Is this S200 performing ok?
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2016 12:55 am
This is my first ever post, so hello everyone. I've just bought my first pcp, an Air Arms S200, Mk3 in .177. I'd like to tell you about it and ask you experts whether you think it's ok or a dud, or whatever. I bought it secondhand at a bargain price. It seems to be about as accurate as my Weihrauch HW50S - that's just my initial impression. I haven't tested them side by side.
After researching the trigger adjustments (complex, 6 variables: 5 screws and the distance of trigger blade on slider) I got it working so that it feels good to me. Light first stage, short definite second stage with a crisp fairly light release. Trigger is now MUCH better than when I first got it (crunchy, sticky and a bit unpredictable).
First attachment is a photo of air rifle targets shot at 10m, using dioptre sights + ring front sight tunnel, rifle rested on a bag. Outdoors a little windy. Shooting 5 pellets per roundel. I was testing H&N Finale Match against 3 times cheaper Gamo Match, and found them to be about the same. I also found out that RWS CO2 Target pellets don't go well in this gun - groups are noticeably bigger. RWS Hobby are good, but not quite as good as the Gamo Match and H&N FMs. In the photo, the numbers are measurements in mm of vertical spread o-o, horizontal spread o-o, and group size c-c. As you can see, the group size is 5mm and 7mm.
I have a chronograph, as I do archery, and had a go at measuring the power curve. Chart is the second attachment (the blanks were because the chrony errored). The data shows:
Shots 20>40 (20)
Max: 772.1, 10.5
Ave: 764.8, 10.3
Min: 758.9, 10.1
Spread: 13.2
Shots 19>74 (55)
Max: 782.7, 10.7
Ave: 769.1, 10.4
Min: 751.2, 9.9
Spread: 31.5
So, what do you think? Is this rifle ok as should be expected, or is it worse? Reason I ask is that I was expecting my first pcp to be way better than the spring rifles that I have, but it doesn't seem to be that different. Apart from the HW50S I have a Walther LGV Challenger (and of course an obligatory Chinese B2 rifle that's pants, but fun!).
Chuck Glider
Berkshire, U.K.
Pfft in peace...B)
After researching the trigger adjustments (complex, 6 variables: 5 screws and the distance of trigger blade on slider) I got it working so that it feels good to me. Light first stage, short definite second stage with a crisp fairly light release. Trigger is now MUCH better than when I first got it (crunchy, sticky and a bit unpredictable).
First attachment is a photo of air rifle targets shot at 10m, using dioptre sights + ring front sight tunnel, rifle rested on a bag. Outdoors a little windy. Shooting 5 pellets per roundel. I was testing H&N Finale Match against 3 times cheaper Gamo Match, and found them to be about the same. I also found out that RWS CO2 Target pellets don't go well in this gun - groups are noticeably bigger. RWS Hobby are good, but not quite as good as the Gamo Match and H&N FMs. In the photo, the numbers are measurements in mm of vertical spread o-o, horizontal spread o-o, and group size c-c. As you can see, the group size is 5mm and 7mm.
I have a chronograph, as I do archery, and had a go at measuring the power curve. Chart is the second attachment (the blanks were because the chrony errored). The data shows:
Shots 20>40 (20)
Max: 772.1, 10.5
Ave: 764.8, 10.3
Min: 758.9, 10.1
Spread: 13.2
Shots 19>74 (55)
Max: 782.7, 10.7
Ave: 769.1, 10.4
Min: 751.2, 9.9
Spread: 31.5
So, what do you think? Is this rifle ok as should be expected, or is it worse? Reason I ask is that I was expecting my first pcp to be way better than the spring rifles that I have, but it doesn't seem to be that different. Apart from the HW50S I have a Walther LGV Challenger (and of course an obligatory Chinese B2 rifle that's pants, but fun!).
Chuck Glider
Berkshire, U.K.
Pfft in peace...B)