AusVarmint

We have had the last week at our farm working in mid autumn crisp New England weather.

I had a little time off work for shooting the FX Elite .25 cal with the smooth twist (ST) barrel.

I also nstalled my first bipod, an Atlas, and spent some time getting to know the related quirks of shooting with bipods; consistent gentle forward applied pressure etc.



Shot some starlings out of the gravity death drop 71 yd tree.

The groups below are the only ones shot this trip at 100 yd and 125 yd in some wind.
Both shot with the .25 cal FX Elite single shot, load direct to the barrel, ST barrel cleaned with Ballistol (thanks Daisy).

100 yards, 6 shots group, 0.80 inch ctc; and a 125 yards 1.40 inch 5 shots ctc group, an average group at that range. JSB King pellets of course:



It's a 100% reliable rifle that IMO will be much sought after in years to come when shooters realize its qualities. Not sure how many if any others made it to OZ yet.

As well as having the .25 ST barrel and a BSA .25 Hornet barrel profiled to fit the Elite:



- and spare tack driving ST .22 barrel,



- it will shortly be sporting a .30 cal 7.54 mm barrel! That is "outside diameter" not bore!
You might guess what projectile that it will launch ... and how the 2X Helia Kahles sight (from a Sheridan) might be set up and adjusted!

I'm thinking 500 gr @ about 210 fps and Fallow deer from a trail blind ................. Kind regards, Yrrah.

As usual you are in great form Harry. You always seem to get the best from all the rifles you have. A very nice .25 plus Excellent groups. FX have again struck a new benchmark with their ST barrels.
I am also quite impressed by the way you approached the Atlas Bipod mount. If I am right that looks like a section of down pipe over the bottle that you attached the picatinny mount
to for the unit. Very innovative,I will keep that one in my good ideas file.
Be well,
Ray.

RayG wrote:As usual you are in great form Harry. You always seem to get the best from all the rifles you have. A very nice .25 plus Excellent groups. FX have again struck a new benchmark with their ST barrels.
I am also quite impressed by the way you approached the Atlas Bipod mount. If I am right that looks like a section of down pipe over the bottle that you attached the picatinny mount
to for the unit. Very innovative,I will keep that one in my good ideas file.
Be well,
Ray.

Yes Ray. Here's a close-up of the attachment:



My modification of a US shooter's suggestion which avoids drilling the stock's fore-end. I still may sort a fore-end attachment if I can get the right kind of screw nuts that would avoid any possibility of damaging the wood. Some have done it but I'm not sure what's best. Any ideas anyone? Meanwhile this seems to be getting results .... Best regards, Harry.

Gee Harry, nice rifle, but I can't help wondering if the Beesa and FWB aren't starting to feel all alone and neglected in the gun safe!

cheers, curan

curan wrote:Gee Harry, nice rifle, but I can't help wondering if the Beesa and FWB aren't starting to feel all alone and neglected in the gun safe!

cheers, curan

Be assured that the two BSAs get at least equal time. The FWB 300 S has taken a .177 back seat since I have been working with the RAW TM 1000 though Curan. That TM 0082 is one very good girly calibre rifle and will shoot a number of JSB weights and the Baracudas and the Predator Polymags which are deadly with centre mass shots on Indian Mynas . I have taken to head sizing the .177 pellets for it. It too is a sub inch 100 yards shooter when the air is good and predictable. About 15 fpe is the go with it.

But yes I am spoiled for accurate rifles across the calibre range and power range. Some buy and sell, I just keep what I have and work it to the best it has and then get attached .... Best regards, Harry.

Yrrah wrote:

RayG wrote:As usual you are in great form Harry. You always seem to get the best from all the rifles you have. A very nice .25 plus Excellent groups. FX have again struck a new benchmark with their ST barrels.
I am also quite impressed by the way you approached the Atlas Bipod mount. If I am right that looks like a section of down pipe over the bottle that you attached the picatinny mount
to for the unit. Very innovative,I will keep that one in my good ideas file.
Be well,
Ray.

Yes Ray. Here's a close-up of the attachment:



My modification of a US shooter's suggestion which avoids drilling the stock's fore-end. I still may sort a fore-end attachment if I can get the right kind of screw nuts that would avoid any possibility of damaging the wood. Some have done it but I'm not sure what's best. Any ideas anyone? Meanwhile this seems to be getting results .... Best regards, Harry.

As an alternative even with the minimal space between the Buddy bottle and the stock, it should be possible to put a couple of small wide flat head bolts/screws through the fore end timber to attach the picatinny Bi pod mount rail firmly. I reckon if you go to your local hardware store and check their stock I am sure I have seen some flat head wood fasteners that may do the job in Bunnings here. I will do some searching and get back to you. In the meantime I see from your results that the current mount is working quite well.
Ray.