Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Meopta MeoSport R riflescope
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
This report covers:
- The test
- First group single loaded and bipod
- Second group magazine-fed and bipod
- Magazine feed
- Change to sandbag rest
- Third group bag rest single loaded
- Fourth group bag rested magazine
- Discussion
- Summary
Today we look at the accuracy of the Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup at 25 yards both with and without a bipod and also with and without a magazine. This is a fitting end to what has been a very thorough examination of this bullpup rifle from Air Venturi.
We are also examining the UTG TBNR bipod and I will have some things to say about that, as well as the Meopta MeoSport R riflescope that is an affordable scope offering from Meopta. Lots to say so let’s get started.
The test
I shot the Avenger Bullpup from 25 yards both from a bipod and from a sandbag rest. I shot it both ways — from its magazine that is now repaired and also from the single shot tray, to see if there are any differences between those two means of loading. I shot 10-shot groups in all tests so each setup was tested thoroughly. Plus we have the results of past tests to compare to. All things considered, we now have a very good picture of how this bullpup performs. I only used one pellet — the JSB Exact King Heavy Mark II that has proven to be the most accurate pellet in this rifle.
I illuminated the red dot in the Meopta scope reticle for this test. The scope was never adjusted during all of today’s shooting.
First group single loaded and bipod
The first group was loaded singly and fired from the bipod. Before the test I took the time to examine the bipod’s adjustments and I was able to get them locked in tight. I’m not a fan of bipods, but I will say that this one is as steady as a bag rest.
The group measures 0.63-inches between centers at 25 yards. Remember that this is a .25-caliber rifle. Curiously the shots moved up and to the right as I shot — exactly what happened in Part 6 on the first bipod test with this pellet. The group measures 0.63-inches between centers which is better than the first group with the bipod in Part 6 but not as good as the second group in that report that measures 0.406-inches.
There were no called pulls in this group or indeed in the entire test.
When fired from the bipod single shot, ten JSB King Heavys made a 0.63-inch group at 25 yards.
Second group magazine-fed and bipod
Next I loaded a magazine. Since the .25-caliber magazine only holds 8 pellets I reloaded two more pellets after the mag was empty. This time 10 pellets went into 0.444-inches at 25 yards. I felt no difference in the hold, but you can see the results.
When shot from the magazine, ten pellets went into 0.444-inches at 25 yards. This was a surprising group for me.
Why did the magazine give a significantly tighter group? All I can think of is I got more focused as I shot. There were certainly no called pulls in either group.
Magazine feed
The modified magazine is feeding perfectly now. The last two pellets failed to advance on the first mag (remember, the mag only holds 8) but that is the tightness of the clear mag cover that I modified. It never happened again in the test.
There is resistance when the sidelever is pushed closed but it’s just the pellet chambering in the breech. The magazine has no resistance. Friday’s fix was perfect!
Change to sandbag rest
Now it was time to take the bipod off and rest the rifle in a sandbag. Then I would shoot the same two groups over again. I refilled the rifle before doing this as neither of my carbon fiber tanks is filling up to 4350 psi.
Third group bag rest single loaded
This time the Avenger Bullpup put 10 Exact King Heavy pellets into a 0.32-inch group at 25 yards. I have to say that the scope dot was not any stabler when the rifle rested on the bag than when it was on the bipod. Apparently the bipod puts some feedback vibration into the stock when the rifle fires.
When rested on a sandbag the Avenger Bullpup put 10 pellets into a 0.32-inch group at 25 yards.
Fourth group bag rested magazine
The final group was shot from the sandbag with the magazine. Again, the first mag held 8 and the second one held 2. Ten pellets shot from the magazine went into 0.234-inches at 25 yards. That is the smallest 25-yard group this rifle has fired. The previous record was ten in 0.299-inches at the same distance.
When I rested the rifle on a sandbag and used a magazine the group shrank to 0.234-inches at 25 yards. It’s the smallest 25-yard group in the series!
Discussion
What have we learned? First of all, that the Avenger Bullpup in .25 caliber is accurate. I think the sandbag demonstrates the inherent accuracy best because it does seem in both tests that the bipod added something to the group sizes. While bipods are great for some kinds of hunting, just be aware that they may open your groups a little.
Next we learned that Avenger magazines are all over the place when it comes to their size! It may be that because my test rifle was pulled from an early shipment it isn’t typical; I have no way of knowing that.
We learned that the Meopta MeoSport 3-15X50 RD scope is not only in the affordable range, but offers all the quality we have come to expect from this line of optics. It’s certainly a scope worth consideration if it offers the features you seek.
I learned that the UTG TBNR bipod is very adjustable and can also be locked down tight in whatever position you desire within its range of adjustability.
The Avenger Bullpup with the MeoSport 3-15X50 scope on the UTG TBNR bipod.
Summary
The .25 caliber Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup is a powerful, accurate hunting PCP that offers a wide range of adjustability to the user. If you are a fan of the bullpup style, it’s worth consideration.
The trigger is imprecise, but light. Once you are on it, hold on the target because it doesn’t take much to set it off.
The Avenger magazine works great, now that it has been modified. In fact the rifle is even more accurate with it installed than with the single shot tray — an outcome I would not have predicted.
The rifle gets a lot of shots at good hunting power. Remember that I adjusted the regulator down lower than the factory setting and the power setting down just a bit. I’m not sure that bought me more than a couple extra shots, but at least I did get them.
B.B.
Every single Darksider at the range uses a bi-pod. Every single one!
I’m one of the few that uses a sandbag for my springers.
What is the difference in harmonics between bi-pod and no bi-pod?
-Y
Yogi,
Dig through this guy’s videos and maybe even reach out to him. He puts bipods on many of his sproingers.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AirgunDetectives/videos
He also has a website. I would not put one on a classic, but I may consider a newer one. I just purchased a decent set of shooting sticks. I know a few sproinger shooters that use them, so I decided to try them out.
RR,
I’ve never used shooting sticks – unless leaning on a tree qualifies 🙂 Was thinking about trying them out.
Would you mind providing a link to the shooting sticks that you chose and include a quick comment as to what features you liked about them?
Thanks,
Hank
Hank,
Here are the one’s I purchased.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00RPCFXYY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
They are OK as I can use them standing or sitting and use them as a walking stick, but could be a bit fiddly deploying them. I should have tried these instead.
as
https://smile.amazon.com/Primos-Hunting-Adjustable-Shooting-65814/dp/B072C35W53/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3I7RYD0P3J5LQ&keywords=primos+shooting+sticks&qid=1653313202&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=primos+shooting+sticks%2Csporting%2C122&sr=1-7
These are considerably more expensive, but seem to be more easily deployed.
Thanks RR! Will check them out!
R.R.
When I shoot Hunter Class FT I use the Primo Shooting sticks.
Not the same as a bipod though….
-Y
I think my sticks are pretty good, but I also think I should have gotten a set of Primos.
Oh boy! Another Rabbit Hole for FM to burrow into – FM likes Rabbit Holes. Thanks for the link, RR.
LOL! Do not get stuck in there!
Very nice shooting. That’s a hunting gun..
I would like to throw out an observation, the groups tightened up as the fill pressure dropped.
I had this discussion with another Avenger owner yesterday, we both agree our Avengers in .22 don’t group as well above 4000 psi, they seem to group better from about 3600 and down.
It is our opinion that the regulator has an issue dropping the 4300 psi down to 1800-2000 psi where our regulators are set.
Don’t get me wrong, the accuracy is still acceptable at the higher pressures, but the “sweet spot” seems to be 3600-2400psi.
Your mileage may vary.
The .25 caliber will obviously have different likes and numbers.
Ian.
Ian and others,
I had a Talon SS that really liked around 1800 PSI. That was nothing to hand pump up to. At that pressure I could get about 20 real good shots. Many of these airguns will operate better at a lot lower pressures. Just because you can fill it to 10,000 PSI does not mean you should. If you are hunting, how many good shots do you need?
Now, if you are sitting at the bench, you want a gazillion shots per fill. I understand that. You are still going to want to find that sweet spot where the pressure in the tank gives you the best accuracy, regulator or not. Very few airgun regulators are built as good as they should be.
Maybe you need a good sproinger? 😉
RR
Even today a Diana 34 is hard to beat in the springer category. for hunting. It’s at the upper edge in power for a rifle that’s not especially hold sensitive.
Deck
Deck,
That is if you can still find a Diana 34. I know nothing about this new EMS thing they have out now.
RR
Folks on this forum aren’t saying much on the EMS. Diana did a good job designing the CO2 Chaser. Whoever is making it for them turned out an accurate and overall nice quality rifle when they made mine.. Wonder if this is true with the EMS wooden stock version?
Deck
Deck,
With the EMS, what you see is what you get. All those neat change out parts are done in the factory. They made an air rifle where they can swap out various parts, but instead of calling them all different names like TCFKAC does, they call all of them the Diana 34. That name they hope still sells.
As for that Chinese CO2 rifle you have, Diana just had there name put on it. It is also a PCP, a multi-pump and several different pistols bearing other company names besides Diana. Sooner or later they were bound to get it right.
RR
Glad I bought a 34 with T06 trigger a few years ago.. it is a joy to shoot and to look at. Do you know if any Diana airguns are still manufactured in Germany?
Just curious.
Thanks,
Deck
Deck,
Yes, there are quite a few that Diana still manufactures.
https://www.diana-airguns.de/en/
Now, Diana only manufactures one PCP and no CO2 airguns. Most of what they manufacture are sproingers.
I really liked the looks of the old PCP. From what I understand, it was a real shooter. It was also real expensive. There are not many around.
I do have an Air Arms pro sport in .177, I like it.
Sometimes I wish it was in .22.
But it does everything I want it to do in .177.
A lot of my pcp shooting friends have never experienced a truly quality springer, so I put it in their hands and watch the grin on their faces.
Ian,
Put it in my hands and you might not get it back. 😉
BB, that last group was deserving of the trime coin!
When you mentioned how to modify the magazine, I think I might have tried a soldering gun. You would have still had to clean it up with a file or sand paper so the file may have been the best after all.
I think one of the things working against bi-pods is that they are usually mounted too far forward. I think they work best closer to the center of gravity, usually just in front of the trigger guard. Someone mentioned shooting springers off of bi-pods. I don’t shoot off a bi-pod but often shoot my BSA Supersport Lighting off a rest mounted on top of a tripod. I get very good results that way. As with any method of shooting a springer, a consistent hold and follow through are required to get good results.
David Enoch
I used to do some pesting for an old rancher friend who was overrun with nutria and my go-to rig was a camera tripod with a v-notched rest. What I liked about the tripod was you could pan the rifle to about 45° when the critters wandered and stay on them without having to move. Maybe one small step. The trick was to rest on the balance point- right in front of the trigger guard- and you could swing the barrel easily.
My current rest is an aluminum surveyors rod with a v-notch rest. It has one pole sleeved inside another, held by a spring-tensioned wedge. You release the tension by pressing a knob on the end of the pole and the spiked rod drops to the ground at the height you hold it. Once you get a feel for your rest height it works like a stiletto monopod. Quick and simple.
BB
I think you are planning a lubricants report on your must have tools segment. I happened across your August 25, 2005 report on oiling a spring piston gun. There is some good advice there that still holds true today I’m guessing.
Deck