Cricket Rifle .22 owners

[MartyB]

I've been given clearance to find myself a high quality air rifle for my 40th birthday next year.  Something about my wife losing all ground to argue against it after the presents, large dinner party, ER visit and subsequent gall bladder removal that she got for her 40th.

One of the rifles in consideration is a .22 cricket carbine.
For those who own one, what are you getting for power and shot counts?  What is your overall review of the rifle?
My main purpose is for 50-100 yard target shooting.  Occasional nuisance rabbit to pick off, but my FDPCP in .22 has been and will remain an excellent close range thumper thumper.

Others in consideration are Hatsan bt65 (would add regulator) and either a Daystate Regal or Air Ranger.  But those may create an awkward feeling in the cabinet next to the BAM B-50.

[chiro972b]

I have this rifle and I am really loving it. Mine did have an issue to start with and Wild West Airguns was really great to work with. I get about 40+/- shots at 33 fpe. You can put more air in the tube for more shots but it seems to shoot better when I limit the air to about 230 bar. The rifle is very tunable. With a chrony and good understanding of how they work, I bet more shots could be had but I am happy the way mine is shooting. The accuracy is very good for what I do, which is pretty much all under 50 yards, so I can't help you on the 50-100 range. I just don't have a steady enough hand for that kind of distance and when I hunt, I want to make sure of a kill so I keep it under 50. The rifle is light as well which is one reason I don't like Hatsans and the bt65 is a boat anchor. The hatsans also seem to have very poor efficiency out of the box. The strings I have seen all seem to be linear and dropping off right from the start which would not be good for target shooting.

I love the gun and wouldn't trade it for anything out there at the moment. Putting the magazine in the action is a bit fiddly until you understand how it works and then it is pretty easy. The safety needs to come out to remove the stock, so they made it VERY easy to remove. Because of that, it also makes some people unhappy because it moves a bit too easy for them. Me, I really don't mind and since I rarely rely on a safety, I just leave it off.

If you have any other specific questions, ask away. I don't get on here too often, so you can PM me if I don't reply here.

[MartyB]

Thanks for the info, it was just what I was looking for.
If Kalibrgun is still using the CZ hammer forged barrels, then I've got confidence that it will perform well enough for me.
And based on the shorter range accuracy reports across the product line, I have little reason to doubt.
Rifle lightness is good.  I currently use a front rest for anything past 25 yards.  The BAM is enough of a tank and like you, I'm just not that steady.  But I built my 1760 for 10m offhand practice and while 50-100 would be rested, I'd like to start pushing myself with 30-50 yard offhand.  Yes, the BT65 wouldn't be the best choice for that because of weight, and I already know my first step would be to detune and regulate it to level out the shot string.

[mattymatt90]

Mine is crazy accurate 1" or less at 100 yards depending on how much coffee I have drank. I get 60-70 shots from a 300 bar fill at 32 ft/lbs with jsb 18 grain pellets. It's well worth the cash.

[chiro972b]

Thanks for the info, it was just what I was looking for.
If Kalibrgun is still using the CZ hammer forged barrels, then I've got confidence that it will perform well enough for me.
And based on the shorter range accuracy reports across the product line, I have little reason to doubt.
Rifle lightness is good.  I currently use a front rest for anything past 25 yards.  The BAM is enough of a tank and like you, I'm just not that steady.  But I built my 1760 for 10m offhand practice and while 50-100 would be rested, I'd like to start pushing myself with 30-50 yard offhand.  Yes, the BT65 wouldn't be the best choice for that because of weight, and I already know my first step would be to detune and regulate it to level out the shot string.

Far as I know, they are still using the hammer forged cz barrels. Mine will stack pellets at just under 40 yards which is the length of my yard. That's if I do my part!

[racvt]

So far I am very happy with mine!!  Have yet to go out to 100 yards, but to 50 yards it groups very well! I still need to check the shot count.  Easy to use, shoots great.  The only issue I see is the safety setup.  But I do not use it any way.

I found the JSB 18.1 gr shoots best so far, I have tried about 21 different pellets.  Have yet to try any tuning.  I really like it so far. 

I am looking at the hummingbird too. 

GL

[MartyB]

Well, you guys are doing a pretty good job of convincing me!
Seems like an awful lot of rifles like the jsb 18.1s.  Good thing i have a supply already.

[mattymatt90]

Buy one!! Then go crazy with it like I did.. don't tell the wife either.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Ok I hear nothing but good things about the Cricket accuracy but in the same posts I read about the cheesy safety and how the safety falls out of the action. If it is that frequent an issue I would be concerned about the possibility of other poor quality issues hidden in the rifle. I do own the Daystate Huntsman Regal XL and everything is pure quality from fit and finish to consistent accuracy ,power and and beautiful mahogany stock

[mattymatt90]

Ok I hear nothing but good things about the Cricket accuracy but in the same posts I read about the cheesy safety and how the safety falls out of the action. If it is that frequent an issue I would be concerned about the possibility of other poor quality issues hidden in the rifle. I do own the Daystate Huntsman Regal XL and everything is pure quality from fit and finish to consistent accuracy ,power and and beautiful mahogany stock

My safety has never fallen out once. It takes a little bit of effort to push it out.. just makes getting the stock off easier and faster. Nothing poor quality about these rifles.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  I have considered the Cricket and am only repeating what I have read from other members posts. If the statement was untrue blame the other owners. My only intent was to point out that both are accurate rifles for virtually the same amount of money cost wise

[racvt]

Ok I hear nothing but good things about the Cricket accuracy but in the same posts I read about the cheesy safety and how the safety falls out of the action. If it is that frequent an issue I would be concerned about the possibility of other poor quality issues hidden in the rifle. I do own the Daystate Huntsman Regal XL and everything is pure quality from fit and finish to consistent accuracy ,power and and beautiful mahogany stock

Is the Daystate regulated or unregulated?   

[grobe1458]

I'm sure the ones you listed are accurate out to that 50-100 yard distance.
while I can't speak on some I can definately speak on the .22 daystate air ranger 50 ft.lb
this rifle will do 50 yards all day long and 100 yards easily if you do your part.
not regulated but the harper valve system will get you 50 consistant POI shots and after that another 50 shots with a less than 1 mil POI drop
While I consider regulators a great aid for consistancy, not every rifle needs one.

[Rdsail]

If my wife gave me the go ahead to buy a high end gun. I think cricket will be lady on the list. I would go for a daystate, styre, fx(royal/wood) or custom RAW. Just going by fit and finish on those guns is superior. I will not bring accuracy up because that is relative and open to too many opinion. I think the best thing would be to find a gun that fits you ergonomically. That is a big part of accuracy.

[ancient1one]

I own a Cricket rifle and bullpup. They are both as accurate as I can shoot.

1) The rifle is a .22 and gets about 50 shots on a 3000 psi fill. Crickets are air efficient. At just under 2400 psi I get 40 shots. The above is all at 31 - 32 fpe. 

2) It shoots JSB 15.89 and 18.1 grain pellets best but likes others. The H+N 21 grain (5.52 head). Mine shoots the walmart crosmans accurately out to 60 yards but not like the JSB's.
 
3) At 75 yards it is dead accurate. This is the furthest I have shot to date but I am sure it will be accurate at 100 yards and beyond.

4) Talk about quiet? The rifle is backyard friendly at 31 fpe from the factory.

5) The trigger is predictable zero creep. I have had professionally tuned Rekord, TO5, and TO6 triggers. The Cricket is really close to them in stock form. Link to trigger tune:

6) As others have stated the safety is not that good. But the magazine will not cycle if you do not engaged it. If guys took the time to learn and ask the safety works fine, just not what most guys are used to.

7) Czechoslovakians are know for building some of the best guns in the world. Nothing, Zero, Nada is cheesy about a Cricket rifle/carbine/bullpup. Quality is all you will think when you pick one up and shoot it. 

Check out Ernest Rowes you-tube channel for a lot of helpful Cricket info.
 Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbmysxe6_F975u202x7Kszg

[racvt]

I'm sure the ones you listed are accurate out to that 50-100 yard distance.
while I can't speak on some I can definately speak on the .22 daystate air ranger 50 ft.lb
this rifle will do 50 yards all day long and 100 yards easily if you do your part.
not regulated but the harper valve system will get you 50 consistant POI shots and after that another 50 shots with a less than 1 mil POI drop
While I consider regulators a great aid for consistancy, not every rifle needs one.

Sweet looking airgun!! 

[abslayer]

Have you looked at AA s510 one very great air gun of top notch quality

[MartyB]

If my wife gave me the go ahead to buy a high end gun. I think cricket will be lady on the list. I would go for a daystate, styre, fx(royal/wood) or custom RAW. Just going by fit and finish on those guns is superior. I will not bring accuracy up because that is relative and open to too many opinion. I think the best thing would be to find a gun that fits you ergonomically. That is a big part of accuracy.

High-end, but would like to remain married if some day she asks what it cost!
So that eliminates a few options.  The HM1000 is still "on the list" but as I stated earlier I would like something that I can should for 30-50 yard offhand practicing.  The RAW is pushing 10lbs depending on what website you're looking at.

Grobe1458, did you have to order that Hugget from the UK or did you find a package deal with it included? 

Everyone, thanks for the feedback on the rifles you own.  My purchase is still a few months out, so I've still got plenty of time to mull it all over.

[grobe1458]

If my wife gave me the go ahead to buy a high end gun. I think cricket will be lady on the list. I would go for a daystate, styre, fx(royal/wood) or custom RAW. Just going by fit and finish on those guns is superior. I will not bring accuracy up because that is relative and open to too many opinion. I think the best thing would be to find a gun that fits you ergonomically. That is a big part of accuracy.

High-end, but would like to remain married if some day she asks what it cost!
So that eliminates a few options.  The HM1000 is still "on the list" but as I stated earlier I would like something that I can should for 30-50 yard offhand practicing.  The RAW is pushing 10lbs depending on what website you're looking at.

Grobe1458, did you have to order that Hugget from the UK or did you find a package deal with it included? 

Everyone, thanks for the feedback on the rifles you own.  My purchase is still a few months out, so I've still got plenty of time to mull it all over.

mine came installed on the daystate from AOA. just finished shooting it at 50 yards out of my den back door. this gun leaves a grin on your face that makes you look like you just boo'ed yourself.*L*
now if you consider the s510, for 100.00 less you can get a bsa r10 mk2 which comes with a reg and 40-50 shots of a fill and very accurate (which most of these rifles are) and balances extremely well and has a very flexible trigger. I happen to have one and it's my favorite flat out, and more so after installing a even better reg and larger buddy bottle now 80-90 shots at 20ft.lbs in .177, .22 isn't a slouch either. minimum investment maximum returns.

[ancient1one]

WWAG has the Cricket rifle on sale $1295 new. Precision Airguns has both the .25 or .22 for $1495. These would be who I would buy from if I was buying. Both excellent customer service and stand behind what they sell.

How do you plan on filling? If you have easy access to air this statement will not really matter. None of the other guns mentioned in this thread are even close to the air efficiency of a regulated Cricket.