
The last couple days I've been shooting my
Daisy 880 almost exclusively - to the determent
of all of my other airguns.
Why you ask? Because since
mounting a Leaper's UTG 4X32 CQB Bug Buster AO on
and a
Sun Optics USA SM7015 adapter base 11mm to Picatinny on my 880 ... this Daisy
has been transformed.
The 880 now holds zero reliably and is more consistently accurate with inexpensive Crosman
Destroyer EX pellets - the 7.4gr ones found at Wal-Mart.
There are other techniques that I've learned for loading and stroking the compression charge
that have helped minimize unexplained flyers and, generally, enhance accuracy.
As such, the accumulated effect has been the make the 880 plain fun to shoot.
Today, while defending the birdfeeder, I decided to attempt a couple of longer shots with the 880
that I would normally reserve one of my other air rifles.
The raiding sparrows that normally draw the attention of my 880 or Diana 240 have learned
the safe stand-off range for these rifles.
As such, they maintain a distance from the bird feeder until they think the
coast is clear.
Well, things were different ... I estimated the range to be fifteen to seventeen yards away.
And, targeted a sparrow that was perched bolt-upright.
This way, I had some tolerance for pellet drop and rifle hold-over.
But, only about three quarters of an inch horizontal latitude for a good hit.
I steadied myself against a patio roof support and held a center mass POA.
After, the shot went-off, I saw the sparrow tumble down like a dropped hacky sack - a very satisfying shot.
Over the course of the day, I made several more shots at sparrows that were standing-off in a clump
of trees in the alley behind my property.
Solid hits and the tagged sparrows seemed dead before they hit the ground.
I ran-over to were the sparrow had fallen and observed no immediate signs of life or going through
death throes - good clean kills.
Before I could retrieve the dead birds ... the
alley cats, as usual, beat me to the sparrows.
I was happy to see my kill was going to good use ... being recycled by the local felines.
The experience with my Daisy 880 have prompted me to consider buying a
Daisy Poweline 22SG
for shooting
Eurasian collard dove that compete with my house finches for grain that has fallen
to the ground under my bird feeders.
I normally use a
.177 BSA Lighting XL for birds larger than sparrows.
But, the XL is always cased when not in use.
As such, it is not fast to get into action on an impromptu basis.
My Daisy 880 is always at the ready ... so would a Poweline 22SG - if I owned one.
I don't give my 880 any special attention, she stays propped-up against the nearest wall when not in use.
When an unexpected sparrow shot arises ... I grab, load, stroke and take a shot - quick and convenient.
Then, back against the wall the 880 goes ... until next time.