CFX loading port seems small?

[johncedarhill]

I was looking at a CFX .177 today at a nearby Dicks Sporting Goods. I would like to see a gun just once before I buy it. I liked the way it shouldered but I really did not care for the scope. The worst part was I thought the loading port just looked too small compared to my B40 so I just passed on it. THose of you who have a CFX can you comment on the ease or lack or ease in loading. I like to shoot without my glasses (although this last weekend I tried while wearing the seamless bifocals which I decided that I won't use for driving and it did not seem so bad as the regualre bifocals) so loading is a big of an optical challenge esp in .177.

[oldyankee2]

I have a new CFX in .177 and I think that having smaller hands/fingers can help with loading this rifle, but it can be done even for us larger folks.  I am 6' 2" and wear XL gloves and wear bifocals, and I can load my CFX, though not
very quickly at this point.  I think that I can get at least (4) 45 Colt cartridges into my Ruger blackhawk in the same amount of time.   The rifle still needs alot of breaking in, but it shows promise.

[johncedarhill]

I don't have big hands. I suppose I could develop better technique. It just seemed so small compared to the b 40.

[PeakChick]

John, I actually prefer the ease of loading in the rotary port of my CFX over the sliding breech on my B40. I think it is much easier. I have smaller hands and fingers than most of you guys, but I wear a women's large glove, so mine are not "tiny."

I'm looking forward to receiving my CFX.  Being a smaller guy and wearing the same glove size as PeakChick I doubt I'll suffer from these loading issues some seem to have.

[johncedarhill]

I wish I could have opened the breech to see the actual size and stick my fingers in. I sort of push the pellet into the B40 so as I was looking at it this afternoon it could be shorter without more difficulty.

[johncedarhill]

That sounds interesting.

[PBJ]

Once you get a loading drill down, a .177 is a breeze. Both my .22 CFXs require some care, one is likely going to need some machine work sooner or later, very hard to get the pellets in the chamber. I drop my pellets in the loading trough and then shake/push them into the chamber. My .177 has thousands of pellets through it and only some oversized Gamo Hunters have all loaded no big deal Just got some new RWS R-10's and they load great - best of all the match types to date. Only pellet that might have an issue is some Predators might be a bit long and need some fingernail encouragment.

[CharlieDaTuna]

I have found that depending on the pellet, if you hold the gun pointed at an upward angle rather than facing down, like most of us do, the pellet is usually pretty easy to install and will not have the tendency to roll forward and wind up tail first. I hate that... :0  :0  :0

I found Bob(CDT)'s technique to be pretty handy for loading the CFX as well. With the muzzle angled up, once the pellet is sitting in the loading groove facing the correct way, I use the back of my right (I think) index fingernail to push the pellet into the bore. There's always a tiny, yet satisfying "click" that signals that the skirt is fully seated and ready for me to swing the loading port closed. Definitely easier for me to keep the pellet from loading bass-ackwards that way- LOL!

Thanks again, Bob!

Bryan

[oldyankee2]

This is also how I have found it to be easier to load the CFX.   The loading port has a tendency to over-rotate a tiny bit, that then creates and off-center condition in which the pellet won't slide in.  I perhaps at some point I'll either
try to put a "gob" of something on the handle/lever or else try to machine off a small chamfer on the edge of the trough that is at the entrance to the "chamber".