Project Appleseed

During the late great ammo shortage there was some discussion here about air guns for appleseed. The realization was that air guns that could keep up in rapid fire were very rare and expensive.

Today there are many new models out, it could be that, soon affordable models suitable for appleseed become available.

Why bother?

Expense, I recently bought 12,000 quality pellets for 170 dollars.

Backstop and range requirements. It takes a lot less backstop and approval hurdles to set up an airgun range than a firearm range.

Oppressed states, some laws have come to pass recently that make loaning a firearm a crime.

Some rifles capable of running a 40 round AQT course of fire on a single filling exist now. Refilling the air tanks on the firing line could be done during the prep period, our current chamber flags might work. I don't have the rimfire shorty to try out.

A 500 round weekend with a rifle that needs manually charged is likely to make wannabe shooters pursue another calling, maybe even a few torn rotator cuffs. That leaves C-02 or pre-charged pneumatic, (PCP).

The cost of air tanks and compressors are a steep hurdle. Some volunteer fire departments will fill a tank.
Some paintball and scuba diving shops can fill an air tank. Costs have been coming down, but a 4500 PSI compressor just isn't cheap.  I really think PCP is the way

The cost of many C-02 rifles are relativity low, but the long term purchase of C-02 cartridges starts to pile up. Some C-02 guns exist that can be filled with liquid C-02 purchased from a local soda pop distributor, supplied in a rental tank.

There are a lot of clever people working on new air gun design, https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org has been a good source of information.

Appleseed is not ready to go airgun, and few airguns are ready to go appleseed, but the day may come.

Agreed.    Airguns can have the accuracy and the range.  But my search for an accurate, magazine fed, PCP was less than successful.

My Benjamin Marauder is magazine fed, and has the ability shoot a clean target at 27 yards.
Unfortunately the operator (me) seems to lack the ability to shoot a clean target.
Affordability is also a factor, few people would spend $750 dollars on an air rifle when you can get one at Wal-mart $39.95.

In my opinion, the best secret to teaching marksmanship is the QB78 in .22
It's a steel and wood, single shot, pellet rifle powered by two co2 carts. 
For even lower operational costs, the QB79 uses a refillable co2 paintball tank.
The QB7x has the same manual of arms as a single shot bolt action rifle (which is why it's my airgun of choice for introducing anyone to shooting).
It's cheap to shoot, and accurate enough---good enough for squirrel headshot hunting out to 25 yards.
Even with CO2 carts, it's under 5 cents a shot.
But, rate of fire, at a comfortable civil war rate of 3 shots per minute, is not within the appleseed standards.
It's too bad, as I think this would open the door to many more events and a whole lot more exposure to the history taught.
I'd think it would be something worth considering creating a new appleseed standard with this air rifle in mind. 
I've used it with many an adult or child quite successfully (other airgun powerplants--using springs, pistons, etc are hard to learn to shoot accurately in a short time, while pcp airguns are too expensive for new shooters)
Chris
Shot in my first ever Appleseed in April 2019--I owe a report.  Bottom line, AWESOME event even though I missed the patch by a handful of points the first day, and the second day was cut short due to weather. I'm more of a precision air pistol coach and shooter IZH46, FWB model 2, steyr LP2, LP10e, LP5

 The RAW (Rapid Air Weapon) HM 1000X PCP in 22 or 25 caliber at 2K looks like it could do the trick. Good video at the link. It shows shooting just over one MOA at 50 yards. At 950 fps it has the power to easily make the 25 meters, and with a 50 round capacity before the shots begin to drop off.
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/RAW_HM1000x_LRT_PCP_Air_Rifle_Red_Laminate_Stock/4793

BTW: I have long used the 10/77 magazine fed Crosman for practicing rapid fire at 10 meters off season.  I can come close to qualifying on a scaled down 10 meter target, but as mentioned by others, CO2 does not give a consistent muzzle fps.

I live out of town, and have a one acre lot. It's possible to stretch out about 105 yards and not be visible from the road while shooting.

But a convenient  firing point with safe backstop sits 78 yard apart. If the wind is calm 1 1/2 inch groups are possible launching 10.5 grain domed pellets at about 865 fps.

RAW, WAR, FX, Huben, Umarex, Gamo, Hatsan, and many more. Pretty mind boggling all the different builders.

I shopped the web's selection for several weeks before choosing the Marauder .177 FT. Has a air regulator, premium barrel, built in sound suppressor, and 10 round mag.

Advertising claims up to 80 shots from a 3000 psi fill.
Chronograph says about 62 shots per fill.

Lets see some posts on the air rifle you have, or at least the air rifle you covet.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Seneca_Aspen_PCP_Air_Rifle/4715

The Senaca Aspen got a good review from Tom Gaylord.  It can be pumped up during prep or at the end of the stage.

It is on my short list.

The idea of a PCP with onboard pump is really awesome.
The bigger the bore, the more air has to be released to launch a pellet. A .177 would be more user friendly at appleseed.
The .25 would be great for walking around looking for some meat for the pot!

Mark I'm pretty sure it uses your Benjamin Marauder magazines. 

Just sayin.

Tom's 5 part review:
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2019/01/air-venturi-seneca-aspen-25-caliber-precharged-pneumatic-air-rifle-part-1/

Benjamin Marauder.
Good rifle, solid shooting platform, I have owned one for 2 years and another for 8 months.

Cons, large size, smaller statured people will find it too big.
The trigger is two stage, fully adjustable, with no provision for over travel stop.
If an over travel stop is installed, the trigger will drag on the hammer and give inconsistent poppet strike resulting in loss of velocity, large deviation in velocity, and bigger groups. 

Quote from: Charles McKinley on May 28, 2019, 11:44:10 PM
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Seneca_Aspen_PCP_Air_Rifle/4715

The Senaca Aspen got a good review from Tom Gaylord.  It can be pumped up during prep or at the end of the stage.

It is on my short list.

This rifle is also available as the Nova Freedom with iron sights. I have one. Even though it has a built in pump, it is a good bit of effort to get it up to the 3000 PSI needed. I enjoy shooting it. A bonus is that it also uses the same 10 round magazine that the Benjamin Marauder uses.

Right now my stable of air rifles are as follows
Benjamin Marauder Field and Target in .22
Umarex Gauntlet in .177
ATI Nova Freedom in .22

The trigger on the Marauder is superb. It also has sling studs.

I have a pre-order in for this: https://www.crosman.com/benjamin-marauder-semi-auto
I really hope the semi comes out mid July as they are forecasting.

I shot a standing section of the scaled down AQT last night. I think I scored a 44.

I will be posting some additional scaled down targets in the next few days.

Thanks Goodoldfriend,
It's interesting to see what other Appleseed instructors have in their stable of airguns. Those are some solid rifles you have.

I traded off my 25 caliber marauder. It shot good groups, but the group migrated around some. Might be because the barrel is anchored in the receiver with grub screws.

Really fell in the deep end and replaced it with an EDgun matador. Not just built like a tank, but built like a Russian tank. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8PHsc_SKlg
Ed is shooting the standard model, I got the long version with walnut stock. It will launch 60 plus, 25 cal. 25 grain pellets at 935 FPS on one fill of air.

Still have the .22 airspeed semi-auto, and .17 field target Benjamin marauder.

I have a marauder F&T in .177 coming in the next few days.

Just shot a sitting stage with the marauder I shot a 35 but I was not using the sling. I did the mag change but not sure if I kept it in the 55 seconds or not. Thinking about trying to qualify with it sometime soon. LOL

The marauder mag change gets better with practice.
One thing that seems to speed it up, shooting right handed. I push the old mag out with left thumb. Then grab new mag with right hand.

That expended mag wants to roll away, shooting off my front deck it sometimes falls off the deck and into the bushes.

Is the Lothar Walther barrel with the Picatinny rail worth the extra $100 of a Marauder in .22?  I need a pump also so I'm having a hard time parting with all the cash to get started in the PCP world.

Thanks

The picatinny rail allowed me to use an AR type up and forward scope mount.

That placed the scope in a better position for me to shoot prone.  Some times when the length of pull is normal 13.5" having the scope forward makes a better fit for bigger shooters.

A friend bought an umerex gauntlet recently, with some loving attention to the trigger, I'm pretty impressed.
Gauntlet and hand pump were less expensive than standard Maurader.

The Marauder comes ready to shoot well, the gauntlet might be described as an assembled kit. A little disassembly, some clean up of flash from the parts, some fitting needed.

Thanks Mark,

This confirms what I suspected the versatility of the Picatiny rail is worth it.

I held a Gauntlet at a local shop.  It has a huge "Made in China" on the forearm that I would look at every time I shot it.  I want to save a little more and get the Marauder.

Like you said the Marauder is ready to go out of the box.  The trigger is good from what I have read.

I'm looking at the Hill pump with the water filter on the intake to power it.  There isn't a dive shop that is convenient to me.

I bought a hill pump with the first Marauder.  Told myself "the exercise will be good for me".

The rifle was .25 caliber, I soon began to live in fear of the air gage.  The pump is going to be a better option in a smaller caliber.

You may be looking at a .22 but 177 will give more shots per fill, less noise, less expensive pellets, and much wider availability of pellets, both in types and places that sell them.

I'm looking at the .22 mainly for pest control.  The game Comission only allowed 177 and 22 when they approved air guns for small game.   I will be ok with the pump.

Thank you

New Air Rifle!
I haven't bought one, but I just might.
Air Venturi Avenger.  Three Hundred dollars .177 .22 .25calibers. Precharged pneumatic, or PCP
They are just now coming into the hands of consumers.  These rifle have an incredible amount of features usually found on rifles costing three to six times what this cost.
Good velocity, good air volume. Reported good accuracy. Ten round magazine, two magazines shipped with rifle. sidelever action. Top of the metal receiver is milled for picatinny and 3/8 dovetail scope mount. Short rail on bottom front of forestock.

The trigger is two stage adjustable, unfortunately it is of the Theoben design, and without an overtravel stop is best suited for the booger flick style of trigger control.

Mark,

I have the no longer produced Crosman upper for the AR. It uses the same magazine as the Maurauder .177. They are very accurate as could be seen in NMAR competition several years ago at CAMP Perry. I use scuba tanks for refill and have them stickered as airgun only so that the local store will refill. The Secret with the Hill pump is not to let the level get too low.

Good luck.

So good to hear from you! Missed you (along with many other at Perry this summer.) Agree with the comment about the Hill pump. I have one I use to fill my 'competition' air rifles. (When I don't have them at Perry to fill them for me.) If you ever want to sell that Crosman upper, let me know. Sorry I didn't get one when they were available. If you need verification that I know what I'm talking about, check out this link. https://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=edit&tab=results&match=18851 Click the link for bench rest AR 15. I got beat by 1.4 points by a guy who is an employee of the range.

Miki

I have no question Miki knows what she is talking about. I have two of the uppers, one needs to go back for repair. When I get that done I will let you know.

Quote from: jmdavis on September 08, 2020, 06:12:33 PM
Mark,

I have the no longer produced Crosman upper for the AR. It uses the same magazine as the Maurauder .177. They are very accurate as could be seen in NMAR competition several years ago at CAMP Perry. I use scuba tanks for refill and have them stickered as airgun only so that the local store will refill. The Secret with the Hill pump is not to let the level get too low.

Good luck.

I thought there was a PCP upper for AR's out there. Was casting about for one before I bought the 177 Marauder. Checked Creedmoor sports, and champion's choice. Couldn't find one.
Never saw one in real life, but do covet the upper.