15-yard benchrest
Leupold M8 2x handgun scope, parallax-adjusted to 15 yds.
B-Square scope mount (originally mfg. for the Baikal IZH-46M pistol, but a good fit to this air pistol as well)
22 different pellet brands / styles were tested
Qty.2, 5-shot groups (shot subsequently after an initial pellet for air cylinder warmup / bore seasoning)
(Sorry it's not a closer pic - however, the only thing that a closeup would show would be the ~$300 worth of optics/accessories on a pistol valued at ~$100, lol.) BTW, thanks Hush!!! :bthumb:
Results: (average of Qty.2, 5-shot groups @ 15 yds)
This 717 was previously chronographed at 360 fps with 8gr pellets, just after I had done a rebuild/reconditioning on it.
Average group size (all pellets tested): 0.88"
Best pellet (Vogel Merlin Match): 0.44"
After the initial success with the Qty.2, 5-shot groups with the Vogels, I shot another Qty.2, 5-shot group set.
Very similar results were achieved, so I have reasonable confidence in that excellent 0.44" average.
Before I began this test, I had the premise that the 'best' pellet should produce an average group size of ~ half the overall average, over a wide range of pellets tested.
(Per my Daisy 853 test (0.18" vs 0.29"avg: 62%) and my IZH-46 test (0.19" to 0.42"avg: 45%)).
The current testing supported my working theory, 0.44" vs 0.88": 50%.
The aggregate MOA for this particular air pistol calculates to 5.8 MOA for all pellets.
The MOA for the best pellets (Vogel Merlin Match) calculates to 2.9 MOA in this Daisy - roughly half the accuracy of the 1.3 MOA (at the same 15 yds) with the best pellets from my scoped Baikal IZH-46M, under comparable testing conditions.
However, keep in mind that this pistol retails for only ~1/3 of the cost of the (now-difficult-to-get) IZH-46M.
Happily, I have close to 5000 of this lot of Vogel pellets in my inventory - so this testing is finished (and on some of the last good weather for Oregon this fall).
I feel rather fortunate; there really is no second-runner-up pellet in this air pistol - without these Vogels it would have been a disappointing test.
Onward to my garage range to keep some semblance of handgun proficiency for this upcoming winter.
(Actually, that's not quite true - the majority of my indoor air pistol practice will most likely be with my IZH-46M.
This 717 will probably serve its major roles as a 'loaner' or something I'll travel with and/or take out into the field.
My IZH would be much more difficult to replace, and I wouldn't be as heartbroken if something happened to this Daisy.
Still, it was really fun to find the upper limits for this very good entry-level target air pistol. )
Thanks for reading,
Leupold M8 2x handgun scope, parallax-adjusted to 15 yds.
B-Square scope mount (originally mfg. for the Baikal IZH-46M pistol, but a good fit to this air pistol as well)
22 different pellet brands / styles were tested
Qty.2, 5-shot groups (shot subsequently after an initial pellet for air cylinder warmup / bore seasoning)
(Sorry it's not a closer pic - however, the only thing that a closeup would show would be the ~$300 worth of optics/accessories on a pistol valued at ~$100, lol.) BTW, thanks Hush!!! :bthumb:
Results: (average of Qty.2, 5-shot groups @ 15 yds)
- Beeman 7.2gr - Hollow point: 1.01"
- Beeman 7.7gr - Wadcutter: 1.21"
- Crosman 7.4gr Competition - Wadcutter: 1.33"
- Crosman 7.9gr Copperhead - Pointed: 1.05" (old-stock & discontinued)
- Crosman 7.9gr Copperhead - Wadcutter: 0.85" (old-stock & discontinued)
- Crosman 7.45gr Hunting - Pointed: 0.98"
- Crosman 7.9gr Premier - Hollow point: 1.06"
- Crosman 7.9gr Premier Light - Domed: 0.68"
- Daisy Precision Max 7.8gr - Wadcutter: 1.24"
- Gamo 7.56gr Hunter - Domed: 0.78"
- Gamo 7.87gr Magnum - Pointed: 0.68"
- Gamo 7.56gr Master Point - Pointed: 0.76"
- Gamo 7.71gr Match - Wadcutter: 0.82"
- RWS 7.0gr Diabolo Basic - Wadcutter: 0.86"
- RWS 7.0gr Hobby - Wadcutter: 0.79"
- RWS 7.0gr MK Pistol - Wadcutter: 0.77"
- RWS 8.2gr MK Rifle - Wadcutter: 0.84"
- RWS 8.2gr R-10 Match - Wadcutter: not tested, no interest
- RWS 7.7gr Superdome - Domed: 0.84"
- RWS 7.8gr Super-H-Point - HP: 0.72" (old-stock, discontinued weight)
- RWS 7.7gr Superpoint - Pointed: 0.77"
- Vogel 8.1gr Merlin Match - Wadcutter: 0.44" (Qty.4, 5-shot groups)
- Winchester 9.8gr Round nose: 0.85"
This 717 was previously chronographed at 360 fps with 8gr pellets, just after I had done a rebuild/reconditioning on it.
Average group size (all pellets tested): 0.88"
Best pellet (Vogel Merlin Match): 0.44"
After the initial success with the Qty.2, 5-shot groups with the Vogels, I shot another Qty.2, 5-shot group set.
Very similar results were achieved, so I have reasonable confidence in that excellent 0.44" average.
Before I began this test, I had the premise that the 'best' pellet should produce an average group size of ~ half the overall average, over a wide range of pellets tested.
(Per my Daisy 853 test (0.18" vs 0.29"avg: 62%) and my IZH-46 test (0.19" to 0.42"avg: 45%)).
The current testing supported my working theory, 0.44" vs 0.88": 50%.
The aggregate MOA for this particular air pistol calculates to 5.8 MOA for all pellets.
The MOA for the best pellets (Vogel Merlin Match) calculates to 2.9 MOA in this Daisy - roughly half the accuracy of the 1.3 MOA (at the same 15 yds) with the best pellets from my scoped Baikal IZH-46M, under comparable testing conditions.
However, keep in mind that this pistol retails for only ~1/3 of the cost of the (now-difficult-to-get) IZH-46M.
Happily, I have close to 5000 of this lot of Vogel pellets in my inventory - so this testing is finished (and on some of the last good weather for Oregon this fall).
I feel rather fortunate; there really is no second-runner-up pellet in this air pistol - without these Vogels it would have been a disappointing test.
Onward to my garage range to keep some semblance of handgun proficiency for this upcoming winter.
(Actually, that's not quite true - the majority of my indoor air pistol practice will most likely be with my IZH-46M.
This 717 will probably serve its major roles as a 'loaner' or something I'll travel with and/or take out into the field.
My IZH would be much more difficult to replace, and I wouldn't be as heartbroken if something happened to this Daisy.
Still, it was really fun to find the upper limits for this very good entry-level target air pistol. )
Thanks for reading,