Crosman Phantom VS. Beeman Dual caliber Air Rifle

[parkerd]

I'm on a budget and both of these guns are available at the local wally world!  So which one is better I like the idea of having a .22 but is it Chinese made? Which is better for out of the box accuracy also could someone school me on the hold sensitive idea and how to fix it?


                                      Thanks,Parker

[nc shooter]

I would go with the beeman. Its most likely chinese made. Both guns need to be broken in to shoot accurately. You can research the artillery hold on youtube and practice once you get a rifle. Fixing the hold sensitive idea is learning how to shoot using the artillery hold. Either that or getting a rifle thats not so hold sensitive.

[makenzie71]

Yup the Dual Cal RS2 is made in China.  I have one.  I LOVE it.  Mine had issues with barrel droop, though, even with the factory supplied scope, but it was easily compensated....I didn't have a bad problem with it until I went to larger scope.  It's a little more expensive than the Phantom but it's a better made gun.

I had pretty fair accuracy out of the box.  The little .177 crosmans I've dealt with had a longer break-in period, but you can expect to have to run a tin of pellets through either rifle before you have a settled shooter.

I keep reading about this "hold sensitive" thing but I have yet to experience it.  I have been shooting rifles of all varieties my whole life and can't tell what I'm supposed to be doing different with my air rifles.  Once I got my optics dialed in my patterns tightened up a lot and it doesn't seem to matter how I hold the gun.

[4932msmith]

I have the beeman ram22, same as the dual caliber but is only .22 and comes with a bigger scope. I have not put in on a chrony but have shot it next to a crosman quest in .177, and the beeman is more accurate(out of the box), this is mainly because of the trigger IMHO, but also the fit and finish is better on the beemans.  I would tell you that the beeman was more powerful as well but that is hard to say since the crosman was not a .22. Mine shoots around 1/2" at 20-30 yards.

[makenzie71]

If you were really needing to save money, though, I would still dodge the Phantom.  I don't know why but I just don't like it.  I would rather have the Quest or Ruger Air Hawk for just $10 more a piece.

[Kailua]

With the Crosman line of spring rifles figure on about $32 more for and aftermarket trigger.  The Beeman triggers may need some if little polishing but are adjustable.  The Ruger Airhawk know to be sold at Walmart is a copy of the RWS 34 also has an adjustable trigger.

[Lambchops]

Both made in China, both under $100. I recommend the RS2 because I have it and it is great, the Beeman has a hardwood stock, and the Beeman is in two calibers.

[parkerd]

Alright a couple more questions! I hear alot of people taking the screws and putting Loctite into them? What does that do!? I had a Ruger Air Hawk but got one that couldnt shoot goups at 10 yards.. I put over 250 Pellets through it.. I only really shoot CPHP's because there cheap and shoot well.. Do these shoot well out of the Beeman?


                                                Thanks,Parker

[Bob P]

Another Vote for the Beeman RS2. Great Rifle for the $$..

[jimdaero]

Just my 2 cents but i have the phantom. I bought if off craiglist. A guy had a phantom and crossman nitro 22. I tried them both. Both were accurate. I went with the phantom. I didnt want to deal with 22 cal pellets. I all ready had another 177 and wanted to stay with that. Plus for plinking i didnt see the need for 22. My phantom was broken in all ready which was a plus. I got it for $45. Its very accruate. Shooting dimes at 20 yards. I hear lots of bad things about the beeman. i almost bought one of those too. Some one had one for $70 on craigslist. Just to much info about it not being accurate, plus i know i would never change out the barrel. I only need one barrel.  Good luck with what ever you choose. I would like to know how you like the beeman.
Craigslist is a great place to look to look for guns.

[parkerd]

I check Criagslist everyday see alot of Gamo's which isn't my style.... If you haven't checked it out before Look up Tempest.com Criagslist! IT shows everything for sale within a 100 nile radius... I have a .22 and love it so I would much rather a have a .22 What about the Titan GP I think? 149.00$ at Wally if I remember correctly Jim shockey is on the front of it!?

[bobster]

I would suggest you read up on Crosman quality control here http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,25899.0.html
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,24850.msg225983.html#msg225983
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,24664.0.html

and many other threads. $149 for titan is before the mods that many people feel are needed for this gun such as new trigger and new scope.  Add shipping onto to those mods and you are going to be way up there in cost.  Beeman RS2 .22 at Walmart for $128 already comes with an excellent trigger and 3x9 scope.  I've had excellent luck with my Beeman dual caliber one and would buy it again over pretty much any crosman product except for their PCP guns.  My last 5 crosman purchases resulted in 1 usable gun.

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Alright a couple more questions! I hear alot of people taking the screws and putting Loctite into them? What does that do!? I had a Ruger Air Hawk but got one that couldnt shoot goups at 10 yards.. I put over 250 Pellets through it.. I only really shoot CPHP's because there cheap and shoot well.. Do these shoot well out of the Beeman?

 You really need to review the mass of good advice on this board!

In the meantime you must get a few concepts firmly planted between the ears:

1. Springers shake when shot---violently. Things that shake loosen up. The faster they shoot the more violently they shake.

2. A rifle with loose stock screws and scope mounts will NOT shoot straight! Buy a small bottle of blue LocTite and use it----after thoroughly cleaning both male and female threads of all traces of oil or grease.

3. Springers are highly diet specific. Until you determine what your individual gun likes it will not be accurate. Even consecutively serial numbered guns may not like the same pellet!

4. Even if the rifle is in good fettle and shooting the pellet it prefers it will not shoot straight for YOU unless you master the way it demands to be shot. In most instances that will be the 'artillery hold'.

5. The 'ultra-magnum' springer is the most difficult shoulder fired weapon on earth to shoot accurately.

 The Crosman ammo sold by W-M and other big box stores is noted for inconsistency. The CPHP are particularly indicted for widely varying head and/or skirt size.

 Until you fully grasp those concepts the chance of you being happy with a springer lies between slim & none.

 Harsh? Perhaps---but obviously needed.    Tom

[parkerd]

So? Don't waste my time? I have bought 2-3 500 tins of CPHP and they all shoot fine and everything?  I have much time to waste so I think I will buy one of these who knows maybe both!?

[Kailua]

Parkerd
CP domes shoot diffently from CPHP.  H&N FTT have different sizes in .22 and are reasonably priced.  You may try these.  Archer Air Guns and Flying Dragon Air Guns have cheap pellets that might work in your rifle if you are lucky.
Crosman, Ruger Air Hawke, lower end Beemans all made in China.  Any Chinese air rifle is hit or miss.  Best option on Chinese air rifle is to have it professionally tuned

[parkerd]

How much does that cost?

[Bentong]

I have the RS2 Beeman and Extreme and both are excellent shoothers. I did lube/honing tuning on both and it's day and night difference. The RS2 has a real 2 stage trigger and the crosman has a pseudo 2 stage trigger and will need a trigger upgrade (GRT III) to make it shoot better. I found the RS2 to favor the .22 barrel, IMHO the .177 is overpowered and shoots not as smooth as the .22. The crosman has an articulating cocking and Rs2 has single arm and requires manly arm to cock it.

[Kailua]

CP domes same price as CPHP
H&N FTT $14.50 for 500 tin  (watch out for size differences 5.53 about the same as CP at the skirt)
Pyramid Air you buy 4 tins and get one free (check for 10% discount offers) + shipping

Peak Pellets .22 $24.75 flat rate shipping USPS  2000 pellets ^&$@_=s (Flying Dragon Air Rifle had a bulk speacial)

Just my opinion on hold sensitivity.  Don't give up on magnum springers to easily.  May be the rifle.  But could be a lot on the shooter also.  A small difference in grip and the way you pull the trigger will change in POI. The recoil has to move in line of fire.  Air rifles need more time to exit the muzzle.  For me anyway it isn't easy.  But can be done with practice.  That is why a good tune is emphasized smoother the action the better.

[parkerd]

Thanks I went and shot my Ruger Air hawk just for laughs still cant be accurate with it I'm 90% sure it's the pellets... I'm more than likely gonna go with the RS2 or the dual caliber one hahaha On the box it say's RS2/Grizzlyx2.... Loctite the .22 barrel...

[Kailua]

I would think on the Ruger Air Hawk or any gun one of the quick checks is the muzzle crown.  A bad crown will affect accuracy and should be a quick fix usually.