Today reader RidgeRunner, finishes telling us about his experience shooting his Gamo Bone Collector Gen3i. If you’d like to write a guest post for this blog, please email me at blogger@pyramydair.com.
Take it away, RidgeRunner
RidgeRunner’s Gamo Bone Collector Gen3i: Part Four
by RidgeRunner
Gamo Swarm Bone Collector.
This report covers:
- This is it
- Pellets
- Hold it like you love it
- At the range
- So, how did she shoot?
- Summary
This is it
This is it. This will be the last time I drag this Gamo Swarm Bone Collector 10X Gen3i out to the range. BB was right of course when he said I had traded “the farm” for this “supposed diamond mine”. I knew that myself, but I had an insatiable curiosity concerning how far Gamo had come over the years. As you are about to see, not too far. [BB — Curiosity like this is what drives our hobby!]
Pellets
I have no intention of shooting up a bunch of pellets, so the only pellet I will be shooting today is the JSB 18.13 grain pellet. Why? Well, in previous tests it had proved itself to be the most accurate. That is not saying much, but this is a Gamo.
Hold it like you love it
Something I will be trying a little differently is how I hold this critter. Other gas sproinger owners have suggested that I should hold this air rifle as tight as I could and pull it in nice and snug. As it has been a very long time since I had shot one of these things, I decided to give this idea a try.
At the range
I loaded up a ten-round magazine, stuck it in its place, cocked the air rifle, hugged this gal like I never was going to let her go, took careful aim and gently squeezed the trigger. Really?
So, how did she shoot?
The JSB 18.13 grain pellets made a ten shot “group” that was four inches center-to-center. That was at twenty-five yards. Well, hugging this gal tight is of no help.
Four inches CTC – Really?
Summary
This gas spring air rifle is not for me. As there are a whole bunch of airguns out there that do shoot better than this one, I have no intention of taking this any further.
To be fair, I am not the world’s best sproinger shooter. I am also not the world’s worst.
RidgeRunner, yeah, that gal doesn’t want to be tightly hugged, for sure! LOL! 😉
Dave,
She is just going to have to find someone else to dance with. It is a real nice looking air rifle, but as we can see, looks are deceiving.
“She is just going to have to find someone else to dance with.”
For sure; you’ve got plenty of ol’ gals there that can dance! 🙂
Dave,
I think I have already found someone who would like to dance some with her. I do indeed need to find myself on the dance floor more often. 😉
Cool 😉
Or…………………………….the poor Gamo damsel will need to have her new partner learn some new steps? Maybe a different contact with her partner? A variant hold while dancing?
With all the release of forces in a spring or ram piston long or short gun, being able to absorb, in a controlled way, the flamenco moves of the long, stiff partner makes for a winning presentation on the dance floor. Sometimes, you just have to let your partner twist, turn and spin (well, hopefully NOT spin or twirl!) so it is at its best? If you hold too tightly, the flamenco moves are frustrated and the dance is ruined!
My whole arsenal, save for a nonfunctioning Benjamin .22 pumper (owned in homage to my late, late uncle who taught me how to shoot on his farm 65 years ago), is spring or ram driven. Those hand and long partners have taught me the necessity of a loose but controlled hold in my dance. And…they have taught me that each dance partner has quirks that must be learned and complied with.
My oldest and dearest partner is a RWS/Diana Model 36 in .177. It is the least sensitive dance partner I have and can dance with virtually anything and with a severe degree of authority or power. I have an Hatsan Model 135 in .25 is known for its quite discerning and critical choices in pellet dinner dates and that also translates into sensitivity to holds and hand placement all the while being one of the most obese partners I have. (I learned that pretty, but markedly obese partners, aren’t so desperate as to be compliant in the dance!)
In the main, the partners with the name, “Diana,” are the most compelling in the 10 meter dance in the basement hall. I’ve discovered a Spanish dancer of late, named, “Norica,” and while being somewhat weaker that the others, seems to have some potential for a faithful partner. I’m in the process of discovering its wants and desires as a less powerful .25 than its Turkish locker harem mate. I am hoping that Ms. Norica will be able to come to terms with me in the dance and utilize all the pellets that her older sibling’s ample body would not abide. There are a lot of H&N meals for Ms. Norica to consume that her Turkish harem colleague refused to use properly. Ms. 135 needs FAT pellets or is NOT satisfied on the dance floor! Some shooting “dates” are just more demanding in what they are fed on a date – and expensive to court as well.
What I am learning is that our German friends tend to be the best partners for a session of leaden polkas – as in poka de target! The Turkish partners are powerful but very opinionated as to the meal provided on a date for a dance. The Spanish partners seem willing but need some time in my arms to show their affection and gratitude; I guess a mercurial temperament is part of their dance?
Meanwhile, the sturdy and traditional American “target date” sits on her butt in the closet unable to save her breath for pellets and just sighs when taken to the dance floor. She just can’t seem to hold her breath and perform. A trip to a clinic would seem very much in order. Typical of too many Americans, Ms. Benjamin looks nice, in a very conservative and traditional way, but refuses to dance. She may be ill?
LFranke,
The short version is I tried various holds and such with this Gamo and about the only thing I have not done is gut her out and start all over. If I do happen to bring her home from the NC show this weekend, that is exactly what I am planning to do.
I am going to pull that gas thing out of her and replace it with a shortened down metal spring. I might even put one of them there bearings in her to allow the spring to turn freely. I will also be doing away with that magazine setup on her and turn her back into a single shot. I have already made her trigger into one that is REAL nice.
I am willing to bet that after I do that, she will learn to dance right nicely. She is a real nice looker, I have to give her that. I am a thinking Gamo needs to take a step back and see what they have done and where they are going.
I happen to totally agree with your notion that Gamo needs to “take a step back and see what they have done and where they are going.” My first Gamo was a pneumatic pistol that worked and worked and worked. The only negative was a tad bit of barrel corrosion despite constant attention. The chassis of thermoplastic (which I suspect might have been glass fiber reinforced? Don’t really know…) was the only negative thing about it as it was not as rigid as the FAR MORE expensive Beeman P-1/Wierauch 45 made of cast aluminum.
I own a Viper Express Air Shotgun. It has decent power and good accuracy with skirted pellets going down the smooth bore. The primary problem is the 30 pc limit of #9 shot in the Gamo Shot Shells. The load is too light and the spread too great at 10 Meters – it covers an entire std target sheet with 12 bulls.
I’ve learned to reload the shot shells, but I beseeched Gamo to consider reload parts (base cups, bulk shot and some kind of front “wad”, but that fell on deaf ears. The Viper Express is, admittedly, a novelty and not a really dedicated pellet gun, in my opinion, because it was not designed as a shot gun but adapted the power plant and chassis of their magnum .22. It works but if Gamo REALLY wanted an air shot gun in its product line, more thought and development would have been in order — including the ability to reload shot shells. In other words, Gamo “….missed it by that much!” All I can offer is to take your time and put a few hundred rounds, maybe a couple of tins, of pellets down the tube and then see what you think. The Viper E SG settled in after box after box of Shot Shells (original and various attempts at reloads). Maybe you Gamo will too!
LFranke,
Of all of the Gamo airguns I have heard of over the years, that is the one that has tempted me the most. I have long thought that it would be perfect for shooting these pesky carpenter bees boring holes into RRHFWA. I have seen/heard of several reloading techniques for those shot shells. Reloading them with mini sugar balls I do think would be the ticket for these little vermin.
Now, if your Gamo Viper Express with some empty shot shells would enjoy a vacation at RRHFWA for a bit this Spring, I would be happy to pay for her passage back and forth. If you think she might just as soon live here, perhaps that could be worked out also. 😉
To be honest, I have never understood Gamo. It is as though they are intentionally ignoring airgunners, at least those in the USA. If I am not mistaken, they have even stopped attending the Shot Show. Perhaps they realize that they cannot make a decent shooting airgun, so why bother?
RR:
The problem with reloading the empty Shot Shells is getting a base cup and a retaining device for the front of them. The factory Shells have a small plastic driving cup that is a flanged disc with the open side facing the rear of the Shell. Obviously, when the air blast comes, the flange is forced to the barrel wals and seals the Shell charge of shot and the whole thing is propelled forward. I solve this with high density 1 or 2 mm hobby foam and a .25″ hole punch.
The real problem is the front of the shot. I use the .25″ hole punch to make a paper disc of index card paper and then use a dowel of the appropriate size to push this down on the foam base and the shot. It seems to work, but, of course, in the flight of the discharged shot, that paper disc almost has to interfere with the shot pattern. Actual shot gun shells, of course, unfold the front of the round and the shot proceeds down the barrel as a disorganized unit held together by the acceleration down the bore. There’s no front wadding (the fire arm term) to get in the way.
The Viper Express has a goodly amount of power as an airgun shooting a pellet because the skirt seals the small air blast to the walls of the bore. The pellet, being a unified mass then retains the energy against the friction of the air in its flight. The 30 shot, however, has those individual pieces each fighting the friction of the air, thus slowing down. The range is much less than a pellet, of course.
For the practical purposes of shooting bees that’s likely not a problem and the short range means that the pattern will remain more dense and might well work?
All-in-all, however, the Viper Express is pretty much a toy. I can’t shoot it in my basement range because the pattern would open up enough to peck the wood work of the ballistic closet within 10 Meters. The #9 shot is a bit too small for doing much more than annoying rabbits in the yard at reasonable range. I’ve thought about loading up bigger shot with fewer per load, but the price of the shot vs. how much I’d actually use it just doesn’t make it worthwhile.
I’ve pondered the idea of a useful air shot gun, and wondered if it would be best in a .30 cal. springer with sufficient piston stroke to make it work. The problem is that the only .30 Cal. bores are rifled and that just makes it not work, but if one could get a smooth bore barrel it might be interesting? However, the same problem of the shell reloading still would exist; the base cup could be somewhat easily done but a “dissolving” front wading is the pesky issue. How to make a wad that is strong enough to hold the shell together OUTSIDE of the gun but give way when discharged – that’s the pesky issue that is solved, in a firearm, by shear power.
I just saw this:
https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1072991255
RidgeRunner,
I don’t think there is going to be a way to tame this shrew. Might as well let her free.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I will be taking her to the NC Airgun Show this weekend. Maybe someone else will love on her some and see what they can do.
Siraniko, I love that Shakespeare reference! 😉
Note: for those who have never seen or read the play (I’ve got all his plays, LOL!) here’s a summary:
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/taming-of-the-shrew/
Airgun version of Taming of the Shrew:
Pow.
Ooooh, I love the way this air rifle slaps me upside the head when I pull her gritty, creepy trigger. It sure does keep me on the edge of my seat!
Pop, creak.
Ahhhh, slapping the barrel just broke my ring finger. Oh well, I have 9 left. But the spring is so heavy that I strained my back. What a wonderful sensation it is to finally feel my bulging disc rupture!!
I’m so glad that my accuracy is so horrible. I don’t know if I could stand the guilt of watching a rat die.
What a great airgun!
RG,
She is not that bad, but not far from it. Can this shrew be tamed? Yes, but I think a Gamo purist would cry.
Wow! I never thought I would see one of Ridgerunners’ dollar bills in the light of the day.
Oh, and nice report, too. Thanks for confirming that I’m happier with my Diana’s and my Weihrauch. And my Walther Terrus likes the deer rifle hold.
Roamin,
Yep! my guess is that is RidgeRunner’s FIRST dollar bill and, like a rock star’s shirt, it’s never been changed! 😉
BB
BB,
Hahahahaha! I’ll have you know I do change my shirts!
If you need some shirts to change into RR, check out Liberty Maniacs – FM just ordered himself some irresistible politically-incorrect campaign season ones, despite Mrs. FM’s eyebrow-raising looks at the ones displayed online. She humors her Worser Half and his warped sense of humor.
Don’t believe Liberty Maniacs is directly competing with PA so hopefully there is no issue with this reply – but if there is, no worries, FM has been shamed, spanked and rapped on the head with rulers before – after all, he went to Catholic school. Mom and dad took care of the spanking part. They also would not let Little FM load BBs into his Daisy Red Ryder, for which he forgives them but does not forget.
Note: will be giving the resident Gamo Whisper Fusion a couple more chances to shine but someday it too might be offered to another dance partner.
FM,
No worries. As I stated, I do have other shirts that I do wear on occasion, some of which are not politically correct. Fortunately, Mrs. RR does have the same views along those lines that I do.
RG,
Weihrauch, oh yeah. Old Dianas, for sure. A Terrus, really?
I will have to dig up some of my targets to prove it to you. I never got around to testing her at anything further than 10 yards/meters, but belive it or not, .22 JSB Stratons (the pointed pellets) were best, but only with the rifle snuggled up firmly in my shoulder pocket and my left hand way out by the breech block, just like I hold my deer rifle, making it a good practice rifle and a potential backyard pester.
Like your CFX, I got it because B.B. recommended it in this blog. He called it a “world beater.” Unfortunately, it has been discontinued. Also unfortunately, the trigger cannot be adjusted except for the length of the first stage pull. But that is OK with me because I can remove the first stage and get it as close as I can to my deer rifle trigger, which is a Model 700 bolt action in .25-06.
RG,
Awesome! My dad and I used to have the 700 Varmint Special in .25-06!
Mine is a BDL with cool skip-line checkering. My Dad bought it used for me when I was 12. It shoots 1 MOA with factory ammo. Recoil is mild.
RG,
With hand loads, my dad and I could shoot 1/3 MOA. I do believe that the action was glass beaded, the barrel had been free floated and the trigger had been worked on by a professional gunsmith.
Cool. As far as I know mine is stock. But it is lights out on deer that pause long enough.
RG,
As far as the Terrus is concerned, do not bother. Even if I were to find one at the show, I will not be buying it, no matter how well it shoots.
RR,
Right with you on getting an airgun just to check it. As you may remember I have the same problem, to some degree, with the Crosman Mag-Fire Ultra and the Black Bunker BM-8.
Set them aside for now but have not given up till I find the exact cause for their “Not So Pretty Good” accuracy. The barrel, the pellet, the design or me trying to find the best way to shoot it.
They both reside in ‘MY’ cool looking fun plinker category for now. I do like the magazine springer setup and hope it can improve.
It’s like companies are stuck in the old days when all but the exclusive were not accurate and everybody hoped they hit what they were aiming at. And pellets, you just shot what the local store sold.
The game was to see who could get lucky and hit something first. But it was mostly BB guns.
Good blog.
Bob M,
I was wondering about that BM-8 of yours. I would have picked one up if I could have gotten the bayonet with it. That would have made the deal.
I cannot say I really understand those laws though. It is OK if you can poke a hole in someone’s skull from a distance, but we do not want you to be able to walk up to them and stab them with it.
Yeah, I have made a few purchases and trades over the years that I have not been exactly thrilled with. The bright side of it is someone has ended up with “a diamond mine” in their hands. I certainly have ended up with some real jewels around here.
Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away…
Hold it, hold it, hold it. Way too much Star Wars lately.
The first air rifle I bought was an old Gamo CFX. I bought it because BB had done a report about what a great little air rifle it was for the bucks, which though I have been made fun of over the years, I do not have very many of.
It turned out to be a very accurate air rifle. Though it was very hold sensitive, I learned how to put ten shots under a dime at twenty-five yards. It was an extremely accurate air rifle at that range. It was not worth a hoot at fifty yards though.
As I have said, I had a personal curiosity to see how far Gamo had come over the years. Well, as it turns out not very far at all.
Hey, in the looks department she sure is purdy. The only way she could look any better would be for the stock to be well figured walnut.
With a little time, someone may even learn how to dance to her tune. I do not have that kind of time anymore. I have over a dozen other “old gals” who want their chance on the dance floor with me. I have not even told you folks about most of them, though I have named some of them. 😉
I was shocked when you made this trade!!!
Come see me at the show first, I will make you an offer.
But yall need to bring the box and own ers manual. Please.
Breeze,
All will be there.
Breeze,
I have the box, but I do not have the owner’s manual. I looked on the Gamo USA website and it can be downloaded though.
Breeze,
I have the box, but I do not have the owner’s manual. I looked on the Gamo USA website and it can be downloaded though.
Breeze,
Curiosity killed the cat.
I do intend to have the Gamo at the show.
I’m glad and my wallet thanks you, for telling us all about the Gamo Bone Collector. I had seriously considered getting the Bone Collector but changed my mind at the last minute to get a HW50S in 0.177.
I even had it in my shopping cart but changed it to the HW50S before checking out.
Mike
Mike,
That was a good thing to do. I have never owned an HW50, but any Weihrauch would be better than a Gamo.
Mike
Can’t go wrong with that Weihrauch, a bigger brother of HW30S and just as accurate at 25 yards. There are lots of Diana good choices too in that power range including Diana 28 and 35.
Congratulations on changing your cart order.
Deck
Oh no! “The Emperor has no clothes!”
Well, maybe he does have something to wear, but here I am, preparing to go to the NC Airgun Show, and I do not have any PCPs zeroed. I know that my grandson is going to want to shoot the Texan some. I guess I had better get to the range.
I sure would like a shot at tuning that rifle for you. I would do it for the shipping charges only. I really want to see why it’s accuracy is so bad? I think it might just be something that can potentially be corrected? I think that RR might be missing something that can be hiding in some secret Gamo vault that needs unlocked. I remember the first time turning the Gamo Hunter Extreme in 22 caliber. It only took me 25 to 30 times to find it’s secret, then man was it and still is a shooter. ( Crosman 14.3 HP chrony at 950 fps plus at 70 degrees and I am 1000 feet above sea level. ) Tom did a report on it in I think 2014 maybe? I will try to find that report and send a link. I am a sucker for magnum springer-gas rams. Show me someone that can consistently hit there target at 50 yards or more and NOW I am impressed because they are so difficult to shoot consistently.
An airgun test you weren’t expecting: Part 3 | Blog | Pyramyd AIR
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2014/11/an-airgun-test-you-werent-expecting-part-3/?srsltid=AfmBOorLIAVGSUnwgthPxdz16qtIbCL8JqSP14rU3L3vATdHvc_EoKFJ
Rich,
You are going to have to talk to Breeze or somebody else about tuning this Gamo as I have not intention of owning it any longer pretty soon if I have any say in the matter.
Obviously there are a bunch of people who like these things or the landfills of this country must be filled with them. Either that or they have been stuck in the back of the closets and forgotten about. They do not show up for resale that often.
RidgeRunner,
How’s that “Benjamin 137 working out? Hope it fits in well with the 130 and 132.
Jonah,
I have not overhauled the others yet, but it is quite happy hanging out with the 130 and 132. All three look like peas in a pod.
When the other two are overhauled, just remember which one you are shooting since they all look alike. I tried loading a .22 in my Sheridan pistol once. Wondered why it loaded so hard. It did clear the barrel, but I was very surprised that it did.
Jonah,
They do indeed. Fortunately for me, they are clearly marked on the side of the action. I might even pay attention to what they say.
Using a dollar bill to compare the “group” to as opposed to a dime or trime was an inspired piece of thinking on your part, RR. Great sense of humor! Not sure if I’m coming to the show yet.
Fred formerly of the Demokratik Peeples Republic of NJ now happily in GA
Fred,
Despite some of the cracks we have seen here, I too thought it was indeed a true inspiration. I do hope you can make it for Saturday.
RidgeRunner,
May you get most of your cash out of the deal; may she find someone who has some magic pixy dust.
AND, DO NOT pay any nevermind to the new owners claims on those sub 2 MOA 10 shot groups they get with her at 50 yards!
shootski
shootski,
I will most definitely know that person is a liar.
Are you going to ride down to the NC show with me on Saturday?
RidgeRunner,
That will need to take a back seat to taking care of my wife. She is having some mobility issues that make me feel uncomfortable leaving here at home alone. I was going to depend on my daughter to keep tabs on her but she just was selected for SWAT School and will be out of area.
I’m going to hopefully plan better for next year.
shootski
PS: Do they run a range(s) during the show and what distances.
I pray your wife’s mobility issues improve quickly. They will have to, if she is to have any hope of keeping up with you. Best wishes to your daughter’s successful completion of SWAT school. I hope she stays safe during the classes and thereafter.
Roamin Greco,
I think we have the beginnings of understanding that she is on the road to full blown OA. At our age (mid seventies) it isn’t like having Osteoarthritis onset at the average 53 years of age. It has caused her to stop being my paddle partner in the EPIC 18X Double, for now, which bothers her immensely. I’m hoping she continues to be my workout buddy with our personal trainer. The Orthopedic Doctors at Walter Reed have been impressed with her fitness level.
There is no known cure for Osteoarthritis at this time. Pain management is a search for what works with the least side effects. She is closing in on some answers on pain management and grudgingly accepting it for her OA.
Thank you for your concern.
shootski
shootski,
I am sorry for your not making it this year, but I do understand. I would stay home also. It is my hope and prayer that your wife will be feeling better soon, and I do hope that you will be able to attend next year.
They do indeed have a shooting range where you can often “try it before you buy it”. There is usually no range officer though. As for the distance, how far do you want to shoot? You can shoot to about 200 yards.
My “grandsons” and I were shooting my .457 Texan some last year. I will likely be lugging it down with me this year. I am quite sure that Blake will want to shoot it some. He has been bugging me about it for some time now.
RidgeRunner,
I would have brought my .58 DAQ pistol and .58 Short Rifle; they are both rare and beautiful. And just Gonzo crazy shooting Mr. Hollowpoints 350 grain bullets.
shootski
shootski,
Just to let you know, I would not mind having a DAQ visit RRHFWA.
That’s too bad but family first – maybe next year FM can join you all in Newton.
I once had the Gamo CF30 for a week. I gave it back. This one dollar group compares very well to the CF30 I purchased. The guy at the air gun shop just took it back without any discussion…