Flying Dragon Grackle Tool

[PeakChick]

As soon as I saw Mike's post about the new batch of QB78s, and how they had improved the finish on them, I asked him to build me a full Flying Dragon tuned Grackle speciality tool. We discussed this rifle's intended purpose, Grackle population control, and Mike did a full tune with my specs. in mind. This .177 QB78 is tuned to about 730-740 fps with 8.3 gr Domes. Mike tuned it a tad shy of the max he can get out of a QB78 for fps to retain the surgical accuracy I enjoy for dropping Grackles out of my trees.
The new, improved QB surely does have a very nice, uniform, high gloss urethane finish on the stock. It has a nicely fitted textured rubber butt pad on the end. The Model information and serial number are laser etched into the receiver. Overall this is a nice piece of work for a rifle at this price point.
I mounted up a Bushy Banner 4-12 x 40 AO and sighted it in with RWS Super Domes. I have a really good supply of "Domes" on hand and they have proved to be very effective on Grackles out to 40 yds. With just 25-30 pellets through an unseasoned barrel the rifle is shooting nice ragged one hole groups at 10 yds.
Mike's trigger work on this one is, as usual, delightful. It has a nice 1-2 lb. (perceived) pull weight.
The balance and light weight on this little rifle is very nice. I can't wait to get a chance to introduce this great rifle to the avian gangsters.

Update: She's already going to work:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=8037&mid=58163#M58163

[longislandhunter]

Congrats Stephanie on the new shooter.....

You're gonna love that rifle.... I have 2 of Mikes tuned 78 deluxes and they are sweet shooting guns.

Looking forward to your first pics with that rifle laying next to a DOA grackle......

Jeff

[fisherdude]

I really like the looks of the rifle, but being new to this, I am even more interested in your Grackle extermination success.  I have a .177 CFX and I can bust them at 30 yards, but at 50 yards- I can hit them, but they fly off leaving a puff of feathers.  Is there a .177 pellet that is lethal at 50 yards from your QB-78?  Or, is 40 yards about the max? - which has been my experience.

[PeakChick]

I use a number of different rifles on Grackles, all are shooting some type of domed FT type pellet. 40 yds. is about the max I shoot. Super Domes, BSA Wolverines (JSB Exacts), and CPHP have all done the job. I find JSBs tend to have better longer range performance.

[Jaymo]

Just ran across this thread and I've decided that I need to get one. I know I want a Mike Melick tuned QB78 Deluxe. I know I want it tuned like yours. I don't know whether I want it in .177 or in .22.

[longislandhunter]

I had the same problem,,,, I just couldn't decide on which caliber to get,,,, so,,,,,,  I just ordered one of each   :emoticon:

Jeff

[CharlieDaTuna]

You are right about Mike Steph. I have a couple of his 78's and I really like the 78-D that he did for me. Not set up to shoot as heavy as yours but I looked at fuel efficiency as well as performance and Mike gave me both. No doubt he can handle customer desires within reason and at a very fair price I might add.

[TCups]

. . . and Mike is working on my AR2078-A / 177 as I type.  Gonna leave the target sights in place and swap out for a QB78 stock to go "ambi".  Tuning down to stay a bit quieter and concentrate on targets.

[mikeiniowa]

Your AR will be on the way today, set at a little over 600fps, I couldn't shoot it good enough at 20 yards to do it justice, just not as steady as I used to be, groups were still at 1/2 inch so it should do better than that after pellet selection.....