It's almost too easy!

[UCChris]

Well guys, my first hunting thread in a long while. I moved out for college so I haven't had the privilege of using my parent's property to harvest pests in a while. Well, it's my college's fall break this week and I decided to hop down south to see my grandparents and fish the best bass lake in Utah. I arrived this afternoon at 11:40 am and was met with a box that had been delivered to my grandparent's house via UPS 2-Day Air. Who was it from? Well, Mike Melick of course! A 12 fpe tuned .177 XS46U. I had a .22 XS46U that had the gas ram conversion (did 22.5 fpe!) that I wish I hadn't sold. I decided to get another one, this time with a detune. Boy, am I glad I did! I got it out of it's packaging, mounted the Horton crossbow scope that I ordered after seeing the thread in the bargain gate, and got outside to sight her in. First pellet, 6" low and 1/2" left. Second shot, same hole. Third shot, after adjustment, 3" low. Fourth shot, dead on. Shots five, six, and seven? In the same hole.

Side note: Apparently, Mike put a B26 spring in the XS46. I don't know if he chopped it or not. Maybe the compression chamber is longer in the XS46 than in the B26 so it works out? I dunno.

At this point, I was grinning like a two year old. I cocked the rifle, sat back in my chair, and got my first shot opportunity less than thirty seconds later. 15 yards away, 30 feet in the air. I swear it was dead before the pellet even hit it. No wing movement, just fell backwards and hit the ground like a sack of potatoes!



Side note 2: This gun has better wood grain than any Chinese gun has any right to have. The stain job is less than stellar, but I'm going to strip it anyway.

Second shot came not a few minutes later. 20 yards, dropped like a stone. Didn't see any other doves for 10 or so minutes, but I nailed three HOSP's in the meantime.

Then, it happened. I made the longest kill I've made with a springer. I'm NOT a good springer shooter. Past 25 yards is amazing for me.

40 yards. Breath. Squeeze. THWOCK! The bird was dead before it hit the ground. Coincidentally, it was also the largest bird of the day, by a good margin.



I knew I got a heart/lung shot since there was no flapping. And I knew it was a good shot since it dropped like a stone. Imagine my surprise when I checked for the shot placement and found that I hit exactly where I wanted. Down to the 1/8". The pellet went exactly where I wanted it to.



Overall, I went 5/5 on collared doves and 3/4 on HOSP's. I missed one HOSP at 43 yards. I guess I'm not that good after all. 

Huge props to Mike for making this gun something that even I can wield effectively. And huge thanks to him for being willing to get it out fast (shipped same day I purchased it, even with the custom tune).

I've got all day to shoot tomorrow. Then it's cajun spice rubbed, bacon wrapped dove breasts for dinner!

[Gertrude]

Ok OKAY !!!,...
I can take a hint,....

So whats the address again ? ? ?  and what time is dinner being served  ? ? ?
 I'm getting in the car now, so you'll have to just cal me direct. GPS is asking where we're heading.
 Got the bluetooth turned on already, and waiting for your call.

[UCChris]

Haha, dinner is at six!

[BenjiHunter]

Great shot, Chris!!

[shadow]

That's how you break in a new shooter. Great shot and pics and congrats on the new shooter too, Ed

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Chris! Enjoy!

[nervoustrigger]

Fantastic, brother!  I like how you don't waste any time when you get a new rifle.  Congrats on getting back in the game!

[LDP]

Good shots Chris.

[tracker1955]

Good shooting. I have looked at that rifle from Mike so many times, and almost pulled the trigger, but I wanted another Disco first. Maybe someday when I have some extra bucks.

[UCChris]

That's how you break in a new shooter. Great shot and pics and congrats on the new shooter too, Ed

Thanks Ed! Congrats on being able to get back out yourself!

Fantastic, brother!  I like how you don't waste any time when you get a new rifle.  Congrats on getting back in the game!

What use is the rifle sitting around?!  This one barely beat the custom QB. The QB nailed a starling within a couple hours of arriving. This one, within the hour. I don't like to wait long!

Good shooting. I have looked at that rifle from Mike so many times, and almost pulled the trigger, but I wanted another Disco first. Maybe someday when I have some extra bucks.

GET IT! I had a Disco. Your mileage might vary, but I detuned mine to 12 fpe to get 40 shots since I didn't want to deal with only 15 shots at 20 fpe. The XS46 is every bit as accurate as my Disco was, so why not choose the powerplant that doesn't need to "recharge".

Part II!!!

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=98659

[only1harry]

Good to see you back at it Chris.  It's a amazing how well a de-tuned Springer can shoot.  All of my Magnum springers are detuned a little.  Nice shooting!

Harry

[UCChris]

Thanks Harry!

[Mikeflys]

I have one of Mike's XS46U's in .22, mine is a full tune from Mike. I have stated before that I LOVE this gun. If anyone passes up a chance to buy one think twice before you do it. I can't tell you how many HOSP have gone to meet their maker from this gun. I have only shot 1 collared Dove and it fell were I could not recover it. Starlings by the dozen have fell and I defiantly made an impact on the plague barring vermin whistle pigs out in the Idaho desert. 50 yards is really the max I have used her at, the Hastsan PCP comes out for longer shots. I am looking for a location were I can hunt the collard doves around my home. They seem to prefer urban areas here. I have looked for them by the lake with the morning Doves but have not seen any, and you need to use a shotgun here for Morning doves.

[Loki_762]

Chris,
Excellent write up!  Much like you, I am not a "springer guy", but I really want to learn how to shoot one.  It sounds to me like a detuned XS46U may be the way to go.  I noticed on the Flying Dragon site that a basic tune is $40, and the full tune is $100.  Did getting the 12 ft/lb spring in your gun come as part of the tune, or did it cost you extra? 
Thanks,
Chris (in Washington)

[UCChris]

Chris,

Mike will tune to your desired power level as part of the $100 tune. No extra. Just pay for the full tune ($225 total) then tell him you want a 12 fpe tune (8.4 grain pellet @ 800 fps) and he'll do that along with the trigger work, honing the chamber, new spring, etc. It's a screaming deal!

Chris (in Utah)