No Confusion about my Fusion!

[Stacker]

A couple of weeks ago, I asked about CO2 rifles on this forum. I had shot both springers and PCP, and wanted to venture into CO2 rifles. I had found 3 that looked interesting, and asked for comments on them.  I got excellent advice and details about the rifles that I had in mind. So, I ordered a Umarex Fusion, and early indications are that this is definitely a keeper!!

When it came, I did the usual barrel cleaning and was surprised that so much grunge could find its way into such a small bore! I mounted an inexpensive UTG fixed 4 power AO scope, (shimmed the back ring .015"). and was at the bench early the next morning. At first I found it awkward to load pellets, being used to the large loading port on my AA S200. As time went on I found that if I placed the pellet on the inclined ramp, and let it just roll into place, it was a much easier way of loading. I was advised to change the O-ring in the end cap to one made of harder material. I did this after playing tug-of-war with the original one. Ive used O-ring lube from a dive shop instead of Pellgun Oil and it seems to work on the O-ring. I use Pellgun Oil on the powerlets.

I thought that because of the lower velocities of CO2 compared to PCP, that lighter pellets would do well in the Fusion. I find the JSB 8.44 gr shoots pretty good, but the heavier 10.65 gr Baracuda and the JSB 10.34 do better. I'm still in the pellet sorting stage, and have ordered some AA 8.44 gr 4.51 mm pellets that were recommended. The shooting results so far look very good; a very pleasant surprise. Yesterday, I rounded up seven domed .177 pellets and shot them, first at 10 yards, eliminated the two that shot the largest groups, and moved out to 15 yards. Shot the selected 5, picked the best two and shot them at 20 yards. It looked like almost a tie, and by then the wind came up so I quit for the day. I was shooting 5 shot groups. The two most accurate pellets, (at 20 yds), were the JSB 10.34 @ .45" c-t-c, and the 'Cuda 10.65 gr @ .51" c-t-c. Today we're getting wind gust up to 30 mph, so I'll wait for a less challenging day. I'll keep using this routine of eliminating pellets and moving back in 5 yard increments, out to 40 yards ... the limit of my back yard "range". This will eventually give me the most accurate pellet for my Fusion. I'll then sight in at 20 yards, and .... look out HOSP!!!

I know these first groups are not very impressive and startling, but consider that I was using an inexpensive 4x scope and shooting  a $170 CO2 rifle that is not "broken in". This is not a $2000+ bench gun with a $500+ FFP scope; no wind flags, no scope level, no tuning, none of the other "must have" stuff, (plus an 87 year-old eye!). I've owned, and enjoyed an AA S500, an FX 400, a Cricket, AA TX200, and a whole bunch of others, both PCP and Springers. I consider the Fusion is a lot of airgun for the money .... a real sleeper, (and for me, a keeper). It suits my needs very nicely.

Your comments/ suggestions are welcome. At age 87, I'm still learning!

Joe in AZ

[Laz]

Sounds like you found a great gun for the price! It's also nice seeing how you went through all those uber guns but yet decided to take it down a notch (or ten  ) and still have an interest to try such a gun!  Something a lot of us would never do!

[Bwalton]

Thats great to hear, I also tried the 10.34gr pellets they work very well indeed, the thing is that the Fusion can shoot a verity of pellets, but it likes the JSB and Air Arms the best! and don't forget the Predators! she likes them as well. Better scope+ better groups!
 I am still in love with mine, I have sold many guns and could not replace her for the backyard killer that she is...

[Stacker]

Yes, it was great to be able to own and shoot some of the high end airguns. A real rush to shoot and not make only one small hole in the paper. But, I was always on guard not to ding the beautiful wood or scratch the flawless bluing. I don't abuse my guns, but if the Fusion ever has to be replaced, I can easily do this and not bend the budget. Its accuracy may not equal that of the expensive ones I've owned, but it comes close enough to satisfy me at this point. I feel that accuracy will improve with a 3-9x scope and further barrel break-in. 

I placed an order for different pellets yesterday. Most of them are heavier weight ones based on the preliminary results that I got with the JSB and 'Cuda pellets. However, I did include AA 8.44 gr 4.51 mm and Predators in the order. It looks like I'll be doing "homework" for a while! 

Originally I was wary of Chinese built airguns. Sometimes those imported directly are not up to par. However, even though the Fusion is made in China, its made to quality standards specified by Umarex. This one thing sets the Fusion apart from the run-of-the-mill "made in China" airguns. So far, after ~350 pellets, no problems that I'm aware of. We'll see as time goes on.