Hello folks, I'm in the USA and it was suggested that I ask my questions here after not getting much help elsewhere. I hunt such critters as turkeys and skunks and enjoy plinking at long range. I'm interested in a FAC rated .20" Theoben Eliminator but I would like to know how smooth it shoots compared to the larger calibers. I got a Patriot in .25" because people said it shoots best in the bigger caliber. I'm wondering if the same is true with the Theoben. The Patriot doesn't shoot very well at long range though, my R1/HW80 does better. Which caliber performs best in the Eliminator at long range and how would it compare to the guns I own? (Both rifles are untuned but a 20fpe tune is planned for the HW80). Thanks.
.22 is definately best for long range accuracy, although .25 is very close out to about 55/60 yards. .20 is just about getting lucky with a pellet !
both .22 and .25 Eliminators will shoot way sweeter than a Patriot in ANY calibre from what I've heard from other Patriot owners !!!!
Cetainly the .22 Eliminator I shot was very smooth, and Kev loves his .25 version too...
.20 Rapid is great, but rather pellet fussy (i.e. Premiers ONLY) - does give a nice trajectory though at about 930 fps. .22 Rapid over about 25 FP has to use Bisley mags as it doesn't seem to like much else, which means you're down to 800 fps at 30 FP - still VERY usefull, but depends what ranges you're looking to shoot out to. Also the Bisle Mags (Kodiaks) hold tegether really well inthe wind compared with lighter stuff in my experience...
HTH - JB
Jack,
AA Fields will def take 30 FP, but not normally in a Rapid barrel !!! There ARE some Rapid barrels that do shoot the AA's well at that power (Kev had one), but they are few and far between.
I rebarreled my .177 Rapid with a Career barrel, 'cos it would only shoot Bismag reallyt accurately - it's outstanding nowYou could do the same with a .22 Career barrel on an FAC Rapid....
The Eliminator works great with 'em apparrently, but IIRC Baz's theory is that with that much air hitting 'em they get sized to perfection !
Hi Lyon,
Apart from deciding on possible new purchase:
If you do a Venom/Mac 1 tune on the R-1/ HW 80, with the magnum tune you may get as much as 23 ft/lbs of power in .22.
Mine does 22,97 with H&N FTT's and still is nicely smooth. With original length barrel cocking is not too bad, while the Eliminator is a bitch in that respect. Gas ram Eliminator deals out very nasty recoil snaps that tends to eliminate scopes much more than uprated R-1 springer. Most El's give around 27/28 ft/lbs in .22, so you can decide if difference is really worth it.....
Take care!
Hendrick Otto
nothing to stop you bleading the Eliminator back by a few FP and making it much smoother...
The Eliminator is te dogs danglies in .22
I also found that my Rapid (30 ftlb) only really worked well with Biz Mags.
But they hold theirt 800 odd fps VERY well and will do all you need to out to 60 yards or so.
As to skunks and other larger prey - doable with a head shot inside of 30 yards but I think a bit much for an air rifle of any form over 30 yards anyway.
My Eliminator shoots one hole groups with Mosquito .25's at 28ft/lbs, and has very little felt recoil, although the recoil is very fast! it is way smoother to shoot than any springer at Fac level.
Baz swears by his .22 eliminator, and has said on many occasions that if he could only have one FAC airgun, then that would be it!
As for Rapids, Jon has said it all really, you need to feed a .20 with Prems, or Barracudas. although I have heard good thingas about Ben's pellets, and everyone will tell you that bismags are the best for rapids in .22, although mine also shot AA fields well, but only the 51's not the 52's.
Kev, this could well be my next rifle so I'm very interested to know at what range you're shooting those one hole groups?Originally posted by Kev.
My Eliminator shoots one hole groups with Mosquito .25's at 28ft/lbs,
Lionel
Nothing amazing Lionel, I took it up the farm this week after sticking a new scope on, and all the range I had available was 35-yards, and I was shooting from a rested position, the pellets were going through the same hole on more than one occassion. you are welcome to give it a go at Cobham sometime.
Don't be so modest Kev - that's very impressive accuracy. I'd love to have a go - do you ever make it to Cobham on Fridays?
Lionel
PS - I'm boycotting the smilies at the moment because they all look retarded on this new site.
The Eliminator is way nicer to shoot than the Patriot (even a gasram wont improve the Patriot to anywhere as good as the Eliminator)
I shoot my .22 at 28ftlb, it is easily capable of 30 but I am used to the trajectory at 28ftlb with AA Field/JSB Exact, I havent found any other airgun with same long range accuracy, I am told by its designer that its the whack of air sizing the pellet that causes it to be so good at long (for airgun) ranges and looking at the shape of an AA Field after exiting the muzzle I believe him
Ben has been getting some great results with his .20 versions and I hope to be testing one myself
Baz
Used to run mine at 860fps with .20 premiers. Since changed back to .22 to try AA field, but initial tests give a loose fit. As with any rifle it,s a matter of matching pellet and power. Eliminators are way ahead of the Patriot.
Just remember things run a lot smoother when your not redlining them.
Have you tried both sizes of fields? 51's and 52's? in .22
Yep Kev started with AA 5.52. Some feel like the head is engaging (ooh er!), others are a rattling good fit. Not done yet as I maybe able to sort or try Daystates 5.52's. Currently sorting something else, but summer is coming. Something to be learned about the man with one gun me thinks.
That did help me decide what to do. I think I'll pass for now on used .20" Eliminator I was looking at and just get my R1 tuned first. The .22" sounds like the way to go if I do get one. Does the .22" cal Eliminator actually have a smoother firing cycle than the .20"? Which would be better for shooting coffee cans at 75+ meters?
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