FX Streamline .22 who owns & loves it like me?

[JoeKool]

Hey GTA peoples!

JoeKool here, 
I purchased a walnut FX streamline in .22 back in August 2017 it's working out well for me.  This rifle does all I need it to do.  This post is to tell all about my experiences with this air rifle and open the floor for anyone who may like to take part in sharing positives on their ownership of the FX Streamline .22.

Firstly, this is my first pcp.  I’m a long time highend self-tuned springer guy, but...  I wanted what my research and feature desires concluded to be a fine, accurate, and powerful starter pcp for my purposes.  Purposes being hunting/pesting, targeting, and possible future competitive ventures.

My FX Streamline setup includes:
 
-Walnut Streamline .22 (30fpe or FAC)
-Huggett Moderator
-Hawke Airmax 30mm 4-16x50 AMX IR
-FX No-Limit high 30mm mounts
-Scope mounted inti-cant bubble level
-4 extra 14 shot FX standard magazines (the new FX Royale mags.)
-FX Single Shot tray
-Sling studs & Sling
-Utg Heavy Duty 6.5” to 9.5” bipod
-Hill MK4 hand pump w/ moisture removal pack
-Plenty tins of 500 count JSB Exact 18.13 & 15.89’s
-Roman Engineering yard marking labels for SF scope wheel

Okay now that you know what I’m working with I’ll tell you all about the out of box impressions and first three months of shooting and owning this gun.  I could go into long detail about installation and setup of all accessories but I’ll shorten all of that by saying all accessories are mounted and work without a hitch to fit my needs.

Out of the box:
Trigger = Sweet (1 pound)
Cocking lever action = Sweet
Smooth twist barrel accuracy = Sweet
Build Quality = Sweet
Noise level = Sweet
Power Adjustment = Sweet
Hawke Airmax 30 on FX No-Limit mounts = Sweet
Magazine functionality = Sweet
Hills MK4 pump = Sweet

The shooting experience.  Well, after zeroing @ 20 yards this Streamline continued pellet on pellet groups from 10 to 40 yards (5 shot group after 5 shot group).  At 40 to 60 yards group sizes where 0.5 inch repeatedly, and at 60 to 75 yards 0.5 and 0.75 inch (5 shot groups).  3 months of shooting and she still is producing this same level of accuracy.

Velocity and Energy. 
This gun and barrel is made for JSB EXACTS 18.13 & 15.89 grain, but I found another pellet it likes that is
a in-between weight compared to the JSB’s, and those pellets are the H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 grain.  There are other pellets I’ve found to be good as well but they don’t  deliver the consistent energy levels and velocities that I want.

Power level 3: (48 shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 , 880 fps - 31fpe
JSB 15.89 , 925 fps - 30fpe
H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 , 880 fps - 31fpe

Power level 2:  ( 80+ shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 ,695 fps - 19fpe
JSB 15.89 , 725fps - 18fpe
H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 , 695fps - 19fpe

Power level 1:  ( 100+ shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 ,495 fps - 10fpe
JSB 15.89 , 525fps - 10fpe
H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 , 495fps - 10fpe

I’m happy with this.

Now the gun wasn’t all perfect, there were a few trigger retainer screws that backed out a little on me, but a drop of blue locktite and a re-snug is all that took to permanently fix that, what I consider very minor issues.  With the thousands of rounds I have shot through this Streamline I could easily understand how the heavy use of pulling that trigger made a small screw work a little loose.  But if thats all the problems this rifle gives me I have a winner here.  Not a airgun I own hasn't needed a screw or bolt tightened.

More resently, in the last two months (November & December 2017) my FX Streamline .22 is well broken in and is holding up in every way.  But...  The innermost tuner tinker-er inside wondered, “Can I get more out of it”?  I thought I bet it would be sweet to squeeze more power out of this streamline.  But how?  A hammer spring adjustment thats how!  So that’s just what I tried.  Not without issues though. 

To make a long story short.  I stripped the factory hammer spring adjustment inset hex bolt!  Oh boy, “I broke the darn thing now”! But, with some research phone calls and $20bucks.  I found a local machine shop and I took the stripped hammer spring adjustment bolt to and with the Machinist’s skills and tools. He determined the odd-ball metric size and thread pitch of that bolt.  Which was 16m x 1.0mm thread pitch and 0.75 inches long.  Well, he made me three of them out of brass, Perfect!

So, I rushed home and installed the new custom  hammer spring adjustment bolt.  Which fitted and worked like a charm and then proceeded to chronograph and adjust the hammer spring tension.  Well I settled at what I consider the sweetest power and velocity setting.  Balancing harmonics with the 140bar pressure setting on the regulator, air usage, stability, sound, and velocity.  Here are my results and where the tune will permanently remain set to.

Power level 3: (40 shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 , 905 fps - 32fpe (Sweet!)
JSB 15.89 , 940 fps - 31fpe (Sweet!)
H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 , 905 fps - 32fpe (Sweet!)

Power level 2:  ( 75 shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 ,705 fps - 19fpe
JSB 15.89 , 740fps - 18fpe
H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 , 705fps - 19fpe

Power level 1:  ( 100+ shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 ,505 fps - 10fpe
JSB 15.89 , 540fps - 10fpe
H&N Sniper Magnum 17.90 , 505fps - 10fpe

So in conclusion, I lost 8 shots off the top of the shot count. I say, “So what and big deal!”  What I’ve gained is a flatter shooting more powerful tack driver whose point of impact and aim doesn’t change with 3 different weight pellets or power settings.  As far as the power settings go:  0, 4, and 9 are my magic numbers on my Hawke Airmax scope.  On power level #3 turn the elevation turret to “0”, power level #2 -  “4” mil on the turret, and power level #1 it’s “9” on the turret.  Dead on every time (20 yard zero)!  Well, I know this is a long read but I had to share my experiences with my first PCP air rifle the FX Streamline .22 in walnut.  This gun is a keeper, I didn’t even get into the hard hitting long range kills and 150 yard exploding golfball shots I’ve made.

I like this thing, I really like it!!!

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Congratulations Joe !!!      Sounds like a really GREAT Rifle !         I'm glad that you were able to get.. This Fixed : > (  I stripped the factory hammer spring adjustment inset hex bolt!)

My Best Wishes - Tom

[ranchibi]

Joe, excellent rifle and mod! Sure glad you got 3 hammer bolt replacements made from brass! How nice is that!? Keep us updated on your new luv

[Marc In Iowa]

Great to see you getting the results you want in a rifle you like! I've heard of some quality control issues on the Streamline. Hopefully FX has those sorted out!

I've admired the Streamline design and have thought of getting one sometime. I like the repeatable, 3 position power adjuster. I shoot mostly lead-free for plinking and lead for Field Target practice; 2 distinct power levels needed.

What I'm doing now is simply 2 rifles:
22 GTO, lead-free plinking, Discovery
177 JSB Exact Heavy, FT, GAMO Coyote

I'm in the process of evaluating the GAMO Urban to replace the Discovery (I like the Urban magazine load better).

You're getting 3 accurate, repeatable power levels with a single rifle. Nice!

[Josan]

Thanx for your impressions. I also like the rifle. I thought it was only sold with a composite stock. Could you post a picture of yours?

[Thiel]

If you are up for testing then try a huma regulator.

[Marc In Iowa]

... thousands of rounds I have shot

What is your experience of the need for cleaning to maintain accuracy?

[Marc In Iowa]

Power level 3: (40 shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 , 905 fps - 32fpe
JSB 15.89 , 940 fps - 31fpe
H&N 17.90 , 905 fps - 32fpe

How's the accuracy been at 940 fps?

[JoeKool]

... thousands of rounds I have shot

What is your experience of the need for cleaning to maintain accuracy?

I only clean a air rifle’s barrel when accuracy falls off.  If I notice groups opening up at lets say, 20 yard target testing.  This happened a couple times in the last 5 months thats the only time I clean barrels except for on a brand new out of the box setup on a new rifle in case of any factory gunk in there.  I’ve cleaned the Streamline barrel ( smooth twist) three times since new.  My cleaning method is simple and non damaging to the barrel also.  Three Ballistol lubricant soaked patches pulled through barrel followed by three or four more dry patch pull throughs, works every time.  Accuracy always comes back on the very next shots after cleaning for me.

Power level 3: (40 shots on the regulator 230bar fill)
JSB 18.13 , 905 fps - 32fpe
JSB 15.89 , 940 fps - 31fpe
H&N 17.90 , 905 fps - 32fpe

How's the accuracy been at 940 fps?

Stable with no wobble or anything (a laser) in wind and all.  I think its due to the smooth twist barrel.  20 yards and out to 100 yards there was no accuracy loss.  Actually it improved.  Before the tune I used a one mildot holdover at 50 yards, after the tune only a half mildot to bullseye @ 50 yards.  Stability is there and I’ll take it.  I’ve always heard you lose stability above 950fps but I think that depends on barrel and pellet quality & weight.

If you are up for testing then try a huma regulator.

Trust me I’ve been researching on doing this.  It will probably happen sooner or later.  I realize a HUMA regulator could improve shot count standard deviation and extreme spread.

Thanx for your impressions. I also like the rifle. I thought it was only sold with a composite stock. Could you post a picture of yours?

I’ll post pictures on this very thread soon.

[Brian Smith]

I'm sure glad for you JK.  Sounds like the 22 I still want.  I had to send the original back.  It leaked and worse it was not at all accurate like my 25 cal Streamline.  Thanks for the report.  Happy new year...Brian

[JoeKool]

Thanx for your impressions. I also like the rifle. I thought it was only sold with a composite stock. Could you post a picture of yours?

Here she is!

[MonsterMaxx]

I like my .25 Streamline a lot.  Results much like yours.  It performs as advertised out to 100yds.
I like my .30 Impact a WHOLE LOT!  Haven't even shot the streamline since I got it.

Really have to decide what I'm going to do with it.  Since I don't shoot it, I should sell it, but I can't bring myself to selling such a sweet rifle.  I've had a couple low ball offers, but I've no need to sell so it's not gone anywhere.

I take it to the field (Cross, SC) when I go, but last two times, it never left the bag.

[Johnsairmadness]

I totally agree. I have had my .22 syn. Stock one about a year. It has been Great! All I have done is adjusted the trigger to my liking. My is set to 860fps. using a 15.9gr JSB. I have not adjusted the HST due to stripping the plug and mine is so accurate why mess with it. 3/16" @ 40-50yds and 1 1/4" groups @100yds.  I did order one in .25 and sent it back due to accuracy issues. Wasn't nothing like my .22.

[Nomadic Pirate]

I really like rifles that have a variable consistent power wheel

[Brian Smith]

I do as well.  A cool feature that is pretty handi in my small back yd range. Yet nice to have full power at Times.. Brian

 

I really like rifles that have a variable consistent power wheel

[JoeKool]

Thanks you guys!  Sorry about some of your troubles with some Streamlines.

[Nutcracker]

I could not get mine over 880 on 18 grain & then I ordered 4 different mags & none of them fit. To fat. I sold it to one of the salesman that stops by my office.  I personally like my Wildcat better, it is more accurate and shoots 16 grain @960. For some reason the 16 grainers hold tighter groups in my WC.  I will say for a traditional rifle the Streamline is pretty nice.

[CatbirdSHV]

Love the light weight, accuracy and shot count.  The only niggle I am not completely happy with is the trigger.  Do what?  Yes, even though the trigger OOB is 15-16 oz., it is not as crispy as I know a trigger can be.  My reference point is a PB, the Remington 541S or T rimfire .22 LR's.  Those triggers are so very extra deluxe true to the feel of snapping a 1/8" glass rod.  I know how that feels because I had to take chemistry class.  The FX triggers are very good, but they do have a slight mushy sensation when they break.  At least that is my sense and opinion comparing them to the aforementioned rimfire PB's made by Remington in the late 80's and early 90's.

[Hoytwon]

I really like my streamline. 22 in walnut very accurate right out of the box have not touched a thing, no chrony numbers as of yet she shoots the 18 grain jsb's very well!!!

[JoeKool]

The Hawke Airmax 30 is also a match made in heaven for my FX Streamline .22!  I use Hawke’s ballistic calculator app for long range shooting.  I just choose the Airmaxs’ reticle (AMX) and plug in the pellets ballistics and presto!  I have all kinds of ballistic data.  I use this for all 3 power settings.  The most usefull is the reticle holdover ranger or point of aim/impact feature shown below ( in pic).  Its dead on, all I then need is to know wind direction and speed, and its a “breeze” to calculate shots.  The ranges in the picture is dead accurate for both JSB 18.13 & 15.89’s on power level #3(full power).