Pulled the trigger on Beeman RX2!

[PakProtector]

hey-Hey!!!,
My 20 cal RX2 shot 895 with JSB Exacts when I got it. Light, but consistend dieseling, which has after a few thousand pellets settled down to 840-845 with the Exacts. It shoots the JSB better than anything else, and it is quite accurate with 'em. It will tolerate FTT, but it spits them ot significantly faster. Velocity is quite consistent, and I am not too concerned with wrecking the seal unless I go and air up the ram to something in neighborhood of 25 FPE. I will be taking it down in pressure once I get offa my butt and get a means to re-fill it.
cheers,
Douglas

[itbvolks]

So based on what I've read and a few others reports here - it doesn't sound like my rifle is way out of whack pressure or velocity wise.


That said, shooting the lighter H&N FTT or FTS's probably warrants pulling the pressure down some to protect the seal.

[Nikoman]

I think it's too high but the person to ask would be David Slade. When I sent my RX-1 to get tuned years ago, it came back shooting 19-20 fpe and it is a lot smoother. So smooth that it recoils about as much as an R7
When you're saying stuff like your scope is zooming out, that's not a good sign to me. The shot cycle should not be that violent. You'll also gain tremendous accuracy with a little less gas in the system.

[itbvolks]

I think I'm going to pull some system air out this weekend and do some more chrony testing to get it down in the 810-820 range which puts me closer to the 20fpe range with JSB Exacts.

Anyone having better luck with the FTT/FTS's?  Mine's so hot now - I'm not comfortable shooting those but I could tune my pressure to provide me flatter shooting over the JSB's at lower pressure for smooth shot cycle....



Niko - how much air are we talking here? I've had the cap pulled on my RX to check the Schrader valve out and it's certainly easy to get too. I'll assume at such high pressure and low volume - it won't be but a  lightning quick poke to the valve....

[Nikoman]

Eric,
It needs very little air out.
Tom has done this many times and hopefully he can chime in but I've heard it's a very small amount that needs to drop the pressure.

[tjk]

Simple to relieve the pressure. After removing the cover screw on the rear of the action, take a flat pounch and insert it into the valve opening. I use a pounch that just fits within the threading.  This way when the Schrader valve stem is struck, it is directly straight with the stem. Anyways, once you have the punch inserted and touching the valve stem, I use the handle (wood) side of a small tack hammer and simply give the pounch a quick tap. The ram isn't really a high presure unit so tap it twice at a time and check it through a chrony. Take your time and tap lightly. That's about it. Happy shooting.

[itbvolks]

Tom/Niko,

Thanks much for the information. I'm going to do some testing here shortly and reduce the power some and see if we can dial her in!

[Nikoman]

You'll see how much she'll smooth out, Eric.

[itbvolks]

Got the RX2 out for some more work today. Did some initial chrony work to establish a baseline again. Gun is still doing 860-865fps shooting JSB Exacts. So base on Tom and Niko's reports, I set out with my tools to see what we could do to roll the power output back on this monster.

So I opened up the gas ram chamber and popped the valve a couple times with my flat punch and the back of my screw driver. Test fire a couple shots - 850's... Hummmmm... Pop the valve a few more times harder. More test firing - high 840's. A few more pops and still in the low to mid 840's.

Based on what I'm seeing, it looks like im near the guns peak power - limited by something other than the rams pressure. Maybe the transfer ports max flow? I'm seeing/feeling fairly significant reduction in cockin pressure and reduced shot cycle harshness all the while barely a 20fps reduction in output...

I decided to try some barracuda's as they should be roughly the same weight as the JSBs I was shooting. Overall - not impressed with the barracuda's. This tin has varied fit. Some really loose and some mildly snug but no where near the nice firm JSB fit. Finish seems pretty poor as well. Skirt finish near the back of the pellet was rough and not cleanly terminated. Velocity wise - cuda's shot 780-790fps very consistently. Certainly lower but consistent. Not totally sure why the significant reduction in velocity. I "think", the loose fit decreases the initial pressure build as the piston cycles. I believe this is confirmed by a slightly more harsh firing cycle which tells me I'm not getting the same cushioning action towards the end of the firing cycle. Drop a JSB back in and back up mid 840's and slightly smoother cycle. 

I would guess I have some more room to decrease my pressure more still. Light was flat due to cloud cover and light was fading so chrony readings were a pita.

Potentially more work tomorrow to re-zero my setup and see where it's at. Weather and light weren't on my side so had to call it quits. Interested in seeing what else I can get out of her....

[Nikoman]

Good news so far, Eric
You're already noticing how it's easier to cock, just think how much smoother it'll be when you tune it down to 19-20 fpe. Your accuracy will go up too

Now remember, the beauty of this powerplant is that you can go up and down in power. I don't have a pump for mine and it's probably a good since I'd be adjusting that thing every week!

[itbvolks]

I'm just looking to get her shooting consistently. Power output is secondary for me over and accurate setup. I also noticed less hold sensitivity after bleeding my pressure back. To verify - my son shot it for a couple strings and noticed a significant reduction in cocking force and easier shooting overall. All good things. And still at 21+fpe so room to go...

We did shoot some dime size groups here and there from 35yds with it off a picnic table with some towels so not too bad...

[tjk]

Buy a sampler pack from straight shooters!! This is the cheapest way to experiment with different pellets. It is funny how some pellets will shoot dead on at one velocity, and spread out/shift at another velocity. I will still stress the fact that you,....and Niko get a pump and adapter for your guns. It makes the the gas ram experience so much better.  After all, finding the best combination to bring out the optimal performance of your guns' is what it's all about. I might even break out my RX and play around with it. They say it is supposed to be nice out today!!!!:)

[Nikoman]

Hey Tom, I know, I know I should get a pump but mine shoots two high end pellets REALLY well so I never had the need to make adjustments. It shoots the Crosman Premiers (cardboard box) awesomely and the the JSB's suffer from too much awesomeness too!
Both of those pellets are shooting at 19fpe or so, there's another pellet (I forget which one) that shoots pretty decent at 20 fpe but I only use the above mentioned since they're the most accurate.
That statement you made about pellets shooting different accuracies at different velocities makes me think about a pump! It's so true! It would be nice to drop the rifle down to 13fpe and shoot wadcutters @10m
These are very accurate rifles, totally underrated IMO.

[itbvolks]

Bad news guys - my brute of a RX2 kocked out my Leupold VX2 UL.  Looks like a broken reticle right where they cross (horizontal reticle failure).

Gun was shooting great. No issues at all.


Bummed..... If I had to guess - 220rds to date...   Guess we'll see how well Leupolds warranty works out. Just read the product reg information. Guess I should have read closer as it should have been done within 10-days.... 

[Nikoman]

Bad news guys - my brute of a RX2 kocked out my Leupold VX2 UL.  Looks like a broken reticle right where they cross (horizontal reticle failure).

Gun was shooting great. No issues at all.


Bummed..... If I had to guess - 220rds to date...   Guess we'll see how well Leupolds warranty works out. Just read the product reg information. Guess I should have read closer as it should have been done within 10-days....

No need to worry about the warranty, Eric.
Just call Leupold and they'll take care of you. Seriously!
I just sent one of mine in for the very first time after almost 20 years and all they wanted was a return address. Mine didn't bust, all it needs is some lubes since the focus ring is a little tight and the focus ring is kind of loose but this is all normal after 50,000+ shots.
Don't fret about the warranty, Leupold will take care of you and will ship it back for free - you might have to send it out on your dime (maybe) but I'd give them a call. Their customer service is second to none.

[mtsheron70]

No pics.!  Congrats!  Must have pics.

[itbvolks]

So decided while the Leupold was off for service, I'd try my hand at something else scope wise. The wait is killing me so had to do something. Pulled the trigger on a Bushy Legend Ultra HD to try on her.

Went with the 4.5-14 setup. Glass looks really good. Scope looks and feels quality. Seems I'm getting about 12yds on the min for mine so I think usable.

It's got nice smooth zoom and windage/elevation adjustment but listed as 20yds minimum focus distance. Listed as rimfire and airgun rated so fingers crossed. We'll get it out tomorrow and see what we see. Planning on backing the power down a smidgy more so we'll see if it helps smooth things out more and the scope survives......


Details pending......

[Nikoman]

Your RX-2 should be a little easier on scopes now that you've let some air out of the ram. Cool, let us know how it works out, Eric.

[itbvolks]

So more work today. Got the bushnell mounted up and started working her in. Pulled some more air out. A lot actually. All said, it was probably 15 taps on the valve with the back of the screw driver and a straight punch. Shooting exactly 800fps with JSB Exacts which based on the calcs is right at 19.5fpe. I also shot FTTs which were about 850fps...

Scope wise, I'm actually really liking the bushnell. It's bigger, heavier, longer, but it's got good clarity. Close focus didn't bug me at all today either. Loved the added zoom at 14x and also really liked the side focus. Light gathering is impressive. I'm not sure it's as clear as my Leopold yet but it's pretty darn good.

Shooting wise, zeroed at 30yds. Shooting from a single bag, it shot pretty much ragged single hole today. I was messing with hold and I can get some varied results. Still messing with it. Overall, pretty darn good all things considered...

Shot the JSBs and FTTs and seemed to have good results with both. The shot cycle with the FTTs is a little more harsh. Pellet fit is pretty loose and the sound the gun makes is a little different but seemed to group well. JSBs on the other side fit snug/tight and the shot cycle seemed more muted though tough to quantify but shot well. I'm a little concerned with the shot cycle shooting the FTTs as it sounds more metallic (sounds like a smidge of piston slap maybe). JSBs hit like a truck so probably going to stay with them.

Shot cycle is still pretty thumping but it's far easier to cock and its less hold sensitive for sure. Fingers crossed the scope holds up as I'm really liking it right now. I figure between life time warranties between them, I'll just cycle as necessary... lol

[Nikoman]

It sounds like it prefers a larger diameter head size for those FTT's. They're great pellets for sure, I'd say more consistent than the JSB's have been lately but I'm speaking for the .177's - the .20 JSB's have thankfully remained consistent from tin to tin (cross your fingers).
So how long is the Leupy going to take to get back? I called about mine and I was told 5 weeks, doh!
Usually it only takes 10 days but they're really backed up with all this firearms nonsense going on in legislation. There's a frenzy going on to upgrade scope reticles and other goodies for the Leupold Custom Shop.