DT

[darren]

That mutter is now she'll shocked
" honest honey, I was on my way home and the nut just FLEW out of my mouth!...........no I haven't been drinking with the chipmunks again......BUT honey it Flew out..."


Darren