ATI Nova Freedom .177 "no warranty parts gun" (pic heavy)

[avator]

Bob.... a bit off topic but, I love the area you live in.... just not in the winter time.

[Bob Pratl]

Bob.... a bit off topic but, I love the area you live in.... just not in the winter time.

Off topic, winters are not bad in Gloucester being that it is an island we get a lot less SNOW, warmer weather and cooler summers.

[avator]

Back on topic....( lol.. it's my thread and I can do that. )

Back when I had the SynRod in .22 I wanted an SST. I didn't realize the the Prod tray was different so I just ordered one off of Ebay for a few bucks.
And of course, it didn't fit right in the Synrod.... too tight and too low. So I busted out my files and went to work on it.
I did a 'backyard' job on it just enough to make it fit. I also added a patch of self adhesive cork to the bottom to raise it up.
The thing about the Prod SST is that it goes into the breech from the right hand side as opposed to the Synrod SST which (reportedly) goes in from the left. I was rummaging around in my spares and found that SST. Curiosity made me try it in my .177 Freedom this morning.....
Abracadabra allakazam.... perfect fit.
Now mind you, this is a .22 SST and my Freedom is a .177 but, it works like it grew in there. .177 pellets rack in just as smooth as if I had a mag in. No scraping or misaligning in the least. They are easy to insert with my right hand while watching from the left side of the gun. They just roll right into the tray.
Here's the other cool thing.... it don't interfere with the power knob. Pushing it in and out is effortless and it fits snug enough not to slip or slide around or fall out.
Here are some pics...

[avator]

Now I can easily test some of the other 9,999 types of .177 pellets I have around here. I highly doubt I'll find any that shoot better than the 10.5 CPUM.

[Wayne52]

It was a real pleasure using mine in the woods this morning, I was shooting on hi power and five pumps will get me back up there.  If I shoot three times I pump 15 pumps to get it up there again.  I was keeping it right at about 3600psi too.  I've now got it sighted in at about 40 yards but it's tough seeing good with that little Bugbuster any further with a small target like a chipper, I did manage to get a chipper and a red squirrel today with it on it's maiden voyage.  I absolutely love carrying the thing with the handle, VERY handy touch on the design, with that handle and little scope it's super maneuverable and actually feels really light.  I think the Liberty has it's advantages but in turn the Nova has it advantages.  It's quite a bit louder than the Liberty but that really doesn't bother me that much because I don't use my hunting guns in the back yard normally.  I did shoot a Ghog with my Liberty in my back yard though.

[avator]

Nice way to blood in the Freedom Wayne.

.... so appropriately named.

[Madd Hatter]

Back on topic....( lol.. it's my thread and I can do that. )

Back when I had the SynRod in .22 I wanted an SST. I didn't realize the the Prod tray was different so I just ordered one off of Ebay for a few bucks.
And of course, it didn't fit right in the Synrod.... too tight and too low. So I busted out my files and went to work on it.
I did a 'backyard' job on it just enough to make it fit. I also added a patch of self adhesive cork to the bottom to raise it up.
The thing about the Prod SST is that it goes into the breech from the right hand side as opposed to the Synrod SST which (reportedly) goes in from the left. I was rummaging around in my spares and found that SST. Curiosity made me try it in my .177 Freedom this morning.....
Abracadabra allakazam.... perfect fit.
Now mind you, this is a .22 SST and my Freedom is a .177 but, it works like it grew in there. .177 pellets rack in just as smooth as if I had a mag in. No scraping or misaligning in the least. They are easy to insert with my right hand while watching from the left side of the gun. They just roll right into the tray.
Here's the other cool thing.... it don't interfere with the power knob. Pushing it in and out is effortless and it fits snug enough not to slip or slide around or fall out.
Here are some pics...

That's cool bill.

[UlteriorModem]

It was a real pleasure using mine in the woods this morning, I was shooting on hi power and five pumps will get me back up there.  If I shoot three times I pump 15 pumps to get it up there again.  I was keeping it right at about 3600psi too.  I've now got it sighted in at about 40 yards but it's tough seeing good with that little Bugbuster any further with a small target like a chipper, I did manage to get a chipper and a red squirrel today with it on it's maiden voyage.  I absolutely love carrying the thing with the handle, VERY handy touch on the design, with that handle and little scope it's super maneuverable and actually feels really light.  I think the Liberty has it's advantages but in turn the Nova has it advantages.  It's quite a bit louder than the Liberty but that really doesn't bother me that much because I don't use my hunting guns in the back yard normally.  I did shoot a Ghog with my Liberty in my back yard though.

Nice shooting way to break her in.

About carrying by the handle. Yep it is very handy but make "dang" sure that 'lock' is in firmly! More than once I have picked mine up by the handle thinking the lock was secure only to have it drop open and swing down. usually hitting me in the leg or worse

[avator]

I made it a point right from the get to develop the habit of locking the handle as soon as I finish pumping or bulk filling the gun. Even though I have rarely carried the gun in this manner. I'm sure I will once I move into the field with it.

[avator]

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news....
But I can't seem to find a pellet that my Freedom shoots badly.
Here is the list so far:
10.5 CPUM
9.8 Winnie domes (yellow)
8.4 JSB Diabolo
7.9 CPHP
7.3 Crosman Destroyers
7.9 Benji HP
7.3 Daisy wads
and drum roll please....
The dreaded 10.5 Crosman piranhas..... this is THE ONLY gun I have that likes these.
All pellets, although a change in POI, shot nickles or less at 35 yds. Most shot dime groups. I shot a ten round mag of each. And refilled the gun to 3500 twice in the session.
I did not have the chrono out so, no numbers but I will say this... all got down that 35yds quick, fast and in a hurry and rang that 12" x 36"x 2mm high strength steel target like a church bell.
Bossy Girl (American Bulldog from 1/4 mile down the dirt road) came arunnin' like it was a dinner bell. She loves to lay under our feet when we shoot, Rambo, on the other hand, finds a dark hole to crawl into.

[avator]

Once again..... cheap gun shooting cheap pellets real good, what's not to love.

[avator]

I see some pretty good potential for stretching it out to 50, 60 and beyond.

[Airspace]

I'm hoping my 177 likes the crosman cooper pellets.  Love shooting those

[UlteriorModem]

Have you tried any H&N FTT's yet?

[Madd Hatter]

I wonder if this SST will fit the freedom? I don't need one myself but for thous of you bought the economy version. lol Darn I sure wish I would've know about the no warranty guns. Coulda saved almost $300.

Helps if I put the link in! lol  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Marauder-Pistol-Single-shot-tray/222436694670?hash=item33ca429a8e:g:hpcAAOSw4GVYJStD

[msurf]

Ok, got the silicone in last week, made a probe today, and now can actually go do some serious pellet testing.   Maybe I will find some inaccurate pellets, Bill.  May be able to do it this afternoon.  Thanks to soupyyy and mikeyb for the probe diagrams and measurements.
Good job on the first blood Wayne!

[Brets Crappy Shots]

Ok, got the silicone in last week, made a probe today, and now can actually go do some serious pellet testing.   Maybe I will find some inaccurate pellets, Bill.  May be able to do it this afternoon.  Thanks to soupyyy and mikeyb for the probe diagrams and measurements.
Good job on the first blood Wayne!

Awesome job on the probe are you planning on making a few more to maybe sell??

[msurf]

Awesome job on the probe are you planning on making a few more to maybe sell? ?

Thanks Bret.  Unfortunately, I am not yet confident/experienced enough in my machining skills to be selling HPA parts. 

[Wayne52]

Mike if you have the dimensions I'd like them if possible   it would be much appreciated

[msurf]

Ok folks, I managed some testing today.  Here is the skinny:

• Aired the guns up to around 2700psi
• Did not touch the hammer spring, and I do not know if they were monkeyed with or not
• 10 shots out of a magazine, no pumping in between shots
• 27 yards
• Shooting off a Caldwell FieldPod on grass.  (not entirely stable)
• UTG 3x9x32 Bug Buster scope on one gun (I call it the "ganked gun") , DISCOVERY OPTICS VT-2 3-12X44 SFIR on the other.
• These are .22 caliber guns

Not too impressive, but some pellets did do better in both guns. The target centers are the size of a quarter.  I had some weirdness with the ganked gun, seemed to use ALL of the air a couple of times.  Looks like I have some work to do, but seems promising.  I will have to set up a bench to eliminate wobble from the Field Pod at some point too.
Just wanted to test "out of the box" so to speak...will set up the chrony at some point to dial things in.
PS, the shot on the left of the Barracuda Hunters on Gun 1 was an errant first shot from the target above...seems these are super pressure sensitive, as I accidently filled to 3000 psi.  Not enough hammer strike to open the valve.