B26 can-killing photos

[photomunkey]

Okay, per Mike's recommendation, I tried holding the B26 firmly to keep it from bucking. These shots were done on a very windy day in my side yard at 20 yards. In photo 1, the hits at the upper left were the first 5 shots without adjusting the scope for the POI from the Crosman Premium Pointed pellets. (I must have shot a different pellet last time as the POI was off). After a few tweaks to get it shooting on the POA (the circular logo in the middle of the label) I shot 5 or more pellets through the hole to the slight lower right portion of the hole. A few more tweaks of the knobs put it on the top left of the circular logo. With the label pulled off the can you can see in photos 2 and 3, this rifle shoots pretty darn good in the wind. After a little while, the pellets stopped making noise when they went through the can! Oh well. Time for a new target.

The single shot between the "D" and the "O" in the top logo was using the "O" as the POA. There was too much wind to say whether this was my error, scope misadjustment, or wind, or a likely combination of all three. Clearly though, clamping down on the B26 does result in some impressive accuracy. This from a tin of pellets which costs only $5.95 for 250!

BTW-this is just practice for me... There are no bushy-tailed rats to hunt where I live. Also, I believe in eating what I hunt, and right now, I'm not hungry enough to go after California jackrabbits in the desert. Soon maybe...

[mikeiniowa]

just wait until the barrel gets good and broken in...have one B-26 the guy is using for target shooting and it's been banned for being to accurate for fun shoots.....

[photomunkey]

I'm guessing I've got about 700 shots through it so far... maybe 800. I've got a great big box of Crosman Premier domed pellets to work through, though the B26 doesn't like them. It sure loves those Crosman Premium Pointed pellets. I saw them listed on one website as "Copperhead Premium" but I don't think they say Copperhead anywhere on the package.

Are the "Premier Hollow Points" any better? I was thinking of trying something like the Beeman Silver Ace pellets due to the weight and better sealing of their three rings. I know the velocity will drop but will the pellets gain stability, and hence, better accuracy?

One part of me has a jones for a Benjamin Maurader... but it's hard to justify the expense when I can drill nice holes in things with the B26. I do wish it were a little quieter though... The TF-89 is noticeably quieter. Would a muzzle brake help?

[imadogman]

My MM B-26  .22 cal shoots best with the "off the shelf tin" of Crosman Premier Hollow Points.  The Box of Crosman Premier domed, is a close second place, along with the RWS Superdome.
POI changes slightly with each pellet while shooting offhand, but seems to be very similar if shooting from a benchrest. (I am sure that it has to do with adjusting my hold for the differing gun reaction to each pellet.)  When I am satisfied as to which pellet shoots best, I will only shoot that one offhand for most situations.  
My B-26 has a Maccarri Merlin Spring...so yours may vary  ;-)

[mikeiniowa]

stay in the 15 gr. range, to light or to heavy will hurt the spring, you can try a break and see what happens, most of the noise is from the internals. Have someone else shoot it and stand a few feet away, it may be quieter than you think....

[PeakChick]

Good shooting Eric! The B26 is a very capble rifle.

[Jaymo]

I sure am glad you used up all the coffee in that can before ventilating it. I'd hate to think that you'd be willing to abuse perfectly good coffee. If you come across any coffee you don't want, I'll be more than happy to give it a good home, the same goes for that B26.
OH, and uh, nice shooting. I'm wanting a MM tuned B26 more and more. Right now I think I need to sell most of my air rifles to help pay for a brand new R1/HW80.

[Mick]

Wash yo' mouth out, M' Boy !

As a dedicated tea drinker from birth, I should warn you that, based on years of comprehensive record keeping on my computer, I can assure you that drinking coffee is always Terminal !

Mick - The Fuzzy Limey

[photomunkey]

I' be selling this B26, after I've done the review on it for Rick's website. I'm actually having more fun with the TF-89 and TF-59 (now that I've found a pellet, CPHP, which works well in it). There's something about the TF rifles which just works better for me for some unknown reason.