FX Gladiator .22 part four without Barrelband

[StevePerry]

After reading various comments regarding Barrel bands I decided to remove the Barrel band from the FX Gladiator .22 and do retest at Pete’s farm. The first thing I notice was that the barrel band was quiet a heavy piece of metal which affected the overall balance and weight of the Rifle and when removed for the better. The POI had drop by 1” at 13 yards, quiet a difference.

At Pete’s farm I re-zeroed the Rifle and after a few test shots I tried to video the out come.

The first video is at 35yds, using FX Pellets. Please note the centre target shot as a test before taking the video.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t6kUQuRJkM8

This video is shot at 50yds using FX pellets but it is a bit grainy. Please note the rings are half inch apart.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oZwJ6JVB_VM



I also tried some lighter pellets first Accupells at 14.3 grns but they did not suit the rifle at all.
Then tried some Bisley long range gold pellets they only weigh 14grns with a velocity of 600fps with 5fps spread over 8 shots. Again I had to re-zero the rifle

Did not take a video. Please note the 8 shot group at 50yds, was actually aiming for the number eight.



http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp211/StevePerry85/



Apart from a few strays, this is due to me and video cameras, this was a vast improvement when compared to when the barrel band was fitted. Also the Bisley Long range gold pellets are proving to be very accurate.


Has anybody else come across the same problem with Barrel Bands, also has any body also tried the Bisley long-range gold pellets.

This is a link to my original post.
http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287567&highlight=gladiator

[ranger02]

thanks for the advice on LGR pellets have just got a
gladator 22 and am in the process of setting it up:D

[StevePerry]

Nice rifle with lots of shots. Is yours 12fpe also or FAC

What scope do you have.

PS Let us know how you get on with it.

SteveP

[skan]

i found air-arms field 5.52 to be the best in my gladiator i find they produce the most power nearly 1ftlb more than accupell.i tried the gold but the grouping was not to good the next best i have found is bisley magnums but they are a little heavy.give the aa field a bash i think you will like them but check the power level you may go over the 12ftlb (this is easy put right) i made my barrel band out of mahogany wood so it was light but i think the gun shoots best without it.excellent gun well worth the money :)

[ranger02]

my gladiator is 12 fps will have a bash with AA pellets i have a air max
4-12-44 scope on it i took the scope of my hw100t with i took back
to the shop that sold it to me i allways keep a good scope





i all so own a
daystate x2 L/H 177 hawke 3-9-40hd
hw97 22 hawke 3-9-44
tx200 mk3 22 L/H WALNUT hawke 3-9-40 map
xs79 co2 dont laugh it was very cheap;)
cp88 177

hw40 177
hw45 177

[StevePerry]

Hi Ranger02

Managed to get the link working to the 50 yd target using the BLRG 14 grn pellets working. The rings are half inch apart.

Good scope, Have you had a chance to test the gladiator out yet.

SteveP

[ranger02]

HI STEVEPERRY
I HAVE USED MY GLADIATOR AND FOUND IT TO BE SPOT ON
I FIND THE HEAVY FRONT END SUITS ME BETTER AND I HAVE A
RIM FIRE SILENCER FITTED WITH IS A LOT SHORTER THAN THE
WEIHRAUCH ONE OFFERED BY THE SHOP AND LOOKS THE PART
AND NOT TO HEAVY THAT IT AFFECTS MY AIM COSTS LESS TO

[StevePerry]

That would'nt be a Sak by any chance. I have one fitted to my Gladiator,
Also wraped the centre piece in felt much quieter.

SteveP

[ranger02]

yes it is and i will give the felt trick a try as the report some times
spooks the bunnys as its not as quiet my day state i hope to get
a muzzle brake for range use i beleve fx list
one for the gladiator i have only one gripe i found two of the o rings
on the cocking lever have gone walk about i found some thicker ones
to fit feel better to

[ranger02]

i have now fired around 500 shot with my gun and found it to ideal for
past control i am useing fx 5.52 pellets and they are perfect i am told
they are made by air arm true or not i do not know but they work
i find the mags a bit of fiddle in the dark so i orderd two extra ones
not cheap but i hope to save some money with less droped pellets
i am toying with swoping my daystate x2 177 for a cyclone 177
with syn stock any views wecome

[StevePerry]

The FX Cyclone was on my shot list when i was trying to select a PCP.

I have had a go of the Carbine version drop a 1" knock down target at 35 yards free standing on the second shot, also had a feel of the standard one when collecting my Gladiator from BTAS.

They are very light rifles with good pointability a great hunting tool. The standard gets 150 shots the Carbine 80 in 177.

SteveP

[ranger02]

i have now been useing the gladator a lot lately on the farm i have found
few niggles now and then i have found when cocking the gun slowly i pull
trigger and find the gun has loaded a round but not reset the trigger now i
have to remove the mag and recock to avoid double loading and once
cocked you can not uncock unless you fire the gun unlike the hw 100
i must confess i got the giadator for its high shot count and not for its
looks and with so much air on board you canot expect walnut stocks and
the like and concidering how wet sat was it would not done a wooden stock
a lot of good has it was the giadator took it in its stride and dryed out nicely
i looked at a cyclone to replace my daystate x2 but i think i will have air ranger
or a another hw100 with a spare air cyl
unfotunately the wife thinks i have another woman as i am allways out
with gladis



ps the gladator is going back to the dealer to have the cocking
system adjusted i am told this fault is not unknown

[peejay]

Having read this thread I have experimented with removing the band/ support from the .22 storm I own, whilst i was replacing it, I noticed that the support actually moved the barrel away from the air tube by about 1mm, this was comfirming the reason for the POI changing, following its removal. I then carefully re machining of the lower section of the support so that it longer deflects the barrel.

I have also increased the depth of the recesses where the two o rings sit, this has had the effect of reducing the tightness of the fit between the top section of the support and the barrel but maintaining the support. I suppose the next step would be to make a support out of something lighter than the origional steel.

[StevePerry]

"ps the gladator is going back to the dealer to have the cocking
system adjusted i am told this fault is not unknown"

Hi Ranger02

So far i have put 3000 rounds through the Gladiator without any problems.

[teamricky.m]

Hi I found the barrell band on my cyclone to be causing zero issues also,It would group well for a while the the zero would shif by 3" at 35 yards and stay there!! so re zeroing was a constant, Deben the importers recomended to try without as it is not critical on this action design and enough barrel suport is there. Resuts today if I get out. Good rifle very acurate when zeroed:rolleyes: Knocked feathers down at 50 yards and bunnies at 40yrds so far. Would rate it and recomend it.Mine is the synthetic 177 but not practicle for bi pod set up as a swivel screw would not be secure in the hollow fill plastic and the bottle clamp not an option when the barrel support is off as the stress would all be on the bottle thread in to Reg.

[teamricky.m]

Have had a chance to get a fair bit of use since the barrel clamp was tossed in the round filing cabinet:rolleyes: Nice rifle, stays on zero works well with
x26 scope and shoots flat to around 40 45 yards!! also tryed the red dot scope (Tasco) tube style sight and found this to be a good laugh knockin over corks at 30 yards, can shoot this with both eyes open:cool: